The Architectural Woodwork Institute issued a statement on its ANSI standard effort in the light of and announcement by AWMAC, based in Calgary, and Woodwork Institute, based in Sacramento, California, that they intend to develop an independent North American Woodwork Standard.

The Architectural Woodwork Institute is currently developing the next generation of a broad-based consensus industry standards for architectural woodwork through its ANSI-approved process.

AWI firmly believes in an open, informed, and transparent process of standards development that involves input from subject experts, design professionals, manufacturers, project owners, and other stakeholders.

Until our new Standard is approved by industry vote, AWI continues to support and utilize the jointly developed Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition Two, October 2014.

In October 2014, after publication of the Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition Two, jointly developed with the Woodwork Institute (WI) and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), AWI informed each association of its intent to develop future industry standards as an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO).

In the best interest of the woodwork industry and to preserve the partnership with WI and AWMAC, AWI offered leadership roles to both organizations. In an attempt to move forward with a jointly sponsored standard, AWI diligently negotiated throughout 2015 with both WI and AWMAC but sadly, agreement was not reached between the three industry associations.

The Architectural Woodwork Institute looks forward to the future when our industry’s standards will harmonize with other ANSI-approved standards. To aid specifiers and design professionals, AWI will coordinate its new ANSI standard with CSI’s Master Format sections. The Institute is partnering with related industry associations and continues its collaboration with many long time industry partners as we build robust standards to meet the needs of both woodwork manufacturers and the entire design professional community.

AWI invites and encourages anyone having suggestions, inputs, or perhaps those who might be interested in participating in AWI’s new standards development process to contact the AWI Technical Services Manager, Ashley Goodin, at agoodin@awinet.org.

AWI is firmly committed to the principle of developing our new industry standard that fairly represents all architectural woodwork and interior industry shareholders. Won’t you join with us to build our NEXT Generation of architectural woodwork and interiors industry standards?

PLATO, Mn. - The Pinske Edge, a provider of solid surface fabrication and related tooling for residential and commercial applications, is now 100 percent employee-owned. This announcement of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Trust (ESOP) was made to The Pinske Edge employees at a meeting held at the company’s headquarters in Plato, Minnesota.

An ESOP is an employee benefit plan, which provides company stock to employees as part of their retirement benefits. As a 100 percent ESOP owned company, all of The Pinske Edge stock is now held in trust by the ESOP exclusively for the benefit of its employees.

“I’ve been thinking about an ESOP for the last few years and I’m very happy that this has finally become a reality,” said CEO Tom Pinske.

“We are excited to become an employee owned company,” said Scott Nelson, president of The Pinske Edge. “We believe providing ownership to employees as a company benefit will lead to greater employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, and a more rewarding work experience. As a 100 percent employee owned company, we are able to create a companywide culture of employee empowerment and responsibility.”

In addition to finishing tools and tooling, Pinske Edge operates a KOMO CNC router and provides fabrication of many types of materialin addition to solid surface. "We can cut woods, laminates, melamine, plastics, foam or aluminum – from signs and letters, to the hard-to-do difficult pieces and shapes. whether it be a one of a kind prototype or a large production run," says the company. www.pinske-edge.com

MARION, Va. - Woodgrain Millwork has announced plans for a $1.86 million expansion to its Marion, Virginia, window and door component manufacturing facility. Seventeen jobs are expected to be created.

The capital investment includes funds for building an 18,000 square-foot addition to the mill and new equipment.  Woodgrain Millwork also has committed to purchasing more than $4.6 million of Virginia lumber over the next three years, or 78 percent of the mill's timber needs.

The mill is one of seven owned by the Fruitland, Idaho-based components giant. Woodgrain Millwork ranked 31 on the 2016 FDMC 300, with an estimated $250 million in sales and 2,500 employees company wide.

"Woodgrain Millwork’s new expansion will bring welcomed employment opportunities and economic vitality to the region, further helping with my administration’s efforts to build a new Virginia economy," said Virginia Governor Terry McCauliffe. "I applaud the company’s commitment to Marion and continued investment in Smyth County and Virginia.”

Woodgrain Millwork will receive a $100,000 from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, for which Smyth County will match with local funds.  The company was also awarded a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.  Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will also be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

"This expansion plays an important role in our continued efforts to expand the local economy," said Wade H. Blevins Jr, Chair of the Smyth County Board of Supervisors." In addition, we are grateful for the economic impact Woodgrain generates for sawmills throughout the Southwest Virginia region and for their commitment to purchase Virginia-grown forest products.”

Robb Hitch, eastern regional manager for Woodgrain Millwork added, “Woodgrain is excited to be building on the strong tradition of wood manufacturing in Smyth County. This 18,000 square foot addition will allow us to grow our business and continue to be a vital part of the Southwest Virginia economy.  The Commonwealth of Virginia and Smyth County were proactive in making this project a reality for the town of Marion, Virginia.  Woodgrain Millwork appreciates everyone’s support and we look forward to continued growth in Virginia.”

Founded in 1954 by Merrill "Bud" Dome, Woodgrain is one of the largest manufacturers of wood moulding and trim and the largest manufacturer of prefinished mouldings in the country, according to the statement. In addition to the Woodgrain Millwork, other companies in the Woodgrain family include: Woodgrain Chile, Woodgrain Distribution, Woodgrain Doors, Windsor Windows & Doors, Ashworth Doors, Monarch Windows and Doors and Nature's.

Wood is currently trending in retail, with stores vying to showcase the latest and greatest in fixtures. Timber Products has several partnerships with retailers, such as Leggett & Platt and West Coast Fixtures, and supplies them with wood products that they use to make unique and eye-catching retail fixtures.

This March, we visited Global Shop 2016 in Las Vegas. Here are the trends we noticed from the show floor:

Rustic is Growing

We’ve seen the trend towards rustic wood catching on in the past few years, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. We’ll continue to see knotholes and rough sawn timber used as accents throughout stores and as part of the overall aesthetic.

Reclaimed materials and rough lumber that showcase the natural imperfections, and grain character lends an attractive, earthy feel to the retail environment.

Mixed Woodgrain

Using two or more types of wood side-by-side is very popular right now. One example we really love is oak mixed with cherry – the way the tones play off each other makes for an incredibly dynamic retail space.

Retailers shouldn't be afraid to mix-and-match finishes, with hardwood flooring made from one variety of wood and display shelves or tables made with something else. Today's shoppers are drawn to unique, eclectic styles, so don’t hesitate to show some personality with your wood choices!

Technology Meets Nature

Innovations in technology – like beacons, interactive displays, and tablets – are doing a better job of aligning the in-store retail experience with the online shopping experience, and we're excited to see this tech incorporated into natural elements like wood products.

We predict that we’ll see more integration between the two, with electronic elements and lighting built into retail fixtures, including touchscreens to personalize the shopping experience.

To learn how Timber Products can help make your store fixture dreams a reality, contact us at 1-800-547-9520.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is the first presidential library in the United States. Built under the personal direction of FDR in 1940, he thought that the vast quantities of documents during his four terms should be accessible to US citizens.

FDR Library. Photo: Re-View

Prior to the construction of the museum, presidential documents remained in the families of the past presidents and hopefully made it to the national archives. Roosevelt was the first to make his documents available to the public and even donated the 16 acres where the museum sits.

Photos taken of the wood windows before restoration.

Re-View manufactured historically accurate wood window replicas to match the design of the originals. Every detail was meticulously matched to maintain the accuracy of the original architecture. All joinery was mortise and tenon and we used mahogany wood to make sure the windows will last another 75+ years. In addition to manufacturing precise wood window replicas for treasured landmarks, Re-View also restores historic wood and steel windows.

The historic wood windows were replicated with mahogany.

HAWKINS, Wis. - JELD-WEN has denied a grievance filed by a female employee contesting the window and door company's policy which allows a transgender person to use the bathroom of choice.

According to an article in the Herald and News, the grievance was filed in March by Sharon Slack, a shop steward at the company's manufacturing facility in Hawkins, Wisconsin, who said employees shouldn't be made to "feel uncomfortable" with a transgender employee using the "opposite restroom." The article by H&N's  Stephen Floyd notes Slack's grievance demanded that employees be required to use the one which corresponded to their genitalia or that a transgender-specific bathroom be installed.

Calling it "unfounded and improper" JELD-WEN said the grievance not only neglected to identify the section in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was allegedly violated, but that complying with Slack's request would violate company policy as well as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, JELD-WEN employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and has manufacturing and distribution locations across the United States and in more than 20 countries.

In an email obtained by H&N and sent May 20 from Eric Martin, associate general counsel for JELD-WEN, to Paul Cloer of the Carpenter's Industrial Council, which is representing Slack, Martin writes:

"An individual's sex consists of multiple factors, which may not always be in alignment." He adds, "Let me be perfectly clear. Transgender men are men. They live and work as men. Transgender women are women. They live and work as women. We have no intent of becoming the bathroom police simply because some anonymous individual cannot accept the fact and feels 'uncomfortable.'

"Are you prepared to show your birth certificate before using the bathrooms in our facility? Are you willing to require that all of your union members do so?"

A follow-up email from Martin on May 23 and posted on H&N's website, indicated that JELD-WEN would take action before the NRLB and in court should the union attempt to harass or discriminate against any company employee. The company also stated its refusal to provide a birth certificate and employment application for the transgender employee, saying it does not collect employee birth certificates, that the grievance failed to identify the transgender employee in question and that JELD-WEN does not track employee gender identity.

Demanding fair play, "so that the company may properly contest your grievance," Martin requested the union in turn provide: "all policies and procedures regarding bathroom use maintained by the Carpenter's Industrial Council (CIC), its locals and parent unions;" identify transgender employees working for CIC; and to identify CIC bathrooms and their gender designation. The email also requested that CIC state whether it complied with the state's equality act and to provide any sexual discrimination or harassment complaints made against the union.

OWATONNA, Minn. - Christian Brothers Cabinets built the solid walnut Viking-boat shaped bar that will be a gathering point for Founders Club of U.S. Bank Stadium, new home of the Minnesota Vikings football team. The bar carries both the Viking team theme, and the construction motif of the stadium's exterior, which was updated to include a matching Viking warship. 

According to published reports, the company received a request in March from the Vikings to build the bar.

Owner Doug Meier, in an interview with KEYC News 12, called the request "a once in a lifetime chance" although it was slightly out of the box for the Owatonna, Minnesota company.

The walnut bar took approximately 600 hours to construct and the 8-foot keel, carved from fir by team member Tom Vanbinsbergen, took approximately 120 hours. 

Christian Brothers Cabinets recently had an open house in their shop to showcase their handiwork on the unique project. And the bar is expected to installed in the Founders Club of U.S. Bank Stadium in the upcoming week.

Office space design application maker Configura has released CET Designer 7.0 with major additions and new features that will benefit the contract furniture designer, including the ability for users to reduce rendering times, choose among more generic products to enhance drawings, and take the designed experience to the next level with stairs, multiple floors and 3D text. 

DILLARD, Ore. - Roseburg is proud to introduce Cambium Deep Texture, a fresh take on thermally fused laminate (TFL) panel texture that adds tactile realism and a light-catching element that is growing in popularity for both commercial and residential applications.

Part of Roseburg's Relevance Collection and Linea designs, the Cambium texture is available in ten designs, including neutral and warm colors that complement a wide palette of hues and patterns. Matching edgebanding is available through Doellken-Woodtape.

Roseburg is offering the Cambium TFL through a stocking program that is the first of its kind in the industry. The turnaround is very quick (shipping in 48 working hours) along ESP Level 1 guidelines with the opportunity for the distributor to fill the rest of the truck load with commodities--perfect for the small job requiring a panel that is outside the normal distributor stocking inventory.

Features:

    Length: 8'
    Width: 4'
    Thickness: ¾"
    Face Overlay Options: Thermally fused laminate
    Back Overlay Options: Thermally fused laminate, balancing backer
    Substrate: UltraBlend® Plus particleboard
    Flame Spread Rating: Class C or Class III
    Certifications: ECC and CARB Phase 2; FSC® Mix Credit Certified panels available upon request

Designs:

06 – Black
11 – White
750 – Evening Linea
751 – Twilight Linea
752 – Tierra Linea
753 – Acorn Linea
832 – Southern Cattails
833 – Ruby Beach
834 – Calm Horizon
835 – Sandy Shoal
 

LANGLEY, BC - Canada's Hardwoods Distribution Inc. will acquire Rugby Architectural Building Products for U.S. $107 million, creating what it says is North America's largest distributor of hardwood lumber, panel and interior architectural building materials. 

Hardwoods Distribution, which will execute the deal by acquiring assets of Rugby Acquisition, LLC, says the acquisition gives it a coast-to-coast U.S. presence, and significantly increases Hardwoods Distribution's access to commercial end-markets.

Based in Concord, New Hampshire, Rugby Architectural distributes "non-structural" architectural grade building products to customers that supply end-products to the commercial market. Rugby also serves industrial, retail, residential and institutional construction end-markets.

Its 560 employees remain in place at Rugby's 31 facilities, which now serve some 22,000 customers across 48 U.S. states. David Hughes remains as Rugby's president; Drew Dickinson continues as COO.

Rugby has been acquiring companies itself lately - 13 since 2009; and most recently Meyer Decorative Surfaces, acquired from Saint Gobain at the end of 2014; and last month Albuquerque Hardwood Lumber Company.

"This is a highly strategic business combination that brings together two successful, growth-oriented companies to create the number one distributor in our industry,". "The Transaction meets our objective of increasing our distribution capability in additional U.S .markets, particularly in the Eastern US," says Hardwoods' CEO Rob Brown. "It also aligns with our 'strengthen commercial' strategy by deepening our presence in the attractive commercial market."

The addition of 31 U.S. facilities to Hardwoods' existing 25 U.S. regional locations creates a national U.S. network. Rugby generated $282 million  in sales and gross profit of $12.5 million. About 40 percent of Rugby's sales for were in the Northeast and Southeast U.S. markets.  

Hardwoods will now carry Rugby's 36,000 SKUs of branded and unbranded products sourced from 800 suppliers.  Hardwoods for further US expansion and growth. Rugby management has successfully completed and integrated 17 acquisitions since 2009, and in doing so has demonstrated its ability to acquire businesses on attractive terms and integrate them successfully. Rugby management has identified a robust pipeline for future acquisitions in the US which Hardwoods believes will enhance its ability to further execute on its acquisition strategy.

"This is a transformational opportunity to move to the forefront of the industry, capitalize on the continued recovery in the US market, and create a platform for significant future growth," said Mr. Brown. "Both Hardwoods and Rugby have impressive track records of profitable growth. I am delighted to welcome Rugby's talented team and look forward to continuing to execute our successful strategies together."

David Hughes, President and CEO of Rugby said, "We are very pleased to be joining Hardwoods' team, and are excited to be part of North America's leading diversified hardwood lumber, panel and architectural building products distribution company. We share an entrepreneurial spirit and intense commitment to customers and suppliers, and see this as a great move for all of our stakeholders."

To fund the acquisition, Hardwoods signed a deal with a syndicate of investment dealers led by Cormark Securities Inc. and including Canaccord Genuity Corp., CIBC World Markets Inc., Mackie Research Corp. and Acumen Capital Finance Partners Ltd..

Hardwoods is one of North America's largest distributors of high-grade hardwood lumber, sheet goods and architectural millwork to the cabinet, moulding, millwork, furniture and specialty wood products industries. The Company current operates a network in North America of 32 distribution centres, as well as 1 sawmill and kiln drying operation.

Rugby Architectural Building Products (www.rugbyabp.com) is a full-line wholesale distributor of specialty building products. Its primary business is the wholesale distribution of non-structural architectural grade building products sold principally to customers who supply end-products for the commercial, industrial, retail, residential and institutional markets. 

The company's key product offerings include hardwood plywood, composite panels, solid surface countertops, post-form countertops, high-pressure laminate, interior and exterior doors and millwork, hardwood lumber, cabinet hardware, mouldings and industrial wood coatings. Value-added services include post-form countertop fabrication, custom color matching, laminated panels, cut-to-size panels, edge-banding, custom hardwood molding, hardwood lumber ripping and facing, and interior and exterior door pre-hanging.
 

CHICAGO – Great Lakes Metal Coating recently hosted an open house highlighting its liquid metal veneer coating process.

The unique and innovative coating, which gives the look of real metal can be applied to almost any surface, including wood, MDF, plaster, and concrete. Because it is durable and waterproof, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects from furniture to cabinets, mouldings, doors, drawers, store fixtures and a host of other panel products.

The liquid metal veneer coating is made of 100 percent recycled metal, says Bob Marschik from MakeItMetal, the North American distributor, and there are seven finishes available - brass, bronze, copper, iron, nickel silver, white bronze and zinc - that are cold sprayed through a gravity-feed spray gun.

The process provides an unlimited number of design opportunities. A few designers and cabinetmakers attended the open house looking for ways to include the real metal veneer into their product lines.

Ted Schultz, president of Great Lakes Metal and Hylan Design Ltd.

Architectural design firm Studio Gang, was interested in using the process on approximately 50,000 square feet of panel for the exterior of a high rise building it had designed. Ted Schultz, president of Great Lakes Metal and Hylan Design Ltd., said the project would require partnership with other certified applicators in the state but it was doable.

A Chicagoland cabinetmaker who produces approximately 10,000 cabinets a day in a 100,000 square-foot manufacturing facility is also interested in the process. Chad Kurtz, president, Brakur Custom Cabinetry located in Shorewood, Illinois, says he learned about the metal veneer coating from a trade magazine and is looking at using the coating on range hood accessories.

How liquid metal veneer works

Following are tips and guidelines from MakeItMetal’s website on how real metal veneer coating, developed by Metal-FX and distributed in North America through MakeItMetal, located in Ontario, Canada, is applied.

Application: Metall-FX is almost as simple to use as paint, however, it is not paint and certain rules need to be observed. Liquid metals can be applied using brush or standard HVLP (high volume, low-pressure) spray equipment. They need to be cleaned up afterwards using standard acetone based thinners.

The liquid metal may also be poured or troweled onto surface and used for cold metal casting.

Coverage Guide: About 1 metre squared per 1 kilogram depending on the absorbency and texture of the base material. The more textured the finish, the more material is required.

Drying Time: After application Metall-FX will take between one and a half to three hours to dry depending on humidity and room temperature.

Substrate: Metall-FX has excellent adhesion properties when used on most surfaces including MDF, plaster, plasterboard, glass, concrete, fiberglass, plastic, polystyrene, paper and even fabric.
 
Finishing: When Metall-FX is dry it will have a matt finish. This is due to oxidization that occurs after contact with the air. Lightly sand the surface to reveal the pure metal. Then polish the surface to the shine you require using standard metal polishing techniques.

Other creative processes can be applied such as acid wash, patina wash, sandblast, wire brush and machined textures. Customers are encouraged to experiment with Metall-FX for all sorts of creative metal applications.
 
Sealing: As with any real metal, it must to be sealed to prevent tarnishing (unless a finish that continues to patinate over time is desired). Metals may be sealed with Nano-Coating, hard wax oil, or a clear coat lacquer.

Metall-FX is between 90% and 97% pure metal, so objects coated with Metall-FX take on the colors of the ambient light that surrounds them in a way that only real metal can. It is waterproof and resistant to heat and most household chemicals. It has passed Fire Testing: Flammability, Heat Release rate (OSU) and Smoke Emission (NBS) requirements of FAR/JAR/CS 25.853(d) APP.F PI.IV(g) issued by AIM Composites Ltd tested under Federal Aviation Authority rules conducted.

Certified finish applicators

MakeItMetal’s metal veneer coating can only be applied by a certified professional. Great Lakes is the Midwest certified applicator for the product line.

Schultz says the company is three years into the training process. He first learned about the concept of using real metal veneer from a designer who came to him asking for help after the millworker she normally worked with moved.

He began researching products and discovered the distributors from MakeItMetal who convinced him that they had the right solutions, he says, adding that whenever he introduces the liquid metal veneer process to a client, the feedback is tremendously positive.

A customer, such as a cabinetmaker, can bring a cabinet or a door or panel or anything that needs to be specially finished to Great Lakes Metal – they coat it with the metal veneer and then return it. Or a designer can have the product fabricated through Hylan Design, which produces highly custom, artisan projects for residential and commercial clients, and then the Great Lakes Metal division would finish it.

The complete manufacturing process takes place in a 13,000-square-foot facility located in an industrial building in Chicago overlooking the river.

The woodworking shop features a Biesse edgebander, a Striebig vertical panel saw, an SCMI sliding table saw, a SCMI Sandya Uno single head widebelt sander, an edge sander, power tools, finishing room and more.

For more information, visit www.hylandesign.com and www.hylandesign.wix.com/glmc

Great Lakes Metal Coating, a division of the highly custom design-build firm Hylan Design Ltd., located in Chicago, is a certified applicator of liquid metal veneer coatings. Take a tour of its 13,000-square-foot facility located in an industrial building overlooking the Chicago river.

The woodworking shop features a Biesse edgebander, a Striebig vertical panel saw, an SCMI sliding table saw, a SCMI Sandya Uno single head widebelt sander, an edge sander, power tools, finishing room and more. It licenses the wood metallizing technology from MakeItMetal.ca

For more information, visit www.hylandesign.com and www.hylandesign.wix.com/glmc

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Al J. Schneider Company appointed Scott T. Shoenberger as its new president and Chief Executive Officer. Shoenberger was COO.

Al J. Schneider Company is a holding company whose portfolio includes commercial property companies, operates Home Supply Millwork, a team of expert craftsmen that creates and installs customized windows, doors, cabinetry, and millwork for Louisville-area homeowners.

Shoenberger brings more than two decades of executive hospitality management experience to this position, and has executed operational and strategic objectives for companies with multiple hotel properties throughout the country. 

"I am honored to serve as the new President and CEO," said Shoenberger. "This is an exciting time as the landscape of hospitality evolves in Louisville. It is my goal that The Al J. Schneider Company remains a leader in driving tourism and revenue within this community."

In addition to Shoenberger, the Al J. Schneider Company has promoted Deuce Sapp from Director of Information Technology to Chief Information Officer. Sapp will be responsible for the technical leadership and management of all information technology systems and resources that deliver services to guests, help manage the business operations.

A creator of elaborate backyard oases, gazebo manufacturer Kensington Garden Rooms has found a perfect climate for building its business in Northern California.

Founded in 2012 in the United Kingdom, Kensington Garden Rooms relocated the following year, “for the sun,” laughs Sam Misky, sales manager. Competitive reasons also factored into the decision. “After researching the American market, we learned there would be a lot of opportunities in the U.S. for selling luxury quality garden rooms.”

Now based in Atwater, California, Kensington Garden Rooms  “provides the perfect solution for people who love to entertain outside,” Misky says. Kensington offers a variety of customizable designs, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $32,000.

The garden rooms extend a living space to the backyard, providing space that can be used year round. “Adding our Garden Room is like adding another room to your home, except this one is located outside. The rooms are well equipped, typically with couches and coffee tables, a wine fridge, cabinetry, heaters and more,” Misky says. Big-screen TVs are a popular addition and heating is included via infrared heat lamps. Marine-grade Sunbrella canvas blinds, with the option of windows, can be zipped together to completely enclose the garden room. These options give users the ability to close the garden room in inclement weather. 

Advice leads to Profit

Kensington Garden Rooms was featured on the CNBC reality business show The Profit after owners Damion Merry, Simon Johnston and Jack Owen contacted Marcus Lemonis, entrepreneur and star of the show, for advice. Lemonis not only made several recommendations, but would soon become a part owner. The interaction is featured on a November 2015 episode. bit.ly/KGRonProfit 

Along with advice on marketing and product development, including the offer of a scaled-down version for sale in home centers, Lemonis advised the firm on ramping up production. “Marcus suggested we add some new equipment, including a DeWalt upcut saw equipped with a TigerStop automatic stop system,” Misky says.

He adds, “The TigerStop has been in place for six months and already we have seen a major change in productivity and speed.”

Prior to installing the upcut saw and TigerStop automatic stop system, the company used a chop saw and manual measuring for cutting. “Before when we did our cuts, it was labor intensive. All our cuts, such as 6 x 6, 8 x 8 parts and more, were done using a tape measure. Now the information is entered into the TigerStop and after we set the program, we just push the number we want and the TigerStop does the work. With it, we feel we have saved at least 45 minutes a day in work,” Misky says.

 “It is the most popular of all the changes we have made in our production process. It is fast and foolproof, and streamlines what can be a time-consuming process. Time is important to us because our customers want to order their dream garden room and get it straight away.”

The firm provides the design, execution and installation of the gazebos, which are made from Canadian red cedar. “It is the absolute best option for its properties, which include long-life and little maintenance,” Misky says. A durable wood, “It smells good, it looks good and it keeps bugs away because it is a natural repellent. It is an all-around great wood.”

Describing the workmanship and design of the rooms as being above reproach, Lemonis has compared them to “a piece of art.”   Offered with a host of amenities and detailed woodwork, such as hand-routed spindles, curved handrails and tongue-and-groove ceilings, these “oases” include: The Cambridge with seating for 16 to 18; The Buckingham, which seats 14 to 16; the Kensington Spa Garden Room with a spa, amenities and seating for 14; and the largest offering, The Bel Air, with seating for 28. Smaller models include The Belvedere, with seating for eight, and The Hampshire, also with a smaller footprint and seating for 12.

No matter their size, the outdoor rooms are indeed spectacular. As one client raves on Facebook, she loves her Kensington Garden Room “more than her actual home.”

Sponsored by TigerStop. For information on TigerStop’s precise cutting automation, visit TigerStop.com.

For more on Kensington Garden Rooms visit KensingtonGardenRooms.com.

PELLA, Iowa — Pella Corp. will acquire custom window and door maker Reilly Windows & Doors effective August 1. Terms of the acquisition, announced July 27, were not disclosed.

Reilly Windows & Doors produces architectural windows and doors in wood, bronze and steel, and has a 192,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Calverton, New York. Founded in 1983, the company has 180 employees.

Michael Reilly, founder and president, will continue his leadership role. Reilly Windows & Doors will retain its branding and be integrated into the Pella Crafted Luxury collection.

The Reilly team, now part of Pella Corp.

“From the very beginning, the reputation and breadth of offering from Reilly Windows & Doors has grown due to the beauty and superiority of our products,” Reilly said. “Partnering with Pella Corp. allows us to continue that growth as we join the Pella Crafted Luxury collection of brands."

“Reilly and Pella share many of the same values of craftsmanship and product innovation,” added Tim Yaggi, president and CEO of Pella Corp. “Including Reilly with our Pella Crafted Luxury portfolio allows both brands to serve the luxury architect and builder better.”

In addition to the Reilly and Pella brands, Pella Crafted Luxury also includes Grabill Windows & Doors, which the company acquired in 2015. The collection is showcased in LuxeHome at Chicago's Merchandise Mart.

Pella Corp. has more than 7,500 Pella team members throughout the United States. Founded in 1925, Pella  designs and manufactures standard and custom windows and doors. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company has 12 manufacturing locations within the United States. The corporation also includes EFCO Corp., a manufacturer of architectural windows, curtain walls, storefronts and entry systems designed for commercial projects.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Architectural woodworking firm Zepsa Industries continues to grow its operations, with news that the Charlotte, North Carolina-based manufacturer will open a 20,000-square-foot facility in Pompano, Florida, by the end of the year.  The new operation is expected to employ 30 people.

This marks the second expansion in less than a year for the high-end architectural millwork firm.  In October Zepsa acquired New York-based Culin and Colella, a 35-year-old  millwork firm specializing in high-end residential projects. Both Ray Culin and Janis Colella have remained with the firm as part of  Zepsa's New York operation.

According to Zepsa President Ed Zepsa, the company plans to expand and double the productivity and volume at the Mamaroneck, New York facility over the next couple of year. "It gives Zepsa a manufacturing base in one of its most important markets and provides tremendous support to our projects in the Northeast," he said.

"Zepsa is aggressively looking for top talent in both the New York and Florida locations as well as in Charlotte, North Carolina," Zepsa added.

The company's North Carolina facility has 80,000 square feet of manufacturing space under one roof. A turnkey manufacturer, Zepsa Industries specializes in residential architectural woodwork, yacht interiors, and monumental stair projects nationwide. Founded in 1981, the family owned and operated company employs more than 100 people.

Zepsa Industries has received awards for its work, including Design Portfolio Awards (now known as the Best in Wood competition). The company was also featured in the November 2009 isssue of Wood & Wood Products and the April 2004 issue of CWB magazine, past publications of the Woodworking Network.

The former Culin and Colella has also been the recipient of numerous accolades, including being named a winner in the Design Portfolio Awards.

SPRING LAKE, Mich. - Millwork firm Dynamic Wood Solutions says it is adjusting to the shifting construction market in West Michigan by taking on residential cabinetry projects. Historically the company has produced cabinetry and custom millwork strictly for commercial projects.

This has been good for business, especially in the greater Grand Rapids area with the many K-12 school bond projects and renovations at various health care and college facilities in the past six years. Recent construction and expansion in these sectors has led to a large need for downtown Grand Rapids apartment living.

Also involved in casework and store fixtures. Dynamic Wood has been able to effectively tap into that market, with the new residential cabinet trends that mimic the clean lines of health care and commercial grade cabinetry.

Two recent contract awards for downtown Grand Rapids multi-unit apartment buildings brought seven-figure revenue to the company.

"It's quite ironic. We've always considered the residential market taboo," says Ryan Gardner, the company's project director. Gardner is also a partner in the firm and oversees all bidding and project management for Dynamic Wood Solutions.

“Residential cabinets in a traditional sense, with face frames and shaker style doors, do not fit our flat panel manufacturing methods. There are also the added challenges and frustrations of smaller volume runs while dealing with homeowners that most often aren't accustomed to reviewing construction drawings and documents. For those reasons we've done our best to stay out of that market since starting the business in 2009.

“The commercial construction industry provides projects that suit our desired production capacity, which is far more effective for a shop of our size. Commercial projects tend to be more systematic, while being schedule and process oriented. And they typically have a clear design already determined. We thrive in that type of environment.”

In the past, Dynamic Wood Solutions, founded by partners Gardner, Gary Moody and Chris Abbott, would pass on bidding residential projects for these reasons. That changed when a construction manager approached them last year when he realized the cabinets in his apartment project were a similar look to the healthcare and educational projects Dynamic Wood Solutions had provided for him in the past.

"So I started reviewing the project specifications and researching the approved product lines of cabinetry in that project,” Gardner said. “I realized pretty quickly that we could build a better cabinet for the cost using our proven methods.

"With a few hardware and finish changes, we've essentially created a residential cabinet with durable commercial grade construction standards.

“The customers have the added bonus of dealing direct with a local manufacturer that has extensive experience in the construction process and documentation vs. a cabinet dealer who typically does a few kitchens at time."

This shift in residential design trends incorporate more clean lines in cabinetry. On the cutting edge of that trend are these new urban apartment projects, which also typically offer the volume of product that takes advantage of DWS’ fabrication abilities.

Manufacturing capabilities at the West Michigan company include CNC and manual machining, controlled environment staining and finishing, laminating, and millwork fabrication. Material capabilities include wood veneer, plastic laminate, melamine, and solid surface.

“We’ve been able to fill a need in the West Michigan marketplace with only slight variations in our production processes from what we’ve done in the past. The customer gets a great product and we see our volume increasing. More dollars stay here in West Michigan. Everybody wins,” said company president Moody.

According to Abbott, Dynamic Wood Solutions’ operation manager, “Due to streamlining of our casework on these large volume runs, we are able to minimize set
up changeovers and maximize efficiency in fabrication, which ultimately results in a quality product at a great value.”

  dynamicwoodsolutions.com.