WOOD 100: 81-100
81. Colonial Craft Inc.
Roseville, MN
www.colonialcraft.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $33,037,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $38,186,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +15.59% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +9% |
| Est. 1965 | Employees: 280 |
Colonial Craftââ¬â¢s production management and employees have dramatically increased productivity amidst record sales levels, says C.Cââ¬â¢s Jeanne Germain. This has helped the company to its 10th consecutive appearance in the Wood 100. Germain notes this was accomplished without relocating to larger facilities, and that the addition of an in-house prefinishing line has improved quality and controlled costs. Colonial has also accquired a fourth manufacturing facility.
82. Wisconsin Built Inc.
Deerfield, WI
www.wisconsin-built.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $7,054,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $8,106,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +14.9% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +20% |
| Est. 1988 | Employees: 59 |
Wisconsin Builtââ¬â¢s key to a six-year run in the Wood 100 is good customer service. ââ¬ÅWe get most of our business from existing customers, so we take good care of them,ââ¬? says president Jeff Ball. The company is looking to continue its growth with a 36,000-square-foot addition and new computer software. Wisconsin Built has also added a Komo twin table CNC router, a 100-hp Torit baghouse and a Midwest Automation panel lamination line.
83. Wooden Mallet
Aberdeen, SD
www.woodenmallet.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $2,303,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $2,636,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +14.5% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +15% |
| Est. 1975 | Employees: 24 |
For the eighth consecutive year, WM has a place in the Wood 100. The company has added its third and fourth CNC routers, as well as a complete optimizing line featuring a gang ripsaw, double-ended planer and optimizing cutoff saw. But the key to growth has been expanding into new markets, says company president Jim Kreber. ââ¬ÅI cannot stress new product development enough,ââ¬? says Kreber. ââ¬ÅIf products are designed right and manufactured efficiently, it will ensure a companyââ¬â¢s overall success.ââ¬?
84. J.M.C. Cabinets
Everett, WA
| ââ¬Ë98: $4,523,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $5,171,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +14.3% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +7.5% |
| Est. 1987 | Employees: 30 |
JMC credits its fourth Wood 100 appearance to a booming economy. ââ¬ÅThe Pacific Northwest housing market has been exceptionally strong for the last three years,ââ¬? says chief financial officer Neil Maddy. ââ¬ÅOur company was positioned to capitalize on this trend. Having moved our manufacturing facility under one roof gave us the ability and the increased capacity to increase our sales.ââ¬? Securing a new cabinet door supplier has also allowed the company to be competitive in that market, as well as provide an improved profit margin and position itself to capitalize on the growth in the area.
85. Evans Cabinet and Door Co. Inc.
Brenham, TX
www.evanscabinetanddoor.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $3,458,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $3,951,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +14.2% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +20% |
| Est. 1992 | Employees: 44 |
Evans joins the Wood 100 for the seventh straight year, and has upgraded several machines in both its cabinet and door shops. Improved employee training has workers trained on newer equipment and has improved production, says general manager Joe Hickl. ââ¬ÅAdding a custom finishing area has also made the companyââ¬â¢s products more attractive to potential customers,ââ¬? says Hickl. ââ¬ÅWe also plan to build a new cabinet facility in 2001 and expand our door shop within the existing facility.ââ¬? The company plans on a steady rate of growth next year and has upgraded cabinet design, door programming and accounting area software.
86. Commercial Casework Inc.
Fremont, CA
www.commercialcasework.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $10,001,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $11,404,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +14.02% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +30% |
| Est. 1976 | Employees: 110 |
A first-time entry into the Wood 100, Commercial Casework has utilized new machinery to speed up the production of commercial construction projects in the San Francisco Bay area. The company has purchased a Delmac Busellato Jet 6000 CNC router and an Altendorf F-45 sliding table saw. President William Palmer also credits the companyââ¬â¢s rapport with employees for Commercialââ¬â¢s growth. ââ¬ÅFor the last seven years, we have been an open book management company,ââ¬? says Palmer. ââ¬ÅWe teach financial literacy and share financial information with all employees.ââ¬?
87. Hird/ Blaker Inc.
Bronx, NY
www.hirdblaker.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $21,386,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $24,383,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +14.01% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +15% |
| Est. 1974 | Employees: 100 |
2000 marks the third straight year Hird/Blaker has appeared in the Wood 100, and the sixth time overall. According to president Cliff Blaker, ââ¬ÅHird/Blaker has continued to establish and maintain our reputation as a top-quality producer of architectural woodwork. We always keep our focus on quality.ââ¬?The company has recently added a CNC machining center and CNC sanding equipment to keep up with increasing work flows.
88. Eurodesign Ltd.
Santa Clara, CA
www.eurodesignltd.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $3,032,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $3,455,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +13.9% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +20% |
| Est. 1974 | Employees: 29 |
ââ¬ÅEurodesign has developed a unique line of space saving furniture and has also developed a system for efficiently designing, producing and installing it,ââ¬? says president Ward Wildanger. ââ¬ÅBut this wouldnââ¬â¢t be possible without a skilled staff and little turnover.ââ¬? The company has recently added a Homag 9500 edgebander from Stiles Machinery as it looks to increase its sales by 20 percent in 2000.
89. Brubaker Kitchens Inc.
Lancaster, PA
| ââ¬Ë98: $2,270,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $2,581,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +13.7% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +5% |
| Est. 1947 | Employees: 35 |
ââ¬ÅQuality control has improved by using a formal corrective action system,ââ¬? says vice president of manufacturing Stephen Brown. ââ¬ÅRoot cause analysis and proactive approaches have increased productivity while reducing in-house manufacturing errors.ââ¬? The company has added a Kundig three-head sander and a paint tinting system, as well as viewing new possible avenues to keep product lines competitive and improve upon current process methods.
90. TJ Hale
Menomonee Falls, WI
www.tjhale.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $21,701,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $24,489,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +12.8% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +2% |
| Est. 1950 | Employees: 153 |
A first-time member of the Wood 100 club, TJ Hale says its work force is the key to success in the highly competitive store fixture marketplace. ââ¬ÅOur work force continues to be our biggest competitive advantage,ââ¬? says Reed Felton, president and COO. ââ¬ÅTheir skills, work ethic and ability to meet challenges in a custom job shop is what continually fuels our success.ââ¬? Felton says the company is continually exploring new ways to make the company culture meaningful in a way that ââ¬Åcontributes to our employeesââ¬â¢ quality of life.ââ¬?
91. Black Hills Moulding
Rapid City, SD
| ââ¬Ë98: $2,029,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $2,284,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +12.6% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +15% |
| Est. 1990 | Employees: 35 |
Black Hills is enjoying its second consecutive year in the Wood 100, and according to sales manager David Mallams, the company has grown about 900 percent since 1990. ââ¬ÅWe have been aggressive in sales,ââ¬? says Mallams. ââ¬ÅBy integrating imported material into our current domestic product mix, we are able to keep the prices low and the quality high for our customers.ââ¬? The company has installed a 48-in. UV rollcoating system, low RPM wood grinder, a five-head moulder and additional buildings for storage and manufacturing.
92. Kretz Lumber Co. Inc.
Antigo, WI
www.kretzlumber.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $27,820,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $31,265,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +12.4% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +20% |
| Est. 1929 | Employees: 150 |
Despite concerns over the future supply of timber and the effect it may have on the industry, Kretz Lumber continues to grow. ââ¬ÅWe have greatly increased productivity by focusing on the business, product investment and employee emphasis,ââ¬? says marketing manager Russ Jamison. The company has added an American wood dryer, automated lumber handling stacker and computer software to improve optimization and productivity.
93. Cox Interior Inc.
Campbellsville, KY
www.coxinterior.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $55,226,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $61,970,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +12.2% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +20% |
| Est. 1983 | Employees: 860 |
Cox Interior continues to grow, citing its ability to respond quickly to changing markets as the key to present and future growth. The company also has added a rough mill, new glue operations and moulders to speed up throughput. However, costing department manager Mike Helm says the dedication of employees is the biggest reason for continued success and its first-ever appearance in the Wood 100. ââ¬ÅPride in quality craftsmanship is the key to our success.ââ¬?
| OFFICE INTERIORS MADE NEW AGAIN: Rieke Office Interiors specializes in refurbishing and modernizing tired, worn and dated office furniture. |
Elgin, IL
www.rieke.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $4,205,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $4,701,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +11.8% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +22% |
| Est. 1992 | Employees: 58 |
Rieke has changed its format from office furniture refurbisher to office furniture manufacturer. The company has added a Thermwood CNC router, Holz Her Speedy 207 point-to-point machine, DISA dust collection unit, two Binks spray booths and a Holz Her 2124 edgebander. By adding the machinery, the company has been able to bring itself online as a full service manufacturer of office furniture. ââ¬ÅThis has allowed our customers to help us to standardize our line of furniture,ââ¬? says president Christopher Matus.
95. U.S. Customized Finishes Inc.
Suwanee, GA
www.uscustomized.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $1,250,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $1,384,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +10.7% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +15% |
| Est. 1990 | Employees: 25 |
U.S. Customized has focused on improving efficiency to make improvements in profits and productivity. The company recently completed the purchase of its own building and property in Georgia and is poised to capitalize on a growing niche component market. ââ¬ÅIn 1997 we began full production in our thermorfoil department,ââ¬? says manager Lynura Goss. ââ¬ÅSeveral new markets have opened up to us as a result of this product line. Our products, which were primarily used for kitchen and bath applications, have moved into other parts of the home.ââ¬? The company is now seeing significant growth in the closet and storage industry and hopes to use that market as a springboard to larger sales in the next few years.
96. Harmonson Stairs
Mt. Laurel, NJ
www.harmonson.com
| ââ¬Ë98: $2,687,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $2,961,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +10.2% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +10% |
| Est. 1985 | Employees: 36 |
Harmonson appears in the Wood 100 for the third consecutive year, and for the fifth time in nine years. According to Harmonsonââ¬â¢s Bart Withstanduoy, the company has added a CNC lathe and an automatic spindle sander to speed up production times on the companyââ¬â¢s staircases and railings. The company also plans to diversify its product line in 2001 and expand the scope of its geographic market.
97. Jasper Seating Co.
Jasper, IN
| ââ¬Ë98: $26,907,000 | ââ¬Ë99: $29,477,000 | |
| Sales ââ¬Ë99: +9.6% | Color | Projected ââ¬Ë00: +10% |
| Est. 1929 | Employees: 325 |
ââ¬ÅOverall quality improvement is what has improved our business relationship with our customers,ââ¬? says vice president of manufacturing Ron Beck. ââ¬ÅMostly in the finished area. We have put a lot of energy into our finish quality.ââ¬? The company has also added other technology to improve the product for its two divisions. JSI produces contract seating and casegoods, while Community manufactures institutional and hospitality solid wood chairs. The company has added CNC routers, a double-end tennoner and an automatic cut and rip yielding machine.
98. Boyce Highlands
Concord, NH
www.boycehighlands.com
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