Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER — Eight wood manufacturing companies in Dubois County were among 19 wood manufacturers in Indiana placed on the 2023 FDMC 300 list, which ranks the largest cabinet, furniture, millwork, store fixture, office/contract and component producers in North America.
Jasper-based MasterBrand Cabinets ranks No. 3 overall and is the largest on the list from Indiana. MasterBrand generated an estimated $3.3 billion in 2022 sales volume and employs roughly 14,000 people. Its manufacturing operations span over 20 plants across the United States and Mexico, totaling more than six million square feet to produce stock, semi-custom and custom fully assembled kitchen and bath cabinets and more.
“MasterBrand is proud of its Indiana roots, which can be traced back nearly 70 years to Celestine, Indiana,” said Dave Banyard, President and CEO, MasterBrand. “As a company, our purpose is building great experiences together and that would not be possible without our dedicated associates who make beautiful, functional and unique cabinets every day.”
Companies on the list are ranked according to annual sales. Also making the list from Dubois County: Kimball International Inc. lands at No. 23, OFS Brands Inc. holds spot No. 31, Best Home Furnishings in Ferdinand, No. 51; Jasper Group in Jasper, No. 53; Indiana Furniture in Jasper, No. 137; Jasper Chair in Jasper, No. 240; and Dubois Wood Products Inc. in Huntingburg, No. 274.
Dubois County’s history as a leader in wood manufacturing goes back 100 years. The county’s location quotient for wood manufacturing firms is seven times the national average.
“We’re pretty proud,” said Ed Cole, president of Dubois Strong. “It’s really been a legacy industry for us that is still extremely strong.”
The industry can be traced back to the arrival of German immigrants and an abundance of trees that created ample opportunities to make hardwood products.
The companies vary in their product area, from office and hospitality furniture to kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
There is some “friendly competition” Cole said, among the companies, as they each carve out their niche.
Jasper-based Kimball International Inc. makes office, hospitality furniture and cabinet products. In 2022, the company’s sales totaled an estimated $665 million. Kimball International Inc. operates nine plants across the U.S. and Mexico and employs 2,800 people.
Huntingburg-based OFS Brands Inc. posted estimated sales of $490 million in 2022. OFS owns 10 U.S. manufacturing plants totaling 2 million square feet with 1,986 employees. The company makes contract/office furniture; desks, filing storage, conference tables, office chairs and office seating; and healthcare, education and hospitality furniture.
“This industry is an incredible asset for Indiana agriculture,” said Chris Gonso, ISDA’s Hardwood Program Manager. “Many of our Hoosier companies have been on the FDMC list for many years, which shows how strong this industry is for economic potential in the agricultural industry.”
Indiana’s hardwood industry has an annual economic impact of more than $10 billion and supports 70,000 jobs. Indiana’s Hardwood Strategy aims to grow these numbers by promoting the expansion of current wood processing facilities, attracting new companies to the state, educating consumers and businesses on the sustainability of the hardwoods industry and seeking opportunities to increase the value of Indiana’s hardwood products.
At a time when domestic companies face tough competition from global markets that have lower labor costs because of low wages, Cole said it’s a testament to the furniture industry’s ability to adapt and remain viable in a changing market.
“We’ve been very fortunate that many of the major players have remained here, generating a lot of economic impact in Dubois County,” Cole said.
“Indiana is proud to be ranked as a top producer for so many wood products and to supply a large number of Hoosiers with good paying hardwood manufacturing jobs,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Wood is a renewable resource and provides a stability and quality to furniture like no other.”
Indiana firms on list
The complete list of Indiana-based wood manufacturers earning a spot in the 2023 FDMC 300 is below:
3. MasterBrand Cabinets
- Main location: Jasper, IN
- Annual sales: $3.3 billion* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 14,000
23. Kimball International Inc.
- Main location: Jasper, IN
- Annual sales: $665 million (‘22)
- Total Employees: 2,800
31. OFS Brands Inc.
- Main location: Huntingburg, IN
- Annual sales: $490 million (‘22)
- Total Employees: 1,986
34. Genesis Products
- Main location: Goshen, IN
- Annual sales: $380 million (‘22)
- Total Employees: 1,150
51. Best Home Furnishings
- Main location: Ferdinand, IN
- Annual sales: $245 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 850
53. Jasper Group
- Main location: Jasper, IN
- Annual sales: $238.1 million* (‘22)
- Total employees: 1,178
59. Kountry Wood Products
- Main location: Nappanee, IN
- Annual sales: $200 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 540
69. Patrick Industries Inc.
- Main location: Elkhart, IN
- Annual sales: $170 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 7,000
100. Smith Brothers of Berne Inc.
- Main location: Berne, IN
- Annual sales: $100 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 525
107. Koetter Woodworking Inc.
- Main location: Borden, IN
- Annual sales: $85 million (‘22)
- Total Employees: 325
125. Kitchen Kompact Inc.
- Main location: Jeffersonville, IN
- Annual sales: $70 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 225
137. Indiana Furniture
- Main location: Jasper, IN
- Annual sales: $58 million (‘22)
- Total Employees: 325
150. University Loft Co.
- Main location: Greenfield, IN
- Annual sales: $50 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 110
175. Saco Industries Inc.
- Main location: Lowell, IN
- Annual sales: $39.6 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 350
189. Grabill Cabinet Co. Inc.
- Main location: Grabill, IN
- Annual sales: $35 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 200
192. Corsi Group
- Main location: Indianapolis, IN
- Annual sales: $33 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 140
203. Haas Cabinet Co. Inc.
- Main location: Sellersburg, IN
- Annual sales: $26.2 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 200
240. Jasper Chair
- Main location: Jasper, IN
- Annual sales: $20.4 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 100
274. Dubois Wood Products Inc.
- Main location: Huntingburg, IN
- Annual sales: $16 million* (‘22)
- Total Employees: 67
Annual sales (*estimated)