Wood Industry Market Leader: Paul Wellborn, Wellborn Cabinet Inc.

 

“I had a woodworking background instilled in me at a very early age,” said Paul Wellborn, president and CEO of Wellborn Cabinet. “From the time I could remember, my father carried me out to help work on his job sites, construction of homes, and home remodeling. He taught me everything that I needed to know to build homes.”

Wellborn and his brother continued the tradition, first remodeling then cabinetmaking in Florida, before moving back to Alabama. “I believe that one of the main reasons for our success is our company has always remained a family business, from the time we built it until today,” he said. All five of his children and several grandchildren have had a part.

“We continuously bounce ideas off each other to better build the success of Wellborn Cabinet,” he added. “I find it to be a heart-warming success when you can look out in the company and see your children and grandchildren helping keep the family business alive.”

It is not only alive, but thriving. Among the multi-million dollar firm’s success strategies has been the transition to selling products through authorized dealers, and the continued expansion of styles and products, including the recently added Aspire Cabinetry frameless line.

“We are constantly striving to meet our customer’s needs,” he said. The company also takes pride in its fast and  99.9% shipping accuracy rate.

“Our cabinets are ‘Crafted by People Who Care,’” Wellborn added. “We have and will continue to be a vertically integrated manufacturing company, starting at the sawmill. We build in-house, where we can stay up close and personal with our products on a daily basis to make sure [it] is built to our quality standards.”

These high standards have resulted in numerous awards for the environmentally sustainable company over the years, including ADEX design awards and the 2011 Patriotic Employer by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Wellborn himself has also been recognized, including the 2004 Jerry Metz Achievement Award, and positions on the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association board, including the role of KCMA president.

In the community, along with their support of education, “We established the Children’s Fund Foundation that donates to several organizations in the Southeast that exist to give abused and neglected children a chance to have a better life.”

In his free time, Wellborn and his wife, Betty, enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “God has truly blessed me with a wonderful family that is near and dear to my heart.”

Quick Glimpse:

  • Education: High school
  • Number of years at the company: 55 years
  • Number of years in the industry: 55 years
  • Word that describes you: Attentive
  • The best advice given to me was from my mother. She instilled in me the Golden Rule, which is to treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Who have you tried to emulate in business? I will never forget what my father instilled in me: to do things fast, to do them right the first time, and to always save materials; each piece of our resources was used appropriately. Also, my father was very good at motivating people. Over the past couple of years, I have seen the characteristics of my father in myself as I have managed the people of Wellborn Cabinet Inc.

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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]