Millwork manufacturer expands in ldaho

A MOVE move from Hayden. Id.. .(a,to a larger building in nearby Rathdrum allorved Braided Accents to increase production of its hardrvood mouldings and milhvork. open a new manufacturing division in-house. and for the first time open to the public for retail sales.

"We're very proud that our products are sold through more than 150 top-quality dealers across the U.S.." said Clint Borver. rvho has owned the company rvith his rvife, Cheryl. since 1997. Together. the trvo have some 4O years of experience in the hardwood industry and marketing.

"Norv. with what's going on in North ldaho. rve rvanted to get a foot into the local market." he said. Increasing inquiries from local contractors and other tradespeople, he said. helped prompt the move.

At 22.000 sq. ft.. the nerv location is trvice as large as the old one. Because it rvas built to house a sauce and soup manufacturing plant. the building had a 2,000-amp power source for all the new equipment.

There's even space for a dedicated, 800-sq. ft. grinding room that allows the company to produce everything it sells.

"The start of a good job is in the grinding room," said Bower. "By producing all our own product, we can give better service and have better quality control."

The couple also spent $450,000 for new equipment: a six-head, 8,000 r.p.m. moulder, dentil machine, ripsaw, and a computerized template maker.

"I'm a firm believer that the finest hardwood mouldings start with the finest tools," said Bower.

Two new employees were hired to operate the new equipment. One was sent to a moulding school in North Carolina.

The new manufacturing division, named Mountain Moulding & Millwork, produces custom milling for other companies, such as lumberyards, cabinetmakers, and furnituremakers.

Custom orders, including historical restorations, can be created inhouse using any of the domestic and imported hardwoods the company stocks.

"We can duplicate any moulding pattern known to man," said Bower, "giving customers more options and a direct and local source."

As an alternative to a traditional showroom, the company will use its own products- including mouldings and wall panels-to finish the 3,000 sq. ft. of office spaces. Although the work won't be completely finished until this summer, the space is open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays for retail sales of hardwood lumber and moulding.

This year, the company will introduce a line of unaccented moulding, which Bower said can "increase sales without increasing labor costs."

To reflect the expanded product line, the size of the annual catalog will increase, too, from 24 pages to

Also planned are several open houses, which will be targeted to select audiences such as local contractors and real estate professionals.

"l'm a firm believer

that the finest hardwood mouldings start with the finest tools."

"The last few years, we've seen lots of growth in the north Idaho area-lots of small businesses with 20 employees or less, as well as larger, more established ones," said Bower. "lt's tremendously different than eight vears ago."