ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Cabinetworks Group, which includes some of the biggest names in cabinets, has initiated a long-term strategic growth plan that leverages the company’s full manufacturing network to create high-efficiency focused factories, drive targeted channel growth and unlock additional manufacturing capacity.

The plan by the #10 largest manufacturer in the FDMC 300 listing of biggest woodworking manufacturers, is structured to meet the needs of four distribution channels, including dealers, distributors, home centers, and multifamily builders and specifiers. In addition, the focused factory plan addresses the pricing, product, service and growth needs of these channels.

A company representative told Woodworking Network: "Before becoming part of Cabinetworks Group, some of our factory locations needed to make products with different specifications to satisfy different customer groups. Using the same equipment and processes to produce products with divergent price points, complexity levels, and specifications is never optimal. Now that we have a vast network of 19 factories, we are beginning to segment our operations based on customer needs to allow each location to be best in class within a given segment."

Products made by the Cabinetworks Group include such well-known brands as KraftMaid, Medallion, Yorktowne, Schuler, Cardell, Merillat, QualityCabinets, MasterCraft, Echelon, Advanta, Smart, Cabinets 2000, Master WoodCraft, Design-Craft, Serenade, Modico, and Studio Full Access. 

In addition to the company's 4 distribution centers, the company operates 19 manufacturing facilities.

“Recent supply chain, labor and logistics challenges in our markets have reinforced the importance of a nimble manufacturing footprint, a streamlined supply chain and operational excellence,” said John Barkhouse, chief executive officer, Cabinetworks Group. “We’ve analyzed our channel operations thoroughly to determine where to best utilize the strength of our dealer and distributor networks to optimally service customers and to create capacity in our manufacturing footprint.

The company said that the focusing effort will require new equipment purchases. "As we migrate our Thompsontown (Pa.) facility to a new architecture, we will also migrate to an optimal production process.  With demand at an all-time high, we will look for automation opportunities to maximize the output of our many dedicated employees in this central Pennsylvania location," the company representative said.  

Barkhouse added, “To realize our channel capacity, efficiency and service goals, over the next 12 months we will be transitioning the majority of our single-family builder direct business to our dealer and distributor networks. We consider this a win-win, creating growth opportunities for dealers and distributors while optimizing Cabinetworks’ manufacturing capacity,”. “We will work closely with our single-family direct customers to complete in-process projects and smoothly transition future work to our trusted dealer and distributor partners.” 

Plan Includes Multifamily and Distributor Capacity Expansion 

Cabinetworks Group also announced migration to a common product architecture platform to better serve complex, large-batch project work for the multifamily channel, in addition to project-based work from distributors. 

Migration from disparate manufacturing platforms to a common platform will reduce operational complexity and create additional capacity through a multilocation manufacturing footprint. This transition will result in the retirement of the Advanta, Echelon and Studio Full Access brands. Cabinetworks will work closely with affected customers to complete work in progress or find suitable replacement brands within the Cabinetworks family.

"The great news," the company said, "is that Americans have a renewed interest in their homes.  Now, more than ever, our products are in high demand.  Not only are we not planning on closing any manufacturing locations, but we are also planning on maximizing the capacity and throughput of all of our facilities."

Mark Trexler, chief operations officer, Cabinetworks Group, commented on the planned rollout: “We are committed to leveraging our network of 19 manufacturing facilities to meet the full spectrum of cabinetry needs for our dealer, distributor, home center and multifamily channels. These changes will allow us to develop highly focused factories that meet the specific needs of an evolving market and the channels we serve.”