Wellborn Cabinet welcomed more than 250 cabinetry industry professionals to its Ashland, Ala., headquarters for the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) Plant Tour, marking KCMA’s third visit to the facility and its first since 2018.
The day began with a morning tour of Wellborn Cabinet’s First Haven facility in Oxford, Ala., before attendees traveled to the company’s headquarters in Ashland for a luncheon, special ceremony and an in-depth tour of Wellborn Cabinet’s manufacturing operations.
During the special ceremony, Wellborn Cabinet took the opportunity to recognize an extraordinary milestone among members of its transportation team. Greg Lee, transportation manager, and Quinton Wellborn, dispatcher supervisor, recognized four Wellborn drivers — Jim Shake, Mike Lee, Preston Johnston and Benny Sheppard — who have collectively achieved 12 million safe driving miles.
The recognition highlighted the critical role Wellborn Cabinet’s drivers play in the company’s vertically integrated process, carrying the commitment to quality and service beyond the manufacturing facility and on to customers across the country.
Angela Bouma, president of KCMA, also presented Wellborn Cabinet with a plaque recognizing the company’s continued contributions to the cabinet industry. The presentation reflected the longstanding relationship between Wellborn Cabinet and KCMA and their shared commitment to strengthening the future of the industry.
Wellborn Cabinet leadership also addressed attendees during the ceremony, reflecting on the company’s history, growth and responsibility to its employees, industry and future generations.
John Wellborn, owner and board member, shared lessons passed down through generations of the Wellborn family, beginning long before Wellborn Cabinet was founded in 1961. He reflected on the influence of his grandfather Morgan Wellborn, who taught the family to take pride in doing a job right, use resources wisely and lead by example.
“The tools have changed,” he said. “The technology has changed. And the scale of what we do has certainly changed.”
He noted that what began with a family building and remodeling homes has grown into a manufacturing campus of more than 2 million square feet. Despite that growth, he emphasized that the company’s focus remains on improving quality, reducing waste, supporting employees, serving customers and building a company that can continue for generations.
Johnny Simpson, CEO of Wellborn Cabinet, reflected on the significant investments the company has made since KCMA’s last visit, while emphasizing that Wellborn’s people remain at the center of its success.
“Buildings, equipment and technology are important, but it is our people who make Wellborn Cabinet what it is,” he said.
Simpson encouraged attendees to look beyond the machinery during the tour and experience firsthand the knowledge, skill, craftsmanship and teamwork required throughout the manufacturing process.
Paul Wellborn, president and chairman of the board, spoke about the responsibility of taking care of people, supporting and strengthening the cabinet industry, responsibly caring for forest resources and protecting the future of domestic manufacturing. His remarks reinforced the importance of stewardship of people, natural resources and an industry that supports jobs and communities throughout the country.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured 18 operational areas throughout the Ashland facility, experiencing Wellborn Cabinet’s manufacturing process from the beginning stages at the sawmill through manufacturing and finishing and ultimately to transportation, where finished cabinetry begins its journey to customers across the country.
The tour also showcased how significantly the Ashland campus has evolved since KCMA’s previous visit. Since 2018, Wellborn Cabinet has made investments across its facilities, equipment, infrastructure and transportation operations, including the addition of a Superfici finishing paint line and Venjakob machine, relocation of Highway 77, construction of a 105,000-sq.-ft. planer mill, lumber grading enhancements, expanded finishing operations, additional tractor-trailers, an accessories building and new corporate offices.
Throughout the event, a common theme emerged: while Wellborn Cabinet has continued to grow and invest, the principles behind the company have remained constant — a commitment to quality, customers, people and American manufacturing.
The gathering also gave manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen relationships around shared priorities, including domestic manufacturing, workforce development, responsible manufacturing, innovation and quality.
“We’re proud of how far Wellborn Cabinet has come, but we’re even more excited about where we’re going,” John Wellborn told attendees.
As Wellborn Cabinet continues to invest in its people, facilities, technology and manufacturing capabilities, the company remains committed to strengthening domestic manufacturing and producing American-made cabinetry with the quality and craftsmanship that have defined the Wellborn name since 1961.
