Superior Cabinets named Manufacturer of the Year
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Superior Cabinets President & CEO Scott Hodson

REGINA, Saskatchewan - Superior Cabinets has been named 2015 Saskatchewan Manufacturer of the Year by the Canadian Manufacturing & Exporters. The award recognizes outstanding manufacturers that have made invaluable contributions to innovation, leadership, export, and manufacturing practices.

Superior Cabinets' President & CEO Scott Hodson received the award at the Minister’s Manufacturing Dinner, on Nov. 29 in Regina, Saskatchewan on Nov. 29. The event was held in conjunction with Manufacturing Week, Nov. 28-Dec. 2.

Superior Cabinets was named 2015 Saskatchewan Manufacturer of the Year by the Canadian Manufacturing & Exporters. Pictured are (l-r):    Andy Wolske, VP, Commercial Financial Services, RBC; the Hon. Don Morgan, Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Labour Relations & Workplace Safety, and Minister Responsible for the SK WCB; Scott Hodson, President & CEO, Superior Cabinets; Darryl Minty, Executive Director, Productivity & Innovation, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters; and Rodelle Genoway, Director, Workforce Development, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

One of Western Canada's largest cabinet manufacturers, Superior Cabinets has undergone a dramatic turnaround over the past decade. “To give you the magnitude of the turnaround of our company, the last time we produced 25 kitchens per day was in 2008, which took 400 people and 16 weeks to get it installed into the house. Today it takes 250 people and we install it in 6 weeks guaranteed,” Hodson said. “We are proud to manufacture our products in Saskatchewan — it’s one of our biggest competitive advantages.”

The frameless kitchen cabinet manufacturer's success strategy and its transition to lean manufacturing was featured in Woodworking Network last year.  The company was also included in the 2016 FDMC 300 listing of top wood products manufacturers in North America (February issue).

“We have completely transformed our front to back processes and have fully embraced and integrated a continuous improvement mindset throughout the company,” said Jason Warkentin, vice president of Manufacturing and Supply Chain. “The deployment of programs such as Lean and 5S, partnered with our dedicated staff in all departments including corporate, retail stores, and manufacturing, has resulted in a culture of constant innovation.”

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Superior Cabinets: Manufacturing operations as a client service

Superior Cabinets overcame the death of a principal and a rocky 29 percent sales drop to become one of Western Canada's leading cabinet manufacturers. The cabinetry firm marked 36 years in business with its anniversary in September.

Superior Cabinets was founded in 1980 by Charles Larre. His sudden death in 2004, and the economic recession, led to a 29 percent drop in sales in a matter of months. It wasn’t until 2008, when a new executive team was hired, that the cabinetmaker began implementing the series of strategic steps that would lead it on a path of renewed growth. Today, Superior Cabinets sells its frameless-style cabinetry through  retail stores in Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary and Edmonton, as well as a network of 75 dealers.

In honoring Superior Cabinets for its achievements, Mathew Wilson, senior vice president of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) said, “This significant recognition celebrates manufacturing leaders that are making meaningful contributions to job creation, economic growth, and the community in Saskatchewan. These are the leaders driving our communities; and I am proud to recognize Superior Cabinets for its continued leadership and innovation in the province.”

The CME noted that Superior Cabinets also has maintained its corporate social responsibility throughout the years by helping charities and initiatives, such as Habitat for Humanity, the Crisis Nursery, Movember, and numerous cancer-fighting agencies.

“RBC is proud to collaborate, innovate and partner with CME and to support its members who fuel our economy and contribute to the global ecosystem,” added Andy Wolske, RBC vice-president of Commercial Financial Services. “We join in congratulating and celebrating Superior Cabinets as Saskatchewan Manufacturer of the Year.”

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About the author
Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]