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Target moisture content for cabinets and furniture

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Q.  I have read that you suggest a target MC for oak and other hardwoods for cabinets and furniture of 6.8 percent MC to 7.0 percent MC.  Can you explain why please? Can we get every piece between these two values? Presently our kiln operator shoots for 5 percent MC.

A. Appreciate that the range of 6.8 percent to 7.0 percent MC is a target to aim for. We might miss once in a while by a fraction of a percent. Second, this is the average MC of a load or batch of lumber. We do expect, in a good kiln drying operation, that about two-thirds of the MC values will be within +0.3 to -0.3 percent MC around the average.

So, if the average of a load is 6.9 percent MC, then two-thirds of the pieces will likely be between 6.6 percent to 7.2 percent MC. Further, 99 percent of the pieces will be between 5.9 percent MC to 7.8 percent MC. Technically speaking, this is a standard deviation of MC of 0.3, which good kiln operations can achieve and which mean that you will likely not experience MC problems.

Why do we choose this target? Most homes and offices in North American range between 30 percent RH and 50 percent RH weekly average. This is equivalent to 6.0 percent to 9.0 percent MC in the wood, although any moisture changes in a finished product do take time before we see any issues, a week or two at the least, and maybe longer. We also know that moisture losses cause shrinkage and shrinkage results in cracks or splits. So, we want to make sure that our wood is quite close to the driest expected condition of 30 percent RH, or 6.0 percent MC.

On the other hand, small amounts of swelling often do not create severe issues. Plus, when we switch from drying to moisture gain, there is about a 1 percent MC delay before the wood begins to swell.  So, targeting a little bit on the dry side is ok, as with the delay, even though the humidity is 50 percent RH, the wood actually behaves as though it was only 43 percent RH. The bottom line is that with small moisture changes in use with the average 6.8 percent to 7.0 percent MC target, will not create defects in most products.

Note that if you are shipping to a humid climate like Florida or a dry climate like Colorado, you might indeed want to adjust your target. If that is not reasonable, then consider storing the products in your shop in a small room with walls sealed with plastic sheets and with a high RH for Florida or a low RH for Colorado.

Then any defects that develop can be fixed before shipping rather than in the field. Further, after your week-long test in the controlled humidity room, if you wrap the products in plastic wrap or bags, you know that the MC will not change one bit, because moisture cannot get in or out of the wrapping.

Finally, your kiln operation needs some attention, as it is virtually impossible in standard kiln to achieve and average of 5 percent MC.  Such lumber would be extremely brittle when machining and would not glue well. So, you are being told incorrectly or the operator is measuring MC incorrectly. To measure these low MCs, the operator would have to use an oven test, or use a pinless meter. The pin meter is not very accurate under 6.5 percent MC.

 

Gene Wengert, “The Wood Doctor” has been training people in efficient use of wood for 35 years. He is extension specialist emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 


FBHS cabinetry results flatten as Canada sales drop - and Mexico becomes key

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DEERFIELD, Ill.- MasterBrand Cabinets and other Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. (NYSE: FBHS) kitchen cabinet operations reported flat sales in the fourth quarter, despite growth among more customized cabinetry offerings. 
 
Cabinetry sales showed low-single-digit growth in dealer and high-single digit growth in builder direct sales, says FBHS, but thesgains were offset by declines in Canada and home-center special order sales. The vast majority of MasterBrand Cabinets’ sales come from two critical channels: kitchen and bath dealers and home center in-stock cabinetry and vanity offerings. MasterBrand Cabinets 5,000 kitchen and bath dealers are its the most profitable channel, with 25 plant locations providing regional service.

"We exited direct sales to builders and excluding that cabinet sales are up 2 percent." 

 
"Similar to recent quarters, sales of value products were stronger than the overall market and sales in our in-stock cabinets and vanities and builder direct businesses were both up high single-digits in the quarter," said Chris Klein, CEO, during an earnings call (transcript courtesy Seeking Alpha)
 
"In our largest channel, dealer [sales] grew low single-digits led by the value product lines. Sales were lower in the home center special order and in Canada, where the market continues to trend softer than what we see in the U.S."
 
Klein said FBHS cabinet business is reversing the negative sales trends seen earlier in the year, "even after including the headwinds from the exited business," which Klein called a "pivot." The company closed two plants in the past year.  

"Despite the low price points since we have a large low-cost production platform specifically designed for these products"

"Regarding our cabinets' pivot, it's clearly parts of the business that are performing very well, particularly, value products where we have over $1 billion in sales annually," Klein said. "The margin associated with these products continues to be very attractive, despite the low price points since we have access to a large low-cost production platform specifically designed for these products. But that doesn't come with the cost or complexity associated with more custom made-to-order products. Our unique capabilities in Mexico facilitate this business." FBHS operate Woodcrafters Home Products S. DE R.L. DE C.V.  in Rio Bravo in Mexico, under WOodcrafters 
 
In September 2018, FBHS's MasterBrand Cabinets opened a new manufacturing facility in Reynosa, Mexico, which will handle the new products. Having closed two facilities and invested in capacity for lower-priced products, in 2018, next year "we'll take even more actions to balance the cost structure and at the same time, launch a broader range of value semi-custom products," Klein said, hinting that next week, "You will hear from our Cabinet Center, the Advantage. We’ll go into greater detail on the industry, the progress in pivot plan, and our 2019 and longer-term outlook for this business."
 
In the fourth quarter, the market grew at a more moderate pace, and consumers and channel partners adopted a cautious stance heading into year-end, Klein said.   “We have built a 2019 plan around a more conservative market, with a soft first-half start and modest growth overall for the year." 

KBIS, IBS shows open to large crowds

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LAS VEGAS - The co-located Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and International Builders Show opened Tuesday as thousands of people streamed through the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center to view the latest designs in cabinetry, closets, flooring and residential building products. Sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the National Association of Home Builders, the annual KBIS/IBS runs through Thursday, Feb. 21.

Comedian Dana Carvey headlined the opening ceremony, which also included a skit from Blue Man Group. The co-located KBIS and IBS are part of Design & Construction Week, and according to show managements, the expos will bring together more than 80,000 design and construction professionals from around the globe.

North America's largest trade show for kitchen and bath design, KBIS features 600 exhibitors, including domestic and international manufacturers, as well as seminars to help attendees improve their business.

IBS also offers seminars and news for professional remodelers. The largest annual light construction show in the world, IBS brings together more than 1,500 manufacturers, suppliers and organizations from around the world, including Woodworking Network's Closets & Organized Storage and FDMC magazines.

At a press conference on Tuesday hosted by NAHB, experts said spending on residential improvements will continue to grow over the next two years at a gradual pace. Professional remodelers from across the country agreed with the forecast, citing impact increased consumer confidence and demand. NAHB predicts that remodeling spending for owner-occupied single-family homes will increase 1.6 percent in 2019 and another 1.1 percent in 2020.

"Remodeler confidence continues to remain at a high level, as remodeling spending reached $172 billion in 2018," said 2018 NAHB Remodelers Chair Joanne Theunissen, CGP, CGR. "Although there is steady consumer demand in all areas of the country, the biggest challenges continue to be the costs of labor and materials to meet the interest."

"We're not only seeing more requests for proposals, but more home owners are choosing to incorporate aging-in-place design into their homes," said Thomas Ashley, Jr., CAPS, CGP, CGR, a remodeler from Denham Springs, La. "The older housing stock combined with aging home owners allow growth in that sector of the market."

"NAHB estimates that real spending on home improvements will continue to grow but at a slow place of about 1.6 percent in 2019," said Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB's assistant vice president for Forecasting and Analysis. "Factors prohibiting stronger growth include the ongoing labor shortage and rising material prices."

Seeking skilled labor

NAHB and NKBA have partnered with SGC Horizon at this year's show to raise awareness of the Skilled Labor Fund, designed to address the lack of skilled labor entering the residential construction industry.

On Tuesday, NKBA hosted a panel of experts on its KBISNeXT Stage, including Norm Abram and Jeff Sweenor from This Old House; Kate Campbell, host of HGTV’s Customer Builder and Nathan Gilbert, also from This Old House.

“As we continue to see the impact of labor shortages throughout the kitchen and bath industry as well as the larger macroeconomy, the NKBA is committed to collaborating with our partners to address this problem head-on. We will work together to build programs for the next generation that lead to viable career paths in skilled labor, design and the many related and important professions,” said Bill Darcy, CEO, NKBA.

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, a Skilled Labor Fund Fundraiser will be held from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at at the Professional Builder Show Village Silver Lot just outside the main convention center doors. “The Skilled Labor Fund is committed to funding programs that train our youth to fill rewarding careers in residential construction,” said Ted Mahoney, chair-elect, National Housing Endowment. “Through fundraising efforts (with matching funds), we hope to continue this important work.”

Folllow Woodworking Network's website and Twitter @WoodworkingBiz for show updates.
 

NKBA: Size of kitchen and bath market is $158 billion

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HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- The National Kitchen & Bath Association released the results of its size of market study and outlook, revealing a value of $644 billion in sales of products and materials aimed at the residential kitchen and bath market in 2017.

This total includes $330 billion from the construction of new homes and $314 billion from residential remodeling and replacement projects. Construction of new houses rose 8.6 percent in 2017, to reach a market size of $330 billion. Remodeling and improvement of existing homes (i.e., residential remodeling) amounted to $314 billion in 2017. This is 6.4 percent higher than it was in 2016.

The U.S. residential kitchen and bath market rose 7.3 percent to $158.11 billion in 2017 (for materials only, excluding design and labor costs), surpassing the 2016 spending level of $148 billion.

At $158 billion, the U.S. residential kitchen and bath market represents one quarter of the entire U.S. residential construction market.

Overall spending for kitchen and bathroom products is virtually even, with each category garnering half the market ($80 billion for kitchen products and $78 billion for bath products).

Of this $158 billion total, $99 billion (63 percent) is generated by remodeling and replacement projects in existing homes and the remaining $59 billion (37 percent) comes from new home construction.

The NKBA 2018-2019 Kitchen and Bath Industry report produces the 2017 market size information for the following: 

By residential market segment: new housing construction; remodel and replacement; By product category: 9 kitchen and 12 bathroom product categories; A total of 775 surveys were conducted among builders, remodelers and general contractors, soliciting information on their business activities and growth; A total of 550 consumer surveys were conducted with individuals who had completed a kitchen or bathroom remodel project in the past 12 months.

The new housing projections were calibrated with actual housing construction data and changes in the value of new housing construction. The projections for the remodeling segment were calibrated based on the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University’s remodeling spending estimates

The NKBA also estimates the U.S. residential construction market will continue to expand in both 2018 and 2019. For 2018, NKBA estimates residential construction will rise to $683 billion, up 6 percent from 2017. A further 4.8 percent growth is projected for 2019, bringing the residential construction market to $716 billion.

“Our research reveals the strong position of the kitchen and bath industry, which is particularly significant in times of a fluctuating economy," said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. "This research is an invaluable tool that helps our membership with strategic business decisions, and solidifies NKBA's thought leadership in the industry."

See http://NKBA.org

After million-sq.ft. cabinetry plant move Fabuwood named Acumatica Customer of the Year for its ERP system

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NEWARK, N.J. - Cabinetry firm Fabuwood was honored for its ERP computer management implentation in Houston last month.
 
The kitchen cabinetmaker retooled its business operating system when it moved in August from Jersey City into a new, one million sq.ft. headquarters plant in Newark, New Jersey, moving its operations from four different buildings to one all-encompassing superstructure on the Passaic River. The roll-out of its NexVue Acumatica ERP in that new plant earned it the  Acumatica Customer of the Year award at Acumatica's 2019 users group summit in Houston.
 
"We are more than overjoyed to be the one chosen for this recognition among Acumatica’s global customer base of over 4000 companies!" says Sendy Stern, Fabuwood's Senior VP of Technology. 
 
Stern went to Houston to receive the award before a gathering of over 1,500 attendees, and presented a story about Fabuwood's dramatic growth, from 40 employees at its outset in 2009, to more than 800 today. Stern attributed this success to his team members who worked very hard to elevate Fabuwood’s position as the most technologically advanced manufacturer in the kitchen and bath industry. 
 
"Our success in the market has also helped us create hundreds of job opportunities, both locally and nationwide," Fabuwood says, and that its passion for technology and innovation lets it offer beautiful kitchens at an affordable price, while staying up-to-date with trends and styles. 
 
Last year, Eric Skorge was named the CFO of Fabuwood, which also used 2018 for a complete company rebranding, winning a Best of KBIS booth award that year. 
 
"Our commitment to reaching higher into the realm of technology and innovation was reportedly the key deciding factor for Acumatica," the company says. "The consistency and speed at which we operate also contributed significantly to this achievement."
 
The implementation of Acumatica was projected to take six months to go live, but Fabuwood says it shaved that down to five. 
 
"Our business solutions expert, NexVue, played a crucial role in helping us execute complex customizations in a proficient and timely manner," the company says. Fabuwood plans next to role out "pioneering new technological solutions that augment our level of service to customers at large." 

Iowa company expands from sawmill to cabinets and signs

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Kendrick Inc. has not been afraid to tackle a new business if they see an opportunity in the market. The Edgewood, Iowa, sawmill expanded to operate five companies related to woodworking, and after marking 35 years in business, they continue to seek new opportunities. Tim and Rhonda Kendrick and their four adult children, Morgan, Andrea, Kirby and Kerra, are the center of an extended family of relatives and employees.

The company started in 1983 as a logging and sawmill company. Kendrick Forest Products produces green and dry lumber, railroad ties, veneer logs and has a mulch operation.

Kendrick purchased a small cabinet shop in 2001, and relocated it to Edgewood, using lumber from their own sawmill. In 2017, they relocated the cabinet shop to an empty building near the sawmill operation.

That same year, they started three companies. Kendrick Home, a maker of wooden signs, Shimlee, which prints customer-supplied photographs on wood, and The Markket, a retail store.

Kendrick Home designs and builds wooden signs for the retail market, also using lumber from the sawmill.

Custom cabinets

Forever Cabinets designs and builds custom cabinetry for every room including kitchens, bathrooms, entertainment centers, bars, laundry rooms, offices, and specialty furniture.

The face frames and most doors are made of solid hardwood grown in northeastern Iowa and milled in the sawmill, dried in the dry kilns powered by sawdust, and processed in the rear of the 36,000 square foot manufacturing building and store front. Cabinet sides and floors are primarily constructed of ¾-inch birch plywood.

Cabinet construction begins with the plywood sides and floors being cut on a Multicam CNC machine. Drawer sides are moulded and chopped prior to being dovetailed on the Omec CNC dovetailer and then constructed. Cabinet door parts are ripped, moulded and chopped to length on the RazorGage computerized chop saw, before being machined on one of the two door machines, which are pre-set to reduce changeover time. Door panels are chopped, glued, sanded, trimmed, and shaped before being inserted into the stile and rail. Cabinet frame parts are also chopped on the RazorGage saw, assembled on the Kreg Tool framing assembly table and then meet up with the plywood sides and floors for assembly.

Two Unique Machine door machines, and a Unique door framing table are used for cabinet doors. A Kreg pockethole machine, Mereen Johnson ripsaw, SawStop saws, a Weinig moulder, Whirlwind chop saws, Safety Speed Cut panel router, James L. Taylor clamp carrier, Powermatic shaper and downdraft sanding table are used in the cabinet operation.

Cabinets and their doors meet at the finishing area where they are stained, painted, glazed, dyed, or left natural before being sealed and top coated. A catalyzed conversion varnish is used. They are then completed with hardware installation including soft close hinges, drawer slides, handles, knobs, and other specialty hardware. From the time the first board is cut to the time the cabinet is assembled it is a six-day process, and the goal through lean manufacturing practices is to reduce that time to four days.

Kendrick uses a catalyzed conversion varnish. The majority of the stain is wiped on but some is sprayed. Paint is sprayed on.

Signs in demand

Another company, Kendrick Home, designs and builds wooden signs for the retail market, also using lumber from the sawmill. Morgan Kendrick, human resources and marketing manager, said the business started in mid-2017 and has been very successful. They are working three shifts to produce wooden signs that are sold wholesale to small stores and a large retailer.

Kendrick purchased a printing machine, made prototypes and went to market in Atlanta, Georgia, where they were picked up by a big box store and several smaller stores. Other markets and more orders followed, and the company had to figure out how to mass produce quickly using a new printer and more efficient equipment.

To make the signs, Morgan Kendrick said that lumber is planed, ripped, and chopped in preparation for the build process. Signs are painted white or left natural, printed on the high speed flat-bed printer, and the frames are chopped on a miter saw from walnut lumber. A Kentwood horizontal band resaw is used to cut planks used to make the inside of the wood signs. After the sign is printed, it meets up with the walnut frame where it is inserted then pinned, tagged, and boxed for shipment.

Kendrick family: Andrea Harbaugh, administrative assistant; Kirby Kendrick, log salesman; Tim Kendrick, owner, log buyer and timber manager; Rhonda Kendrick, owner, special projects and efficiencies; Morgan Kendrick, human resources and marketing manager; Kerra Boriskey, sign production and sales manager.

Custom photos on wood

Shimlee is an internet-based company that allows customers to upload their own photographs to be printed as a custom wood sign.

The idea for Shimlee came from the family children who felt if the company could print signs they could also print photos. This is a web-based company and orders are taken online and shipped directly to the customer at www.shimlee.com. Instead of predetermined designs, there are templates available for the users to customize their own prints to include their own information such as a quote, their last name and size.

The medium is made out of hard maple lumber. The center parts are planed, ripped, chopped, and surrounded by mitered pieces of hard maple to create a frame. They are then placed on flat-bed printers, which can print multiple images at one time. Kendrick uses Eco-UV inks that are cured with UV lights that run alongside the print heads so the prints are dry the second the ink hits the wood. White is not printed so the woodgrain comes through.

Edger in sawmill. The mill staff was heavily involved in the decision making of the equipment purchases, improved layout, and improved flow of product.

 

Sawmill efficiency

Back to the sawmill, Kendrick made efficiencies to the milling operation by eliminating the pre-positioner position at the line bar resaw and installing a tie stacker in the back of the mill. Earlier, they added a new linebar resaw, computerized headsaw and computerized edger. The mill staff was heavily involved in the decision making of the equipment purchases, improved layout, and improved flow of product. Start to finish from a log going through the debarker to heading to the lumber inspector is about 1 hour 20 minutes.

“Changing the flow of product coming in and out of the mill has improved our efficiency without added cost,” Morgan Kendrick said. “(We) maintain a queue of 10-15 logs in front of the saw. Because the logs are returned automatically to the operator, the time lost between cutting is not dependent on the carriage traveling back to its original position.”

A new Cleerman carriage was installed in November 2017 with a hydraulic drive. They also made improvements to the kiln drying operation, converting kiln dry packs from 42 inches to 72 inches to allow them to dry more lumber in a kiln charge. This allowed them to dry almost 18 percent more lumber the following year.

Markett retail stores include Forever Cabinets, Kendrick Home andShimlee and other products that may appeal to consumers.

Reaching out with retail

The Markket is a 6,700-square-foot retail store that serves as the Forever Cabinets showroom in Edgewood. It also carries a wide variety of products including lighting, rugs, furnishings, kitchenware and women’s clothing.

The showrooms within The Markket and Just For You in nearby Dyersville offer the opportunity to look at the cabinetry in a real room setting, completely decorated.

“As we began filling our showroom store, we began drawing more customers so we started carrying more product types,” Morgan Kendrick said. “While this was also a great addition for our current cabinet customers who would be in the market for products The Markket carries such as lighting, rugs, and barstools, the purpose was to provide product that wasn’t necessarily in our community and would be able to draw customers from an hour and a half away.”

Morgan Kendrick said that this is still very much a family business with her parents and three siblings, along with spouses and significant others, and a great team that has grown to 115 people.

She thinks the company excels at finding good people and empowering them to be strong leaders

“I feel that we have key staff that is not only knowledgeable, but have a sense of ownership when it comes to our company,” she said. “They are close, they are like family, they care about each other, and they care about our company.

“Our staff has put in long hours, worked on constantly improving our processes which means constantly changing, and our community has been very supportive. I suspect, if our success can be measured by our determination, we are a success.”

 

FACTS:

Kendrick, Inc.

Edgewood, Iowa

Kendrick Forest Products, Forever Cabinets, Kendrick Home, Shimlee, Markket

Sawmill, cabinets, wood signs, retail operations

Employees: 115

http://www.kendrickinc.com

 

Making room for lean

In the fall of 2016, Morgan Kendrick said that Kendrick did a 14-week, company-wide lean journey where they looked at every department and focused on different aspects of lean manufacturing. Each week, employees would look for two-second time-savers and other ways to eliminate waste, then have the opportunity to show it off to the rest of the people in their department.

During this time, the cabinet shop staff was able to double production. While production was going up, they knew they could produce more but due to the building that they were in and structural obstacles, they were very limited in how to lay out their flow through the shop.

“If we had a more open floor plan, we would be able to produce more because of the reduction of waste in motion,” Morgan said. “There just happened to be a 36,000 square foot industrial building sitting empty a couple blocks down the road.”

The company purchased this building on January 1, 2017 and immediately began remodeling. They moved the cabinet shop into that facility on April 6, 2017, launched Shimlee in May 2017, opened The Markket in June 2017, and took Kendrick Home to Market in Atlanta in July 2017. All of these businesses would operate out of the new location.
 

 

 

Masco seeks buyers for its cabinetry and windows divisions

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LIVONIA, Mich. - The parent of Kraftmaid, Merillat, Masco Cabinetry, and Cardell Cabinetry, Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS), says it will "explore strategic alternatives" for its cabinetry and window businesses.
 
The businesses on the block totaled $1.7 billion in revenue last year, and include Milgard Windows and Doors. For 2018, Masco reported net sales of its Cabinetry Products segment of $950 million, and operating profit of $86 million
 
“Over the past five years, we have been executing our strategy to drive the full potential of our core businesses, leverage opportunities across our organization, and actively manage our portfolio to drive shareholder value,” said Keith Allman, Masco’s President and CEO.
 

NEWS

Tariffs and import rules impacting U.S. cabinetry, says analysts

Countervailing duties on plywood and softwood, tariffs on steel and aluminum are "having a profound impact on U.S. cabinetry manufacturers," says John Sherwin of Freedonia Group.


“Our cabinetry and window businesses are leaders in their respective markets and are well positioned to continue their growth. However, we believe we can potentially drive greater shareholder value by exploring strategic alternatives for these businesses. We expect to complete this review by the end of June.”

For 2018, Masco's Cabinetry Products and Windows and Other Specialty Products segments on a combined basis reported $1.7 billion in net sales, $120 million in operating profit, representing 20 percent of Masco’s consolidated net sales.
 
Masco Cabinetry, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, manufactures and sells semi-custom, stock and value-priced assembled cabinetry for kitchen, bath, storage, home office and home entertainment applications in a broad range of styles and price points to address consumer preferences. Masco Cabinetry’s Kraftmaid and Cardell products are sold primarily to dealers and home center retailers, and its Merillat and Quality Cabinets products are sold primarily to dealers and homebuilders for both home improvement and new home construction.
 
Masco’s two window businesses are Milgard Windows and Doors, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, and UK Window Group, headquartered in Wales in the United Kingdom. Milgard manufactures and sells vinyl, fiberglass and aluminum windows and patio doors under the MILGARD brand name for home improvement and new home construction, principally in the western United States.
 
The UK Window Group manufactures and sells vinyl windows, composite doors, related products and components under several brand names, including Duraflex and Griffin. For 2018, Masco reported net sales of its Windows and Other Specialty Products segment of $755 million, operating profit of $34 million.
 
Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Its portfolio of industry-leading brands includes Behr paint; Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures; KraftMaid and Merillat cabinets; Milgard windows and doors; Kichler decorative and outdoor lighting; and HotSpring spas. www.masco.com.

Spahn & Rose Lumber acquires Dunn Lumber

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DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Spahn & Rose Lumber Co. has acquired Lake Geneva, Wisconsin-based Dunn Lumber.

With the acquisition, two of the region's longest-standing businesses are now one. Dunn Lumber was founded in 1894 by Edward F. Dunn, and the store has been owned by the same family since it opened. The current owners, brothers Mike and Terry Dunn, are planning to retire after the sale.

Now serving professional builders, remodelers and homeowners throughout Walworth County, southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, Dunn Lumber consists of three business segments: lumber and building materials, hardware and rental. The 18,000-square-foot store is also the home of DC Design Services, a full-service cabinet-design studio that caters to homeowners and contractors.

Dunn Lumber was recently named the 2019 Wisconsin Retail Lumber Association Dealer of the Year. The acquisition will enable Spahn & Rose to build on this success by providing Dunn Lumber with business efficiencies and additional resources.

Spahn & Rose Lumber Co., which has been serving the professional contractor since it opened in 1904, is a leading lumber & building materials distributor in the Midwest. With 24 locations throughout Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, Spahn & Rose provides building materials, such as windows, doors, cabinets, drywall, roofing, decking and lumber, enabling builders, contractors and homeowners to buy easier and build better. http://www.spahnandrose.com/


American cabinet coalition files antidumping petition against Chinese imports

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WASHINGTON - The American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance has filed an antidumping petition against China, claiming the government's "manipulation and unfair trade practices" have led to a more than 75 percent rise in Chinese imports of kitchen and bath cabinetry since 2015, creating a threat to the $9.5 billion American industry.

Papers were filed March 6 with the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission by Wiley Rein LLP on behalf of the AKCA. The coalition, made up of more than 25 companies, says it is standing up for more than 250,000 American workers in the cabinetry industry impacted by the low-cost imports.

"China has manipulated global production and captured a large and growing portion of the market, manufacturing dumped and subsidized products, and has taken jobs away from hardworking Americans," said Tim Brightbill, chief counsel for the AKCA and partner at Wiley Rein. "Today's filing at Commerce and the ITC demonstrates an important first step in stopping the surge of dumped and subsidized Chinese cabinet products coming into the United States."

The petition alleges dumping margins of more than 200 percent, with Brightbill estimating there are more than 35 government subsidy programs in China that  benefit the country's cabinet industry.  Both face-frame and frameless cabinetry designed for permanent installation are included in the petition.

Learn about tariffs and import rules impacting U.S. cabinetry and other wood products industries at the Executive Briefing Conference, April 14-16 in San Jose, California

"Our cases aim to stand up to China's cheating and level the playing field for American workers and their families, as we fight to protect an iconic American industry," said Stephen Wellborn, director of Product and Research Development at Wellborn Cabinet Inc. "Now is the time to stand up for American kitchen cabinet workers." 

Notice of the petition comes roughly two weeks after the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, where a large number of Chinese-based manufacturers — as well as U.S. assemblers of Chinese branded cabinetry — exhibited their wares. Brightbill noted that Chinese cabinetry imports account for more than $2 billion of the U.S. market.

A growing number of Chinese-based manufacturers exhibited at the recent KBIS in Las Vegas.

The cabinet industry is not the only one impacted by Chinese imports. A number of antidumping claims related to the wood industry have been filed against China, including duties assessed on wooden bedroom furniture imports, in place since 2004, and more recently, Chinese imports of multi-layered wood flooring and decorative hardwood plywood; the latter two cases were also handled by the Wiley Rein firm.

"The United States has lost much of its furniture and textile industries, and China is now targeting American kitchen cabinets in the same way," said Mark Trexler, president and CEO of Master Woodcraft Cabinetry, and executive vice president and chief operations officer of AC Products (ACPI) Inc. "China's illegal trade practices like dumping and subsidies are hurting American workers and consumers, and today's historic filing by the AKCA is the first step in standing up to China."

Antidumping occurs when imported products are sold, i.e., "dumped" into the U.S. market at prices below cost. The duties are assessed by the Department of Commerce and collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in order to protect U.S. businesses and level the playing field for domestic products.

The alliance must now await a preliminary determination by the DOC and ITA.

Wellborn Cabinet is among the U.S. manufacturers in the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance petitioning for a level playing field.

Established in 2019, AKCA says it is "standing up for American workers and supporting the actions of those who oppose China's cheating of America's kitchen cabinet industry. We are proud to support one of the largest trade cases in history filed against China at the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC)."

Members of the alliance include: ACProducts, Inc., American Woodmark Corp., Bellmont Cabinet Co., Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing, The Corsi Group, Crystal Cabinet Works, Inc., Dura Supreme Cabinetry, Jim Bishop Cabinets, Inc., Kitchen Kompact, Inc., Koch & Co. Inc., Kountry Wood Products LLC, Lanz Cabinets Inc., Leedo Cabinetry, Marsh Furniture Co., Master WoodCraft Cabinetry LLC, MasterBrand Cabinets Inc., Nation’s Cabinetry, Showplace Wood Products, Inc., Smart Cabinetry, Tru Cabinetry, Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., Wellborn Forest Products Inc., Woodland Cabinetry Inc., Woodmont Cabinetry, and W. W. Wood Products Inc.

The YouTube video (below) has been developed by AKCA to support its position.

WoodPro Cabinetry returns to operations after January closure

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CABOOL, Mo. - Two months after announcing it would close, WoodPro Cabinetry is back.
 
WoodPro, a 42-year-old business specializing in custom bathroom cabinetry, has been acquired by Missouri-based Twin Oak Custom Cabinets, a custom cabinet maker. Twin Oaks has been in business since 1986 and employs 100 workers.
 
We covered WoodPro's closing in January, which employees said was unexpected. Local KY3 News reported there were signs of financial problems and that WoodPro had lowered its workforce to 60 from 100 over recent years. The remaining 60 lost their jobs in January.
 
“Although WoodPro will now become a division of Twin Oaks Custom Cabinets, our intention is for the WoodPro facility to continue its long-standing tradition of manufacturing quality bathroom cabinetry," said Twin Oaks President Bill Lake.
 
Production at WoodPro's Cabool plant will resume an initial staff of 20-25 employees. Lake said there would be a strategy to “adjust capacity going forward, as we strengthen relationships with customers and dealers throughout the United States.”
 
“Much like Woodpro, Twin Oaks Custom Cabinets is a family-owned business, which focuses on taking care of their customers, and their staff," said WoodPro founder and owner Leroy Walls. "We truly appreciate the loyalty we received from all of the WoodPro customers, team members, and the entire community, during our 42-year history. We are confident that Twin Oaks, with their reputation for providing exceptional custom cabinetry, will be picking up where we left off in terms of providing customized high-end bathroom cabinets.” 

Express Kitchens introduces new add-ons for cabinet lines

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HARTFORD, Conn. - Express Kitchens, a manufacturer and supplier of kitchen cabinets, introduced new add-ons for its kitchen cabinet and storage solutions. 
 
According to the company, the new set of add-ons offer customers more functionality and storage options and include:
 
Base Cabinet Solutions: 
1) Cleaning Pullout 
2) Cleaning Caddy 
3) Base Organizers 
4) Utensil Base Organizers
 
Vanity Cabinet Solutions 
1) Vanity Outlet Drawers 
2) Vanity Outlet Grooming Organizers 
3) Vanity Drawer Organizers 
4) Vanity Waste Container Solutions
 
Express Kitchens, headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, has 16 showrooms across Connecticut and Massachusetts. The company supplies several national brands of cabinetry including Aristokraft, Echelon and Homecrest and manufactures its own brand of higher-end, solid wood cabinets – Star.
 
 

Master WoodCraft Cabinetry's Mark Trexler to join CEO panel on capital investment

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SAN JOSE, Calif. - Mark Trexler, president and CEO of Master WoodCraft Cabinetry, will appear on a CEO panel examining rationales for capital investment at the Executive Briefing Conference next month in San Jose.  

Trexler has served as President and COO of Master WoodCraft Cabinetry since February 2012, a time period during which the company has grown to become the largest, most modern cabinetry company in the South and number eight in America, with plants in Marshall, Texas and Jefferson, Texas employing over 500 people and approximately half million square feet of manufacturing space. ACProducts acquired Master Woodcraft in June of 2018.

Trexler joins CEOs from Mission Bell Manufacturing and United Cabinet's Tru Cabinetry unit in a panel session looking at factors weighed in making capital investment decisions in production operations at EBC 2019. The high level management event takes place April 14-16 at the San Jose Marriott, in the heart one of the most innovative regions in the U.S., Silicon Valley.

The panel will take place the afternoon of April 16 at the San Jose Marriott, following more than 15 presentations on management and business operations by wood industry leaders. Sessions at EBC 2019 will emphasize workforce development and the relationship of employees to technology. The CEO panel will look at constraints that limit investment, as wells as opportunities where investment can make predictable returns, and the balance between investing in workforce and personnel development versus technology.  Learn more at www.executivebriefingconference.com

Kitchen Cabinet Distributors opens 180,000-square-foot Houston center

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HOUSTON - Kitchen Cabinet Distributors has expanded its footprint following the grand opening of a 180,000-square-foot showroom and distribution center in Houston, Texas.

The Houston facility was built in response to rising regional demand by contractors and builders for RTA and assembled cabinetry, said Randy Goldstein, CEO of the large Raleigh, North Carolina-based distributor.

"This is our first expansion beyond North Carolina — the first of what we expect will be several," Goldstein said.

A ribbon cutting marks the official grand opening of Kitchen Cabinet Distributors' Houston showroom and distribution center.

Kitchen Cabinet Distributors carries about a dozen different product lines of traditional and modern-style frame wood cabinetry for use in kitchens, bath, home offices and closets remodeling and new construction projects. "We have everything in stock, so it's important for us to have distribution centers close to where our customers are," Goldstein said. "Being in Texas really opens up our offerings for the Texas market and allows us to better serve parts of the South, Southwest and West Coast."

Attended by more than two dozen contractors, distributors and media personnel, the March 6 event included a tour of the facility's assembly stations, dealer portal integration system and new showroom. "Cabinets can be ordered through our online dealer portal with optional assembly services. Additionally, the dealer portal allows customers to view availability, access product specifications, and manage account information," Goldstein explained.

In business since 2007, Kitchen Cabinet Distributors offers a range of products in a variety of colors and styles, some of which were on display at the recent KBIS in Las Vegas. The company can ship cabinetry flat or assembled, and has full finishing capabilities.

"Whites and grays continue to dominate kitchen and bath projects, but we also offer a variety of other colors and designs to suit varying tastes," Goldstein said.

"The mass market for high-quality cabinetry continues to grow and for those who are looking for a great value and unlimited design possibilities, our product offers an opportunity for remodeling and other projects that previously wasn't available," Goldstein added.

Photo: Kitchen Cabinet Distributors

U.S. launches trade investigation on Chinese cabinetry

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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated an antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigation on wooden cabinetry and vanities imported from China to determine whether they are being unfairly subsidized and dumped in the U.S. market.

In 2018, imports of wooden cabinets and vanities from China were valued at an estimated $4.4 billion, almost half of the estimated $9.5 billion American market.

The petition into the matter was filed March 6 by the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance, a coalition of more than 25 U.S. cabinet manufacturers. The scope of the petition covers both face-frame and frameless cabinets, made of solid wood and composite panel construction, RTA cabinetry, cabinetry components including doors, drawers, back and end panels, as well as desks, shelves, and tables that are attached to or incorporated in the merchandise.

Excluded from the petition are products already covered under the hardwood plywood or wooden bedroom furniture antidumping duty orders, as well as aftermarket accessory items if imported separately from the wooden cabinet or vanity, including: drawer organization inserts or dividers (straight, round or oblong); carved wooden accessories including corbels and rosettes; and non-wooden cabinet hardware components, including metal hinges, brackets, catches, locks, drawer slides, fasteners, handles, and knobs.

Antidumping occurs when imported products are sold, i.e., "dumped" into the U.S. market at prices below cost. Duties are assessed by the DOC and collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in order to protect U.S. businesses and level the playing field for domestic products.

If the DOC makes an affirmative finding in the investigations, and if the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that dumped and/or unfairly subsidized Chinese imports of wooden cabinets and vanities are causing injury to domestic manufacturers, duties would be imposed on the imports.

The alleged dumping margins for China range from 177.36 to 262.18 percent, according to the DOC. There are 36 subsidy programs alleged in the China countervailing duty investigation, including a provision of goods for less than adequate remuneration, loan programs, grant programs, tax programs, and export subsidy programs.

Next steps

If Commerce preliminarily determines that dumping and/or unfair subsidization is occurring, then it will instruct the CBP to start collecting cash deposits from all U.S. companies importing wooden cabinets and vanities from China.

The ITC is also conducting an investigation and will make its preliminary determinations on or before April 22, as to whether the U.S. cabinet industry and its workforce are being harmed by the imports. If the ITC preliminarily determines that there is injury or threat of injury, then Commerce’s investigations will continue, with the preliminary CVD determination scheduled for May 30, and preliminary AD determination scheduled for Aug. 13, unless these deadlines are extended.

Final determinations by Commerce in these cases currently are scheduled for Aug. 13 for the CVD investigation, and Oct. 28, for the AD investigation. If Commerce finds that products are not being dumped and/or unfairly subsidized, or the ITC finds in its final determinations there is no harm to the U.S. industry, then the investigations will end with no duties applied.

The DOC website provides the following case calendar (also included on the DOC fact sheet) :

EventCVD InvestigationAD Investigation
Petitions filedMarch 6, 2019March 6, 2019
DOC initiation dateMarch 26, 2019March 26, 2019
ITC preliminary determinations*April 22, 2019April 22, 2019
DOC preliminary determinationsMay 30, 2019Aug. 31, 2019
DOC final determinationsAug. 13, 2019Oct. 28, 2019
ITC final determinations**Sept. 27, 2019Dec. 12, 2019
Issuance of orders***Oct. 4, 2019Dec. 19, 2019

*If the ITC makes a negative preliminary determination of injury, the investigations are terminated.
**This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations from Commerce.
***This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations from Commerce and the ITC.  
Where the deadline falls on a weekend/holiday, the appropriate date is the next business day

 

Corsi Group names cabinet sales rep award winners

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Corsi Group has announced the recipients of their 2018 Sales Representative Awards.

Dominion Sales, Inc. has been awarded the Chairman’s Club Award, recognizing the agency for the highest territory sales dollars in 2018. The Dominion team covers the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and eastern Pennsylvania. This is the first time Dominion Sales has been recognized for this achievement with the company.

Second place winner for the Chairman’s Club Award is Conroy & Associates, covering the New England states. Third place for the Chairman’s Club Award is Atlantic Sales & Marketing, covering the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

In addition, Dominion Sales, Inc. has been awarded the Zenith Award for highest sales dollar increase in 2018. This is the second year in a row Dominion has won top honors in this category.

Second place winner for the Zenith Award is The Hiatt Group, covering the states of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Third place for the Zenith Award is Atlantic Sales & Marketing.

Atlantic Sales & Marketing has been awarded the Summit Award for the highest number of new accounts in 2018. This is the second consecutive year the agency has won the top honors in this category.

Second place winner for the Summit Award is GTL Associates, covering New Jersey and Southeastern New York. Third place honors go to four agencies: Cabinet Savvy Group, LLC, covering Indiana, Ohio, southeastern Michigan and southwestern Pennsylvania; Conroy & Associates; Crescent Marketing Group, Inc., covering California, Nevada and Arizona; and Krengel & Hood, LLC, covering western Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas. For more information, visit http://TheCorsiGroup.com.


NKBA charts design trends for 2019

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An extensive survey of designers and specifiers by the National Kitchen and Bath Association reveals a variety of new trends driving kitchen design. Among those are new appliances, transitional and contemporary styling, and increasing use of L-shaped plans with large islands.

With 538 respondents, including designers, builders, architects, and manufacturers from the U.S. and Canada, the survey highlights a multitude of trends, including design styles, innovations, layouts, size, costs, appliances, accessories, and technology.

The most popular kitchen layout, according to the survey, is far and away the L-style with 62 percent of respondents picking that as most popular. Medium to large islands was cited by 88 percent of respondents, and only 2 percent cited no island at all. U-shaped plans were the second most popular at 21 percent.

And most designers who are doing kitchen remodels are enlarging the kitchen in the process. According to the survey, 78 percent said the new kitchens are slightly to significantly larger. Only 23 percent said the remodeled kitchens are about the same size, and no respondents cited smaller kitchens. The largest single group (45 percent) cited increasing kitchen size up to 25 percent.

So, how big are those kitchens? Nearly three-quarters of respondents said the most popular size is medium or 150-350 square feet. Large kitchens more than 350 square feet accounted for 22 percent of respondents. Small kitchens of less than 150 square feet were cited by only 5 percent in the survey.

The NKBA study also lists Farmhouse as one of the rising trends in kitchen design. Credit: Richard Lensis, designer.

Cost per square foot appears to stay the same or increase as the kitchen size gets bigger. For medium-size kitchens, the mean cost was $48,000. For large kitchens, the mean cost was $90,000.

Appliances seem to be capturing the attention of designers and specifiers as the most interesting new products in the kitchen arena. Some 32 percent chose appliances as the most interesting new product. Cabinets came in at 16 percent, countertops 13 percent, lighting 11 percent, and technology solutions 8 percent.

The technology number might be deceptive because designers said that one of the important features making appliances most interesting was technology, such as interconnectivity, touch screens, sensors and other features. White is the leading appliance color, but with designs that “don’t look like Mom’s appliances.” Other trending appliance colors are black stainless and bright colors.

In a note of caution to cabinet manufacturers and installers, the survey highlights new trends in alternate sizing and placement of appliances. These include under-cabinet and drawer washers and refrigerators, as well as narrow refrigerators and microwave drawers. Flush-mount appliances were also cited.

Light and medium painted wood will continue to be popular in transitional kitchens. Credit: Jeane Dole, designer.

Cabinet trends

Cabinet trends cited in the survey included contemporary European styles with hidden handles, LED interior lighting, vertical-lift doors for wall cabinets, and motorized opening and closing with the touch of a button or knee activation. Outside of the cabinets, pendant lighting is becoming more modern, with more options, and LED technology is improving with better color rendering and the ability to dim.

But cabinet manufacturers cannot rest on their laurels as survey respondents said cabinets are the one area of the kitchen they would most like to see more innovation. Some 19 percent cited cabinets as needing more innovation, and 18 percent said vent hoods needed improvement. Sinks and countertops were at 16 and 13 percent, respectively.

Specific requests for cabinet innovation included wanting more colors and finishes in prefab cabinets, as well as options to finish cabinetry beyond just paint and stains. Designers and specifiers want more transitional door styles and different materials for doors and drawer fronts. They also called on more affordable modern designs and lower-cost cabinetry in general with greater flexibility and customization options.

According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents expect contemporary to overtake traditional styles. Credit: Deborah Kerr, designer.

Technology has really come of age in the kitchen, and designers are responding to that. Some 76 percent expect to see more mobile device accommodations in the kitchen over the next three years. A majority (58 percent) also expect to see more voice-enabled home automation platforms in the coming years. The same number predict the increased appearance of safety technology that alerts homeowners of dangerous situations through their cell phones. Technology that allows for remote food prep was cited by 30 percent, and technology to track food inventory was listed by 33 percent.

Transitional kitchens were the style specified most last year, followed by traditional and contemporary. Looking ahead, 88 percent of respondents expect transitional kitchens to remain the lead style in the next three years, but 80 percent expect contemporary styles will overtake traditional to take the number two spot. In fact, only 46 percent see traditional as a trend over the next three years. Farmhouse (55 percent) and Industrial (50 percent) were also cited as rising trends.

In transitional cabinets specifically for the next three years, the survey predicts rising trends will be light or medium painted wood or wood grain or mixed materials, recessed panel facing, more drawers than doors, integrated storage, and matte decorative hardware or integrated hardware.

In contemporary cabinets, specifically for the next three years, the survey predicts light or medium wood grain, mixed materials, flat-panel/slab facing, more drawers than doors, integrated storage, light or medium tones, and integrated hardware.

Source: The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), as part of Design & Construction Week (DCW). For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

Freedonia researcher analyzes impact of U.S. tariffs on cabinetry industry

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CLEVELAND - John Sherwin, Project Manager, Custom Research, The Freedonia Group, will be presenting “Tariff Impacts on Cabinetry” in San Jose, California on April 14, the opening day of the three-day Executive Briefing Conference.
 
Countervailing duties on plywood and softwood, tariffs on steel and aluminum are "having a profound impact on U.S. cabinetry manufacturers," according to Sherwin. More information about Sherwin's presentation on cabinetry and tariffs is here >> 
 
Attendees will have a chance to meet Sherwin during the conference, which runs April 14 through April 16 at the San Jose Marriott. 
 
Sherwin will incorporate Freedonia’s expertise in the home organization, cabinets and other related industries in his presentation.
 
Freedonia's Cabinets study addresses the following questions and more:
  • How is the ongoing product mix shift toward semi-custom and custom kitchen cabinets affecting the industry?
  • How will consumer demands for value-added features affect stock cabinet product lines?
  • Will frameless kitchen cabinets continue to gain share in single-family and multifamily housing applications?
 
The recently released Home Organization Products study answers such questions as:
  • How are consumer trends in downsizing and urban living
  • How are demographics like baby boomers and empty nesters, affecting the home organization market? 
  • How do organization product trends and preferences vary throughout the home? 
  • Which retail channels are most commonly tapped for DIY home organization products
  • What strategies are retailers using to gain a competitive advantage?
 
The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is a leading international industrial research company providing critical business information to decision makers and research analysts. Our industry research covers in-depth studies of a wide range of topics. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Consolidations continue among cabinet leaders

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Cabinet manufacturers continued their sales expansion last year, but some of the most familiar names in the business are doing it under a different banner.

Overall, sales for the FDMC 300 group of companies grew 4.75 percent in 2018, to reach $54.691 billion. But among the largest cabinet companies, the big news was from consolidations and mergers.

This group of the 300 largest North American cabinet, millwork, furniture and fixture manufacturers recorded a seventh consecutive year of sales expansion in 2018. In 2017, sales grew 5.4 percent over the previous year to $52.209 billion. 

Companies in most market sectors that reported indicated growth or similar sales levels compared to the previous year. Some of the largest publicly traded manufacturers consolidated operations or concentrated on improving efficiency rather than increasing overall revenue.

The FDMC 300 is a group of the 300 largest cabinet, furniture, millwork, store fixture, office/contract and component producers in North America. This annual summary of wood manufacturing firms' sales performance is published annually by FDMC magazine.

There were adjustments in some company information in 2018 due to new data, mergers and consolidations.

 

KCMA: Cabinet sales gain 2 percent

The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association reported that 2018 cabinet sales totaled $7.3 billion, a growth of 2 percent compared to 2017 figures, according to the latest KCMA business trend survey. Sales of stock cabinetry grew 4.8 percent and custom sales also increased 4.5 percent, while semi-custom sales decreased 1.8 percent, according to participants in KCMA's monthly Trend of Business survey.

A year-over-year comparison also showed smaller growth for sales in December at 0.7 percent. Stock sales increased 5.3 percent and custom sales rose 3.5 percent, however semi-custom sales dropped 5.7 percent compared to 2017 figures for the month.

The KCMA Trend of Business Survey participants include stock, semi-custom, and custom companies whose combined sales represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. kitchen cabinet and bath vanity market. KCMA said 63 percent of its cabinet manufacturer members report sales below $10 million annually, reflecting the importance of small manufacturers in the industry.

A year earlier, KCMA said that participating cabinet manufacturers reported sales totaling $6.9 billion for 2017. That was a 2.9 percent increase compared to 2016.

 

Largest cabinet manufacturers

Here’s a look at the largest cabinet manufacturers in North America.

1. MasterBrand Cabinets. The cabinet segment sales estimate ($2.390 billion) was based on third quarter 2018 reported sales. The company is part of Fortune Home & Security, and makes stock, semi-custom and custom kitchen and bath cabinets, in addition to frameless RTA.

There are 16 total manufacturing locations, including six former Norcraft locations. (Final sales for the cabinet segment were reported to be $2.418 billion in early 2019.)

2. American Woodmark. The Virginia-based company makes stock and semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinets. The figure of $1.7 billion is based on the company’s fiscal year. Figure includes sales from the merger with RSI Home Products, Inc., another large manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinetry and home storage products. The acquisition moved American Woodmark from the third biggest cabinet manufacturer in the United States to the second biggest. The combined company has 18 manufacturing locations.

RSI was acquired by American Woodmark in December 2017, and the agreement was completed in 2018. RSI made stock and semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinets and marble countertops. RSI had estimated annual sales of $560 million for 2017 and 3,500 employees.  

3. Masco Corp. Sales estimate of $965 million was based on third quarter cabinet segment sales and company info. In March 2019, the parent of Kraftmaid, Merillat, Masco Cabinetry, and Cardell Cabinetry, Masco Corp., says it will "explore strategic alternatives for its cabinetry and window businesses. Final 2018 fiscal year sales were reported in February 2018 to be $950 million.

The company makes stock and semi-custom assembled and ready-to-assemble kitchen and bath cabinets, and other room cabinets. Divisions are KraftMaid Cabinetry, Merillat Industries, Masco Retail Cabinet, and Quality Cabinets.

4. Elkay Manufacturing. Company has been acquired by ACProducts. The acquisition was to become final in 2019. Elkay was listed separately in the FDMC 300 for 2018.

Cabinet brands include Mastercraft, Medallion, Schuler, Yorktowne, American and Design-Craft. The company makes semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinets in six locations: Aurora, Colorado; Culver, Indiana; New Ulm and Waconia, Minnesota; Independence, Oregon; and Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania.

5. ACProducts, Inc.. Communication after the 2018 FDMC 300 was compiled indicated that the company would have about $465 million in sales, taking the acquisition of Elkay and Master WoodCraft Cabinetry LLC into account. Master WoodCraft ranked 12th in cabinets a year ago and makes cabinets for multifamily homes, countertops, and components in Marshall and Jefferson, Texas.

6. Foremost Groups. New Jersey-based company is a manufacturer and an importer, and makes bathroom vanities and shelving for Wal-Mart. The $150 million in sales is our estimate.

7. Wellborn Cabinet Inc. Sales were estimated to be $150 million, in four locations in Ashland and Lineville, Alabama, and Salt Lake City, Utah. The company makes stock, semi-custom and custom kitchen and bath cabinets; closet cabinets and storage systems and employs 1,150. Wellborn Cabinet sold Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry in New Holland, Pennsylvania, to Birch Holdings of PA, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birch Investment Partners, LLC.

8. Wood-Mode Inc. Wood-Mode makes custom and semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinets, and custom cabinetry for other rooms at a single location in Kreamer, Pennsylvania. The company employs 1,200. Sales of $200 million is our estimate for manufacturing only, and doesn’t include retail sales. We didn’t get any information direct from the company.

9. W W Wood. The Dudley, Missouri, company makes kitchen and bath cabinets, millwork and mouldings, custom cabinets, cabinet doors, and employs 1,000. Sales figure of $125 million was based on year-ago sales provided by the company.

10. Leedo Mfg. The company makes stock and custom kitchen cabinets, bath vanities, laminate, granite, and quartz countertops in East Bernard and El Campo, Texas.

Additional information on these companies and the full list of 300 companies is also online at http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/fdmc-300.

 

School benefits from finishing partnership

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Lots of woodworking businesses complain about not being able to find skilled workers, but at Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood, Illinois, they are working to change that. Young men and women are preparing for careers in fields where people design, construct, build, service and repair — hands-on, skilled jobs. Mark Smith, who at one time was director of the WoodLINKS USA effort, leads the school’s Industrial Technology program. He works to collaborate with industry to improve the program. One such long-standing partnership involves finishing, where his students have used Accessa coatings and stains for about 17 years.

Accessa recently donated product and expert consulting for Smith’s class.

Students in the program have been using Accessa finishing products to finish their projects such as this table in a longstanding partnership between industry and education.

“Since 1996, my students and I have been building partnerships with industry to support Industrial Technology education,” Smith said. “Our partners make an advanced manufacturing program possible by supplying technical support, networking opportunities, internships, field trips, material donations and career opportunities. Without our program supporters, the educational experience that inspires my students would not exist.”

Many of the Reed-Custer students will pursue post-secondary education opportunities in engineering, advanced manufacturing, architecture and CADD. Working in a space designed to feel like a commercial computer-integrated manufacturing facility, students are executing high-quality projects with the help of partners like Accessa.

Cabinet assembly is just one of the skills taught in the Reed-Custer High School Industrial Technology Program, which is led by Mark Smith, former director of WoodLINKS USA.

There are two destinations for student projects. Case goods, such as cabinets and entertainment centers, and signs that are delivered to residential or commercial spaces. All other projects go home with students. Those include long boards, foot stools, bed frames, shelving units, tables and chairs.

Besides pro finishing skills, the students learn CADD and CNC manufacturing processes to make things like this sign.

Their craftsmanship and pride in their work are apparent in photos from the program, and were recently highlighted in a newsletter from Accessa. With a history dating back to 1979, Accessa specializes in supplying coating and finishing products to a wind range of customers in woodworking and other industries. They are based in Indiana and more information is available at www.accessa.com

To find out more about the Industrial Technology program at Reed-Custer High School and see completed projects at rchsit.weebly.com.

 

Clean, modern looks dominate cabinet trends

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Clean looks, including frameless construction, more paint finishes and fewer wood stains continue to be the strong trends on display in our annual survey of kitchen trends.

Based on an extensive survey of what was displayed by kitchen cabinet companies at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builder Show, our exclusive annual survey is not scientific but it highlights the trends that cabinet companies are promoting to dealers and consumers. We surveyed 42 companies and 167 kitchen cabinet displays as well as interviewing designers and marketing people over a two-day period at the show to formulate a detailed view of what trending in cabinets.

The survey includes information on finishes, stains, materials, cabinet case construction, drawers, doors, countertops, and additional features such as mouldings, hardware, internatl and external accessories. The number of companies surveyed is up 20 percent from last year, and the number of displays is up 33 percent, indicating robust growth. However, most of that growth is in imported cabinets. Many major domestic manufacturers did not participate in the shows. And reflecting the impact of the fluid tariff situation between China and the U.S., many new importers were promoting themselves as outside the trade war because they were located in such countries as Vietnam, India, or Brazil.

Frameless construction continues to be strong, reflecting the growing trend for Euro-style cabinetry. Face frame, full overlay is in second place, followed by conventional face frame.

Case construction

Frameless cabinet construction, which took the top spot for the first time last year, continues to lead with 40 percent of the displays. In second place were faceframes with full overlay doors, a look that can often mimic the clean appearance of frameless cabinets. Faceframe, full overlay accounted for 30.5 percent of the cabinets displayed, a decline of 14 points from last year.

Moving up were conventional faceframe cabinets, which rose to 25 percent this year compared to a mere 8 percent last year. Inset doors were also stronger this year, coming in at 3.6 percent compared to about half that number last year.

“There’s a huge uptick in frameless,” said Anglea O’Neill from Wellborn, the largest domestic manufacturer at the show.

Pinky Cai, sales manager for NGY Stone & Cabinet, said frameless is part of a larger style: “Modern European style with a sleek look.”

Paint has become the leading finish, displacing stained wood, and white is till the dominate paint color, followed by gray. Other colors included blues, blacks, and dark browns.

 

Paint over stains

A number of designers and finishing experts have pointed out the trend of paint and laminates replacing wood stains in the last few years. That was definitely seen in our tally of what kitchen cabinet companies were displaying at the show.

More than 55 percent of the displays showed a painted finish. About 31 percent of the displays used some form of laminate, including nearly 14 percent that featured new textured laminates. Only about 32.8 percent of the displays featured stained wood. (Note that the numbers add up to more than 100 percent because many displays featured mixed materials such as both paint and stains or laminate and stained wood or multiple accent finishes.)

Still, when it’s said and done, white is still the king of the kitchen. One salesman we talked to said pointedly, “If you don’t show white Shaker, you get voted off the island.” White paint accounted for more than 25 percent of all the displays, and white laminate added another 7 percent. White also showed up in some of the modern, high-gloss and acrylic applications, making well over a third of all displays having some white elements.

“Everyone still wants white,” said Sally Chen of FGM Cabinets.

Following white, gray was the most popular color, accounting for about 11 percent of all the displays. Accent colors such as blues, blacks, and dark browns (espresso) were also popular.

Dark stains are still on top, but a number of designers and marketing people reported that trend might be peaking. The larger trend is the ongoing decrease in stained wood finishes.

Dark dominates stains

White might still be the most popular kitchen color, but when it comes to stains, dark dominates. Of all the stained wood choices, dark stains accounted for 16 percent, medium stains 14 percent, and light stains a little more than 3 percent.

Wellborn’s O’Neill confirmed the dominance of white, but she said there is a warming trend affecting all the colors and that stains are going more brown based and losing red tones.

Megan Mazur, vice president of sales and marketing for Kitchen Cabinet Distributors, said, “We’re seeing a trend toward lighter stains and we’ll be adjusting for that in the future.”

“For colors, white, off-white, and gray are still high in demand,” said Virgil Yoder of Kountry Wood Products. “Dark stains are trending down.”

Laminate is once again a rising star in cabinetry and countertops, driven in no small part by the increased use of modern textured laminate products in both cabinets and countertops.

Laminates are back

For a few years, this survey has noted a decline in the use of laminates for both casework and countertops, but this year laminates were strong, driven in part by the growth in textured laminate products.

Textured laminate accounted for about 14 percent of all the kitchen cabinet displays, and it wasn’t just in the casework. Textured laminate showed up in about 8 percent of all the countertops on display. Laminates of all types accounted for 44 percent of the countertops displayed, pushing out engineered stone materials at 33 percent. Last year, nearly half of all the tops shown were engineered stone, and laminate was only a fifth of what was displayed.

Wood countertops were also strong, including a few with live edge treatments. Wood countertops were used in about 6 percent of countertops shown, up two points from last year.

Maple is still the leader in wood species for kitchen cabinets, followed by birch. Oak is showing little growth from last year. In other woods, walnut showed up often as an accent.

Maple still on top

As to wood species, maple is still the leader, capturing more than 21 percent of the displays. Birch, another light wood known for taking all sorts of stains and paint treatments, was in second place with more than 15 percent of the displays. Medium-density fiberboard edged out other solid wood species at 7 percent, and oak was hovering around 3 percent, pretty much unchanged from last year.

One trend this year was the increasing use of wood accents. Walnut was very popular, frequently as a contrasting color in drawer boxes or even as a major element as the countertop in an island. German beech, hickory, alder, and cherry were also shown.

“Walnut veneer is very hot,” said Steve Stavrou, project sales with Goldenhome. “It’s an interesting color to a lot of people.”

Wood drawer sides are still on top, but metal drawer systems continue to rise in popularity. Regardless of the drawer side material, soft-close mechanisms are completely dominant.

Solid wood drawers

Where wood continues to dominate is in drawer construction. About 56 percent of all the drawers were solid wood, and nearly 10 percent were plywood. Only 3 percent of drawers were laminate. But the real growth factor in drawers in the increasing use of metal drawer systems. Those accounted for more than 32 percent of the drawers on display.

When it comes to the hardware to operate the drawers, there is no contest. Nearly 90 percent of all the drawers on display used soft-close hardware for their sliding mechanisms. Clearly, this technology has become standard in most kitchen builds.

Door options

While soft-close dominates drawers it is also making an impact in doors. About 37 percent of the displays featured soft-close mechanisms. But the trends in doors goes way beyond conventional hardware.

Creativity in design was nowhere more apparent than in all of the treatments for doors, particularly doors in upper cabinets. In the past, we’ve reported on trends for mixing wood and glass in doors, which accounted for 24 percent of the displays in this survey, but there were a lot more variations. There were wood and metal doors, all-metal doors, overhead doors (with a variety of mechanisms), sliding doors (sliding both horizontally and vertically), power operated doors, metal and glass doors, and doors with wood grills. Overheads were particularly popular, showing up in about 5 percent of the displays.

While the survey does not track specific door styles, many people noted the dominance of Shaker-style, flat panel doors. “People are going back to basics,” said Gary Hartz of Kitchens for Cooks. “We see a mix of dark and light cabinetry and no more raised-panel oak or maple.”

Morgan Christiansen of Bernier, a Quebec-based manufacturer, was showing off floor-to-ceiling tall doors that he said were very popular.

Accessories and add-ons

The trend for elaborate add-on mouldings, carvings and furniture feet is not entirely gone, but most displays emphasized cleaner designs. Crown moulding, often in very simple forms was still the most popular treatment, accounting for about a third of the displays. Open shelves were popular, too, showing up in more than 6 percent of displays.

When it comes to accessories, wine racks were by far the most popular as evidenced in more than 11 percent of displays. Spice racks, roll-out pantries, lazy susan and other corner treatments were also popular. Increasing use of lighting, often automatically activated by opening doors or drawers showed up in many displays.

 

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