Page 10 - CMA PROfiles Winter 2014

Associate of the Quarter … continued from page 8
Smith’s son, Michael, took charge of operations in the early 1990s. Mi-
chael’s enduring legacy is his investment in the company’s workforce.

Under Michael Smith, Gemini transitioned into an employee-
owned operation.

“The transition to an E.S.O.P. (Employee Stock Ownership Program)
began in the early 1990s and was the brain-child of Michael Smith,”
according to Doug Lacina, Marketing & Advertising at Gemini. The
E.S.O.P. has allowed team members to invest in their retirement
funds using company stock. In 2003, Smith completed the process by
selling off the remainder of his majority share in the company.
Today, the company’s Research and Development team continues to
look for new ways to expand Gemini’s line with new and innovative
products, including an environmentally friendly green line.

“Gemini is committed to leading the way when developing environ-
mentally friendly coatings. Low VOC, low HAPs, low formaldehyde
coatings have always been a priority for the Gemini Research and
Development department.”

Gemini offers a complete line of wood finishing prod-
ucts and support materials including: conversion var-
nishes, precatalyzed lacquers, stains, touch up & repair,
primers and sealers, urethanes, acrylics, waterbornes
and exterior wood stains with our TWP product family.
Each Gemini product and service offers a promise ex-
emplified in the company slogan, “Finish With Excel-
lence.” Each Gemini co-owner is committed every day
to backing that promise up!

The company headquarters and main plant today sits
on 13 acres of land in El Reno, Oklahoma just west of
Oklahoma City, where they have been located since 1971;
Gemini has 125,000 sq. feet at their disposal. They offer
nationwide services and also have a developing interna-
tional presence in the Canadian market. Gemini is proud
to be celebrating 50 years of being in business and with
their continued commitment to innovation and excellence
the future ahead looks even brighter! ❖

10 PROFILES • Volume 14 • Issue 1, 2014 • www.cabinetmakers.org