51. Prince Aircraft Co.
WHITEHOUSE, OH
‘07: $165,000
‘08: $196,000
Growth ‘08: 18.788%
Projected ‘09: 20%
Est.: 1979 Employees: 5

Propellers, wind turbine blades, etc.
Prince Aircraft Co. designs and manufactures aircraft propellers, wind turbine blades, NASA wind tunnel propellers, and submarine test and military propellers, and is making its first WOOD 100 appearance, with almost 20% growth in its wood-based products. New product development is credited with helping the company’s growth, and new equipment such as CNC software and shelving and organizational tooling was purchased in 2008 to help the effort, as well as additional employee training for multi-tasking. CEO/President Lonnie Prince says the company is expecting a 20% increase in sales in 2009, and that it plans to attend trade shows, become more involved with vendors and sales reps, better educate its employees and effectively track its competition, to help the company in this regard.

52. Spartacraft Inc.
CONNELLY SPRINGS, NC
‘07: $2,800,000
‘08: $3,300,000
Growth ‘08: 17.857%
Projected ‘09: 15%
Est.: 1984 Employees: 28

Custom cabinetry, home theatre and display cases
A manufacturer of custom cabinetry, home theatres and display cases, Spartacraft makes its first appearance in the WOOD 100. The company, which recently purchased a Biesse CNC machining center, new spray booths, shapers and sanders, plans to focus on its strengths in heirloom-quality products and sales activities to ensure it maintains its growth.

53. C & H Cabinets and Countertops Inc.
CRETE, NE
‘07: $635,000
‘08: $747,000
Growth ‘08: 17.638%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1995 Employees: 7

Commercial casework
Making its second appearance in the WOOD 100 after a three-year hiatus, C & H Cabinets and Countertops attributes much of its success in the last year to reduced delivery times by “having goods in the warehouse waiting for the company to call us, rather than them calling asking when,” says President John Culver. The company, which is an Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) Manufacturing Member, says employee recruitment/retention is a top concern for 2009, and it will strive to maintain a healthy and safe workplace.

54. Western Dovetail
VALLEJO, CA
‘07: $2,674,000
‘08: $3,142,000
Growth ‘08: 17.502%
Projected ‘09: N/A
Est.: 1993 Employees: 18

Custom dovetail drawers
Appearing in the WOOD 100 for the second consecutive year, Western Dovetail is committed to maintaining tradition in the modern industry. President Max Hunter says that by purchasing solid wood drawer boxes, any shop can quickly see the results of increased productivity by reducing inventory of special drawer box materials, eliminating costly set-ups and tooling.

55. Desert Cove Woodworks
PHOENIX, AZ
‘07: $2,516,000
‘08: $2,948,000
Growth ‘08: 17.170%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1995 Employees: 15

Custom cabinetry and millwork
Desert Cove Woodworks makes its first appearance in the WOOD 100. Matthew Parsons, president of the custom cabinetry and millwork manufacturer, says that increased productivity and a high influx of new work last year helped Desert Cove Woodworks put up higher sales numbers than the previous year.

56. Laurysen Kitchens Ltd.
STITTSVILLE, ON
‘07: $14,107,000
‘08: $16,402,000
Growth ‘08: 16.269%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1970 Employees: 123

Kitchen cabinetry, vanities and closet systems
Making its second consecutive appearance in the WOOD 100, Ontario-based Laurysen Kitchens Ltd. credits quality control improvements for helping the company attain another year of growth. “Quality remains at the top of the list,” says Controller Jim Gorman. “If you continuously manufacture a quality product, the sales will follow.”

57. Impressions Marketing Group
LORTON, VA
‘07: $76,375,000
‘08: $88,345,000
Growth ‘08: 15.673%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1981 Employees: 350+

Store fixtures and commercial casework
Customer service was key for Impressions Marketing Group’s increase in sales, as the store fixture manufacturer and three-time WOOD 100 member received the Above and Beyond award from the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.). The company purchased three Komo CNC routers and five digital printers over the past year and has future plans that include expanding its service offering and continuing to focus on on-time delivery and a “total solutions” approach, says Vice President Boe Young.

58. WoodArts Systems Inc.
HOUSTON, TX
‘07: $4,213,000
‘08: $4,872,000
Growth ‘08: 15.642%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1991 Employees: 40

Architectural woodwork
David Pena, president of WoodArts Systems Inc., credits a slight lowering in pricing, as well as time and money spent training new employees, for the company’s second appearance in the WOOD 100. WoodArts Systems, which is certified by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) in its Quality Certification Program (QCP) as a Premium Grade Woodworker, says it prefinishes and installs 99% of the items it fabricates.

59. Veneer One Inc.
OCEANSIDE, NY
‘07: $5,448,000
‘08: $6,277,000
Growth ‘08: 15.217%
Projected ‘09: -10%
Est.: 2000 Employees: 32

Custom architectural panels, doors and veneers
Thanks to increased productivity and focusing on customer service, Veneer One Inc. makes its fourth consecutive WOOD 100 appearance. “We worked very hard in 2008 to cater to the needs of our longstanding customers,” says Vice President/CEO Victor Giaime, “decreasing lead times when necessary and increasing product quality across the board.”

60. Sieling and Jones Inc.
NEW FREEDOM, PA
‘07: $4,930,000
‘08: $5,666,000
Growth ‘08: 14.929%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1949 Employees: 55

Architectural wood products
“With a decrease in labor hours of 3.5% we increased our sales by 15% while average price per square foot remained relatively constant,” says Biff Jones, president of Sieling and Jones, in regards to the company’s increased sales in 2008. The 10-time WOOD 100 member purchased a Kuper FL/Inovation veneer butt joining machine and a Kuper ZFS 3200 double knife veneer guillotine in the past year, and plans to continue providing a safe, friendly and well-equipped facility to aid in employee retention and recruitment for the future.

Impressions Marketing Group’s (No. 57) successful 2008 included receiving an Above and Beyond award from the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) in addition to the company’s nearly 16% sales increase.

Duane Eller, president of RiverCity Cabinets Inc. (No. 61), points to the company having skilled designers as project managers, as well as low employee turnover, as ingredients in its recipe for success in 2008.

61. RiverCity Cabinets Inc.
AUSTIN, TX
‘07: $2,013,000
‘08: $2,296,000
Growth ‘08: 14.059%
Projected ‘09: 20%
Est.: 2005 Employees: 15

High-end custom cabinetry
RiverCity Cabinets President Duane Eller points to the fact that the company has highly skilled designers as project managers, as well as a very low employee turnover, to explain the successful 2008. The company has recently hired additional sales staff, started an advertising campaign and is negotiating better pricing with its vendors — RiverCity outsources much of its doors and drawers — in hopes of continuing its success through 2009.

62. Lexington Laminates Inc.
LEXINGTON, KY
‘07: $1,198,000
‘08: $1,359,000
Growth ‘08: 13.439%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1989 Employees: 10

Commercial casework
A focus on customer service was the recipe for Lexington Laminates’ success in 2008. “Our primary goal is to provide our clients with value, delivering an excellent product at a competitive price while being able to meet demanding schedules,” says Robert Wheeler, company president. “Our reputation for doing so has enabled us to expand our client network and increase our sales volume.” The company will work to manage its future costs, which Wheeler says will be a crucial element in being able to compete in the current economic environment.

63. Vermont Custom Cabinetry
WESTMINSTER, VT
‘07: $947,000
‘08: $1,073,000
Growth ‘08: 13.305%
Projected ‘09: 20%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 13

High-end custom cabinetry for the residential market
For Vermont Custom Cabintry, a newcomer to the WOOD 100, the hiring of a design staff and a new marketing program were strong components in driving growth. “We sold only to kitchen and bath dealers who did their own designs prior to 2008,” says Tom Westra, president. “When the economy started to go south, we hired our own design staff and began marketing direct to homeowners, builders and architects. Although dealer sales are off by 40%, the direct sales have more than filled the gap.” The company also purchased a TigerStop programmable fence, a Williams & Hussey moulder and a Ritter frame clamp over the past year to aid productivity.

64. Stidham Cabinet Inc.
CORBIN, KY
‘07: $5,000,000
‘08: $5,650,000
Growth ‘08: 13.000%
Projected ‘09: 2-4%
Est.: 1975 Employees: 60

Commercial casework and residential cabinetry
New product development, in the form of targeting educational and government projects, proved profitable for Stidham Cabinet in 2008, and Vice President Jimmy Stidham says the company hopes to continue expanding into more niche markets in the future. The past year saw Stidham purchase new equipment, including a Giben CNC panel saw and optimization and estimating software, to aid in its capabilities.

65. Southern Minnesota Woodcraft Inc.
FARIBAULT, MN
‘07: $2,119,000
‘08: $2,375,000
Growth ‘08: 12.081%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1947 Employees: 20

Full-service architectural woodworking
Making its second WOOD 100 appearance, Southern Minnesota Woodcraft lists increased productivity, as well as new equipment such as a Biesse Akron 440 edgebander and a Tawi vacuum lift, as factors that contributed to its success in 2008. “With the new equipment came a restructuring of the production flow in our shop, which has accelerated production in conjunction with an expanded engineering department that was previously a bottleneck for us,” says Brad Cohen, vice president. In the future, the company plans to expand its marketing area and focus on cost-cutting measures to ensure competitive pricing, he says.

66. Shaw Woodworking Inc.
COTUIT, MA
‘07: $553,000
‘08: $619,000
Growth ‘08: 11.935%
Projected ‘09: 20%
Est.: 1990 Employees: 6

High-end custom cabinetry and architectural millwork
Success for Shaw Woodworking last year came in the form of increased productivity. “As time passes, technology is improving and becoming more affordable, allowing us to make necessary upgrades,” says James Shaw, president. “Recently we invested in new machinery and designed a new shop floor layout to allow for more efficient manufacturing practices. As a result, we have been able to manufacture products faster, leaner and at a better price.” The three-time WOOD 100 member recently purchased a Holz-Her Cosmec Fox 48 CNC router, a Kreg 4 by 8 pneumatic face-frame assembly table and Solid 4.2 Cabinet Vision software, to help its production efforts.

67. Nosta Inc.
MIAMI, FL
‘07: $605,000
‘08: $670,000
Growth ‘08: 10.744%
Projected ‘09: 5%
Est.: 1970 Employees: 6

Custom furniture and cabinetry
Company Vice President Jorge Noste says that customer service is what drove Nosta’s sales success in 2008 — and to a first-time appearance in the WOOD 100 — and that the company expects sales to increase again in 2009. “Nosta’s core objective is to uphold customer satisfaction by producing quality products,” Noste says.

68. Architectural Woodworking
OAKLAND PARK, FL
‘07: $1,300,000 ‘08: $1,438,000
Growth ‘08: 10.615% Projected ‘09: 8%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 8
Residential or commercial cabinetry and woodworking
Architectural Woodworking attributes much of its success in the last eight months to quality control improvements. According to Owner Juan Sanchez, the company has increased its value and throughput through operations management, financial planning and new sales and marketing strategies. The company also recently purchased a new CNC router and a Powermatic dovetail machine to help increase production.

69. Steelcase Inc.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
‘07: $3,097,400,000
‘08: $3,420,800,000
Growth ‘08: 10.441%
Projected ‘09: N/A
Est.: 1912 Employees: 13,000

Office furniture
Office furniture manufacturer Steelcase Inc.’s evolution as a company has been driven by its ability to gain insights into the ways people work and its understanding of what its customers need, according to the company. Steelcase provides green products and services to many different market groups such as architects and designers, government agencies, bioscience industries, healthcare industries, higher education and professional services that include such groups as banking, law, accounting firms and consultants.

70. Artifex Millwork
WYOMING, MN
‘07: $4,147,000
‘08: $4,579,000
Growth ‘08: 10.417%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1993 Employees: 26

Architectural millwork, custom furniture, retail store fixtures
Customer service helped Artifex Millwork find its way into the WOOD 100 for the sixth time. “Customer service has just as much value as a quality custom manufactured product,” says General Manager Greg Richels, who adds that the company plans to maintain its current customer base, and competitively price new projects and customers accordingly. Artifex also purchased customized job costing software in the past year to aid in its growth.

71. Custom Woodworks Ltd.
SIOUX CITY, IA
‘07: $6,282,000
‘08: $6,920,000
Growth ‘08: 10.156%
Projected ‘09: 5%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 41

Architectural woodwork
Larry Schmitz, sales and marketing manager of Custom Woodworks Ltd., credits employee skills and dedication for his company’s rise in sales in 2008. “Marketing is a valued department, but Custom Woodworks cannot sell, or ultimately provide, what our employees are not capable of producing,” he says. The company is making its second consecutive WOOD 100 appearance, and is expecting increased sales for 2009 as well. Future goals include improving upon its lean manufacturing techniques, buying smarter, and using energy saving techniques and LEED accredited products, Schmitz says.

72. Elipticon Wood Products Inc.
LITTLE CHUTE, WI
‘07: $1,965,000
‘08: $2,161,000
Growth ‘08: 9.975%
Projected ‘09: 10-15%
Est.: 1993 Employees: 15

Custom millwork
Making its seventh appearance in the WOOD 100, Elipticon Wood Products President John Wiley says the company’s entire focus is to meet or exceed its customers’ needs, including 24-hour turnaround. Recent machinery purchases include a Baker resaw, a clamping system and a Weinig Opticontrol. Updated computer systems, value stream mapping and lean team operating improvements are other factors Elipticon hopes will aid in its expected sales increase in 2009.

73. Select Veneer Co. Plywood
SMITHFIELD, KY
‘07: $12,961,000
‘08: $14,236,000
Growth ‘08: 9.837%
Projected ‘09: 10%
Est.: 1996 Employees: 70

Architectural wall systems and veneer panels
Quality control improvements, such as a fully auditable manufacturing process and full process controls at every step of the manufacturing process, are cited by Select Veneer Co. Plywood Vice President of Sales Ryan Waldo as reasons for his company’s second consecutive appearance in the WOOD 100. The company has recently automated its manufacturing facility and purchased equipment such as CAD production software, a Homag CNC machining center and material handling equipment.

74. Mishler Studios Inc.
SOUTH WHITLEY, IN
‘07: $1,027,000
‘08: $1,124,000
Growth ‘08: 9.445%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 2002 Employees: 5

Custom commercial cabinets, casework and countertops
Rob Mishler, president of Mishler Studios Inc., points to good customer service as a factor in his company’s success in 2008, its second consecutive year in the WOOD 100. “I think good customer service implicitly demands quality workmanship, as well as on-time delivery and competent shop drawings,” he says. “When our customers know they can count on all those things it helps generate sales, especially when their projects are on a tight schedule.” The company is trying to eliminate wasted time in its manufacturing processes, and has used the downtime from the current economic slowdown to study techniques and implement improvements.

75. Morantz Custom Cabinetry Inc.
OAKLAND PARK, FL
‘07: $203,000
‘08: $222,000
Growth ‘08: 9.360%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 2004 Employees: 1

Custom cabinetry
Referrals are the most important growth factor for Morantz Custom Cabinetry, a custom manufacturer specializing in green cabinetry and Kosher kitchen design, according to President Tzvi Morantz. “We follow up all installs with feedback reports from clients and answer service calls within two days or less,” he says. The company, which recently purchased HVLP spray equipment for finishing, plans to increase its Web presence in the future through the use of blogs and other educational content.