Location: Adrian, MI   Web Site: www.merillat.com   Comment: Providing quality cabinetry since 1946   Description: Based in Adrian, Mich., Merillat Industries, LLC, has been providing quality cabinetry since 1946. With nine manufacturing plants located throughout the United States and over 4,200 employees, Merillat has grown to become one of the nation’s largest cabinet manufacturers and the number one builder-preferred cabinet. In addition to offering the best selection of stylish, quality products at a variety of price levels, Merillat is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the National Association of Home Builders, Women’s Council and the NCHI, member of the Color Marketing Institute and National Kitchen and Bath Association. Founded by Orville Merillat Orville Merillat started the business in his tiny 2,400 sq. ft. work shop located in Adrian, Mich. on Sept. 2, 1946. Originally the business was called Merillat Woodworking Company. During WWII he was a ship's carpenter for the Coast Guard. Every paycheck he would send $150 to his wife Ruth and he would keep $1 for spending money. When he returned from the military, the couple had accumulated enough funds to purchase machinery and a pick-up truck. They built everything from church pews, door and window trim as well as kitchen cabinets. Little by little cabinets became the primary focus for the company. In 1954 the company moved into a new plant they had built in Adrian. When it first opened in 1954 the facility was 15,000 sq. ft., today the same manufacturing plant is now 285,000 sq. ft. Today, Merillat along with its sister brand Quality Cabinets are a part of the Masco Builder Cabinet Group. Masco, the parent company, is located in Taylor, Mich., and includes a variety of operating companies like Behr Paints, Delta Faucets, Milgard Windows, KraftMaid Cabinetry, Liberty Hardware, Masco Contractor Services and many more business units. (http://www.masco.com). Custom-quality Looks and Function The Merillat headquarters may be in Adrian, Michigan, but the designers at Merillat travel the world in search of the latest trends and design styles. Merillat offers the best selection of cabinetry at a variety of price levels to provide consumers custom-quality looks and function without a custom-sized price. Merillat offers three distinct lines of cabinetry, including the semi-custom Merillat Masterpiece line and two core standard lines under the banners of Merillat Classic and Merillat Essentials. Leading the Industry in Research Merillat is proving their commitment to builders and consumers by being the first company to undertake an in-depth look at how people shop for new homes. Model Behavior and Model Behavior II are part of an on-going study to identify valuable insights about how to better design kitchens that home buyers truly desire. As the industry leader and information resource, Merillat will continue its commitment to builders and consumers by studying how people shop for new homes and how they use their new kitchens.