National Hardwood Magazine - June 2015

BATESVILLE CABINET CO.

BATESVILLE CABINET CO. Continued from page 15 Batesville Cabinet Company has grown from occupying half of a 2,900-square-foot barn to six buildings spanning 28,000 square feet in less than six years. 418 484-2800 info@phlinc.ca phlinc.ca Come see our sales staff at SFPA Expo Atlanta Georgia, June 10-12 PHL booth 315 CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SERVING THE HARDWOOD INDUSTRY! Linebar resaw • Revolutionary low-impact design • Available with pre-turning station and automatic loading Horizontal resaw • Designed for hardwood cants and round back slab attached pieces • Available with pre-turning station and automatic loading Hardwood trimmer systems • Low to high piece count designs • Optimized and controlled by Comact Edgers • Optimized board and gang edgers • Traditional manual board, gang and combination edger designs also available • Optimized and controlled by Comact crafted farm table with benches for one customer. If our customers want it, we do our best to provide it with the best quality craftsmanship possible.” Currently, 40 percent of their customer base is comprised of individuals. Design styles and species of wood vary based upon market demands. As a member of the Memphis Area Home Builders’ Association, the company has established fruitful relationships with area homebuilders, who make up the other 60 percent. One such partner is Southern Serenity Builders, who constructed Memphis’ St. Jude Dream Home. Smith stated, “For the past two years, we have had the privilege of providing cabinets for the Dream Home. It’s been exciting to play a role in making the Dream Home special. Someone on our team works with the builder throughout the planning and design process. In addition to custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets, the 2014 Dream Home included an 8-foot vent-a-hood cabinet, built-in bookshelves, drop-down laundry rack, and mudroom storage unit.” Strong business relationships, such as the one with Southern Serenity, have also served as an impetus for success. When Batesville Cabinet was founded, salesmen saw tremendous opportunity and joined the team. “Over the years, these salesmen developed a trust in me and my key employees. They had also established a good reputation for themselves and built a loyal clientele. The salesmen linked with a team they trusted, bringing their ex- 46 JUNE 2015 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

One of the first steps in production is to cut out cabinet stock. ly we’ve had to focus on physical plant expansion and hiring production staff. Now we need to step back and review efficiency. For example, currently, our purchasing is done through several administrative staff members. I would like to hire a purchasing manager solely responsible for those duties.” He continued, “I’m still amazed. I really planned on building cabinets as a side business. Once we got started, we couldn’t build one fast enough to keep up with the pace. Everything just came together out of the storms of life.” n For more information visit www.batesvillecabinetcompany.com. pertise and motivation with them. It’s been a win-win.” Today, six salesmen serve a fourstate area including Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. Marketing displays are in Batesville, Coldwater and Olive Branch, MS, and Collierville, TN. Direct sales efforts are fueled by aggressive radio advertising within a 250-mile radius. Administrative staff, experienced craftsmen, service personnel and installers complete the 50-person team. Office administrator Marvin Smith has worked with Smith off and on for 30 years. Like Marvin, a number of other employees have had lifelong business dealings with Smith. He said, “It all goes back to timing and the right people. So much of who we are and what we represent has resulted from strong relationships and a quality product. We are all loyal to our profession and have a passion for what we do.” In a day when factory-made cabinets are becoming more and more common, Smith is thankful there is still a high demand for custom work. The company will occasionally have a request for factory cabinets and carries the Aristokraft line, less than one percent of the business. Smith gained his knowledge working in the cabinet business upon graduating from high school. He learned from the ground floor and eventually managed the hands-on operation for two other businesses. His 30-year career has given him a solid base to reap great benefits. At this point, the company’s next step in development will be to incorporate more structure into the work environment. “We’ve grown so quick- We may not be the best-known dynasty, but we’re one of the oldest in hardwoods. FSC-certified wood available upon request Atlanta, GA Huntersville, NC Cleveland, GA Crystal Spring, PA Clarksville, TN Birmingham, AL www.hardwoodweb.com 800-476-5393 Visit us on Facebook facebook.com/AtlantaHardwoodCorporation JUNE 2015 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 47