Improved corporate communications, expansions, acquisitions, employee investments and supply chain management are just a few of the ways these WOOD 100 firms have grown sales and improved their businesses.
Now in its 35th year, the WOOD 100: Strategies for Success highlights the innovative as well as tried-and-true initiatives put in place by 100 North American wood products manufacturers of cabinetry and casework, furniture, closets and home organization systems, architectural woodwork/millwork, retail fixtures and other items, to improve their businesses.
Here's what some of them had to say about their business strategies:
Cache River Mill & MetalWorks, North Little Rock, AR
Customer service, employee skills, and diverse capabilities all contributed to the custom millwork and metalwork manufacturer’s 22.2% 2023 growth; future projections are also good.
“We want to deliver our projects on time and under budget while staying in constant communication with the client,” Marty Head, director of Sales and Marketing. “Our team of craftsmen combined with our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to produce complex projects very efficiently and create those challenging and unique designs that our clients want.”
Another side of the firm manufactures products for private brands. There’s also Cache River Creative Co. which incorporates lasers, UV and 3D printers to create unique products.
Roth Wood Products Ltd, San Jose, CA
President Kristen Roth Kolstad credits the cabinet firm’s employees for its success. “We take great pride in our employee retention and training programs. With an average tenure of over 12 years, our team leaders consistently produce high-quality cabinetry while mentoring and guiding newer employees.”
“To encourage learning, safety, and motivation, we have implemented various incentive programs,” she added. “We believe in promoting from within and offering cross-training opportunities to foster growth.”
Effective communication is also a priority throughout the company. In addition, Roth Wood Products recently invested in new computer equipment to help streamline the office staff and project managers, and added more cyber security and faster internet speeds.
Burke Architectural Millwork/Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces, Livonia, MI (picture above)
The architectural millwork firm “obtained a grant from the State of Michigan that allowed us to spend a year engaged in research and development to create a proprietary hybrid fabrication system that bridges the gap between the traditional closet industry and millwork standards,” said Kelly Victor-Burke, co-founder. That R&D led to the creation of the closet firm and new opportunities.
“Since opening our luxury design studio, not only have Bespoke Closets’ sales increased but commercial clients/architects/designers are utilizing us as materials and fabrication experts. Surprisingly, launching our residential division has increased our commercial sales!”
2023 sales grew 27.0%, with projections for 2024 and 2025 also excellent, she added.
Oake & Rowan Millwork Design Ltd., Cobble Hill, BC (picture above)
“This past year we paired down our manufacturing team, put in place an employee benefit plan, and refocused our company on the commercial work that excited us and added a new direction to include specialty single-family homes,” said Ciaran Adams, president/owner. “We have also changed our focus with our partners, purposefully encouraging healthy business relationships that benefit everyone.”
Sales at the architectural and commercial millwork firm grew 30.8% in 2023, with future projections also bullish. Helping to keep growth moving upward, plans call to expand the shop, including the purchase of a new AXYZ CNC router, spray booth, and installation of a briquette machine for wood waste utilization.
More Master Plans
Panel Processing Inc., Alpena, MI
“We have implemented new sales strategies and initiatives to enhance our sales performance,” said Stacy LaFleche, national marketing manager. The employee-owned panel processing giant and custom casework and furniture manufacturer provides products for a vast array of markets including: retail, hospitality, office and education, healthcare, furniture, flooring, kitchen and bath, toy and game, financial institutions, storage and home organization, and cannabis dispensaries.
Western Dovetail, Vallejo, CA
“Coming out of the pandemic, we had to completely recalibrate our pricing and business model due to increased costs and a changing business landscape,” said Max Hunter, president & CEO. “Over the past two years, we managed to stabilize our workforce [from pandemic turnover] and home in on productivity and efficiency while improving our systems and automation.” Sales grew 6.7% in 2023, with projections also positive. “We are constantly working on improving our data and real-time reporting of crucial operations,” he added. Since experiencing a ransomware attack earlier this year, “data security has been a top priority,” he added.
MAC Cabinets LLC, Tyler, TX
Sales grew 8.3% and projections for 2024 and 2025 are excellent for the custom residential and commercial cabinet manufacturer. Along with maintaining good employees and quality consistency, owner Michael Coffey noted recent facility upgrades, including a new CNC router, Ironwood planer, and central dust collection system upgrades, which helped improve productivity. Buying materials such as plywood in bulk also paid off.
MCS Woodworking LLC, Menomonee Falls, WI
“Focusing on hiring and retaining our team members has contributed to our overall success. We want to make sure everyone on our team has the resources they need to succeed in business and life. Whether that is equipment or training to do their job at their best, or some time off to rejuvenate,” said Rachael Ornelas, vice president. The strategy paid off for the custom architectural and millwork firm, with 2023 sales up 23.2% and projections for 2024 and 2025 excellent. Just recently the firm purchased a new building “which has doubled our current space and will allow us to grow our operations.”
McClung Lumber Co., Salem, VA
“Our success in 2023 revolved around having critical staffing filled with the right individuals,” said TJ Stratton, co-president of the solid wood moulding and components manufacturer. “We hired our first full-time outside salesman in 2021 [and] are now seeing the fruit of that decision. We also empowered two key leaders to take full control of their departments. Not only have they been more productive, but our office has gained freedom from shop responsibilities,“ he said. 2023 sales rose 3.2%, and with recent investments in curtainside delivery trucks, a Cresswood shredder, 5-axis CNC router and a facility expansion, projections for 2024 and 2025 are good and excellent, Stratton added.
Art Factory, Scottsdale, AZ
Sales grew 3.8% for the custom manufacturer of unique, heirloom-quality doors, furniture and hand-forged wrought iron products, due in part to reducing volume and implementing strategic price increases, noted H.J. Nick, CEO. The company excels at worker retention, with many longtime employees, and also has an apprenticeship program.
Putnam div., Custom Service Hardware, Jackson, WI
Chris Clarke, sales manager, cited employee development, improved customer–facing resources for product viewing and purchasing, and product innovation for helping the rolling ladder provider grow sales. “Our main investment was in raising inventory levels to continue to provide industry-leading product quality and lead times.” Sales projections for 2024 and 2025 are good and excellent.
AHF Products, Mountville, PA
The largest U.S. hardwood flooring manufacturer entered into an agreement to acquire two West Virginia sawmills. Brian Carson, president & CEO said, “The purchase of these two sawmills is a wonderful and smart investment. It helps ensure lumber supply for our Beverly, West Virginia, plant and it is essential to our customers and employees who rely on our supply of hardwood flooring.”
OFS, Huntingburg, IN
Acquiring ROOM expanded the contract furniture firm’s range. “This partnership is more than just bringing two companies together; it’s about redefining the future of workplace design,” said Ryan Menke, CRO.
Cabinotch, Owensboro, KY
The cabinetry firm acquired KCD Software. “This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionize the woodworking industry through innovative software,” said CEO Phillip Crabtree II.
Masterbrand, Beachwood, OH
The cabinet giant got even bigger with its acquisition in 2024 of Supreme Cabinetry Brands (Dura Supreme and Bertch) for $520 million in cash. “As one team, we will build on our shared legacy of innovative product leadership, superior customer service, and continuous improvement to drive significant value for all our stakeholders,” said Dave Banyard, Masterbrand president and CEO.
Century Components, Sugarcreek, OH
Opening a new 75,000-square-foot facility, Jeff Miller, CEO of the components firm, noted, “We manufacture everything here in the United States. We don’t outsource anything to China or other countries like that.”
CNC Cabinetry, South Plainfield, NJ
The cabinetry firm expanded with the opening of a new facility in Spartanburg, SC. “Our mission has always been to make quality kitchen and bath cabinets more accessible to all, and this facility is another stepping stone to accomplishing this goal,” said Nathan Indig, CEO.
Ayr Custom Cabinetry, Nappanee, IN
Achieving 81% growth over a 3-year period, the custom cabinet firm made the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. “We’ve always made it a priority to honor God with our work, and we’ve been surrounded by amazing employees over the years,” said Weldon Miller, CEO.
Wood-Mode, Kreamer, PA
The cabinet firm installed two solar arrays: one in a 16-acre field and the other a 3-megawatt array on the rooftop. Combined, they power 80% of the million-plus-square-foot facility. “The Wood-Mode legacy was built with great respect for the environment,” said GM Rod Hunter. “As such, we made sustainability a key pillar of our business model, a strategy we call ‘The 5 Keys to Crafting Success.’”
HNI, Muscatine, IA
On earning the Better Project Award from the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative, “HNI is committed to improving operations and combating climate change to create a better, more sustainable, tomorrow,” said Lisa Brunie-McDermott, director of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Cabinetworks, Livonia, MI
“We are proud to be the first cabinet manufacturer to be certified to the SASC (Safe and Sustainable Cabinetry) program requirements, which raises the bar for sustainability and environmental impact evaluation in our industry,” said John Barkhouse, CEO.
Bellmont Cabinet Co., Sumner, WA
“The acquisition of CNW [Cabinets Northwest Corp.] reflects our strategic initiative to expand our market offerings by partnering with companies that share our commitment to quality frameless cabinets and customer satisfaction. CNW’s expertise and reputation in serving the diverse multi-family segment aligns perfectly with our future growth plans,” said Casey and Tyler Bell, CEOs of the major cabinet firm.
Steelcase, Grand Rapids, MI
The contract furniture firm earned a perfect score of 100 points on the Corporate Equality Index issued by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, designating it as a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Inclusion” in the U.S. and Mexico. According to Donna Flynn, VP, chief people officer, Steelcase redesigned its hiring practices, provides inclusive partner benefits, and introduced a Global Human & Labor Rights Policy to shape an inclusive company culture.
Reborn Cabinets, Anaheim, CA
On winning the 2024 USA Today Top Workplace Award, Vince Nardo, CEO said, “This award is a testament to the core values [of] our team members...We are first and foremost committed to fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning as we continue to grow and serve our customers.”
Read more 2024 WOOD 100: Strategies for Success
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