Trained as an engineer and schooled as an MBA, Butch Reimer, president of Tru Cabinetry, will bring his unique perspective on managing a kitchen cabinet business when he addresses the 2019 Executive Briefing Conference. The top-level management event runs April 14-16 at the San Jose Marriott.

Reimer became president of Ashland, Alabama-based Tru Cabinetry five years ago, when it was acquired by United Cabinet Technologies, a unit of equity firm Building Industry Partners. Since  then, Reimer has used his focused, process-driven leadership style to re-position the brand, attain sales growth in excess of 100 percent and achieve strong operational performance. These results were achieved through his implementation of new management philosophies, development of sound and innovative manufacturing processes, and successfully rebuilding the product line.

Reimer brings something of an engineer's approach to all aspects of the business, including sales, as he will explain at EBC 2019. He has a mechanical engineering degree from Ohio State University, and took his MBA from Ashland University.

 
Among his major career milestones was his work in the automotive industry at Bosch North America as manager of operations and engineering. This allowed him to hone his skills in process control, lean manufacturing, and operations management early in his career. He took this experience to the kitchen and bath industry at MasterBrand Cabinets, as general manager of the Richmond, Indiana unit of Fortune Brands Home & Security, earning a reputation as a results-oriented manager who improved performance with creativity and stability.
 
 
Reimer next spent six years at Norcraft Companies, rising to the post of senior vice president of operations for its Ultracraft Cabinets, helping guide the company through the recession and into a period of growth ahead of the market return. In 2013 he joined United Cabinet Holdings, where he assumed leadership as president of Tru Cabinetry. Following a reset of the manufacturing line, Tru Cabinetry reported a 53 percent gain in sales in 2016. 
 
“The substantial gains we have made in the market reflect the focus we have placed on refreshing our product line and delivering on the expectations our customers demand,” Reimer says of his work at Tru Cabinetry. “Our team has shown extraordinary focus and determination to become a highly-respected cabinetry provider.” 
 
Because of this progress, Tru Cabinetry is continuing to hire and train new employees to add capacity, including recently adding a second shift in its paint-finishing department. Last June Reimer said Tru Cabinetry would hire some of the 450 MasterBrand employees laid off following an Auburn, Alabama plant closure. The combined moves continue to add to the company's capacity. 
 
Reimer's presentation will be among three intriguing case studies by forward-thinking managers. Also presenting will be Lewis Cabinet Specialties execs Bobby Lewis and Beau Lewis; and retail fixtures firm Bierson Manufacturing CEO Don Casebier. The 2019 Executive Briefing Conference high-level business management gathering takes place April 14-16, and will focus on the nexus between workforce and technology, aiming to inspire and ignite attendees to create change in their businesses. 
 
Taking place at the San Jose Marriott, in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, EBC will also feature Danielle Clark, Adobe's Director, Talent Development, who will talk about getting the most from individuals in one of the most hotly competitive labor markets in the nation. Since workforce is among the most critical issues facing managers, a panel of wood industry educators will examine recruitment and retention issues for manufacturers. www.executivebriefingconference.com
 

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.