FDM - June 2009

CUSTOM

Making green look good

over 20 years. He translates what 100 kitchen designers around the country are trying to get into Pennville language.

Choosing cell-based

When the workload became too much for one 15-year-old machining center, Pennville opted to remain cell-based instead of switching to nested-based manufacturing, and a Morbidelli Author X5 five-axis CNC machining center was chosen.

“We thought we could use the machine to make unique items better than anyone,” Goldman says. “We use it for curves in any door style or moulding in any radius. We do a lot of things where we’re engraving on a curve. This fit into our core value of making products ourselves instead of purchasing them.

“And there really are some advantages to being able to cut panels on a saw. You can flip the pieces to get the better side and the cuts seem to be better."

The Author has a conveyor belt
to get rid of dust, digital readout so
the operator knows where to put the

Consumer interest in green products has led to the development of Epicure Cabinetry for the Loft and Spa, a limited line of sustainable cabinetry. Mark Goldman says the company plans to introduce a frameless product made of sustainable materials with a European flair and the warmth required for the American market. Up until now, the “green suppliers” haven’t really led in style.

“People are asking for green, but every time we see a green showhouse it’s not beautiful,” he says.

Goldman says that 15,000 board feet of plantation teak from Costa Rica will be delivered in the fall, and the new line will be rolled out in January 2010. “You can’t call something green if you’re sorting out AA veneers,” he observes. “This has some variation to it but it also has a unique look.”

pods and lifters to lift up the panels. It has two routers and a 30-collet tool changer, 24 that are in a rear-mounted magazine and six that are carried beside the three-axis router.

A Morbidelli Author 504 was the first CNC machine. Goldman had to buy it himself in 1994 and lease it to the company. His father would not permit such a large purchase.

Also here are SCMI T-130 shaper, vacuum press used for curved layups, Doucet clamp table, Ballestrini dual table slot mortise, Vega lathe, two Alexander Dodds dovetailers and an Ingersoll Rand air compressor. A SawStop table saw was added, which Goldman says is a great investment in safety. Pennville just received a new SCM Superset XL five-head moulder.

A comfortable niche

“Ithink part of our niche is that we really make kitchens for people who love to cook,” Mark Goldman says. “So much of what we do is to make people feel more comfortable in their Pennville environment. This includes superior ergonomics, creative storage, using the most convenient hardware and being able to correctly achieve our customers’ unique styles so they feel at home.

“If you have a beautiful kitchen and you cook for your friends, you typically are surrounded by people who really like you. We recently did all of the cabinetry in a home for a couple who had a contract that said, “Build a home with love that our friends will want to visit.” They made every decision based on what would help achieve that. I recently stayed in their second master bedroom and had dinner there. The feeling of that home is our niche.”

Morbidelli Author 504 was Pennville’s first CNC machine. Mark Goldman bought it himself in 1994 and leased it to the company since his father would not permit such a large purchase at that time.

Finishing big

Pennville has had a stain line for 35 years that has stain sealer, oven, hand sanding, top coat and final booth. A new 7,000-square-foot paint area includes two large paint booths that can handle any big sizes and brings the

Pennville design shows off special touches in an Ohio kitchen.

overall finishing space to 25,000 square feet. “We promote big sizes. It looks more custom to get one large piece than four small ones,” Goldman says.

A separate specialty finish area handles crackle and distressed finishes. There is also a large sanding booth in between the paint booths.

A showroom in a house just outside the factory includes a wide range of door styles and finishes. Goldman also uses his fully equipped kitchen as a demonstration area.

“I’m not a big fan of selling features, I’d rather talk about benefits,” he says. “Why does it make your life better to have certain items there? Servo drives are neat, but the goal is to improve the experience of cooking.

“We try to come up with a product that is better than what our competitors provide and then we sell that. We try to have items our competitors really can’t build.