I started out in the business back in 1978 running a paint line manufacturing drawer sides. There have been a lot of changes over the years in coatings and fabricating equipment that have improved quality, increased efficiencies, tightened tolerances, and reduced emissions. But one thing remains unchanged as a key ingredient of successful companies—customer-focused employees throughout the entire organization.

Throughout the years, Alabama Inter-Forest and Panel Processing employees have strived to satisfy our customers’ needs. I have enjoyed the challenges of getting a customer’s products shipped within hours of them placing an order so they can meet a deadline. On other occasions, I work with the customer to find a lower-cost solution for a product that will help them win their bid. Other times, customers have driven us to buy new manufacturing equipment for completely different product lines.

Since we make components for our customers’ products, we have developed some great long-term partnerships with our customers over the years. Several of the customers I deal with today go back to the 1980s and have grown into good friendships. One of the most rewarding parts of my job are the relationships with our customers.

Our diversity of product mix and flexibility to change has been a big positive for me throughout my career. All of our products are made-to-order (customized) so we have a constantly changing variety of project solutions going through our plants each week. We were one of the pioneers of mass-customization and just-in-time delivery. This keeps all of us from getting bored. We can make virtually anything that is made with a composite panel or plywood with unlimited finishing and fabricating capabilities.

→ Get in touch with Doug Winkleblack, Southern Regional Sales Manager, via email at dwinkleblack@panel.com