We have all heard about “green shoots” Ad Nauseum during this period following the financial crisis; however, there are enough positive signs appearing in the economy to be optimistic. We have had six straight quarters of GDP growth; many corporations are reporting robust profits and are sitting on substantial amounts of cash, available for investing [...]
Topic: Assembly
Aug
11
2010
Custom Cupboards Goes Robotic
Retrieve. Scan. Place. Repeat. Demonstrating both precise accuracy and flexibility, the robotic cell at Custom Cupboards builds face frames for the company’s line of traditional cabinetry. Launched several months ago, this fully automated production cell is the first of its kind in the United States, says Lance Johanson, vice president of operations for the Wichita, [...]
Mar
16
2009
Robotic Cell Solves Production Problem
Technology and lean manufacturing open up automotive market for Paladin Industries. Paladin Industries isn’t interested in the status quo. Investment and innovation coupled with lean manufacturing principles is changing how the woodworking company produces machined components for the office/institutional furniture, store fixture and automotive industries. By pushing the possibilities and embracing lean manufacturing, Paladin is [...]
Oct
18
2008
Still Growing
A Sioux Falls company continues to experience growth year after year, despite the current economic environment. Jeff and Doreen Anglin, owners of Prairie Heritage Cabinetry & Furniture, say they are fortunate to live in “the pocket” of the Midwest. Sioux Falls, SD, to be exact. According to them, the housing market has only slowed down [...]
Jul
16
2008
Paladin Shifts Gears
Paladin Industries revs up for robotic sanding. When Paladin Industries was first presented with the opportunity to manufacture automobile shift knobs, the Kentwood, Michigan-based company looked at machining hardwood blanks as a fairly new challenge. That’s because since 1985, Paladin specializes in precision 3-and 5-acis CNC machining, membrane pressing and casegoods assembly. But since the [...]
Mar
17
2008
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. According to Michael Wendt, president of Tracy, CA-based Wendt Industries Inc., many companies in the woodworking industry could mine [...]
Nov
11
2007
Universal Design Comes to the Forefront
Aging in place gains asethetics, loses stigma It could be a pull-out cabinet base used as a step for a small children to reach the bathroom sink or a 3′ wide doorway for a person using a wheelchair. Universal design means the design of products and spaces to be useable by all people to the [...]
