»Forum
Manufacturers Roundtable – Monthly
Are you a kitchen cabinet manufacturer with questions? This regular monthly session is for you. Attendance is always optional, so hop on one of our monthly Zoom calls. The topics vary each month but this is a great way to ask questions of the industry. Save yourself some time and money and attend the roundtable chats.
Time: Last Thursday of every month at 1pm (ET). To participate, just email us and we’ll send you the calendar invite and Zoom link for the calls. These sessions are very valuable, don’t miss out!
Podcasts
Future of the Industry – Through the Lens of the Next Generation
Presenters: Mathieu Elias (Muskoka Cabinet Company) and Paul Siekmann (Merit Kitchens) – Recorded October 3, 2024, Winnipeg, MB
We’ve heard from many senior level leaders in the industry, this session was presented at the CKCA National Forum 2024 and we invited next generation leaders to discuss their vision of the future and what the industry needs to do and how can we support this next generation to ensure their success? Listen to the podcast here»
Adapting to Change
Alain Ouzilleau, President, Cabico (Recorded May 14, 2024, Orford, Quebec)
How do you grow a company and adapt to the constant challenges and changes our industry faces? Hear from the President of Cabico, one of the largest manufacturers of kitchen cabinets in Canada. More than 30 years of solid growth have propelled Cabico to the forefront as Canada’s leading manufacturer of custom cabinetry. More than 30 years in business, Cabico is located in Coaticook, Quebec, and St. Catharines, Ontario, 625 specialists craft complex, high-end projects for over 700 retailers across North America. Listen to the podcast here»
Webinars
AI in the Kitchen Cabinet Industry (Recorded June 12, 2024)
Industry is hearing more and more about AI and it’s not just for the big shops. Even smaller shops can use scalable AI solutions to save them time and money and propel their business forward. We invited Nikki Gipman, General Manager of Gipman Millwork and Design, located in Cranbrook, BC to come back and share how she uses AI tools for her shop. Nikki has done several presentations for us on different tools she uses to manage her shop with about 20 empl. This is a practical session from one of your peers. So if you’re curious about what easy management tools are available for any business, large or small, check out this session here»
Looming Liquidity Problem for Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers (Recorded Apr 23, 2024)
The economy is facing many challenges with lower demand, interest rates, and growth. Some have cut their expenses and are now looking for their new balance of growth and profitability. But how does this affect the kitchen cabinet sector? MNP would like to share an economic update tailored to the Wood Working sector in Canada and explain how the macro-economic news relates to this sector. MNP will specifically discuss possible threats for the future and what you can do to avoid these threats and keep your organization on track for success.
View video here» View slides here»Closet Gold (Recorded March 4, 2024)
Are you interested in business growth opportunities? Eric Marshall, MSD, Closet Training Institute, Master Storage Designer, Doctorate in Closetology presented at WMS show in Toronto in November 2023. His high energy, humorous presentation style will make you laugh but will also have you thinking. The closet industry offers triple digit growth according to Eric.
View video here»Strategies to Manage your Stress and Succeed in High-Stakes Conversations (Recorded Sept 30, 2023)
There has been a noticeable drop in the civility of our society, that seems related to a general uptick in both anxiety, and aggression, often reflected in everyday interactions at work and at home. What can we do about that? Deanna will offer key strategies to sharpen your high stakes communication with anyone. Learn some practical strategies for managing your own stress when unexpected challenges demand your full attention and a quick decision. Learn why the culture we create at work really matters, and how Gen Y and Z staff see and value their work life differently. Our presenter knows first-hand what our industry is facing as her spouse runs a successful kitchen cabinet company in BC.
View this webcast here.Succession Planning: A view from the other side (Recorded July 19, 2023)
As we see more than $2 trillion in business assets change hands over the next 10 years (according to CFIB), is it timely for you to be thinking about a succession plan? With a large percentage of the kitchen cabinet business in Canada family owned and operated, a succession plan is a vital tool as one generation hands their business over to the next. Yet so many companies don’t even have a plan, or have something in their head but nothing written down. This informative session gives you some insights of what to consider as you develop a plan, as well as how to manage the success process (even if you are already in the middle of it).
View video here» Get slides here » How to lead your organization through challenging macro-economic environment (Recorded June 28, 2023)
A lot is happening in business these days. Rates are on the increase which is affecting business sales and value. This session offers a birds eye view of what is happening and how you can navigate your business through these challenging times to survive. The next 3 years are critical.
View video here» Get slides here »Future of the Kitchen Cabinet Industry (Recorded Jan 25, 2023)
Why are so many manufacturers tuning in to this session? Because the future is now! Meta-Verse, MES, Analytics, Data Visualizing and Manufacturing Field Devices – these are terms we are all getting to know. But what do they mean to our industry? How is automation and robotics addressing current and future challenges including supply chain, demographic shifts, global competitivess and labour shortage. A window into what is to come.
View video here»Don’t Let the Sun Catch you Crying (Recorded May 5, 2022)
Are you choking over the increased costs of your energy bills?
Want to make an investment in your business that is sustainable, puts money back in your pocket, gives you back more control on overhead expenses? These were the reasons Heidi and Dominic Boudreault, Owners of
Denca Cabinets in Calgary, installed solar panels on the rooftop of their 45,000 sq ft. kitchen cabinet shop in Calgary, Alberta. The rules have changed when it comes to solar and while you may have looked at this in past and decided it was too expensive for little gain, look again!
In this webinar, Heidi and Dominic talk about their decision, their journey and the benefits they are already seeing from solar installed energy panels. Ed Knaggs, Vice President Charge Solar is a company specializing in solar power generation for the past 30 years and members of the Canadian Renewal Energy Association. Ed “sheds some new light” on this topic and talks about global market and drivers, system size estimates and energy savings and system costs and ROI.
View video here »Productivity Outputs – What every kitchen manufacturer should know (Recorded March 2021)
Presented by Luke Elias, President of one of Canada’s most innovative cabinet shops. Learn why Luke says “There’s so much money to be made in this cabinet industry”. Watch video here» Get slides here»
Archived:
If you wish to access these webcasts, please contact info@ckca.ca
Business Improvement through Expansion – Lessons learned (Recorded Oct 27 2021)
Whether you are thinking of expanding your business or just want to learn more about improving your business, this webinar explores the journey of Sunrise Kitchens in Surrey, BC who understood to expand their facility from 45,000 sq. ft in 2017 to 80,000 sq. ft in 2020. Little did they know they would be doing the lion share of this expansion during a pandemic! The unprecedented circumstances created incredible challenges, but this kitchen cabinet manufacturer hunkered down and kept going. They share their lessons learned, what went well, what didn’t. Their management team are pleased to be the presenters for this session.
Now What? An outlook for small business and manufacturing in Canada (Recorded June 2021)
Keynote presenters Dan Kelly, President of Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Dennis Darby, President of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters gave us a great overview of what’s happening across Canada in business and manufacturing. Want a big picture perspective? Watch this webinar and check out the informative slides deck with data you’ll want to consider at you plan the future of your business.
Aging in Place – Are you ready for the next wave? (Recorded May 2021)
Future business growth opportunity? What happens as we age and how are our requirements changing? What functionality and ergonomic considerations should be factored in to kitchen spaces? What is CAPS or CLIPP certification? Learn about the research available to help us better understand Aging in Place clientele and hear from Lucy Traetto, Marketing Representative at Blum who is CAPS and CLIPP certified.
Virtual Showroom – Getting customers ready to shop (Recorded April 2021)
With sales up 50%, Decor Cabinets is keeping busy. Presenter David Baker, Sales & Marketing Director, Decor Cabinets shares what his company has learned from their experience building a virtual platform for customers to shop. Find out why you don’t need an expensive video camera!
Work ON your business, Not IN it! (Recorded Nov. 2020)
Hear how CKCA Member Gerald Van Woudenberg of Van Arbour Design made it to calmer waters and why Conny Millard, PoWERPODS says “stress and anxiety aren’t necessary when you have the right tools”.
Not a Tech Issue – A Business Issue! (Recorded Oct. 2020)
Presenters Robert Gordon, CCTX, Peter Mate, Planit Canada and Connie Rowley, Core Insurance Solutions give us a rundown of what’s happening with cyber threats and how you need to stay current on ways to protect your business.
Systems Saved Me (Recorded Sept. 2020)
Nikki Gipman, General Manager of Gipman Kitchen and Bath offers insights on the tools used to increase project conversion rates from 30% to 70% and much more!
Business Resilience (Recorded July 2020)
Heidi Boudreault, General Manager and Co-owner, Denca Cabinets and Selene Yuen, Selenium Interiors present their individual approaches to managing their business through Covid. Whether you’re dealing with Covid or any other crisis, this webinar offers great information and ideas from two Alberta companies who are used to the boom and bust market and the pressures you face in difficult time
