The Economy

Cabinet Manufacturer Expanding in North Carolina

April 26, 2010

MasterBrand Cabinets plans to reconfigure current facility, add more than 300 jobs.

MasterBrand Cabinets Inc., a Jasper, Ind.-based manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, plans to expand its operations in Kinston, N.C., according to the governors office.

MasterBrand Cabinets, a subsidiary of Fortune Brands Inc., has manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, including a plant in Kinston employing more than 200 workers. The company plans to reconfigure the Kinston facility and add 334 jobs at the plant to produce a new kitchen and bath product line. While salaries will vary by job function, the new positions will pay an average annual wage of $25,787, not including benefits.

As part of the expansion, the company will invest more than $3.75 million during the next three years, according to the state.

North Carolina remains home to the finest furniture and cabinet makers, an industry rapidly adapting to master the evolving challenges of a world market, said North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue. Our highly skilled workers, custom training programs and top quality of life continue to attract companies looking for the perfect place to grow and thrive.

Among other incentives offered to MasterBrand, the company received a $200,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job-creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.

Our Kinston facility has so many beneficial attributes that make it ideal for production of this new cabinetry line, including location, a great work force and available capacity, said Greg Stoner, president of MasterBrand Cabinets. The addition of a new line to the MBCI family reflects our ongoing commitment to develop new business opportunities and increase market share. We sincerely appreciate the states assistance in making this opportunity a reality at our North Carolina plant through a series of tax incentives as well as the One North Carolina Fund.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.