Success Stories

11/08
Six Ways to Improve Business
Operational changes and equipment upgrades have increased efficiency, productivity and growth at Adams Brothers. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

10/08
Still Growing
A Sioux Falls company continues to experience growth year after year, despite the current economic environment. More
234 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/08
Equipment Upgrades Boost
Machines, software and 32mm system increase capacity without constantly adding employees. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/08
Paladin Shifts Gears
Paladin Industries revs up for robotic sanding. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

05/08
A New Angle
New angular saw helps cabinet manufacturer boost output and increase efficiency. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

05/08
Swedwood Gears Up In Virginia
Swedish furniture giant's first U.S. factory starts production. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

03/08
Pressing the Issue
Shioleno Industries invests in a flexible thermofused melamine press line to meet its internal needs and open up new customer base in the Texas market. More
392 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/08
Wendt Industries Thinks Beyond the Box
Wendt Industries Inc. is more than just a cabinets and casegoods manufacturer; it is also a distributor and a contractor. The company has leveraged these capabilities into strong growth in a relatively short period of time. More
532 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/08
As Walls Come Down, Kitchens Take Center Stage
ALNO's environmentally-friendly designs shine in new homes. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

03/08
JB Cutting Grows with the 3D Laminate Market
Components supplier gears up for increased demand. More
690 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/08
Planning Ahead
Architectural millwork company handles more complex projects while facing shorter lead times. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

11/07
The Selling Point
Store fixture manufacturer focuses on critical short lead times. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

10/07
RFID Ready to Roll at Custom Cupboards
Looking beyond the horizon and seeking new opportunities have always been part of the company culture at Custom Cupboards, Inc. Now, this Midwest cabinet manufacturer is taking another step to set it apart from the rest. More
45 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/07
A Place for Everything
Saint Louis Closet Company: Selling, manufacturing and installing closet systems in the "Show Me" state. More
864 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/07
Making Room for Custom
Colorado millwork producer uses new plant layout to stay flexible. Challenging projects are welcome. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/07
Six Inter-Related Improvements Fuel Carolina Cabinet Company's Strategy for Growth
Carolina Cabinet Company recognizes that continued success hinges on making calculated changes. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/07
Faster Finishing Increases Sales
New flat line spray system eliminates shop's major bottleneck. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/07
Michigan Manufacturer Letherer Experiences Growth During Housing Market Slowdown
Despite a decline in the state's housing market, Letherer Wall Systems has experienced a dramatic increase in their panel business. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

05/07
Decoboard Walks a New Line
Decoboard skips the paper and thermofusion and goes straight to the board, using a painted sheet stock technology for its state-of-the-art finishing line. More
72 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/07
Machinery Offsets Labor Shortage
Salon Interiors bolsters fixture business through unlimited capabilities, automation and guaranteed on-time delivery. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

05/07
Creating Solutions with 3D Laminates
The challenge at Bierson Corporation is to let designers and architects know that membrane pressing with 3D laminates is a viable alternative to using traditional processes and materials. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

05/07
The Road to Lean Begins at the Top
For Brian Emerson, President of Top Drawer Components, the lean journey was also one of self discovery. More
151 KB, Acrobat Reader required

04/07
Lightweight Panels Ready for Market
A manufacturer of lightweight panels teams with equipment supplier to offer a lightweight alternative for RTA, office furniture and store fixtures. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

03/07
Maximizing Margins: Case Study
Capital equipment investment strategy pays off at Grabill Cabinet Company. More
505 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/07
Industry Trendsetter PIN Sets the Mark
Texas-based PIN strives to remain on the cutting edge of technology and productivity by keeping abreast of new innovations while continuously implementing procedures to enhance operations. More
227 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/07
Panel Saw Provides Total Production Solutions
The expansion of Professional Plastics, Inc. was centered on the purchase of a CNC pressure beam saw designed specifically for cutting plastics and composites. More
113 KB, Acrobat Reader required

02/07
Software Plus Automation Allows Shop to Successfully Expand its Market without Additional Employees
Sal DeLorenzo Company in Trenton, NJ, only did about one or two kitchens per year before the arrival of the Weeke Optimat BHP 200 CNC router 1-1/2 years ago. More
4 MB, Acrobat Reader required

02/07
Millwork Makeover
When Gordon Giffin, owner of Giffin Interior & Fixture (Bridgeville, PA) traveled to IWF last year, little did he know he would be overhauling his company's millwork division. More
145 KB, Acrobat Reader required

02/07
A Finishing Department Overhaul
The introduction of Top Drawer Components' new state-of-the-art UV finishing system allows the company to double its capacity. More
730 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/07
Quality is the Name of the Game
Shuffleboard table manufacturer elevates the playing field with accuracy and consistency. More
834 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/07
Inside the New Huntwood Cabinet Plant
Advanced panel retrieval and cut cell, and jumbo finishing capability accelerate one of the largest US cabinet manufacturing plants. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

01/07
A Performance Upgrade for Sports Retailers
Miter-folded, membrane-pressed 3-D laminate improves structural integrity, durability, and aesthetics of nesting display tables. More
377 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/07
From Membrane Pressing Pioneer to 3D Laminated Component Powerhouse
Bierson Corporation--no longer the best kept secret of the Pacific Northwest. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

11/06
Best Face Forward
Veneer one exceeds expectations for custom panels and more. More
617 KB, Acrobat Reader required

08/06
New Facility Puts Woodmill in the Big Leagues
Move to larger plant accomplished with few glitches, thanks to team planning, effort. More
3 MB, Acrobat Reader required

08/06
Shioleno Goes Deep
Texas RTA fixture/display manufacturer offers unique products and JIT delivery, thanks to flexible design and production program and integration of all software. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

08/06
Expanding to Handle Hot Market
Barbosa Cabinets doubles cabinet manufacturing capacity with new plant. More
481 KB, Acrobat Reader required

08/06
Growing Against the Odds
Aggressive marketing and atypical product offering help one South Dakota shop thrive in the face of obstacles. More
330 KB, Acrobat Reader required

08/06
Premier Puts Full Court Press on New Laminating Line
New short-cycle TFM line complements existing RTF and HPL lines with precise color and grain match. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/06
Lightweight Makes U.S. Landfall in Iowa
While Egger Industries, a global giant, was the first to adopt large-scale lightweight panel production in Europe, the product’s first manufacturing footprint in North America is on a much smaller, strategic scale. More
97 KB, Acrobat Reader required

07/06
FDM Millwork: Building
When Heitink Veneers saw a market change on the horizon, it opened a new plant with a new product. More
267 KB, Acrobat Reader required

06/06
Lean Manufacturing: A Case Study
Giffin Interior & Fixture uses customized to eliminate all types of waste. More
256 KB, Acrobat Reader required

06/06
Software Key to Seamless Flow
CNC equipment plus software add up to speed and efficiency throughout the manufacturing process. More
343 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/06
Cutting Wasted Motion
Shop combines software, automated machinery and material handling to improve production output and cut costs. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

02/06
Mountaintop Millwork
Design of Vail, Colorado, provides complete woodwork packages for luxury homes in this classy resort area. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

01/06
Assembly--It's the Last Stage of the Production Line & One of the Most Important
Radio Frequency Services, Inc. of Wilkesboro, NC, introduced its new 4-way door clamp at AWFS this year. More
435 KB, Acrobat Reader required

12/05
Facing Opportunities: High-Tech Equipment Brings New Markets to Veneer Manufacturer
When CEO Lowell Rickard saw his company’s longtime customer base start to decline due to overseas imports, he knew it was time for Tramway Veneers to venture into new markets. More
737 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/05
Small Size, Big Business
High-tech machinery enables Colorado-based General Casework to produce more than $2 million in cabinets annually with a workforce of just four employees. More
617 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/05
Millwork Move Pays Off
New quarters for millwork producer allow more efficiency, 'fast-track' line and demonstration of capabilities. More
407 KB, Acrobat Reader required

08/05
The Funkier The Better
Diverse manufacturer tracks costs and labor down to the penny and minute. More
486 KB, Acrobat Reader required

08/05
Architectural Millwork Company Supplies Total Package for Added Value
Continuously adding value to existing products, while at the same time developing new ones, is the way Daiek Woodworks sets itself apart from the competition. More
674 KB, Acrobat Reader required

08/05
CNC Equipment Opens New Doors for Texas-Based Custom Company
New CNC machining center enables custom door manufacturer El Paso Wood Products to also produce furniture components on a high-production basis. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/05
CNC Helps Control Production
When this company, founded by Cuban emigres, adopted CNC technology, it was amazed that it had ever survived without it. More
350 KB, Acrobat Reader required

07/05
A High-End Product Line Supported by High Technology
Coastal Millworks gained efficiencies by adding a CNC machining center to help it produce top-quality architectural woodwork. More
515 KB, Acrobat Reader required

06/05
Adding Nesting Improves Shop's Output
Nested-based machining center leads to faster turnaround, better accuracy and greater flexibility in a custom shop. More
232 KB, Acrobat Reader required

06/05
Premier Puts Full Court Press on New Laminating Line
New short-cycle TFM line complements existing RTF and HPL lines with precise color and grain match. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

04/05
Custom Architectural Woodwork and Store Fixture Manufacturer Modernizes its Veneer Operation to Remain on the Cutting Edge
Principle Fixture & Millwork, an architectural millwork, store fixture and custom woodworking company based in Osceola, Wis., has adopted a forward thinking business approach that has kept the business thriving during its 18 years of operation. More
443 KB, Acrobat Reader required

04/05
CNC Pressure Beam Saw Increases Productivity & Accuracy
Tom Van Beusekom, president and owner of Crown Plastics, wanted to replace an out-of-date beam saw with one that would cut precisely and was capable of dramatically growing production capacity to increase his 40-employee operations demand. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

04/05
Kambium, Inc.: Options for Every Room
This Minnesota company offers clients a ‘one-stop shopping’ experience. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

04/05
Automated Inspection System Boosts Pergo's Quality Control
The innovative Massen ColourBrain catches defects the eyes can’t. More
175 KB, Acrobat Reader required

12/04
Pressing for Added Value, Speed, Flexibility & Independence
In the right conditions, installing a short cycle press for laminating particleboard/MDF with TFM in-house can be a smart move. More
628 KB, Acrobat Reader required

11/04
Fixture Maker Improves Productivity
The right equipment and talented employees achieve aggressive growth during an industry-wide slowdown. More
341 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/04
Quality Control
In today’s manufacturing environment, wood products manufacturers and their customers may haggle over price or delivery schedules, but one thing is non-negotiable: product quality. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

09/04
Smooth Sailing
Yacht interior production challenges require precision CNC router. More
686 KB, Acrobat Reader required

09/04
Technology Improves Product Flow
European tour inspires owner to design plant to maximize employee output and production flow. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/04
Building Niche in Veneer Business
Experience and smart equipment choices contribute to the success of this veneer faces company. More
804 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/04
Adding Value: Component Manufacturer Competes by Offering Fully Machined Parts & Pre-Finished Panels
The Cefla finishing system and a Weeke point-to-point enable Taylorsville, NC-based Mid Atlantic Wood Products to offer fully machined and fully finished panels that can go directly into assembly. More
221 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/04
TMI Systems Remains a Strong Institution
Amid a tough market, this leading laminate casework supplier to schools and hospitals stays competitive with fully integrated software and increased production. More
501 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/04
On the Open Road
RV manufacturer uses high-end solid wood cabinetry in its flagship models. More
298 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/04
Turning Up The Volume
When owner Rick Thaler purchased OGB, he immediately invested in state-of-the-art-machinery to increase the plant’s productivity. More
364 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/04
FE Hale Manufacturing Builds for New Future
Hale Manufacturing conquers the recession by moving into a new facility and introducing new products. More
447 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/04
A Man with a Plan
Already a successful millwork company, CBR Woodworking has added staff, equipment and a new focus to grow even more. More
337 KB, Acrobat Reader required

04/04
Stevens' CaseMaster Division Goes with the Flow
Information now moves quicker and more efficiently between the company’s front office computer software system and manufacturing cells. More
382 KB, Acrobat Reader required

04/04
Frameless Pioneer Expands South
This year’s WMIA Innovator of the Year award winner shares details on its startup operation in Statesville, NC. More
636 KB, Acrobat Reader required

04/04
Building for Growth
Company decides to build to promote growth opportunities rather than continue renting. More
930 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/04
Making the Switch: New Work Cell Doubles Sales
Julian Swain Builders’ Weeke BHC 550-Series CNC machining center’s dual operating fields allow the operator to load and unload one zone, while the machine is machining parts on the other zone. More
328 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/04
Three Generatoins of Cabinetmaking
Embracing new ideas early and adapting to change are hallmarks of this shop. More
584 KB, Acrobat Reader required

03/04
Focus Key to Value-Priced Custom Business
You don’t beat your competitors on price without a definite game plan. More
622 KB, Acrobat Reader required

02/04
Switch to 32mm Boosts Sales, Cuts Labor
Looking for a way to cut costs and simplify construction also leads to a change in clientele. More
555 KB, Acrobat Reader required

02/04
Automated Shops are Rx for Kaiser Permanente
This health care giant relies on in-house know-how to produce casework and architectural woodworking for its California region facilities. More
303 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/04
From Pencil & Paper to Integration
Software purchase allows reorganization of shop and manufacturing process. More
575 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/04
Millwork
Midwest built new lockers in the Bears' visitor and staff locker rooms in Soldier Field. Lockers are made from Columbia Forest Products’ red oak hardwood plywood panels. More
716 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/04
School Trains Tomorrow's Workers
Michigan Career and Technical Institute Uses Latest Saw Technology. More
176 KB, Acrobat Reader required

01/04
Turning Around a One-Man Shop
Information opens doors to dramatically transform small shop from just a marginal business to profitable and growing enterprise. More
2 MB, Acrobat Reader required

07/03
Premier Flexes Its Panel Processing Muscle
Premier EuroCase uses a variety of high-tech equipment to produce large volumes of store fixtures and flat panel components. More
224 KB, Acrobat Reader required

05/03
Success Story: Premier EuroCase
Homag's new BOF fixed-gantry processing center features advanced CNC routing technology. More
251 KB, Acrobat Reader required

04/08
Adams Bros. Cabinetry (Punta Gorda, FL)
Ethan Adams, the company’s Vice President and son of one of the original Adams Brothers, explains how they implemented a lean manufacturing program based on the green initiatives. Specializing in commercial architectural woodwork, casework and millwork in southwest Florida, Adams Bros. works with general contractors on projects such as hospitals, jails, courthouses, schools, banks, churches, country clubs, assisted living facilities as well as private, public and government office buildings. Watch Video

04/08
Legacy Lockers (Dallas, TX)
The only constant at Legacy Lockers is change, according to Don Ullrich, the company’s owner. Last year they grew 37% and they expect the same level of growth in 2008. Admittedly, locker components require a lot of drilling. A few years ago Legacy was considering a solution to reduce the amount of time involved in this critical part of their production process. As soon as they discovered the new Weeke BHX 500, they were intrigued by it’s capability to reduce their throughput from two weeks to three days. They were thrilled with the immediate return on investment and its impact on their entire production process—providing the ability to grow into the future. Watch Video

04/08
Paladin Industries (Grand Rapids, MI)
A few years ago Paladin was presented with a challenge to produce a solid wood shift knob for the automotive industry. They had no idea how involved this project would be, and it turned out to be more labor intensive than they had anticipated. By automating the process, Paladin now produces 300 shift knobs a day. Watch Video