Owner Chris Williamson has guided his family business to invest in both technology and people.
Written by Kathryn Drury Wagner
Much like the satisfying thunk of a well-made car door versus the ding of a cheaply made one, the difference between a quality-made cabinet and a poorly crafted one is immediately evident.
For Chris Williamson, the owner of Custom Cabinets by Williamson Millworks, the dedication to crafting well-made, aesthetically pleasing cabinetry has been nearly life-long. By age 14, he was already working in the family business alongside his uncle Roy Williamson, one of the company’s founders. He’d sweep floors, load trucks, and empty the trash. “It was nothing glorious, but it was a job, and I loved it,” says Chris. “I loved the camaraderie, being around the guys.”
Roy had originally been in the construction business, working with a company that specialized in the reconstruction of colonial-era buildings downtown. That company was having a hard time finding the right moldings and trim for that type of project, so, spotting a need in the market, several employees decided to start River Street Millworks in 1976. Roy soon bought the others out, and as time went on, the business evolved to become more focused on cabinets. Roy’s wife, Colette, did the company’s bookkeeping and also became a certified kitchen designer, adding to the family-owned atmosphere. Business went well, with the company doing both high-end residential and commercial projects.
Photo by Tiffany Bradley
In 1996, Chris’ aunt and uncle sold the business. “I was heartbroken,” says Chris. But he says that as he looks back, he knows he didn’t yet have the funds or experience to successfully take over — at least, not just yet. In the meantime, he went on to other chapters in his career.
In 2005, though, Chris was able to purchase the company and bring it back under the family name. Under his leadership, Custom Cabinets has grown from a 24-person operation with
$3.8 million in annual sales to a team of 39 with around $11 million in yearly revenue.
Chris has heavily invested in technology, such as a $1 million robotic CNC system that has doubled his company’s production capabilities in cut goods. CNC is short for Computer Numerical Control, which means that a computer is controlling tools like drills or routers as they cut and drill the materials.
In another example of technology, Chris notes that the company uses a bar code system, so workers can scan a piece to keep track of materials and instantly see what the part is, the part size, the cabinet number, and the room number, making assembly and installation much easier.
Photo by Andrew Frazier/Courtesy Custom Cabinets
The company today is located in Garden City, and it has also expanded its original footprint by acquiring two new buildings.
But while he’s invested in automation, Chris says the best part of his job is the associates he works with day in and day out. “I am really proud of our tenure rate,” he says. “We don’t have a lot of turnover.” For example, one of the associates Chris first met when he was that 14-year-old newbie recently retired after 40-plus years with the company. “He used to work with my uncle!” marvels Chris.
On the personal side, Chris has two children, Cole and Jack, and is an avid boater. As a University of Georgia alum, he cheers on the Bulldogs during football season. He also enjoys participating in local charity efforts. For example, one year he raised thousands of dollars for Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia to help women with breast cancer — but he’ll demur if you want to see pictures of him at the charity’s Big Wig Bash. (Hint: He wore a spectacular, towering pink wig.)
Chris’ dedication to the community and to the family business has clearly paid off with both residential and commercial clients. In this year’s Best of HOMES reader-choice survey, Custom Cabinets was voted Best Cabinet Maker (tie) and runner-up for both the Best Bath Design Company and Best Millwork Company categories.
