Obvious question is: How are they doing well when many companies in the housing industry are failing? The answer can be attributed to product offerings and most importantly professional relationships. Mr. Donlin came aboard the forty year old company in 2007. He ascertained Van Millwork’s position in the marketplace and decided to expand the company’s product line. As early as first quarter of 2008, the industry was already showing signs of distress, but Mr. Donlin trudged forward with a strategy to expand Van Millwork’s product lines. He brought on Azek exterior trim and mouldings as well as multiple lines of hardwood flooring including Stuart, and Bruce.

To jumpstart sales for the new brands, the President initiated a competitive promotional offering which has generously paid off for the company as well as its customers. As the promo boasts in its offering, it helps “Liberate Your Bottom Line.” Any order that includes up to 1,000 square feet of flooring is awarded a 3 percent discount on the entire order – that includes the remainder of their stock inventory of interior and exterior doors, hardware, stair parts, mantels, trim and mouldings. Anything over 1,000 square feet receives a 5 percent discount. This has proven successful and increased sales for flooring as well as overall.

With that success under his belt, Donlin has concentrated on other areas of the business including what he calls “the company’s gem” – the $1 million dollar showroom in Needham that Van Millwork shares with its sister companies, C&R Flooring and Dustless Floor Sanding. The showroom displays full-size applications of Van Millwork’s products in nine vignette rooms that showcase different distinct architectural styles that allow a homeowner, builder, designer, contractor or architect to match their room’s design. With little effort, Van Millwork has increased traffic into their showroom by maximizing its relationships with associated partners in the building industry. Along with their partners and Design New England magazine, Van Millwork has hosted six free Design Seminars in 2008 which have attracted close to 300 consumers and interior designers to its Needham showroom to learn new ideas in conjunction with product knowledge enhancement. The seminars include either a sit-down lunch or brunch for attendees prior to the hour-long seminar presented by greater Boston area experts. Thanks to Van’s media sponsor, Design New England of Boston Globe Media, the advertising cost is minimal and the seminars operate at less than $250 each. In addition, Van Millwork worked with their vendors to create a two-day Continuing Education course that offered up to 10 credits for AIA certified architects. Van Millwork hosts many events for the media, designers, builders, and most recently their chosen charitable organization, The Room To Dream Foundation, in their showroom. The response has been overwhelming and has allowed Van Millwork to forge new relationships with potential consumers and long term relationships with trade professionals.

One element that has remained true and steadfast among the professionals at Van Millwork is a dedicated focus on customer relationships. While words like “Service,” “Quality,” and “Satisfaction” are often used as lip service to promote businesses, Van Millwork prioritizes these words as goals. Van Millwork’s Vice President of Operations, Mary Wills states, “We’re proud of our employees’ consistent execution of service and quality, which results in our customers’ satisfaction. It is strengthening our relationships and points to future growth opportunities.” The company attributes their professional relationships to what has allowed them to survive the down economy and by continuing to nurture these relationships, they have confidence that they will stay afloat. Van Millwork is implementing a new business strategy that customers will find rewarding.

As Donlin puts it, “Our biggest reward is customer loyalty so why not give something back to them. If we don’t focus on our customer base, someone else will, and we value them too much to lose them.” While he won’t say what his plan is, he is excited that his customers stand to gain more through their relationship with Van Millwork.

President and CEO, James Donlin might be on to something. After all Boston Home Magazine just named Van Millwork Best of Boston for 2009 in the Millwork category, in addition to choosing the company’s Custom Division for Custom Woodworking in its Stockist Resource Guide.

Founded in 1967 as a full service lumber company, Van Millwork has grown into the largest interior millwork supplier in New England. The company offers a full array of millwork products and architectural trim for the interior and exterior of the home, including moldings, interior and exterior doors, stair components, signature mantels, wainscot panel systems, and columns. The company also offers showrooms in Bellingham, Needham and Mashpee, MA, and a full-service custom woodworking shop in Fitchburg, MA.

Connors also spent some time as Project Manager with Stahlman Engineering Corporation, where he supervised projects nationwide from design development through construction. He also has experience as a Senior Construction Administrator with Elkus/Manfredi Architects working on the renovation to the Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, NH as well as The Architects Collaborative in Cambridge where Connors supervised administration of architectural projects ranging from $2 MM-$40 MM.

Van Millwork Custom Division provides the highest possible quality of architectural millwork and fine custom casework to the discerning, residential home and light commercial builder. As a full service shop, Van Custom produces kitchens and cabinetry, panelized spaces such as libraries or home theaters in paint-grade and hardwood, built-ins and entertainment centers, mantels, coffered ceilings, vanities and bathroom cabinetry and any challenging flat or curved millwork product.

Founded in 1967 as a full service lumber company, Van Millwork, headquartered in Bellingham, has grown into the largest interior millwork supplier in New England and recently launched the Van Mantel Collection and hardwood floor division. The Van Millwork Showroom located in Needham features nine architecturally-themed rooms that reflect the architectural period represented by the trim work in each space. In addition to Bellingham and Needham, the company also offers a showroom in Mashpee, MA, and a full-service custom division in Fitchburg, MA.

Unlike other lines that only offer pine, poplar or oak, the Van Mantel Collection is crafted from the highest selection of any wood species, including Brazilian cherry and Santos mahogany, and is available in paint grade or stain grade. The Collection enables fireplace retailers to move beyond the standard mantel to offer a wide variety of quality crafted custom designs to their customers.

Each Van mantel is assembled in one of the company’s two sophisticated shops in Bellingham or Fitchburg, MA by a team of skilled craftsmen who work from their own designs as well as the client’s to create unique projects on any scale.

“Van Millwork’s goal is to work with retailers to grow their business by offering a wide range of products to their customers,” states Van Millwork’s Director of Marketing, Jennifer Driscoll. “With Van Millwork and Van Mantels, retailers can now offer customized mantels and build volume sales with add-on purchases such as cabinetry, shelves, built-ins and much more to compliment their mantels. We are also providing retailers sales tools including marketing materials, discounted and free displays, on-site sales training, and a competitive SPIF program.”

Founded in 1967 as a full service lumber company, Van Millwork, headquartered in Bellingham, is the largest interior millwork supplier in New England. The Van Millwork Showroom, located in Needham, showcases nine architecturally-themed rooms specifically reflecting the architectural period represented by the trim work in each space. In addition to Bellingham and Needham, the company also offers a showroom in Mashpee, MA, and their full-service custom woodworking shop in Fitchburg, MA. In addition to the new mantel division, the company recently introduced their flooring center, which provides quality hardwood flooring and installation options.

James A. Donlin, president and CEO believes that the addition of the hardwood flooring is the perfect complement to Van Millworks signature mantels, stair components, interior and exterior doors, and custom or standard trim. “We are always looking for ways to improve the range of products we offer clients,” states Donlin. “With flooring, we give clients not only a choice of many different species and finishes but also a choice of installation options, making it easy for anyone needing flooring to find just what they need.”

Founded in 1967 as a full service lumber company, Van Millwork has grown into the largest interior millwork supplier in New England. The company offers a full array of millwork products and architectural trim for the interior and exterior of the home, including moldings, interior and exterior doors, stair components, signature mantels, wainscot panel systems, and columns.

The Van Millwork Design Center in Needham, showcases nine architecturally themed rooms, reflecting the architectural period represented by the trim work and flooring in each space. The company also offers showrooms in Bellingham and Mashpee, MA, and a full-service custom woodworking shop in Fitchburg, MA.

Co-sponsored by Van Millwork and Boston Magazine, the Festival of Wreaths begins on November 29, 2008 with three weeks of public viewing hours of the showroom, culminating in a final gala night soiree and accolades ceremony on December 13, 2008. Participating designers will be eligible for several awards including People’s Choice, Editor’s Choice, Designer’s Choice, and Premier Award and exclusive publicity in the upcoming issue of Boston Home.

Who: Massachusetts-based design professionals, including interior designers, interior decorators, interior architects and landscape designers. Entries are encouraged from individuals, groups or partnerships.

What: Enter the competition to be chosen to decorate one of the spaces at the Van Millwork Showroom for the Annual Festival of Wreaths event benefiting The Room to
Dream Foundation.

How: Fill out an on-line registration form at www.vanmillwork.com. Once you are registered, there is a brief entry submission and further instructions.

Jennifer Driscoll comes to Van Millwork with an extensive background in marketing, having most recently served as president and senior consultant of the Bright Idea Group based in Rhode Island. Additional experience includes marketing coordinator for Steffian Bradley, and marketing specialist for CB Richard Ellis. She holds a Bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is the Sales and Marketing Council Chair for the Builders Association of Greater Boston, and a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and the International Furnishings and Design Association.

John “Jack” Coulombe comes to Van Millwork after previous experience in outside and inside sales with Rivco, Alcoa, and Harvey Industries.

William “Bill” McIntosh joins Van Millwork with seven years experience in construction and real estate development. He was most recently a construction supervisor for a new library in Putnam, Connecticut. William holds a Bachelors degree from Norwich University.

Debra Skelley joins Van Millwork with over 20 years of sales and marketing experience ranging from territory sales manager at ABC Supply Company to E-Solutions sales executive with Sprint. She holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Maryland and MBA from the Western New England College.

Judy Walzer worked previously as project manager for Corporate Interiors and project manager for Aesthetics, Inc. She studied liberal arts at Northeastern University and Interior Design at Chamberlayne Junior College.

Karen McDonald formerly worked at Gatehouse Media and Tufts University.

About Van Millwork

Founded in 1967 as a full service lumber company, Van Millwork, headquartered in Bellingham, has grown into the largest interior millwork supplier in New England. The Van Millwork Design Center located in Needham features nine architecturally themed rooms that reflect the architectural period represented by the trim work in each space. In addition to Bellingham and Needham, the company also offers a showroom in Mashpee, MA, and a full-service custom woodworking shop in Fitchburg, MA.

All seminars are free and take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Van Millwork Design Center, located at 65 Crawford Street, in Needham. Complimentary lunch is also provided.

The first seminar on Thursday, May 29th, is presented by Graeyer Design Associates – a boutique landscape design firm – and Azek Building Products. The topic – Outside the Box: Taking Your Landscape Beyond the Ordinary – addresses good landscaping design which highlights the architecture of a home, exploring various design styles, materials and your personal taste and activities. This will be a lively discussion about how to break out of the design rut in landscaping and get inspired to create something unique and useful for you and your home.

The Classic Group, Inc. – architects & builders and Cebula Design – interior design firm, will present the second seminar, Creating the Team for your Home Project, on Thursday, June 12th. It will address the importance of putting the right “team” in place for a home renovation or new construction project. This seminar details how the architect/builder and interior designer work together and at what point it is critical to the success of a project that these professionals collaborate.

The third and final seminar takes place on Thursday, June 26th, and is presented by Chrisicos Interiors, Van Millwork, C&R Flooring, Jacqui Becker Fine Arts Consulting Services, and Wolfers Lighting. In this presentation, It’s All in the Details, this group of design experts fills you in on the importance of choosing the right interior finish and trim; what fabrics and wall coverings will work best for your space; how to choose appropriate window treatments along with proper lighting and artwork to transform your house into your dream home.

Founded in 1967 as a full service lumber company, Van Millwork has grown into the largest interior millwork supplier in New England. The Van Millwork Design Center in Needham features nine architecturally themed rooms that reflect the architectural period represented by the trim work in each space. Headquartered in Bellingham, the company also offers showrooms there and in Mashpee, MA, and a full-service custom woodworking shop in Fitchburg, MA. Van’s sister company, C&R Flooring, offers the first DUST-FREE and green certified floor refinishing service in New England.

All seminars in the Home Design Series are free, and take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Van Millwork Design Center, located at 65 Crawford Street, in Needham. Complimentary lunch is also provided.

Space is limited – advance registration is required. For reservations or additional information, contact the Van Millwork Design Center at (781) 444-8744. For information on Van Millwork, visit their website at http://www.vanmillwork.com .