Finely Fashioned

FOR WOODTECH OWNER NORMAN TROYER, CRAFTSMANSHIP IS KEY

Norman Troyer, owner of WOODtech, has been doing woodworking since a young age, and has successfully earned a loyal customer base.

He meets with customers at his shop and finds out exactly what they want. Troyer’s attention to detail with woodworking has resulted in unique and high-quality items. “I’ve been doing woodworking my whole life and I love it,” Troyer says. “It’s work that I enjoy, and I like taking on new jobs and taking the time to make an order just right for the customer.”

Troyer decided to go into woodworking full time a few years ago.

“I was working full time for my dad at Indian Trail Furniture,” Troyer says. “At the time I was also continuing to work on wood projects as a hobby. I’ve always been making furniture on the side. In

2020 I started woodworking a lot more. I thought it was time to start a business. My wife, Loretta, and I have six children, and I always wanted to give them the chance to have what I had when I started out in life. By 2022 I was woodworking full time.”

Troyer’s unique hatchback desks have been popular.

“When I started working on the hatchback desks, I didn’t want them to roll,” he says. “I didn’t want the traditional rolltop desks. I wanted something different and I wanted to be able to flip them up.”

Troyer uses cylinders to make the desks unique.

“I put a cylinder on the lip of the desks,” Troyer says. “I also put cylinders on the wood and played around with the design. I eventually got a better pair of cylinders and came up with a design that really looked nice.”

Customers told Troyer they were impressed with what they saw.

“I love working on the hatchback desks,” Troyer says. “I’ve been able to make them bigger and put in some different parts. I have put some magnet whiteboards on the wood and cubbyholes. For example, I put small cubbyhole drawers in the bottom right drawer of a desk, and a dry eraser in the middle drawer of a desk. People have told me they love the desks.”

Troyer likes to offer his customers a wide selection of items to choose from.

“The main focus of WOODtech is variety,” Troyer says. “I want people to look at what I have and tell other people about it.”

Troyer puts a lot of attention into the details of everything he does.

“I make great sewing cabinets, wine racks and some nice bookshelves,” he says.

“I also make his-and-hers light combo stands. Those have been a pleasure to make and I enjoy the time I spend working on them.”

Troyer takes time to find out exactly what his customers want.

“I meet with the customers that come to see me,” Troyer says. “I want them to tell me their ideas. Custom furniture is a big part of my business. A lot of times people will come in and will have a picture of a specific design they like for a piece of furniture, and say they want something like what is in the picture. They come by and we sit and talk. They want something new that is also different. I take what they ask for and create something similar, but also original and unique.”

Troyer wants all his customers to be happy with his work.

“I have been very fortunate to have repeat customers who have been satisfied with what they ordered,” he says. “I know they are happy with what they got. They tell their family members and friends about the desk or bookshelf or something else I made, and I get more business. That’s a great feeling.”

When Troyer isn’t working, he loves to spend time with his family.

“Loretta and I have been blessed with six children,” Troyer says. “We have two girls and four boys. Our oldest child is 9 years old. The children really enjoy working and playing in the shop.”

Troyer loves living in Howe and enjoys the quiet atmosphere.

“It’s also close to our families,” Troyer says. “It’s a great place to live and work.” To find out more about WOODtech, visit them at 3810 North 250 West in Howe, or call 260-562-9131.