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Drawing from his skilled craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit Ed Vickery, his wife Susan and their son Luke have developed a familyowned, state-of-the-art cabinet manufacturing company. Specializing in commercial plastic laminate cabinets and countertops, Vickery is able to offer the general contractor a wide range of choices. Ranging from a simple run of cabinets to a complex designed reception station.

Initially, the company targeted the residential market, until it realized the commercial market had more to offer. Today, California Woodworking, Inc. occupies a 16,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and employs more than 30 skilled craftsmen.

Vickery brings more than 15 years of experience to the commercial cabinet industry, and his company is certified by the Woodwork Institute. “With every job, we offer detailed drawings to ensure the product is manufactured correctly the first time,” he says. “After the drawings are approved, our clients can expect short lead times. And, we have the technology to allow tight tolerances on all our products.” California Woodworking, Inc. also carries its own performance bond, is able to provide certified payroll on prevailing wage projects, and pays vendors on a timely basis to ensure its success on every project.

California Woodworking, Inc. is specifically driven by customer demand. “We understand that if our customers are not satisfied they will not continue to use our products and services,” he says. “We strive to provide satisfaction to all customers, whether they are repeat or prospective customers, so our company may continue to grow and provide a highquality product in a short period of time for a competitive price.”

California Woodworking, Inc. typically works on tenant improvement projects. With quick turnaround times on all improvements, Vickery’s staff has consistently helped property owners reduce the amount of time an office space is vacant.

Says Ed Vickery, CEO of the company, “With most of our projects being related to commercial tenant improvements, fire stations, medical facilities, real estate offices and banks, we are able to offer expertise based on our previous experiences on those types of projects. Our close relationship with our vendors also allows us to consult their expertise for value engineering of products.”

Recently, the Marina Harbor Apartments & Anchorage project in Marina del Rey, Calif., involved the construction of the entrance floor of a high-end apartment facility. According to Vickery, architectural drawings were created approximately four years prior to the execution of the project. “We were instructed by the general contractor to coordinate all designs, hardware, finishes, etc. with an interior designer. By working directly with the interior designer, the need for revised architectural drawings, involvement of additional parties for drawing approval, and additional lead times were all eliminated.”

To maintain California Woodworking, Inc.’s ongoing success, the staff stays on top of industry trends by investing in new technologies. Much of the company’s profits go into automated machinery and computer software. Ten years ago, he says, building a cabinet required manual labor with the use of old-world machinery. Today, new technology allows less manual labor with the use of new-world machinery and results in tighter tolerances and less-expensive products.

“The industry is evolving, mostly by the way that our product is manufactured,” Vickery says. “We constantly strive to learn about new hardware and products available so we can offer them to our clients.”

— Corporate Profile

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California Woodworking, Inc | 1726 Ives Avenue | Oxnard, CA 93033 | Phone: (805) 982-9090 | Fax: (805) 982-9092 | info@calwoodinc.com | License: 597445