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Seeking Mentor Near Indiana

7/10/19       
CameronS Member

Hello all,

I'm transitioning from a career in IT sales to buying a business specializing in cabinet refacing. The business is currently very low tech with no CNC.

I'm looking for a mentor/peer that does something similar - refacing or custom builds - ideally close to Indiana. I'd like to find someone with CNC experience that can talk to me about the real-life advantages and pitfalls. I'd ideally like to visit other shops to see production processes in action, discuss suppliers, etc. Anyone in the midwest available to help?

Alternatively, is there a better way to accomplish what I'm trying to do? I thought about a trip to NC to visit several of the top CNC manufacturers, but a little concerned it would be too sales oriented and not realistic. Also not sure if they do sales demos at their facilities. Thanks!

7/10/19       #2: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
r

Why would you need a CNC for refacing?

7/10/19       #3: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
CameronS Member

Thanks for clarifying. Two reasons for CNC: doors are currently outsourced, and I'd like to expand beyond refacing. In order to do either I'd have to add headcount but I'd like to investigate CNC as a possible alternative.

7/10/19       #4: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
MarkB Member

The CNC is only going to help you with MDF painted doors and thats going to open up an another complete can of worms in door finishing, spraying, etc.. Im sure you'll be spraying faces on site and so on but just my $0.02 you may be far better off to get your feet on the ground and buy in doors, outsource the finishing of the doors, while you get on track. Talking about making doors in-house (other than MDF) your talking a full scale shop with all the bells and whistles and you likely still wont be profitable making your own doors if your work is on the very competitive side.

7/10/19       #5: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
Dave Sochar Member

I think of refacing as a middle class consumer that just watched some TV show. I don't mean any disrespect, but there is no money in it. At least real money. Add custom doors, shop built, into the mix and you just priced yourself out of the market.

I am in Indiana, but when we build cabinets, they are for the 1%, and they don't do refacing.

7/10/19       #6: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
rich c.

I suggest you take one step at a time. Do you have any woodworking experience? I assume the business has employees that will stay? Based on some other stories like this, are you happy with the current profit/loss statement , or are assuming you will turn the business around when you buy it? I don't think the younger generation will look the same at refacing as the older one. IKEA will likely beat your price with brand new cabinets. Asking another regional shop to share their experience may not be looked at kindly, it's a bit of helping the competition mind set. Unless you are buying an abundance of shop floor space, outsourcing will be the best option as you assume the business. You have the exact cost of materials and it's tougher to miss on estimating and time schedule with outsourcing. Bite off a new business transition with new machinery and profit will be in short supply!

7/11/19       #7: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
Brian Clancy

Website: http://clancywoodworking.com

From what you have said, I would highly recommend becoming a member of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA). They have member shops all across the country and Canada. There is a broad range of various size shops. They are a very active group holding regional events that include shop tours where you can see processes in action, discuss suppliers, discuss as you say, real life advantages and pitfalls, etc., with industry peers. I joined a few years ago, have attending the regional events in NJ, MA, and NY and have made great use of their online forum where everything related to the woodworking industry is discussed. The membership easily pays for itself from the knowledge gained.

Brian

Cabinet Makers Association

7/21/19       #8: Seeking Mentor Near Indiana ...
Michael Gildersleeve Member

If you don't know about CU Woodsupply in Campaign Urbana,Illinois, you should check them out. They are a wood tool store, wood supply, a dealership for powermatic, festool, jet, grizzy, saw stop, rockler, and a lot of others. Also, they have a co-op large wood shop with a cnc. A lot of knowledge in that co-op group. They also have a wood school close by. I've never seen anything else like it. I don't know what part of IN you're talking about.


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