This remains the driving force behind the operation today.

Located in Montgomery, Alabama, and serving east of the Mississippi River as well as into the state of Texas, the Bishop Cabinets family, which includes several blood relatives as well as employees and distributors alike, works hard to continuously improve, innovate, and expand what is possible in the market it serves.

Family focus
As Vice President Eric Williams explains, “The Bishops have always treated their employees like family, and we treat our customers like family; they’re not a number. We get to know them and establish friendships. We take care of them because we recognize that we’re not successful if our customers aren’t. The family focus, with Christian faith at the core of it, is what has made us successful.”

Success in this regard also means offering semi-custom cabinetry at a fair price point. “We do a lot of customization, which sometimes lends itself for us to look like a higher-end company, but we’re not. We try to stay in that mid-price point level where most of the market is,” he shares.

This sentiment is echoed by President Jeff Gulledge. “We’re not trying to be the biggest company, we just consider ourselves a small family business. Everybody is part of our team, from the customer to the supplier. Helping our customers and making them successful is the only way to make Bishop Cabinets successful.”

Throughout the years, the market has changed but the principles upon which Bishop Cabinets was founded have remained the same. It remains a family-owned and oriented business that is committed to producing a quality product and relationships with its customers that last.

Keeping it personal
Part of the reason for this customer loyalty is the personalized service that Bishop Cabinets offers. When you call them on the phone you can be sure that you will reach a customer service representative, not a machine. This, along with its broad range of offerings, has been the secrets to the company’s success.

Whether they’re after a new look, an old feel, or a fresh trend, Bishop Cabinets can meet the most discerning customer’s needs and wants, from timeless designs to bold concepts, and contemporary vibes to traditional styles, with its broad range of offerings, finishes, and accessories.

For much of its history, Bishop Cabinets specialized in framed cabinetry, but evolved to include other specialties as the market warranted. This includes its more recent forays into inset cabinetry and European frameless designs, which remain a focus of the company.

“That line of cabinetry is becoming more and more popular, and we think we have a niche there with our closet systems and full-access cabinetry options, so we’re looking to expand that. That’s where we’re looking to grow in the next three years,” says Gulledge.

He continues, “We have the equipment and the people, so we’re really making it a focal point: let’s perfect that product and our processes so we can market and sell it with confidence and grow that side of the business.”

Innovation at the core
Bishop Cabinets has always stayed on the cutting edge of industry trends, which takes a commitment to innovation and product development. There’s no doubt that is one of the reasons that its name is on the radar of new homebuilders and the renovation market alike.

Williams offers some insight into how innovation has changed the company’s trajectory over time: “When paints and glazes started becoming popular in cabinets, we were in the forefront of our price point to make it available to the masses.”

This is possible only because of Bishop Cabinets’ sound financial position, the doing of founder Jim Bishop, Sr. early in the company’s history. His objective was to be debt-free, giving the company the financial strength to withstand market fluctuations.

“We’ve taken that to heart because we’ve seen what might have happened if we hadn’t had that in the past,” explains Gulledge, who worked with the company in high school and returned in the mid-1990s, so has experienced the ups and downs of the economy and seen for himself how well Bishop Cabinets withstood those market ebbs and flows.

It takes a team
Another calculated business decision that has served Bishop Cabinets well is hiring well. From the executive team to its manufacturing operations, there are many long-tenured employees who have spent decades supporting the company’s growth and success. This strong core group will do what it takes to get the job done for its distributors and customers who are relying on the quality and timely delivery of their orders. With their loyalty, they exemplify the winning family culture that has been implicit in Bishop Cabinets’ success.

That means that even the leadership team can be found on the manufacturing floor when needed, which not only ensures that orders meet deadlines, but that there are open lines of communication across every level of the company’s operations.

One of the concerns of the executive team is how to address matters of attrition given the slow trickle of skilled labor down the talent pipeline. Bishop Cabinets acts proactively in this vital matter, establishing new labor pipelines and developing talent from within.

“The generation that’s coming in today is not as interested in manufacturing; they want a desk or computer job or something like that, so we’re working with our human resources assistant to put together a program that targets high schools in our area,” says Gulledge. The company has boosted its efforts to share the opportunities that a career in manufacturing offers to local students through internships. The hope is that graduating seniors will recognize the well-paying and rewarding careers Bishop Cabinets can promise—but more than that, that they can discover a passion for this creative field of manufacturing while ensuring a good life for themselves and their families.

“We’re trying to find those people who fit in our organization that are dedicated to manufacturing and find enjoyment in it,” says Gulledge. “We want people to enjoy what they do because then they’re going to be better at it.”

Certainly, a great deal of effort is also being expended to develop talent from within. Lunch and Learns are a great way for the executive team to communicate important information to employees, but also to provide the rational for them to buy in and find pride in the work they do and the processes and craft that are needed. It also helps that Bishop Cabinets offers a profit-sharing plan three times a year to encourage performance.

“We let each department brainstorm; we get them to create the idea and processes, so it’s not us having to sell it to them, they own it. That’s where we’re headed with today’s workforce,” says Gulledge. “It’s a little different than it was 10 years ago. You have to come up with new ideas to get employees to want to own the product that’s passing through their hands.”

Success the simple way
When it comes to talent, innovation, and the latest trends in cabinetry, Bishop Cabinets stays at the forefront of the market by investing in its people, its equipment, and its potential. In the wake of several years of impressive growth, this is a well-chosen moment for Bishop Cabinets to reset and refocus on its processes and standards in the light of its commitment to delivering superb-quality cabinetry at an affordable price.

It’s a simple recipe for success, but it has served the Bishop family—both genealogical and extended—well for more than 50 years. And it looks likely to remain the foundation of the company’s success for another 50 or more.

The post Where Family, Faith, and Craftsmanship Meet<p class="company">Bishop Cabinets</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

Located in the heart of Wisconsin, Great Northern Cabinetry offers a wide range of choices to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind cabinets tailored to fit specific requirements. The company’s ESP (Environmental Stewardship Program) certification, in partnership with the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers of America (KCMA), further demonstrates its commitment to the environment as it follows strict conditions in areas including air quality, resource management, and environmental stewardship.

Originally known as Northern Kitchens when founded by Harold “Roger” Johnson in 1972, Great Northern Cabinetry now offers face-framed and frameless cabinetry at multiple price points, with numerous wood species, door styles, modifications, and a wide variety of stain and glaze colors to provide its customers with affordable, well-made cabinets.

“Like a lot of late-blooming entrepreneurs, I followed a 30-plus-year corporate career path, and during that time, in the back of my mind I thought that maybe someday I’d like to do my own thing,” says owner Tim Ford. “Once I had the time and the wherewithal to make that happen, I started looking around at different opportunities and potential businesses to buy.”

His criteria included a simple manufactured product, in an industry where innovation was important but not technology-dependent—and also one where brand matters.

“I like products that are sold through a dealer channel where relationships make a difference,” Ford says. “And I wanted a company specifically that had a clear value proposition that can be scaled. So that led me to the cabinet industry.”

While there are many different approaches to market within the industry, Ford in particular appreciated the high-end, dealer-based, custom product category. Throughout 2019 and 2020 he looked at a number of different companies in the industry, and found Great Northern Cabinetry. At the same time, he also discovered Jay Rambo, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was able to acquire both companies at the end of 2020. With the recent slowdown, the Tulsa manufacturing operations were consolidated into Great Northern Cabinetry, though the well-recognized Jay Rambo name will survive as a product line.

“My timing was either incredibly great or horrendously bad,” he laughs. “We went through the huge surge of demand in 2021, followed by the supply chain disruptions, the most challenging labor market I’ve ever seen, significant material cost increases, and inflation. All of that led me to where we are today. And through that process I feel like I’ve learned a lot over the last several years.”

While the pandemic affected every industry in different ways, travel and tourism in particular were severely prohibited, causing many to instead funnel their money into home improvement.

“In 2021, our backlog was nearly triple what its historic level had been,” Ford shares, “and like everybody else, it took us many months to work our way through that backlog. It put a lot of strain and stress on the company, our employees, and our dealers.”

While the housing sector didn’t face dire shortages similar to industries that required electronic chips, for instance, it did have to deal with episodic issues with suppliers in terms of reduced supply, which created a choppiness in operations. “We never were out of anything, but we faced potholes and bumps in the road, if you will,” says Ford. “But most of that is behind us.”

Navigating those bumps successfully was due in large part to the company’s committed employees who strive to create not only high-quality products, but to always treat customers with the utmost respect.

“Every business in my view is about people,” says Ford. “It’s about people, customers, and feeling like those that you do business with are treated with value and respect. And the products that you provide are the vehicle to create those relationships.”

While the challenges of the pandemic made it difficult for Great Northern Cabinetry to add to its product line during the period of 2021 and 2022, it’s now able to fully realize its ultimate goal of offering a distinctive cabinetry built in the homeowner’s style.

“We offer a great selection of modifications and options, but we’ve recently added to that,” Ford says, specifically highlighting the launch of a line of frameless cabinetry earlier this year using the Jay Rambo product design, which has been tried and true for several decades. “We’re also in the process of expanding our selection of core Great Northern cabinetry products as well, adding a couple of new species including walnut and white oak.”

The white oak will be offered in several different cut options, along with some new door styles that will align with today’s design trends. The company is also creating further differentiation between its ‘best’ product line, Classic, and its ‘better’ line, Deluxe. “We’re trying to make sure that when you buy our lines, you know the value you’re getting for each.”

Finally, Great Northern Cabinetry is looking at upgrading some of its hardware selections—such as hinges—for a number of its products. “When a homeowner buys Great Northern Cabinetry, they’re making a big investment,” says Ford. “We want them to feel like they’re getting great value, and we’re making improvements to our offerings that support that.”

While the focus is on creating quality cabinets for someone’s home, the company offers more than simply products, Ford says. Dealers, builders, and customers alike all expect Great Northern Cabinetry to create more value, the first part of which, of course, is providing cabinetry crafted with precision and designed to fit any style.

“We also need to think about how we deliver that product to them,” says Ford. “Our dealers rely on our spec book to help them with their design. Today we can support designers across several major software platforms—2020, ProKitchen, Chief Architect, and Cabinet Vision. We’re looking to put our spec book into a new technology platform that’s more interactive, which is something I hope we can accomplish early next year.”

Lastly, the company is looking at putting an electronic ordering system in place, which will likely be a late 2024 project. “This is critical, in my view, to simplify the order process, eliminate errors, create greater productivity, and ultimately help them be more productive and profitable,” says Ford.

These advancements all speak to how the company can use technology and innovation on its end to interact with dealers and simplify the process. “Our goal, ultimately, is to be easy to do business with, provide our dealers with value-added services that help them capture more business, drive contractor loyalty to them, and help them make more money for projects. If we do that, we’re going to be successful,” says Ford.

The past several years have been especially challenging in numerous ways, he adds, and have contributed to the drive to ensure dealer and customer satisfaction going forward. “These past two and a half years have been the most complex environment that I’ve ever worked in, and I lived through 2009,” he says. “The number of challenges we’re facing today is significant.”

While the company has certainly handled these challenges successfully, there’s always room for improvement, he adds.

“We’ve made some mistakes, and in the end, ultimately, this comes back to doing the things that you need to do well,” he says. “What we’re trying to do is make sure that the product we produce meets the customer’s quality expectation without hesitation. We’ve made a number of investments in our factory, both in hardware and software, that allow us to do that and we are beginning to see the results.”

But Great Northern Cabinetry is also focusing on things that matter most to its customers. “Our industry really values certainty, and that matters in terms of delivery,” says Ford. “We’re focusing on how we can make sure that we deliver with certainty.”

To assist with those goals, Great Northern Cabinetry is putting measures in place to communicate very clearly and loudly to the industry, he adds. Of course, customer service is vital to the success of any business, but Ford is determined to make Great Northern Cabinetry’s attention to customer satisfaction a top priority.

“My career started on the commercial side of the business, meaning sales and marketing,” he explains. “I’ve learned product engineering and manufacturing over the years, but at my core, I’m a customer-facing person, who I believe is ultimately the lifeblood of any company. Those relationships need to be cultivated every single day.”

Making high-quality cabinets is key, but guaranteed delivery and added value for dealers is vital to differentiate the business and ensure longevity. “We’re a relatively small employer in the area, but a big part of the town in which we’re located,” says Ford. “And I hope we can be the best employer in the area and a company that people will aspire to want to work for. When we reach that level, in my view, there’s nothing but upside.”

When Ford thinks about milestones, he thinks about creating something that the people in the community can be proud of and that dealers are excited to partner with. “In the end, we want to be a trusted partner to our dealers and help homeowners turn an ordinary house into an extraordinary home,” Ford says. “That’s the vision we ultimately want to rally around. We’re on that journey today. We’ve got a long way to go, but that’s the direction we’re headed in.”

He is excited about the future, he adds, and is looking forward to attaining all the success that Great Northern Cabinetry is poised to achieve. “In the end, my goal is to build a great business. That’s why I’m doing this,” he says. “I didn’t have to do this at this point in my career; sure, making money is a critical part of any successful enterprise, but to me, that’s the result of what you create, not the reason to create it.”

Ford believes the company can be an incredibly successful business while also serving as a vital part of the community in which it’s located. “That’s really important to me,” he says. “I grew up in a small town, and I want nothing more than the people of Rib Lake, Wisconsin, to be proud of their hometown company.”

The post Building Cabinets, Careers, and Communities<p class="company">Great Northern Cabinetry</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

The company’s modern and traditional design and carpentry stand head and shoulders above the competition—just ask any of its loyal, returning customers, who appreciate owning a kitchen, bathroom, or closet with grain-aligned cabinet doors, perfectly blended fillers and edge bands, and sleek interior finishes. The company’s work is so sought-after by people who value how quality enhances any living space that customers who sell their properties regularly call the Craft-Maid team to recreate their old kitchens in their new homes—a tremendous compliment if ever there was one.

With its name wood-branded inside every drawer, visitors who fall in love with the company’s work at friends’ homes always know where to find its craftspeople. In addition to direct service, Craft-Maid Handmade Cabinetry also has a pool of dealer-designers serving architects and other construction professionals.

“It’s the details that make a kitchen spectacular. Our cabinets are furniture; that means they are the highest quality,” says Vice President Of Operations Phil Lipschultz, speaking of the wide selection of wood varieties and finishes available. After 30 years, his passion for this work is as evident as ever. “I always ask whether people plan to do this again in five or ten years, and the answer is always no. That’s why you need higher quality cabinetry.”

Production Manager David Kerschner tells us that white oak is trending in a big way, and after more than 20 years at the company, he knows the market well. As does the company’s expert team of 55 dedicated employees. “Everybody here is skilled… They’re also cross-trained. No matter how big or small the task sounds, they’re all very valuable in what they do,” he says.

The team’s commitment to excellence makes the company proud. Their dedication shows in their work—especially in the skills that go into their stunning, traditionally dovetail-joined drawers. “In my opinion, our drawers are the best in the industry,” Kerschner adds with a smile.

As well as white oak, many homeowners are also enjoying the modern look of stained wood combined with painted elements. Whether customers are searching for simplicity or lively wood grain to lend texture and warmth to the hearts of their homes, the team can supply. While its finish styles may have become more simplified over time, the company is as happy to ensure good, hand-done artisanal finishes as it was back when its standard treatments sometimes involved up to fifteen processes. For this reason, its staff members are well-trained and experienced in their craft. With this acute attention to detail, customers can know that what they sign off on in sample form is what they will get when the project is complete.

The company was originally founded by Stuart Zager in 1969. After its successful beginning as a local kitchen cabinet contractor, its goal became to grow into a national high-end kitchen cabinet manufacturer. Jerry Goldberg, who had been working for an international company based in New York City, became interested in joining Craft-Maid and growing the company. By 1974, Jerry joined the company as Vice President and an equal partner. Stuart, as the “inside manager,” engineer and production supervisor, and Jerry as the National Sales Manager, began to grow the company into the respected company it has become today.

Today, any challenges are still met with creativity, with the result that problem solving is a key part of Craft-Maid’s offering. One time, its fast-thinking team had to pass a tall kitchen cabinet from one balcony to another, 35 stories off the ground, to get the unit to its destination. Following that event, the team decided to come up with a way of preventing further delivery surprises. “We have a questionnaire for delivery conditions so that we can anticipate delivery challenges, and every time you come into a situation that you can’t possibly anticipate, you learn. Then you tweak your questions,” says Lipschultz.

During COVID’s initial two-month forced closure, the team set out to handle existing projects from home but also used the time to set its planning and design on a new trajectory. While its agents had their hands full with cabinetmakers from other states trying to establish market share in the region, business remained excellent.

“It is a testimony to our relationship with our dealers. They were not interested in employing other cabinetmakers. We are very proud of that,” says Lipschultz of the loyalty and longevity of the company’s relationships with its partners. Some of its oldest customers include Connecticut’s Form LTD, Townhouse Kitchens in Manhattan, and Jim Dove Design in Florida.

As it maintains the quality of its design and craftsmanship, the company also ensures that its machinery remains modern and up-to-date. To this end, Craft-Maid, over the years, has designed and built many custom-made machines for specific operations and efficiencies, and has recently invested in five new major machines, giving its output and capabilities a generous boost. In addition, Craft-Maid acquired a specialized piece of equipment that supports cutting oversized components like doors from single sheets of engineered fiberboard for projects where high-performance demands may render items made from joined wood panels insufficient in long-term strength.

“Our project managers review jobs submitted to us by our dealer-designers. We review a job, detail-wise, more thoroughly than any other cabinet company by light years,” says Lipschultz, pointing out the importance of catching errors and miscalculations before production starts.

Craft-Maid is not only focused on fabrication excellence; it also does its part to prevent waste. Part of this effort sees its sundry materials like wood dust and scraps shipped off to others who can apply them in their operations—like sawdust used for sopping up oil spills.

As with most industries, Craft-Maid sees a significant evolution in market demand as requests shift from orders for only kitchens to contracts for the cabinetry of entire homes, including offices, bathrooms, and storage. The team ascribes this shift to the home-office trend brought about by the pandemic and to customers growing more discerning. “With people being at home, the amount of research they can do is very intense,” says Lipschultz, “and customers won’t hesitate to make a change.”

Seeing quality cabinetry as an investment, many customers do not mind paying—and taking the time—to get exactly what they want. To respond to this shift successfully has meant becoming flexible and ready to handle sudden changes seamlessly—a crucial skill at which Craft-Maid excels.

It is this kind of personal attention that has led Craft-Maid to such success over the years. Looking ahead to creating an even brighter future, continuous improvement, growth, and evolution are all spurring the company’s goal of a 50 percent expansion over the next three to five years. We have no doubt this goal will come to fruition.

The post Decadent Design That Lasts<p class="company">Craft-Maid Handmade Cabinetry</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.