The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is the major trade group for kitchen cabinet and bath vanity manufacturers, as well as key suppliers to the industry. Members include all major U.S. cabinet manufacturing companies as well as mid-size producers.

KCMA provides valuable services to its members, including advocacy and networking. Woodworking Network recently asked  KCMA CEO Betsy Natz about the association’s role in advancing the industry and its plans for the future.

Woodworking Network: KCMA serves the needs of the cabinet industry through its three service pillars: quality, advocacy and leadership. What does this involve?

Betsy Natz: For each item, this involves:

• Advocacy:  We always have our members’ best interests in mind, from promoting business growth to addressing any threats to the industry. This means representing the cabinet manufacturing industry and our members’ interests to legislative and regulatory bodies and evaluating the impact of various public policy issues to our members’ business.

• Quality:  KCMA’s certification programs provide a benchmark for quality in the industry, allowing members to distinguish themselves in a busy market. We also bring together members and other key stakeholders to enhance the development and adoption of these standards.

• Leadership: We provide members with opportunities to create meaningful relationships through management tools and educational opportunities. The latest example of this is our Emerging Leaders Council, which strives to identify and work with the next generation of leaders at our member companies to improve their business and industry knowledge.

WWN: What are some of the other resources KCMA offers members, as well as the industry at large, to help advance their wood products competitiveness?

Natz: The KCMA/ANSI 161.1-2017 and Environmental Stewardship Program certifications are the best resources we provide to help companies improve their competitiveness.  By participating in these programs, cabinet manufacturers can show their customers that their product meets stringent quality and environmental standards.

Our surveys also provide critical benchmarking data that companies can measure themselves against and use to make critical business decisions.

Finally, KCMA is on the Hill, in regulatory agencies in DC and at the state level, and is actively involved in issues that impact the cabinet industry.  KCMA provides updates to members as soon as they happen so executives are fully informed.

WWN: KCMA recently rebranded as it positions itself, and the industry, for future growth. Can you provide some details?

Natz: KCMA has been around for more than 60 years so it was time for a fresh look.  With the new website and logo we are taking the opportunity to strengthen and modernize how we represent the association and promote the industry to our members, government officials, the media, and the communities in which we operate.  We understand that the cabinet manufacturing industry constantly grows and changes – the rebranding shows KCMA’s dedication to growth through an aggressive membership drive, enhanced social media presence and new opportunities such as advertising.

About KCMA

With more than 300 members, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association is a voluntary, non-profit trade association that represents cabinet manufacturers, decorative laminate product fabricators and suppliers to the industry. Founded in 1955, the association recently celebrated its 62nd anniversary.

For information about KCMA’s offerings,  contact KCMA at: 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-5435; (703) 264-1690; Email: [email protected]; KCMA.org.