From its base in Morden, Decor Cabinets is reaching out to the world.

For several years, the custom cabinet manufacturer has been named as one of the province’s 20 fastest growing companies, and the honour speaks to a history of growth and achievement.

The company got its start in Portage la Prairie in 1977. President and owner Larry Dyck had sold his shares in a Morden plant that produced kitchen cabinets and started his own company, Decor Cabinets, in Portage. His brother Abe Dyck was one of the partners along with another family member.

But as a longtime Mordenite, Dyck decided to capitalize on an opportunity to move back to Morden when a suitable 32,000-square-foot building became available there.

"In 1990, a building built for another kitchen cabinet business came empty, and we moved the whole operation back to Morden," says Dyck. "It was built with kitchen cabinet production in mind, so it was ideal."

After several expansions to the main plant at 200 Route 100, and the addition in 2002 of a second plant and showroom at 239 Mountain St. South, production space now stands at a total 160,000 square feet.

Dyck is proud to be a contributing member of the business community in Morden. "Morden has allowed us to prove that success in the North American marketplace can be achieved by a locally owned company operating from a small town base," he says.

The company produces high quality, customized cabinets for individuals, builders and dealers in Canada and the U.S. "We have a very good dealer base that is focusing on the new housing and the remodel market for medium to higher level houses," he says. "Seventy-five per cent of our product is sold in the U.S."

Not surprisingly, sales have skyrocketed over the last few years as a result of the hot housing markets.
Cabinets cover all styles from traditional to modern and can be made from six species of wood with 61 different finishes. "We use the newest technology in wood finishes, the latest trends in kitchen design and the highest quality materials and hardware," says Dyck.

Cherry wood and maple are the buyers’ most popular choices. Styles run the gamut, but the market is shifting to a more contemporary look complete with glass and stainless steel. "It is a very smooth plain look," says Dyck. As a result, the company will be introducing a new product this year featuring clean lines, flat finishes and straight lines.
In the end, it is the customer who dictates the choices. "We’re a custom manufacturer, so all our products have to be made to the customers’ colours and specifications," says Dyck.

Finally, corporate giving is a big part of the company’s philosophy. "We feel pretty strongly about the role that companies have in supporting the communities," says Dyck.

"We just in general make sure our employees know that we want to make an impact – not only in our local community, but around the world. We’re pretty involved in supporting ministry opportunities in countries like China and Vietnam and Russia ."

Gloria Taylor