Richelieu is one of North America’s largest distributors of specialty hardware and cabinetry components, with a reputation for scale, design-forward thinking, and customer reach. But in Western Canada, they saw a gap. The market is packed with presses, veneer work, and high expectations. They needed more than just products to grow market share—they needed production capabilities.
Three years ago, Richelieu Hardware began exploring ways to stay ahead in a competitive board market. With rising demand for speed, automation, and in-house capabilities, they set their sights on becoming a true one-stop shop. That vision led them to us here at Evans Midwest—a partner who didn’t just provide machinery, but helped make the strategy real.
Eight months ago, we installed a laminating line in Richelieu’s Western Canada facility. This line now allows them to laminate up to 5’ x 12’ panels in-house—cutting lead times and bringing another critical step of the cabinetry process under their roof. It’s a move that’s helping Richelieu shift from supplier to serious contender.
But the bigger impact? It’s the way we showed up.
Communication is Key
From the first conversation, Richelieu noticed Evans Midwest stood apart. While other suppliers showed little urgency or follow-through, we asked thoughtful questions, listened carefully, and demonstrated a real desire to earn the business. Our transparency and responsiveness helped build trust early—something that’s only grown stronger post-install.
When Richelieu’s West Regional GM John Statton asked, “Can I run this by myself?” We didn’t flinch. “Yes.” That answer—combined with a robust machine and straightforward training—made the decision easier. Richelieu sent four team members to their facility in Missouri for hands-on training on an existing Evans Midwest line–a system that has been running strong with minimal troubleshooting ever since.
The Evans Midwest line isn’t just effective—it’s efficient. Fast cleanup and the ability to run everything from engineered veneer to metals and FRP panels means Richelieu can adapt to customer needs without bottlenecks. When questions come up, our team remains just a phone call away.
Quality First
One standout story: An operator held back a finished order because the glue hadn’t fully cured. Sales pushed to ship, but the operator—trained by Evans and now deeply familiar with the process—insisted on waiting. The team knew that cutting corners would cost more down the road. That moment said a lot about how far the operation had come.
While it’s still early, the machine is already proving its value. Richelieu is offering tighter timelines to clients and becoming a stronger force in a region filled with veneer work and high expectations.
In short, Evans Midwest didn’t just sell a machine. We helped Richelieu raise the bar.
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