Cohen Architectural Woodworking plans 34,000 square foot expansion
 Phil Cohen, founder of Cohen Architectural Woodworking, with employees Isaiah Macey and Jade Sandifer. The company is growing dramatically. 
 
ST. JAMES, Mo. - Cohen Architectural Woodworking, a 95-employee commercial millwork firm, plans a 34,000-square-foot building to be built to the east of its existing buildings in St. James, Missouri. 
 
Cohen began working with wood in 1975 in a neighbor's barn, building porch swings from walnut, cherry, and cedar. Beginning in 1984, his firm moved seriously into commercial architectural millwork. Now operating automated machinery, including a Komo CNC and, added last year, a nested CNC from Stiles Machinery. 
Last year, it was estimated that the expansion project would add about 35 new jobs, according to the Rolla Daily News. Phil Cohen, foudner, said the exact number of new positions could be more like 50 or 60, and would not be finalized until the building is up and operating.

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.