A listing of companies that occupy the #1-25 spots on the WOOD 100 list of fastest growing wood product companies.
1. Creative Custom Components LLC
Newcomerstown, OH
Custom components
â06: $790,000 â07: $3,029,000
Sales â07: 283.418% Projected â08: 40%
Est.: 2005 Employees: 35
Success for WOOD 100 first-timer Creative Custom Components LLC came from a combination of factors, according to David Weissman, company president. âOur growth and success has been a combination of a dedicated and skilled workforce, purchases of new equipment to expand our capabilities, product development and acquisitions,â Weissman says. The companyâs acquisition of Oak Pointe Stair Systems in 2007 pushed sales growth significantly, as did equipment purchased, such as a CNC copy lathe, turning sanders, new computers and more.
2. Cohen Architectural Woodworking
St. James, MO
â06: $828,000 â07: $2,346,000
Sales â07: 183.333% Projected â08: 5%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 18
Commercial casework
Company CEO Phillip Cohen says that increased productivity and implementing lean practices are what drove Cohen Architectural Woodworkingâs sales success in 2007 â and to a second consecutive appearance in the WOOD 100 â and that the company expects sales to increase again in 2008. Since 2007, the company has purchased a Komo CNC router, bidding software, a case clamp and CNC boring/dowel inserter. It also has expanded its warehouse by 9,000 square feet, to aid in its production efforts.
| Cohen Architectural Woodworking (No. 2) is getting a good reception to its commercial casework. Marking its second consecutive WOOD 100 appearance, the company says it was able to increase productivity, and profitability, through lean manufacturing initiatives. |
3.Woodtronics Inc.
Yorktown Heights, NY
â06: $462,000 â07: $1,230,000C
Sales â07: 166.234% Projected â08: 50%
Est.: 1986 Employees: 7
Architectural woodworking and millwork
Making its second appearance in the WOOD 100 after a two-year hiatus, Woodtronics Inc. attributes much of its success in the last eight months to a manufacturing emphasis of casegoods for medical offices, hospital lobbies, custom offices and reception desks for the commercial market. According to President Jan Efraimsen, the company has invested in larger automatic edgebanding machinery, a cabinet clamp-press, larger spray booths and more efficient spray equipment. âWe have streamlined the production flow,â Efraimsen says, âand when moving to a larger spaceâ¦we will again look at how we can improve the production. Our dedicated workforce also has been an increasing factor in our success.â
4. InternetLumber.com
Mocksville, NC
â06: $3,449,000 â07: $8,870,000
Sales â07: 157.176% Projected â08: 40%
Est.: 2005 Employees: 21
Custom and semi-custom hardwood flooring products
New product development helped InternetLumber.com find its way into this yearâs list. The company offers more than 300 standard flooring products and nearly 11,000 millwork profiles, and will also custom match or custom develop a product based on color and style preference and price range. âWhereas the rest of the flooring industry is dominated by 1/4- and 3-1/4-inch red and white oak, these two species combined are less than 10 percent of our shipped square footage,â says Simon Briggs, managing director.
5. Cabinet Crafters Corp.
Alexandria, IN
â06: $501,000 â07: $1,276,000
Sales â07: 154.690% Projected â08: 10%
Est.: 1995 Employees: 22
High-end custom cabinetry
Moving from a 4,100-square-foot shop to a much larger 42,000-square-foot building helped increase productivity and spark sales growth in 2007 for Cabinet Crafters Corp. According to President Tony Collins, the company also added sales people, and is expecting an increase in sales for 2008 as well. Aiding production in the new facility has been the purchase of two new paint booths, 52-in. widebelt sanders, and additional shapers and door equipment.
6. T.B.âs Custom Woodworking Inc.
Chicopee, MA
â06: $271,000 â07: $500,000
Sales â07: 84.502% Projected â08: 0%
Est.: 1995 Employees: 8-11
Commercial millwork and store fixtures
The addition of a FlexiCAM CNC router helped increase productivity for T.B.âs Custom Woodworking Inc., who makes its first WOOD 100 appearance. âWith the addition of the CNC, our initial production of parts has been tripled,â says Owner Tom Brogle. The company, which also can deliver and perform installations of its products, also has purchased a new Cehisa edgebander and a box truck.
7. FADCO Inc.
Tulsa, OK
â06: $2,276,000 â07: $4,199,000
Sales â07: 84.490% Projected â08: 10%
Est.: 1980 Employees: 26
Commercial millwork
Increased productivity and the purchase of a new facility are what General Manager Larry Vincent says helped FADCO Inc. increase sales by almost 85 percent. Since 2007, the company has purchased a Holz-Her edgebander and panel saw, an OMAL HBD 1550 horizontal bore and a glue and dowel machine with a grooving saw to boost its production efforts. Vincent says FADCO plans to stay successful in the future by âutilizing our equipment to become increasingly more efficient and working to improve on our quality control program.â
8. Jakeâs Creative Woodworks Inc.
Smithton, MO
â06: $455,000 â07: $835,000
Sales â07: 83.516% Projected â08: 50%
Est.: 2003 Employees: 9
Custom cabinets and countertops
âI think that most of our success comes from our employeesâ skills and dedication, which directly affects our increase in productivity,â says Jakeâs Creative Woodworks Inc. Owner Jake Gieschen. âSince we do not do much advertising, we rely mostly on our reputation of doing quality work at a fast pace and providing good customer service.â Making its second WOOD 100 appearance, the company recently made machinery upgrades to keep up with the high demand for its services, purchasing a Biesse two-head widebelt sander, a Grizzly table saw and spiral cut planer, a dust collector from Oneida, TigerStop equipment, Cabinet Vision âSolid Manufacturingâ software, and more.
9. Eyewood Design Inc.
Interlochen, MI
â06: $2,600,000 â07: $4,700,000
Sales â07: 80.770% Projected â08: 0%
Est.: 1993 Employees: 40
Commercial casework and custom
architectural woodwork
Succeeding in Michiganâs economy, one of the toughest in the nation, has been a challenge for Eyewood Design Inc. The challenge has been not only battling cost increases, but finding viable projects to participate in says Dan Hansen, general manager. âThe majority of our overall success lay in the hands of our employees as a result of their exceptional effort, innovation and persistence,â he says. Making its third WOOD 100 appearance, the company also ships and installs its products throughout the Midwest.
10. Gilbert Veneers Inc.
Escanaba, MI
â06: $890,000 â07: $1,605,000
Sales â07: 80.334% Projected â08: 50%
Est.: 2000 Employees: 17
Cut-to-size veneers for doors
Owner Brad Gilbert says that the reasoning behind Gilbert Veneerâs sales success in 2007 is fairly simple. âWe have introduced new product lines, had excellent growth from our core group of accounts and expanded via the additional product opportunities. We met this growth with machinery and man-power to continue to provide great service,â he says. The company expects sales to increase again in 2008 by diversifying its product base and expanding its customer base to offset any particular slowdowns in centralized markets.
11. Doopoco Enterprises
Oxnard, CA
â06: $353,000 â07: $614,000
Sales â07: 73.938% Projected â08: 25%
Est.: 2000 Employees: 6
Custom residential cabinetry
Doopoco Enterprises makes its second consecutive entry in the WOOD 100. Customer service, including the high quality of its cabinetry, is what Owner Jim Doolittle credits for the companyâs 74 percent growth rate. âWe continue to have very satisfied clients, and we strive for a big wow factor at delivery,â says Doolittle. âWe put an emphasis on taking care that our clients enjoy the process of having custom cabinetry made for their homes.â In addition to continuing to improve on the efficiencies of its processes, Doolittle says the company is focusing more on the high-end market. âThis market is less affected by the condition of the overall economy,â Doolittle says.
12. Walker Woodworking Inc.
Shelby, NC
â06: $870,000 â07: $1,513,000
Sales â07: 73.908% Projected â08: 10%
Est.: 2000 Employees: 14
Custom residential cabinetry
This three-peat company in the WOOD 100 does not outsource anything except decorative items such as onlays and posts, which means better control over the products going out the door. According to Travis Walker, president, a strong marketing program is what has kept the company going strong. âWe advertise a lot through home shows and high-end magazines,â he remarks. âWe also have a great Web site.â Customer service also plays an important part in Walker Woodworkingâs 74 percent growth. âMany cabinetmakers make great cabinets, but returning calls in a timely and professional manner is what gives us an edge,â he adds.
13. SMI Architectural Millwork Inc.
Santa Ana, CA
â06: $4,360,000 â07: $7,505,000
Sales â07: 72.133% Proj. â08: 8-10%
Est.: 1997 Employees: 57
Cabinetry and millwork for commercial markets
For SMI Architectural Millwork, a newcomer to the WOOD 100, customer service has been the main component in driving growth. âContractors look to SMI as a single source for its millwork and architectural products,â says Tim Stolo, vice president. âWe will spend the time to engineer a method to make design intent work with actual field conditions.â Aiding the companyâs production has been the purchase of a Biesse sander and edgebander, RazorGage equipment and Microvellum software.
14. Brownco Construction Co. LLC
Rowlett, TX
â06: $896,000 â07: $1,539,000
Sales â07: 71.763% Projected â08: 20%
Est.: 1980 Employees: 11
Architectural millwork
General Manager Sydney Brown says improved quality control has contributed most to Browncoâs 72 percent growth from 2006 to 2007. âOur quality has always been our number one focus for our clients,â says Brown. âThe general contractors we have relationships with know us for our quality and producing results time and time again.â recent purchases include a CR Onsrud CNC router.
| Displaying a talent for commercial millwork and displays, Ferguson Design (No. 15) credits its success to its employees and increased productivity in shop. |
15. Ferguson Design Inc.
Charlotte, NC
â06: $1,158,000 â07: $1,974,000
Sales â07: 70.466% Projected â08: 20%
Est.: 1998 Employees: 23
Commercial millwork and trade show displays
Increasing productivity at Ferguson Design enabled the 10-year-old company to achieve 70% growth from 2006 to 2007. The company, which designs, manufactures and installs commercial millwork, in addition to designing and fabricating custom trade show displays, improved its output by adding talented and committed employees and a new Cosmec CNC router that can route 50 panels worth of cabinet parts per day, according to Mike Ferguson, president.
16. South Texas Woodmill Inc.
Brownsville, TX
â06: $6,898,000 â07: $11,080,000
Sales â07: 60.626% Projected â08: 5%
Est.: 1987 Employees: 115
Architectural casework
David Wilhite, president, says customer service has contributed to the companyâs 61 percent increase and to its first time as one of the WOOD 100. âKnowing how to interpret what the owner wants, having a close relationship with contractors and architects, being able to complete projects on 70 percent completed plans and going the extra mile to produce special designsâ are all key factors in the companyâs continued success, says Wilhite. Helping the company accomplish its goal has been the addition of Microvellum and Cabnetware software, plus new routers.
17.Select Veneer Company Plywood
Smithfield, KY
â06: $8,158,000 â07: $12,961,000
Sales â07: 58.874% Projected â08: 23%
Est.: 1996 Employees: 72
Architectural panels and veneer
Eleven points of quality inspection and consistent, on-time shipments have helped Select Veneer, which produces architectural panels, custom plywood, a variety of veneers and more, grow nearly 60 percent from 2007 to 2006. New equipment purchases, such as two sanders, an edgebander, a beam saw, double-end trimmers and more have helped the company in its quality control improvement.
18. AXNT Wood Products
Logan, UT
â06: $642,000 â07: $1,017,000
Sales â07: 58.411% Projected â08: 0%
Est.: 2003 Employees: 7
Moulding and millwork, dovetailed drawers
Increased productivity was the deciding factor in AXNT Wood Productsâ first time on the WOOD 100. âAs the business has grown, we have been able to meet the customersâ needs by expanding our drawer production in another part of the building,â explains Rex Womack, owner. âBy separating our moulding operation from the drawers, it has made both operations more efficient.â
19. DAC Products Inc.
East Bend, NC
â06: $4,915,000 â07: $7,713,000
Sales â07: 56.928% Projected â08: 20%
Est.: 1987 Employees: 90
Store fixtures
Tony Smith, president of DAC Products, a manufacturer of store fixtures and point-of-sale displays, credits his employeesâ skills and dedication to the companyâs growth last year. âWe have worked hard to develop a team that works and communicates efficiently, both internally and with our customer base,â Smith says. âWe have the right people in the right positions and our customers recognize our efforts to be the best.â
20.Impressions in Wood Inc.
Cypress, TX
â06: $2,837,000 â07: $4,391,000
Sales â07: 54.776% Projected â08: 0%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 14
Store fixtures, commercial casework
In addition to manufacturing store fixtures and commercial casework, Impressions in Wood offers design work, engineering and branding for national customers, plus millwork and casework for local corporate buildouts. The company uses state-of-the-art CNC equipment, as well as owning and operating a full-service truck fleet. âSince logistics and the ability to deliver a piece of millwork is under our control, we do not have any of the headaches, damage and timing issues that are experienced when using common carriers,â says Barbara Dumaine, vice president.
21. Red Star Cabinet Co. Inc.
Farmingdale, NY
â06: $1,480,000 â07: $2,279,000
Sales â07: 53.986% Projected â08: 10%
Est.: 1997 Employees: 10
Custom bath & kitchen cabinetry
Red Star Cabinet Co. Inc. manufactures custom bath and kitchen cabinetry for new construction, renovation projects and property managers. According to Robert Edelbach, president, the company credits its success last year to its marketing program, which targets new construction projects, as well as strong repeat clientele based on customer service and referral business. Aiding its production efforts has been the purchase of a Brandt edgebander and Powermatic shaper over the past year.
| Refining the baseline for which millwork manufacturers are measured, through its dedication to customer service, has led architectural millworker Merritt Woodwork (No. 22) to a comfortable double-digit growth rate of almost 51% in 2007. |
22. Merritt Woodwork
Mentor, OH
â06: $14,585,000 â07: $21,990,000
Sales â07: 50.771% Projected â08: 10%
Est.: 1972 Employees: 106
Custom architectural millwork
Company COO C. Todd Green says that his companyâs relationship with a select group of architects and interior designers has continued to compel Merritt Woodwork to grow to support its clientsâ needs. âWith over 35 years experience in the industry, we have grown to over 100 associates and have refined the baseline for which millwork manufacturers are measured,â he says. The company is expecting 10 percent sales growth this year and plans to address internal training and development programs.
23.Architectural Woodworking
Oakland Park, FL
â06: $300,000 â07: $450,000
Sales â07: 50.000% Projected â08: 0%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 7
Kitchen cabinets and millwork
According to company President Juan Sanchez, quality control improvements are what drove Architectural Woodworkingâs sales success in 2007. The company, which is making its first appearance in the WOOD 100, makes kitchen cabinets and millwork, and purchased an edgebander over the past year.
24.Forest Creek Inc.
Nampa, ID
â06: $709,000 â07: $1,043,000
Sales â07: 47.109% Projected â08: 19%
Est.: 2004 Employees: 7
Institutional, commercial and residential casework and millwork
Customer service played a huge part in Forest Creek Inc.âs sales success in 2007. âOur new and repeat customers require that we service them beyond expectation,â says President Brandon Harvey. âOur price point is exceptional for the quality of product we offer and our level of service drives repeat, as well as referral, business opportunities.â The company, making its second WOOD 100 appearance, expects to see sales increase in 2008, and plans to position itself to outlast the current economic slowdown, purchasing millwork tooling, an optimizing crosscut saw and a three-headed widebelt sander in the past year.
25.Spyker Mfg.
Defiance, OH
â06: $885,000 â07: $1,300,000
Sales â07: 46.893% Projected â08: 20%
Est.: 2001 Employees: 8
Commercial and institutional plastic
laminate casework
Project Manager Richard Stokes credits employee skills and dedication for helping Spyker Mfg. improve its sales. âSpyker Mfg.âs overall work environment and company culture is one that encourages productivity,â he says. âWorking together and showing respect to employees engenders creativity, job satisfaction and a clean work environment, which all lead to low employee turnover and high per-employee output.â Stokes also points to the flourishing educational market for allowing Spyker to expand considerably at a steady rate. The companyâs equipment purchases since 2007 include a Biesse Rover 13 machining center, a TigerStop automatic stop/pusher system and a Gorbel jib crane, used with a Schmalz panel lifter.
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