As part of the 2026 Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) Factory Tours, industry leaders and media representatives recently gained an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at some of the nation’s most prominent manufacturing operations. Among the highlights of the multi-day event was an in-depth visit to Wellborn Cabinet’s massive production headquarters in Ashland, Alabama, alongside its newly established First Haven Cabinetry facility.
Led by KBB publisher Natasha Selhi, the factory visits marked the first time the KCMA has toured Wellborn’s operations since 2018. The visit provided a timely opportunity for the historic, family-owned cabinet manufacturer—which has been in business since 1961—to showcase significant operational expansions, state-of-the-art production capabilities, and its newest product lines, including the First Haven brand launched in 2025.
The comprehensive tours offered a granular look at how modern American manufacturing continues to evolve, balancing large-scale industrial output with meticulous quality control, worker well-being, and sustainable environmental practices.
The Scale of Production: From Raw Timber to Finished Cabinetry
Wellborn Cabinet’s primary footprint is anchored by its sprawling Ashland Campus, which covers approximately 2.2 million square feet and serves as the economic backbone of the region. As the largest industrial employer in the local area, the campus employs more than 1,300 dedicated workers. Here, the company produces a comprehensive range of semi-custom framed and frameless kitchen and bath cabinetry, which is distributed to consumers nationwide through an extensive network of independent dealers.
The sheer scale of the Ashland operation is impressive, encompassing nearly every stage of the manufacturing lifecycle. In a true testament to vertically integrated industrial design, the factories house everything required to transform raw materials into final products—starting from raw logs all the way to the fully finished, ready-to-install cabinet.
A major milestone in the campus’s recent history was a $15 million expansion completed in 2021. That ambitious project added a specialized planer mill, a modern paint facility, and four additional buildings designed to optimize workflow and increase overall production capacity.
Paul Wellborn, president and chairman of Wellborn Cabinet Inc., reflected on the company’s sustained growth and the collaborative efforts that made these expansions possible. "With the help of our local, state and federal officials along with our local schools, we’ve been blessed with the ability to have this expansion," he said during the visit.
Expanding Horizons: The First Haven Cabinetry Facility
In addition to the established Ashland Campus, publisher Natasha Selhi toured the First Haven Cabinetry factory, a major new addition to the company’s manufacturing umbrella. Spanning 250,000 square feet, the First Haven facility officially opened its doors last October and has been rapidly scaling operations with a target workforce of more than 400 employees at full capacity.
Designed to address evolving market demands, the First Haven facility focuses on the production of laminated kitchen and bath cabinetry tailored specifically for entry-level remodeling projects and new construction developments. Operating at a high volume, the plant produces approximately 2,000 cabinets daily, showcasing how Wellborn continues to diversify its product offerings to meet the needs of different market segments while maintaining rigorous manufacturing standards.
Inside the Factory: Operational Efficiency and Worker Welfare
Throughout both the Ashland and First Haven tours, visitors observed a deeply ingrained company culture centered on self-reliance, efficiency, and employee care. Wellborn’s operational philosophy is built on the premise that every team member shares an equal interest in the final product, fostering a collaborative environment where quality is prioritized at every workstation.
A striking feature of the manufacturing ecosystem is its emphasis on self-maintenance and resourcefulness. Rather than relying entirely on outside contractors, Wellborn services all of its own machinery internally and maintains its entire fleet of 45 delivery trucks, ensuring reliable logistics and minimizing operational downtime. Furthermore, much of the material handling equipment used on the factory floors—including the specialized carts utilized to transport components between assembly stations—is built directly by Wellborn Cabinet.
Sustainability is another cornerstone of the company’s daily operations. The factories are designed to produce minimal waste, operating under efficient protocols that utilize almost all raw materials. Scrap wood and byproduct materials are systematically repurposed, reflecting a long-standing corporate commitment to environmental responsibility.
Beyond environmental stewardship, Wellborn places a strong emphasis on the health, safety, and comfort of its workforce. Safety protocols are visibly integrated into the factory infrastructure, with personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machines strategically positioned throughout the facilities to ensure workers have immediate, easy access to necessary safety gear. In an even more distinctive commitment to employee welfare, the company employs a full-time nurse practitioner on-site to provide immediate healthcare support and medical resources for its staff.
Looking Forward
The 2026 KCMA Factory Tours provided a valuable window into the state of the American kitchen and bath manufacturing sector. Through its continuous investments in advanced technology, workforce development, regional infrastructure, and sustainable production methods, Wellborn Cabinet demonstrated how legacy brands can successfully scale to meet the demands of modern residential construction and interior remodeling.
