“the kitchen is the heart of a home.” dovetail the newsletter...vilas schertz - founder grabill...
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March - May 2015
“The kitchen is the heart of a home.”Vilas Schertz - founderGrabill Cabinets
DovetailThe
Newsletter
Grabill Cabinets March - May 2015
Colorful Leadership at Grabill
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David CarnahanVice President and General Manager
Martin HeinyPresident
Great News! Research and industry metrics all indicate a strong market for high-end custom cabinetry for many years to come. That’s why we continue to invest in our Leadership Team and services designed to assist our partners with growth.
What is leadership? In one word, “Influence.”
We encourage you to get to know and engage our leadership team. A good place to start is with Ken Wilson, our National Sales Manager and Don Harvey, our VP of Operations. They are actively influencing how our company operates on a daily basis and need to hear from you to ensure we are serving you the best we can. In addition to these key positions, we encourage you to get to know your direct points of contact throughout daily interactions with our team; quoting, order processing, shipping, accounting and admin are always open to hearing how we can tailor our services. These colorful characters are excited to go the extra mile for you!
In addition to colorful personalities, we are extremely excited about the new 2015 color standards. If you haven’t already, please review the latest feature at grabillcabinets.com/trendy for more information.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve your dealership. We greatly appreciate our One of Kind relationship with you.
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Directory by Department
Quotes [email protected]
Primary Calena Houser, Quotes Supervisor [email protected]
Alternate Renee Schutte, Quotes Associate [email protected]
Product Engineering Primary Greg Heeter, Orders Associate [email protected] Alternate Mike Gross, Orders Supervisor [email protected]
Color Developments Jackie Smith, Express Associate [email protected]
Express Orders Jackie Smith, Express Associate [email protected]
Regular Orders [email protected] Mike Gross, Orders Supervisor [email protected]
Deliveries Primary Lori Peilstocker, Delivery Associate [email protected] Alternate Andy Hawk, Delivery Associate [email protected]
Post-delivery Inquiries Primary Joe Schwartz, Orders Associate [email protected]
Alternate Rich Pence, Orders Associate [email protected]
Pricing and Promotions Primary Sandy Tonkel, Pricing Manager [email protected]
Alternate Renee Schutte, Pricing Associate [email protected]
Catalog and Software Josef Carlock, Dealer Development [email protected]
Dealer Training and Tours Kelli Roach, Training Admin [email protected]
Accounts and Invoicing Michelle Seiler, Accounts Associate [email protected]
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Team Highlight
On time completion is a high priority for us, and we have a track record to prove it. Sometimes this requires rolling up our sleeves and sitting down with a calendar and a pencil to work through unexpected challenges that inevitably arise. Using outside-the-box thinking to solve scheduling problems is what I love to do.
We’ve worked very hard to maintain our 6-week lead time for standard orders. As a custom manufacturer with no stock cabinets, case components, or doors, we have been able to increase production volume, while including measures that have added value and quality to our cabinetry. It’s quite a feat to pull off a standard 6-week lead time that includes all order processing and acknowledgement steps, too.
On time completion is a high priority for us, and we have a track record to prove it. Sometimes this requires rolling up our sleeves and sitting down with a calendar and a pencil to work through unexpected challenges that sometimes inevitably arise. Using outside-the-box thinking to solve scheduling problems is what I love to do.
We’ve worked very hard to maintain our 6 week lead time for standard orders even through our transition to become a fully custom manufacturer with no stock cabinets, case components, or doors, through increased production volume, and including measures that have added value and quality to our cabinetry. Our standard six week production time includes all order processing and acknowledgment steps, too.
It’s super cool to step back once in a while and realize that what we accomplish in a relatively short amount of time is a tremendous accomplishment for such a large operation!
JOE SCHWARTZOrder [email protected] Phone: 260-207-5500
Highlights:
• In the first quarter of 2015 one of my initiatives was to streamline completion week notifications. We worked with our email and web software to streamline the process making it possible to receive automatic email notifications and partner center updates to include proper completion dates.
It’s super cool to step back once in a while and realize that what we accomplish in a relatively short amount of time is a tremendous accomplishment.
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Factory Tour
Order Processing • Order Processing • Order Processing Continued
Work-in-Process • Standard Wood Species • Custom Door Moldings • Panels Rip Cut • Boards Cut to Length • Gluing Boards Into Panels • Face Frame Assembly • Mitered Door Frame • CNC Department • Door Assembly - Mortise & Tenon Butt Joint • Inset Frame & Door Fitting • Applying Door Moldings • Door Assembly - Mitered Corner • Extra Large Frame & Panel Assembly • Specials Department • Drawer Box Dovetailing • Branding Drawer Boxes • Molded Veneers
Finishing • Distressing • Hand Sanding and End Grain Sealing • Staining • Painting / Curing • Painting / Curing Continued • Finish Department • Proof of Durable Finish • Staining Into Panel/Frame • Finishes
Assembly • Box Construction • Hinges Other • Traveling Displays • Factory Controlled Air Pressure • Humidity Control
We have organizedour Factory Tour videos into sections in order to make them easier to find.
Please email [email protected] to contribute ideas on future factory tour
information videos.
To view the videos, login to the Partner Center at
www.grabillcabinets.com and click on “Grabill Tour Videos.”
Several members of Grabill’s leadership team participated in a presentation at KBIS this January titled “The Latest Research on Kitchen Remodeling Trends & How to Leverage the Findings” presented by RICKI.
Here are some of the take-aways.
“Mass Market” research indicates that buyers interpret “modern” as meaning
“updated”; not necessarily the design aesthetic “modern.” The most sought after reasons for remodeling are improved functionality and more space. When asked after projects are complete, 40% of mass market buyers say they wish they had spent more!
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Sales & Marketing Tips
For example: “I would have spent a little more to get the design and colors exactly right.”
Upscale buyers are classified as having $150K household income and higher.
70% of these buyers entertain regularly and 77% cook with family and friends. That said, they use their kitchens less frequently than mass market buyers. But, when they do, they want professional grade appliances and plenty of room to entertain. In these cases, the #1 product influence by the designer is the cabinetry!
Kitchen Remodeling Trends
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40% of mass market buyerssay they wish they had spent more!
the #1 product influenceby the designer is the cabinetry!
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Research among local kitchen and bath showroom designers suggests that the
#1 tool designers use to educate buyers about cabinetry is the manufacturer’s website.
The manufacturer’s website is also the 2nd strongest influence on the upscale buyer. If you agree, please email any suggestions you have for Grabill’s website to [email protected]. We want to hear from you!
66% of upscale kitchen remodels involve changing the size, shape or layout
which gives designers freedom to create an inspirational space.
Islands, drawers, pull-outs, pull-downs and roll-outs lead the way in feature
requests for cabinetry design.
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Sales & Marketing Tips
Last but certainly not least, the presentation pointed to the up and coming crowd; Gen Y. Although arguably not in the upscale buying mode yet, this generation is worth paying attention to. Not only will they reach upscale status down the road but they also influence their parents.
Some key points about Gen Y:
Neat freaks
Functionality is key
They cook with family and friends more often than any other generation
Computer and tablet use in the kitchen is second nature
Unlike Baby Boomers who rely on showrooms, Gen Y is mostly influenced by TV (Gen X is magazines)
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the #1 tool designers use to educate buyers about cabinetry is the manufacturer’s website.
Grabill Cabinets March - May 2015
90-Day Recap
Grabill Viewpoints
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March 6thTrendy Colors are the New Standard at Grabill - www.grabillcabinets.com/trendy
March 16thPlanning Musts Before You Start a Makeover www.grabillcabinets.com/makeover
February 9thKitchen Evolution: Work Zones Replace the Triangle www.grabillcabinets.com/zones
March 2ndHave Your Open Kitchen and Close It Off, Too www.grabillcabinets.com/ open
January 20th13 Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas and What They Cost www.grabillcabinets.com/storage
February 17thHow to Keep Your White Kitchen White www.grabillcabinets.com/white
January 6thTrend Watch: 13 Kitchen Looks Expected to Be Big in 2015 www.grabillcabinets.com/watch
February 11thAn email was sent out on Bulletin 2015-01: New Pricing & Product Multiplier.
Thank you for reading our quarterly newsletter
In addition to The Dovetail, we are committed to publishing a featured project and a new style/finish once per quarter. If you would like to have a featured project written about you, please submit your information at www.grabillcabinets.com/feature.
The communication schedule is as follows with bulletins as necessary.
13844 Sawmill Road · P.O. Box 40 · Grabill, IN 46741Phone: 877-472-2782 · E-Mail: [email protected]
Grabill Cabinets March - May 2015
Communication Schedule
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FeaturedGrabill
Project
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