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PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication of the Cabinet Makers Association • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2, 2017 Visit us online at cmaprofiles.com PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Flint, MI Permit No. 512

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Page 1: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

PROFILES

InsideAssociate of the Quarter:Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry

Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc.

A pub l icat ion of the Cabinet Makers Associat ion • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2, 2017

Visit us online at cmaprofiles.comPRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDFlint, MI

Permit No. 512

Page 2: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

Cabinet Makers Association does not assume any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Furthermore, the Cabinet Makers Association does not accept any legal responsibility for the results of the use by readers of any kind of information or advice given in this publication.

Board of DirectorsMatt Krig, PresidentNorthland Woodworks Blaine, MN • (763) 786-4783 [email protected]

Leland Thomasset, Vice PresidentTaghkanic Woodworking Pawling, New York • (845) 855-5018 [email protected]

James Fox, SecretaryFox WoodworkingKimberton, PA • (484) [email protected]

Scott Comstock, TreasurerWoodperfect Custom Cabinetry Forney, TX • (972) 514-4190 [email protected]

Mike Mitchell, Board MemberBurger Boat Manitowoc, WI • (920) 684-1600 [email protected]

Keith Smith, Board MemberKeith Smith BuildersGreer, SC • (864) 801-9701 [email protected]

Chris Dehmer, Board MemberDark Horse WoodworksAtlanta, GA • (404) [email protected]

The Cabinet Makers Association is fortunate to have qualified leaders. Associations need excellent leadership in order to remain healthy and grow. The Board of Directors has been established not only to direct the course of the Association, but also to meet your needs, act as a point of contact, and answer association related questions.

Past PresidentsTracy Yarborough - Coward, SCJoe Knobbe - Waukegan, IL Sean Benetin - Bernardsville, NJAdam Rose - Sterling, COCharles Wilson - Cedar City, UTKeith Hill - Apex, NCBrad Phelps - Cedar City, UT

Executive DirectorAmanda Conger47 West Polk Street, Suite 100-145 Chicago, IL 60605-2085 (866) 562-2512 [email protected]

www.cabinetmakers.org

issue

departments

in this

81620

4 Message f rom the Pres ident

6 From the Execut ive D i rector 's Desk

22 Eye on the Economy

22 New Current Members L is t

Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc.

Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry

CMA Awards Program

VOLUME SEVENTEEN • ISSUE TWO

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Page 3: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

I t’s been a wild ride this quarter, for several reasons. Things look great, we are 95% done with implement-ing new machine processes and a completely new shop

layout. This turned into a much larger undertaking than we originally anticipated and has already blown past any budget we set for the entire 2017 fiscal year. However, we picked up some significant new accounts and are courting some of the premiere homebuilders in our area, all while starting the year with the best backlog we’ve seen in many years.

I feel extremely fortunate and blessed, but also feel the stress from such a big overhaul. Over the past few years, we attended several industry events then created a deliberate plan to grow our company and be something beyond what we have always been—now we are making it happen.

How Did We Get To This Point?Leah and I attended AWFS in 2011 as a do or die decision for

the business because our wish for the recession to end wasn’t do-ing anything and we always fought with the bottom dwellers for any and all projects. We knew we had to do something and attend-ing AWFS would be our last go before throwing in the towel.

Fortunately, we met the CMA there and dove right in, which led to our business turning point. We returned from that trip with new ambition and realized it would be foolish to walk away from something we’ve worked so hard on - not to mention the 30 years my dad put into the operation, prior to our involvement. While sitting in some of my new classes, all I could think about was how I needed to get better at what I was doing so I would be the one teaching others, but how could I make that happen?

In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states, “You need to do some-thing for 10,000 hours to be an expert at it.”

I have paid some dues in the shop, office, and field, but I didn’t have that kind of time to become an expert. I made the

decision to do the next best thing, I committed to spend as much time as I could studying business, sales, and manufacturing, along with visiting people whom, I felt, had once been in my shoes and outgrew them. When it made sense, I got out of the shop and spent time with others who were closer to where I wanted to be—even if it meant time away from work. There were times it was

truly hard to be away, but I persevered. With this new mindset, I attended numerous courses, differ-

ent kinds of schools, networking events, professional conferences, and many classes or seminars held during big shows. The more I learned, the more I craved. During this momentum, I went from being a very shy introvert to facing my fear of public speaking to presenting a few seminars on topics I was passionate about and lived to tell about it.

I may not be the greatest speaker or expert in the world on CNC tricks or some of the other business topics I’ve spoken on, but I do manage to give people their money’s worth. I’ve even had people come up to me and say thank you, a year or two later. Moments like that make me feel like I’m finally making a differ-ence in an industry I’m passionate about.

Before I let my ego get the best of me, I’ll meet someone that will remind me that I have more to learn and quite a few lifetimes of dues ahead of me. Or we may buy some equip-ment and I will find that I have yet even more to learn. This time around, I did not factor in the extra cost of rigging, dust collection (which is already near full capacity), taxes, running additional compressed air lines, needing to upgrade air compres-sors, creating a new shop layout, and a few other items needed for day-to-day business operations.

Just when I thought I had reached expert level, I received an epic serving of humble pie.

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4 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

Page 4: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

I n the last issue, I suggested ways to get more involved with the CMA through our online discussion forums and I hope you’ve

taken the time to do that over the past few months. The CMA has many resources to make your business more professional and profitable, but it all starts with you. Other CMA members agree, investing a little time will more than pay for your membership.

Take the next step and connect with other CMA members face-to-face at a regional event or a major trade show. These one-on-one experiences are when CMA members really open up and solve problems together. Don’t be shy. CMA members love to offer advice, but you need to ask. You’d be surprised how often simple questions can lead to profound changes in companies, along with potentially large gains in profit. In addition, getting out of your shop is a great way to recharge your batteries and we could all stand to do that more.

Regional events are opportunities you do not want to miss. Everyone can learn from seeing other shops and the educational seminars keep you informed about what’s new in the industry. However, the true value is in the personal conversations that happen on the bus, dur-ing meals, and at the bar. Do not be afraid to let others know what you are looking for and what you are think-ing about doing. Odds are someone else has been there before or is currently dealing with your same issues.

Our next opportunity to connect in person is May 3-4, 2017 in Northern California. Plant tours include Mission Bell Manufacturing and Rivendell Woodworks,

plus visits to Western Dovetail and Quickscrews, and even a stop at a winery along the way. Learn more about this event and register to attend at www.cabinetmakers.org/events

Our highlighted trade show this summer is AWFS in Las Vegas. During the show, you can meet up with other members at our CMA booth,

walk the floor together, and perhaps even go out for dinner after the show. Share your struggles and help others with their challenges. Be sure to make plans to attend the specific CMA events, such as the “What’s Your Problem?” roundtable discussion, the Wood Diamond Awards ceremony, and the Annual Member-

ship Appreciation Banquet. This year we will be hosting our first-ever “Meet and Greet” session for new CMA members. This event will be on Wednesday, after our “What’s Your Problem?” gathering. To see the CMA’s scheduled activities for this event or to learn more about AWFS, visit www.cabinetmakers.org/awfs-2017

The value of your CMA membership is truly in your hands, plan now to be more involved and experi-ence the benefits that follow.

The CMA has many resources to make your business more professional and profitable, but it all starts with you.

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6 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

Page 5: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

profilemember shop

continued on page 10

INC.

E stablished in 1987, Curtis Cabinetry, Inc., offers frameless cabinetry for the kitchen, bath, and office. Using screw

and staple butt joint construction, Ed Cur-tis and his team build quality cabinetry in both paint and stain finishes at their new state-of-the-art Georgetown, Massachu-setts facility. By combining under one roof 8,000 square feet of shop space and 3,500 square feet of showroom, clients can see both the production of cabinets in a work-ing shop and the finished product in large, full-kitchen displays. These displays are key in allowing clients to envision Curtis cabinets in their own home. To get to this point, Ed built his business on hard work with help from his wife Bessie, son Brian, their dedicated staff, and a vision of a suc-cessful manufacturing business.

Ed Curtis came to the cabinetmaking industry after a decade of employment at General Electric where he was an All-Around Machinist, and then a Planner in the Aircraft Engine Division. Plan-ning and manufacturing aircraft engine parts from drawings and with accuracy tolerances to the 1,000th of an inch left an impression on Ed. After leaving G. E., he continued problem solving and planning as a general contractor remod-eling homes. While engaged in various remodeling projects, Ed had requests for custom pieces to be built. After a while, he decided to focus his career on building custom cabinetry and solid wood furni-ture out of his garage shop. When the American furniture industry was over-taken by overseas case goods, he turned his business emphasis to cabinets.

Thirty years on, Curtis Cabinetry is continually refining their best business practices. So what are Ed’s practices? He insists that developing systems of the many tasks that a modern day cabinet shop faces is paramount. Without them, a company simply cannot improve because there is no tracking of data. Repetition of process is important in maintaining consistent quality but also in keeping track of expenses and improving efficiency. Curtis also believes someone new to the business really needs to learn all aspects of the business through apprenticing and hands-on experience. He admits, too, that a working knowledge of math and trigonometry comes in handy as well. As his company has grown, he has always been mindful of new equipment purchases or other investments by examining them through a worst-case scenario. If he can justify that the business will withstand the loss of the investment, should something not go well after the purchase, then he

CABINETRYCURTISEd Curtis

9PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org8 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

Page 6: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

moves forward more knowingly and comfortably with any new ex-penditure. Curtis advises that expanding and investing should only be done after thoughtful consideration.

Even as a seasoned businessman, Curtis understands how crucial it is to understand the clientele and the current market. With the help of his wife, Bessie, Curtis Cabinetry has upgraded its website and entered the social media virtual world with a presence on Pinter-est, Houzz, Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, and Google+. In the near future, they hope to keep their website’s blog feature active as well since clients are checking out businesses online more than ever before. Curtis Cabinetry is a member of local and national profes-sional organizations like The National Kitchen and Bath Associa-tion (NKBA), the Northeast Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts (NEBA), North Shore Chamber of Commerce (NSCC), and the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce (MVCC). These associations not only provide networking opportunities, but assure potential clients that a business is credible and goes the extra mile to be involved in professional development as a business and an industry leader.

During the past decade, Ed Curtis has grown the family busi-ness with his son, Brian, getting involved in Curtis Cabinetry as the production manager of the cabinet shop and the IT software special-

ist for the in-shop software programming. Together, Ed, Bessie, and Brian have created a Shop and Showroom environment that appeals to their customers. They have recently hired a cleaning company to ensure that each visitor is welcomed into a clean and professional facility. The image of such an organized and inviting showroom puts many clients at ease, that Curtis Cabinetry will respect their own homes with the care they display in their own facility. Ed and Bessie bought a building in June 2015. Since then, they have invested a substantial amount to totally renovate the building and to set up a shop that they had previously only dreamed of owning. The building renovation project and shop set up lasted over a year, but the end result has exceeded expectations. As far as the show-room, that effort continues today, with approximately 80 percent of it completed. Previously, Curtis Cabinetry might have had one walk-in customer every couple of months. In their new location, the company is getting two to four walk-ins per week. Because of bet-ter exposure, the company is optimistic that walk-in traffic to their new showroom will only increase as spring and summer approach and as word-of-mouth spreads.

Curtis believes one of his greatest assets in selling cabinetry to clients is the addition of the new 3500 square feet showroom at their new location. In fact, Curtis shares, “I’d be lost without a showroom.

Member Shop Profle … continued from page 9

continued on page 12

11PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org10 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

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Page 7: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

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One wood so many design possibilitiesThe showroom allows the customer to discover first-hand, the qual-ity, style, and function of our cabinets, along with the many acces-sories available. Seeing the displays in person aids us immensely in the selling process.” The current displays feature three large-sized kitchens, one of which has working sinks and appliances and will be used when hosting various events. It also features a large bar, eight different vanities, mudroom cabinetry, and a nine-foot Brunswick Gold Crown Pool Table for atmosphere. Coming this spring, two more contemporary displays and a closet section will be added. All the cabinetry includes under-cabinet and in-cabinet lighting features. Investing in the lighting was not a cheap endeavor; however, the dramatic impact it creates on the cabinetry cannot be understated. In addition to the cabinetry, there are three display areas showing over a hundred doors and a full wall of knobs and handles.

Another selling feature that Curtis Cabinetry takes advantage of is the behind-the-scenes shop tour it offers to customers. Most people have never seen anything more than a table saw. Walking into a well-lit, clean shop with a big CNC router, bander, and many other machines that they cannot even identify, is impressive to most people. It’s one more arrow in the Curtis Cabinetry quiver, helping to make the sale.

Visitors to curtiscabinetry.com will see customers comment that their experience with Curtis Cabinetry was “efficient,” “an excellent journey,” and “competitively priced.” Others noted the “great atten-tion to specific detail” and “quality-minded craftsman” that Curtis is known as. Curtis explains, though, that it is no longer his involve-

Member Shop Profle … continued from page 10

continued on page 14

13PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org12 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

Page 8: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

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If the business side of running your shop has you feeling “stale”, then you need to connect with the CMA during AWFS.

Feel free to use our booth space as a place to meet up with other CMA members, charge your phone, or just hang out. We will be in booth #10053.

We also have a variety of activities to participate in while you are at the show:

Wednesday, July 195:15 pm What’s Your Problem? Roundtable Discussionfollowed by New Member Meet & Greet

Thursday, July 201:00 pm Wood Diamond Awards Ceremony5:30 pm Member Appreciation Banquet

“Lettuce” know you’ll be there! www.cabinetmakers.org/awfs-2017

to your success!

We are the

IngredientSecret JoinToday!ment by itself that is important. It is his entire

team’s approach that matters. His shop and installation crews both know his expectations and share in the passion to meet or exceed the customer’s satisfaction.

According to Ed Curtis, deliver what you promise, when you say you will. Be honest with people. If something is late, let the client know, try not to make excuses, and just get the job done. He frequently asks his team to “Put yourself in the client’s position. Would you be happy with that piece, that door, how a drawer opens? If the answer is you would not be happy, then why on earth would they be?”

Curtis explains that to be successful at sell-ing and building cabinetry, it is vital to spend time with clients to understand the clients’ vision, their likes, and dislikes. Typically, Curtis will meet a client in his showroom first. Potential clients touching the cabinets, opening doors and drawers to discover features and giz-mos, puts them that much closer to becoming a customer. He offers ballpark estimates based on sketches and preliminary measurements. Once the client and Curtis discern they are a good fit for one another, then Ed will go to the property and take precise measurements. Armed with this data, the building process begins. Curtis also offers customers a rebate on his design fee so that once a project is accepted and built, the client receives the added value of their free design concept.

When asked what brings Curtis the great-est satisfaction, he, without hesitation, noted, “At the end of the job, when the customer is happy and they let us know it. That’s great!” One happy client shared, “Working with Ed Curtis was an excellent journey. He is reliable and responsible. His delivery schedules met or exceeded our expectations. His expertise and honesty made our cabinet shopping experience a dream.” For Ed, Bessie, and Brian, and the extended Curtis Cabinetry team, this is all in a day’s quality custom cabinet work.

Member Shop Profle … continued from page 12

15PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org14 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

Page 9: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

quarterassociate of the

A fter a frustrating 13 years of bidding commercial cabinet projects to general contractors Chad Shelton knew that the tide was turning in the industry. Skilled labor was harder to find

and contractors were expecting more from him. Not knowing what to do a friend recommended to him the book “Good to Great”. “I waited two years to read it but after I did it changed everything.” The number one thing he learned was do what you can be great at. So he decided to stop bidding work and become an outsourced frameless cabinetmaker.

“This was my reality check, when I decided to pursue a simpli-fied product format, shifting focus from sub-contractor to manufac-turer, exclusively,” Chad says.

He created Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry where the cabi-net making process--from ordering, to creation, to delivery, to assem-bly--is simple and affordable for clients, while maintaining profit-ability for the company. Chad and his Bella IMC team re-invented

Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry

the best way to buy a frameless cabinet box by thinking outside the proverbial box in how it is ordered, constructed and manufactured. How have they achieved this? … Glue? No. Screws? Nope. Staples or nails? Zilch. So what’s their secret formula?!

Enter Lockdowel, a new fastening hardware that Shelton has believed in since its inception. Using feedback from Bella IMC in their product development, Lockdowel streamlines the cabinetmak-ing process—without glue. “Lockdowel is the fastest, strongest, and best cabinet assembly product out there and is changing the entire industry,” Chad reveals. The Bella IMC team is leading the industry in manufacturing innovation with the Lockdowel Eclips fastener insertion machine, built by Omal in Italy this past year. This state-of-the-art machinery further simplifies and expedites the cabinet making process.

The Lockdowel system allows a cabinetmaker to assemble a stan-dard cabinet, including doors—start to finish—in five minutes. That’s more than 80% faster than the traditional dowel and glue assembly method. When a cabinet shop outsources their boxes and doors to Bella IMC, they can increase sales volume without increasing labor by simplifying the complete job.

“It’s the easiest way for a shop to increase volume without risking more inventory,” Shelton says. “It also allows the owner the opportunity to pay their assemblers more per box, which creates a win-win-win for the end client, the installer, and the cabinet shop.”

Bella IMC offers strong, beautiful, quality cabinets in eight dif-ferent door styles in three, five, and seven piece door designs. Chad believes the three-piece door will be a big hit with customers and could be the most popular door. The durable, beautiful TFL textured Bella IMC material can be perfectly matched quickly and inexpen-sively. This makes replacing a damaged cabinet door a short 24-hour turn around—flawlessly matching the undamaged cabinets. “Because it is precisely and easily matched, modern and beautiful, the textured TFL material is the new trend and set to take a huge chunk of the industry in sales and style preference,” Chad says. “Today modern is the style, and it won’t be going away any time soon!”

With this process, Bella IMC has effectively changed the face of cabinet outsourcing. Targeting cabinet shops and dealers as his pri-mary clientele, Bella IMC delivers cabinet boxes and doors to happy customers all over the country. According to the company’s data, the average run time on an entire kitchen is one-and-a-half-hours—start to finish—once the order is put into production. Bella IMC uses All-moxy software to drive the ordering portion of their website: www.BellaIMC.com. This enables customizable, complete cabinet design by the client and efficient online ordering. While cabinet shops and distributors are their primary customers, the Bella team welcomes individuals and builders, as well.

For skeptics who may wonder about the quick assembly time, Bella IMC has impeccable customer service for their cabinet shop clients. Coming in 2017, an online library of tutorial videos featur-ing Lockdowel, Blum hardware, and, of course, Bella IMC, will be available from their website. In the near future customers will be able to scan a barcode on any Bella IMC cabinet and be directed straight to the video library from their smart phone. With ready access at the swipe of a finger, clients will appreciate 24/7 customer service video support. “Of course we will always answer the phone and walk customers through assembly. That’s just quality customer service as it should be!” Chad emphatically states.

By simplifying the cabinetmaking process and passing the overall savings onto customers, more business is actually generated because it is more affordable. Cabinets are one of the largest invest-ments in a home. The average (not fancy) kitchen costs $12,000 for the cabinets alone. If a property owner can spend less than half of that on a set of cabinets, they are more likely to remodel as trends change. With Bella IMC the cost of re-facing kitchen cabinet doors

Simplifying the Process of Cabinetmaking

continued on page 18

16 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org 17PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

Page 10: PROFILES - Curtis Cabinetry · 2017-11-15 · PROFILES Inside Associate of the Quarter: Bella Innovative Modern Cabinetry Member Shop Profile: Curtis Cabinetry, Inc. A publication

is about $1,000, as opposed to the $3,500-$7,000 quotes from tradi-tional cabinet re-facing methods. Building repeat customers is key, Shelton points out: “When customers come back for repeat business and find Bella IMC has the specs for the original kitchen (all door sizes and measurements), then the theme of simplicity resonates with the client once more.” The turnaround time on the kitchen facelift becomes efficient, the investment--affordable, and the remodeled kitchen is beautiful and trendy.

Chad Shelton understands the importance of studying trends—not only in cabinetry but in modern culture as well:

Today people are moving more frequently and selling more homes than ever before. When it comes time for renovations to sell a prop-erty, owners are looking to maximize their Return on Investment (ROI) in a timely manner. The ROI for choosing cabinetry from Bella IMC should be one hundred percent given its affordability and efficiency. For those in the multi-family unit market, Bella IMC is attractive because it is cheaper and more cost-effective to have the maintenance manager change out the kitchen cabinet doors in an hour when a renter moves, rather than hiring a contractor to demolish the kitchen and spend valuable time renovating, when the next renter could already be moved in and paying rent on the refurbished property.

For Chad and the Bella IMC team, cabinet making is all about the big picture of value—time, labor, and repeat clientele. Their mission statement is simple: To have maximum value flow through to the customer. By simplifying the time and labor it takes to make beautiful cabinets, Shelton has found a way to earn valued, lifelong partnerships with his clients. This wins repeat business in a market that has traditionally had few repeat customers.

Chad Shelton and the Bella IMC team welcome you to their Huntertown, Indiana, facility May 18 and 19, 2017. This FREE tech tour with Bella IMC, Lockdowel, Allmoxy, SCM, and Cabinet Vision will consist of two, four-hour sessions each day to see hands-on their streamlined cabinet making process: from creating to ordering, to building and assembly. For more information, visit: www.bellaimc.com or www.lockdowel.com.

Associate of the Quarter … continued from page 17

BREAK FREE FROM THE BOX

Cabinotch® is an innovative face-frame cabinet box system that will reduce your costs and boost your productivity.

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izable to 1/1000"

And with our KCD Software partner-ship, you can seamlessly design, quote and “output” your design directly to Cabinotch – then be on your way.

It’s time for you to break free from the box; make more money, and deliver more projects. Contact us today to get moving.

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Cabinet Doors • Drawer Fronts • Dovetailed Drawer Boxes • Face Frames • Mouldings • Wainscoting • Arch Panels • RTA Range Hoods and More

2225 Old Philadelphia Pike / PO Box 10127 Lancaster, PA 17605-0127 • Fax 1-800-253-0805

Visit our web site.

19PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org18 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

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See previous winners and access the 2017 submission form at www.cabinetmakers.org/wood-diamond-awards. The entry fee is $50 for each submission received by April 30, 2017. Entries received during May 1-15, 2017 will be $75 each. No entries accepted after May 15, 2017.

The winners will be announced on Thursday, July 20, 2017, during AWFS in Las Vegas.

Now Accepting SubmissionsCMA AWARDS PROGRAM

“Winning a wood diamond is by far the very best marketing money I can spend.”

– Chris Dehmer, Dark Horse Woodworks (Atlanta, GA)

“This design competition gives a chance to show our work and become more

recognizable in our industry.”

– Oleg Vasyliychuk, Symphony Kitchens (Toronto, ON)

“The membership and competitions have provided recognition for our firm.”

– Scott Comstock, Wood Perfect Custom Cabinetry (Forney, TX)

“The winning entries in the Wood Diamond Awards give

credibility to our craft.”

– Kurt Slevoksi, Premier Builders (Georgetown, MA)

Are you proud of a recent project? Enter it now for a chance to win a Wood Diamond Award!

This article is intended to provide general information and recommendations regarding risk prevention only and should not be considered legal advice. Following these guidelines does not guarantee reduced losses or elimination of any risks. This information may be subject to regulations and restrictions in your state. Qualified counsel should be sought regarding questions specific to your circumstances and applicable state or federal laws. © 2017 Federated Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Do you “Drive S.A.F.E.”?

How often do you consider that there are far more serious consequences to unsafe driving than just getting ticketed? In most states, if you killed or injured someone because of distracted driving or playing a role in a road rage incident, you could be criminally charged. If that’s not bad enough, these risky driving behaviors also put your loved ones in harm’s way, whether or not they are even in the vehicle with you. Think about it: What would your loved ones do if your behind-the-wheel conduct resulted in your being seriously injured or killed in a car crash, or you are sent to prison because your actions contributed to another’s injury or death? Bottom line: Poor driving decisions could ruin your freedom and tear your family apart.

At some point, everyone has made a poor driving decision: speeding to make up for lost time, reading an incoming text message, driving when too tired, or letting emotions take over when encountering a “crazy” driver.

The majority of all auto crashes can be traced back to four driving behaviors: Speed, Attention, Fatigue, and Emotion. Branded “Drive S.A.F.E.,” Federated Insurance’s driver awareness program helps business owners and risk managers call attention to these behaviors to help their employee drivers understand the risks each can present, and their resulting consequences.

Risky driving habits typically develop over time and can be hard to break. Keeping the S.A.F.E. factors in mind may help you overcome the temptation to engage in behind-the-wheel conduct that puts you and others in danger. Before each trip:

Give yourself ample time to get where you’re going. Not only does it feel good to be early and not rushed,you can significantly reduce your chances of being involved in a crash.

Make a commitment to pay attention to the task at hand, mentally and physically. Be on the lookout forinattentive drivers and drive defensively.

Get enough rest to help ensure peak mental awareness so you can react to hazards that may require split-second maneuvers.

Remain in control of your emotions and act responsibly. Put space between you and motorists whoseactions aren’t sensible.

Drive S.A.F.E. has one goal: to help keep you and your loved ones out of harm’s way. Please make it home safely today! For more information on all of Federated’s risk management programs, contact your local marketing representative today, or visit our website.

20 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

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by itradmin

R eal incomes are rising in the US. The trend is not a straight line, as evidenced by the chart. The median annual earnings trend (adjusted for inflation) shows that there are periods when the

trend will drift sideways, decline, and rise. The pervasive trend since the early 1980s is one of rise. Real American households are bringing in more money even after adjusting for inflation. Politicians can data mine this to their hearts’ content. However, business folks must deal with reality: if you are selling into the economy assuming economic

conditions are getter better, not worse, you are more likely to have a winning strategy. If you assume that earnings are going to continue to generally rise until the next Great Depression hits, you would be correct again. Tight labor markets for skilled workers are going to be a hallmark of our economy until we hit that Great Depression. Assume wages are going up. This means a) your labor expenses will go up, and b) consumers will have more money to spend on more

stuff. Wrap those two thoughts into your outlook for the next 10 years and you will be fundamentally ready to lay a realistic foundation for profit growth.

Use technology and innovative processes to manage your labor costs. Fighting this budget buster all the way through to the Great Depression will only serve you well when the decline comes. Build your brand by knowing your competitive advantage and being in a position to sustain, or grow, your margins. If this sounds impossible, you know you have a lot of work to do. This is the future we all must contend with. Source: www.itreconomics.com

economyeye on the

Managing Your Labor Costs - A Winning Strategy

There is nothing so powerful as truth, and often nothing so strange.

– Daniel Webster

membersCurrent

Customer City/State Customer TypeAmerock Mooresville, NC AssociateArthur Distributor Co. Arcola, IL DistributorAtlanta Cabinet Shop Buford, GA AssociateAutoKitchen by Microcad Software Cresskill, NJ AssociateBella IMC Huntertown, IN AssociateFederal Brace Belmont, NC Associate

HomePros Beulah, ND StandardKitchenview Custom Cabinets LLC Paradise, PA StandardLukach Interiors Clifton, NJ StandardMacLeod And Sons LLC Greer, SC StandardNewYorkHandmade LLC Tremper, NY StandardOrderworks San Diego, CA AssociateParks Custom Cabinets Chelsea, OK StandardParts Cutter CNC Danbury, CT StandardPaul Downs Cabinetmakers Bridgeport, PA StandardPremium Woodworking West Babylon, NY StandardWhite and Red Works Beltsville, MD StandardWoodwork Solutions Inc. Mission Viejo, CA Standard

Order online or request a sample at na.rehau.com/cabinetdoors

© REHAU 2017

MODERN DESIGN MADE EASY.Custom shaker and slab doors delivered.

Soft touch, rugged feel. Bring the beauty of real wood inside.RAUVISIO terra™ textured HPL

CMA ad 2016.indd 1 12/7/16 9:16 AM

22 PROFILES • Volume 17 • Issue 2, 2017• www.cabinetmakers.org

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616.698.7500 | www.stilesmachinery.com

LET’S START TODAY.

SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEMENT YOUR CRAFTSMANSHIPYOUR CRAFTSMANSHIPWhen you partner with Stiles Machinery, you’re teaming up with the industry leader for technology, software, support, tooling and specialized training. With a wide range of machinery offerings for shops of every size, Stiles is your single source for the tools and knowledge needed to stay ahead of your competition. When we work together, you can be sure that you will get the solution that is right for you.

We’re proud to have played a part in the success of thousands of businesses just like yours. Experience the difference that Stiles can make for you.