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for doing business while the new facility would be built was to
filter as much business through their office as possible by working
with friendly competitors–whom Ken knew and respected through
years of business.
The most painful part of the struggle was getting the new facil-
ity built. “We had a great insurance team,” Ken explained, “but the
builder we had hired was unfortunately unmotivated.” After almost
nine months of waiting, a completion date of December 2014 was
clearly not going to happen, so CCF worked out a deal with two
nearby customers to share equipment while they got a new contrac-
tor to complete their facility. “Finally, in September of 2015, our
state-of-the-art plant was completed,” said Ken, “and in December of
2015, the new office space was ready as well.”
Most customers were very understanding, Ken reported, but
there’s no denying it was a really difficult two years. “Through it
all, my staff was just phenomenal. I can’t say enough about my
office team. They were there every step of the way, and through
this experience we grew in confidence, customer management, and Ken’s story is about the triumph of perseverance and team work,
problem-solving.” but it’s also a great example of the woodworking industry: how they
Now, as CCF Drawers looks to the future, Ken once again sees rallied around a member in need, despite being business competitors.
hope. “The facility-sharing had put a crimp in our production times, That’s what makes this industry great, and CCF Drawers grateful.
and we had lost a few customers over that, so I’m looking forward to “We also feel encouraged to keep going because we realized
regaining that business and adding new customers to our list now that through this experience how much we really do have to offer the
we have our new plant,” he said. The new building is 23,000 square industry in both the quality of our drawers and the quality of our
feet, a sizable increase over the 15,000-square-foot facility that customer service. We guard our integrity very zealously, and we
burned down. “The new capacity represents an exciting opportunity always try to do right by the customer.” One can’t help but cheer the
for us to grow,” Ken added. determination of the CCF team, and wish them the best of luck.

PROFILES • Volume 16 • Issue 2, 2016 • www.cabinetmakers.org 13