Location: Fergus Falls, MN   Web Site: www.northerncontours.com   Comment: The company's goal is to be your supplier of choice of wood, veneer, and thermofoil components. To succeed, Northern Contours offer high quality products, short leadtimes and friendly, knowledgeable people to serve you.   Description: Northern Contours began operations in the fall of 1992 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Our original focus was to supply components to the Kitchen Cabinet and Furniture industries using "membrane press" technology. At that time, other suppliers of these parts demanded large order quantities, long lead times and were inflexible to specific customer requests. Our commitment was to develop technology and processes to produce 1 door or 10,000, with very short lead times and exceptional, friendly service and flexibility that all of us deserve. We believe our continued commitment to these ideals have served us well and will be a driving influence for our company into this new millennium. Membrane press technology was first utilized commercially in Europe in the 1980's and imported to the US towards the end of that decade. A membrane press combines extreme heat, air pressure and vacuum in conjunction with a silicone membrane, to laminate a vinyl film or real wood veneer to a pre-machined core. This core material is typically particleboard or medium density fiberboard (MDF). Rigid Thermofoil Components A fast growing demand for "Thermofoil" doors in the Kitchen Cabinet market, along with our experience in that arena, led to the decision to invest in our first press and CNC router in 1992. This portion of business grew rapidly and by the end of 1994, we had installed our 3rd CNC router and ordered our second Wemhoner membrane press. We recognized the need to start a second facility to better service our growing customer base. In 1995, this second facility began thermofoil door production in Corbin, Kentucky and has also experienced significant growth. Currently, between both facilities, we operate 6 membrane presses and have 12 CNC routers producing a wide variety of thermofoil doors, accessories and a host of other components. This last year has seen the addition of several state-of-the-art "nesting" routers, automatic door trimmers and buffers and a Wemhoner Variopin, "next generation" membrane press. Veneer Insert Panels Late 1993 saw the beginning of our veneer operation. Duaine Miranowski and an excellent engineering staff built our first veneer membrane press. A humidity-controlled room was constructed where our veneer flitches were inventoried, and later cut to length and spliced to size. Additional equipment was added including a profile sander and a specialized flat sander and, by 1994, we were producing veneer insert panels. Here again, a "customer friendly" approach, very consistent, high quality and near flawless delivery record drove sales upward in this division. Early in the year 2000, the veneer division moved into a new 50,000 Sq.Ft. building. A short list of new equipment includes a high capacity membrane press, a DMC multihead segmental sander, a Gabbiani double end tenoner plus a Ruckle cross feed splicer. This new facility will allow us to more than double our capacity as well as explore other veneered component proposals. Wood Division In 1996, the unfortunate demise of a local (Fergus Falls) woodworking operation proved to be an excellent opportunity for Northern Contours. Norcon Hardwoods, our wood division, has steadily rebuilt it's machining capabilities. Starting in the rough mill, we installed a computer controlled optimizing rip and cross cut work cell linked directly to our planer. Downstream, we acquired 3 Weinig Moulders, new sanding equipment and recently a SCMI double end tenoner. This operation specializes in hardwood panels, doors and fronts, frame components and assembled face frames. Our Hardwood Division positions Northern Contours as one of the few companies in the country that can provide raised panel doors with a veneered insert panel, all produced under one roof.