National Hardwood Magazine - November 2013

BAYER INTERIOR WOODS

BAYER INTERIOR WOODS continued from page 17 “Our bread-and-butter product line is definitely cabinet parts and components,” said Johanek, “mostly in No. 1 Common in 4/4 thicknesses.” Johanek said he prefers lumber from Wisconsin and Michigan for its color and brightness. “As a custom manufacturer,” he said, “we find that our customers really want the bright white and blonde woods.” Finished products such as cabinet parts, components, doors, face frames, mouldings, and drawer boxes are sold to customers nationwide by a team of five sales reps who work onsite and on the road. A Komo CNC router/cutter is utilized in manufacturing Bayer’s door panels. In addition to Johanek and Bayer, key personnel include Charles Gordhamer, co-owner and treasurer; Richard Hoge, president and CFO; and Darryl Nicholis, operations manager. Working from an 80,000-square-foot facility that employs 110 persons, Bayer Interior Woods runs a single, 8-hour shift for 40 hours per week plus a skeleton night shift. Like many other manufacturers, it’s hoping to ramp up this year as the national economy and the housing market improves. “During the recession we cut the night shift and are just beginning to rebuild it,” said Johanek. “We’re looking to get up to 80 hours per week soon.” That wish could come sooner than later for Bayer Interior Woods, which is currently experiencing sales volume that it “hasn’t seen in years,” according to Johanek. “We were determined not to be a statistic of the downturn; we were going to make it and stick around to see the recovery.” Johanek credits Bayer Interior Woods’ commitment to making life as easy as possible for its customers with helping to buoy the manufacturer through the toughest times. “We basically do everything for the cabinet shop,” he explained. “One of our biggest selling points is the combination of customization with ready-toassemble products. Our customers just love our system.” That love is beginning to show up in Bayer Interior Woods’ sales volume, which was up 20 percent for the first quarter of 2013 (compared to the same period in 2012). “We fully expect that to continue,” said Johanek. Not willing to rest on those laurels, the firm is currently adding new dealers across the country as it continues to “shake the bushes” and find new customer segments and geographic markets to sell to. “While we are very strong here in the north central states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, we’re now looking to expand into other states with our innovative offerings and customized approach to cabinet parts and millwork,” Johanek added. For more information visit www.bayerinteriorwoods.com. ■ 36 NOVEMBER 2013 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

WCMA Tours Welcome More Than 150 Attendees continued from page 29 (Center, second row, left) Trent Yoder, of Yoder Lumber Co. Inc., Millersburg, OH, whose company hosted attendees on a tour, and Chuck Carter, Stiles Machinery Inc., Conover, NC, one of the sponsors in the WCMA Technology Center, visit. WCMA guests tour various Walnut Creek Planing Ltd. facilities. At Boyce Highlands We Strive To Make The Best Mouldings In America. Therefore, we require the finest American Hardwoods. Got Wood? Let’s Talk! Boyce Highlands 14 Whitney Road, Concord, NH 03301 sales@boycehighlands.com BoyceHighlands.com NOVEMBER 2013 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 37