Page 6 - CMA PROfiles Winter 2021

NEWS ROUNDUP

Annual Benchmark

Survey Results by Amanda Conger

CMA’s 2020 Benchmark Survey reflected the changes that
COVID-19 has brought to the industry; everyone had to be
resilient and make major adjustments to their usual ways
of doing business.

The CMA’s annual survey is conducted in collaboration
with Woodworking Network, and the entire industry is
invited to participate.

According to responses shared in this year's survey, some
are still wondering what their next step will be, while
others say they have successfully weathered the current
environment by quickly adapting to the challenges.

“CABINETRY” FOR EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE
The majority of respondents serve customers within a
100-mile radius, with a mix of commercial and residential
work. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, commercial work
has been “handcuffed” as one respondent commented,
while residential has thrived, most likely because of the
increase in remodeling projects. A respondent shared that
“despite COVID concerns in 2020, we are set to more than
double our revenue from last year. I think the future of As in previous years, nearly all respondents market their
the custom cabinet industry will focus more on ultra- products and services via word of mouth and referrals.
custom work.” “Our business is very healthy, and we have enough
For residential projects, the work is no longer just kitchen business that we actually turn down jobs,” one
— it’s evenly distributed in every room in the house, plus respondent said. “Since 2004, all we have been doing
garage and outdoor living spaces, too. is from word of mouth.”

4 PROFILES WINTER 2021