600% Growth in 12 Years - The company moved in 1962 to a 10,000 square foot complex that it quickly had expand by 50%.  Company staff soon totaled 25.  In August of 1968 Modern Woodcraft's growth to a $500,000 business spurred yet another move, this time to Farmington Industrial Park.  As word about the company spread, Modern Woodcrafts began serving customers throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia.  In May 1970, 12 years after the company's founding, Modern Woodcrafts moved its then 40 employees into its own brand new building, a 32,000 square foot plant within Farmington Industrial Park.  The company jumped from $1.3 million of revenue in 1971 to $1.8 million the next year, a one year increase of 40%.  The growth continued and by 1974 the company had to expand the plant to 60,000 square feet.

The list of prestigious clients mushroomed.  In 1974 Modern Woodcrafts built most of the stores in Kansas City's Crown Center Mall and the following year the firm built many shops in the Hartford Civic Center.  Norwood Oliver Design Associates of New York designed both projects.  These two companies became important associates on many major projects.  Because Modern Woodcrafts always provided competitive bids, chains like Bergdorf - Goodman, Bloomingdales, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kauffman's, Lazarus, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Stern's, Tiffany's and others became regular customers.  The list of designers the firm worked with over the years is as prestigious as the clients.

In May of 1979, Modern Woodcrafts acquired a second plant in Lewiston, ME.  A year later the Farmington, CT corporate offices were expanded and installed its own computer department.  Today, the company's 150 employees work in 160,000 square feet of space.

Success Secrets - Why did Pelletier and his company succeed?  How could the accountant who advised Pelletier to close the business in 1960 have been so wrong?  Pelletier doesn't hesitate with the answer.  "From its earliest days Modern Woodcrafts committed itself to excellence," he says.  His advice on how to succeed in the store fixture industry consists of four basic, but demanding principles.

1. Hire the best people

2. Use the latest equipment

3. Treat each customer as if they are your only customer

4. Keep a positive attitude

"I couldn't have built this business on my own, " he says.  "I've been fortunate in finding some very talented people to work with."  Company President, Donald Ramsay joined the firm in 1965.  Jean-Louis Bouchard, Senior Vice President of Operations, came to Modern Woodcrafts in 1962.  Two Vice Presidents, Bill Kallenbach and Peter Spring signed aboard in 1968 and 1974 respectively.  All total, the company's top five officers have more than 165 years of experience.  More than one out of every four employees have been with the company at least 20 years.

Due to recent retirements and deaths, we have made some managerial changes with highly qualified individuals to take us to a new era for Modern Woodcrafts.  Michael St. Germain, hired as Vice President/Manufacturing brings with him 30 years of wood working experience, energy, enthusiasm and plans for aggressive growth.  Joe Legere, hired as Purchasing Director, comes to us with several years of woodworking experience, youth and futuristic visions.

A second key to Pelletier's success is technology.  Early on Modern Woodcrafts recognized the need to stay on top of the latest computerized drafting and factory equipment.  From day one profits were poured back into the operation to keep advancing the firm's capabilities.

"Quality work comes from marrying old world craftsmanship with efficient, state-of-the-art equipment," says Pelletier.  "A top plant today can use tools like optimizing panel saws, CNC machining centers, V grooving equipment and the latest sanding equipment to create fine, detailed woodwork that matches yesterday's craftsmanship at costs that are affordable today."

Pelletier's third principle of success is building great relationships with the customer.  "Customers want quality work, but they also want it as a price they can afford," Pelletier says.

Advanced cost accounting and estimating programs along with plant efficiencies can enable the best store fixture firms to use every dollar of the client's budget wisely.  Also, Pelletier makes certain that his key executives stay close to the client throughout every phase of each project.  Staying close ensures that the project's final result will be within all budget constraints and meet with full customer satisfaction.

A positive attitude is the fourth principle.  "The glass is always half full, never half empty," Pelletier says.  This optimistic attitude was on full display before he had major heart surgery a few years ago.  His wife asked him if he was scared and said yes.  "She thought I was scared of dying, I wasn't.  I was scared the surgery would hurt.  I never gave a thought to the possibility of dying."

Pelletier and his early compatriots built Modern Woodcrafts by concentrating on always delivering quality work.  The company beat the long odds and now is celebrating 45 years in business because of high standards and fine craftsmanship.  "As a young boy scout I was taught that if anything was worth doing, it was worth doing right.  It should be done right and with a positive attitude.  I never forgot that advice," Pelletier says.  "All my life I wanted to be different and the best at whatever I chose to do.  My golf game is the exception."