At a Glance
Location
Columbia Falls, MT
Founded
1989
Employees
30
Specialty
Custom wood doors and frames
Annual Sales
$2 million
One of the most functional features in any room is the door, and it’s therefore also one of the most overlooked. But what would a building or room be without its doors? Beyond offering privacy and a passage of ingress and egress, doors add safety and aesthetic flair that architects and builders respect, even if building occupants usually end up taking it all for granted. Woodtech Trading Company, based in Columbia Falls, Montana, has manufactured a variety of doors since 1992, and it has shown its respect for its product through optimized customer care.
What began as a small cabinet shop fashioning fire-rated wood frames quickly moved into the commercial end of the industry, but a rough start led the company to file Chapter 11 reorganization. It was a humbling experience for the owners, but it’s one they say is helping them navigate the current economic recession. According to Woodtech sales manager Linda Vevera, the company is able to survive the crisis, and thrive despite it, because of its focus on people. “Quality of work and customer service are first and foremost for us,” Vevera says. “Automation has eliminated so much of the personal interaction.” She adds that the focus on client care has kept her dedicated to the industry for more than 20 years.
Top 5 Things to Know About Woodtech Trading Company
1. Woodtech’s focus on customer service has helped it weather the current economic crisis.
2. The firm does not stock doors. Instead, it provides custom designs for each of its clients.
3. The firm began as a small cabinet shop fashioning fire-rated wood frames.
4. FSC-certified products, manufactured without adhesives containing urea formaldehyde, are now commonly used by Woodtech.
5. 1,200 doors were manufactured by Woodtech for the Ko’Olina Marriot & Beach Club.
Selling primarily to hardware distributors, millwork houses, and small door shops, Woodtech does not actually stock any doors. Instead, the manufacturer produces all custom designs per the client’s specifications, and when the specs lack the detail needed, Woodtech takes the opportunity to educate its clients about the processes behind the doors it builds. Woodtech handcrafts each stile and rail door with quality materials and artisanship, and fire-rated wood doors and frames—as well as standing and running trim—are all built to spec. Even when a unique touch is required, Woodtech is equipped to handle the job, from curved- or radial-top to true-divided light to v-groove plank panel doors and frames.
Whether manufacturing for universities, churches, hotels, resorts, restaurants, or other projects, Woodtech pays close attention to detail. The team of 30 has built products for projects of various sizes, and its client base stretches across the United States. Its work on the Hawaii Convention Center in 1997 included producing 200 doors made of African mahogany, now featured in the convention center’s meeting rooms. For the Ko’Olina Marriott & Beach Club on Oahu, Woodtech manufactured more than 1,200 doors for the hotels guest rooms. The project took about eight months to complete at a cost of roughly $550,000.
Whether the project is across the country or in its own backyard, Woodtech puts quality and people at the top of its priorities, and it has also moved into the sustainable side of the industry, providing FSC-certified products manufactured without harsh chemicals. The firm is shifting with the demands of its clientele, proving yet again how closely it’s paying attention. “We’re building it because you’ve asked for it,” Vevera says. “We’re not locked into styles and types.” ABQ
