Many business people obsess over a particular aspect of their business. For me it’s the quality of the product delivered. There is a lot to focus on when building custom cabinets, but for me quality is my obsession.
While a lot of things matter in business, quality product is primary for me. Every day I walk the production floor, ask questions and inspect every cabinet we produce. What I am looking for is accuracy in joinery, the visceral feel of the cabinets when you run your hand across the surface. It is amazing to me still today how you can close your eyes and feel the imperfections in the finish through your hand. The better the build quality, the better the finish and the happier the client will be.
When we deliver a set of cabinets to a customer I know where every flaw is in each cabinet. I know we can do this or that better, whether it be the smooth and evenness of the soft close drawer slides or the gapping between the door and the face frame when opened and closed. I know instinctively end customers will never see the flaws I know about but I know we can do better.
I am lucky to have a crew that care as much as I do when it comes to quality. Even though the end customer may never notice is irrelevant. We take longer to build a set of cabinets but I know full well every one of my people are doing their utmost to build the very best they can with every piece produced. This does make hiring a challenge as I look for people who have a passion for what they do. Experience is very important but passion and the focus on quality is what I look for.
There are many easier and faster methods to build cabinets but I believe quality matters. We use joinery techniques and methods that ensure a lifetime of quality. I know full well we are not the cabinet company for every customer and I am not willing to dumb down our methods or cut corners to meet a certain price point.
Somebody asked me recently what type of company I am working two create. It was an interesting question that made me sit back and think for a few days. The answer is the following:
” I am building a company where quality is the primary focus and all of my people are intimate with each and every cabinet build. Where the employees are given the time and space to create their very best and would be happy to sign their name to every piece produced”
I have toured many large woodworking operations where each employee has no clue where the part they are cutting drilling or sanding goes. They have no connection to the end customer, the overall build goals or frankly any idea what the final kitchen or bath will look like when it all comes together.
When companies get to this size they have lost quality focus and have become a mass produced manufacturer and the result is an average product being delivered.
We all need focus and passion as this makes work exciting. My passion is quality and when we focus on building the very best the profit will take care of itself.
