Friends of Build Magazine
Navigating Economic Turbulence with Darrel Swift of Westwood Fine Cabinetry
Episode Summary
Today Ted speaks with Darrel Swift, a Journeyman Cabinetmaker who, since 1996, has worked as a Senior Design Consultant at the family-owned Westwood Fine Cabinetry. Since 1972, the firm has been designing European-inspired kitchens in the Okanagan.
Episode Notes
Listen in as Darrel looks back on his 30+ year journey in the world of cabinetry and how he came to lead Westwood Fine Cabinetry.
He discusses the continued challenges of operating the business in a post-COVID world, stressing that finding creative ways to communicate with clients and vendors on a personal level has been one of the main reasons for Westwood’s continued success.
Finally, Darrel explains what sets Westwood kitchens apart from all the rest, as well as his tried-and-true approach to taking a client’s vision and making it real.
Topics Discussed:
- [02:24] About Westwood Fine Cabinetry
- [06:01] How the industry has navigated economic turbulence over the past two years
- [08:35] The importance of communication
- [14:15] What makes Westwood unique
- [24:02] Changing trends over the years
- [27:13] About the different species of wood for cabinets
- [34:46] How often trends change
- [41:04] How Westwood kitchens set themselves apart from the rest
- [43:43] Common problems that Darrel contends with on almost every project
- [53:21] Where Darrel sees Westwood in ten years
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Key Quotes by Darrel:
- Cabinet-making is not for the faint of heart. I’ve never seen a business like it.
- Engineering: Pay attention, because the minute you don’t, the minute you mail it in on something, something is going to go wrong.
- Appliances with supply chain right now are over-the-top. People are ordering appliances that aren’t coming for a year.