Transformed operations
In the world of custom cabinet manufacturing, no two jobs are the same — and that makes managing operations especially complex. For Netley Millwork, a high-end cabinetmaker based in Manitoba, Canada, that complexity was creating real problems.
From delayed shipments to missing hardware, their team was spending too much time chasing materials and not enough time focused on production. That all changed with the implementation of Cienapps, a woodworking ERP solution designed specifically for the cabinetmaking industry.
Here’s how they turned their biggest pain point into one of their greatest strengths.
The Struggle with Inventory Chaos
“We had projects going through production with things constantly missing — handles, panels, even basic materials,” explains Stanley Walter, Operations Manager at Netley Millwork. “Inventory was a total disaster.”
As a fully custom manufacturer serving Winnipeg, Brandon, and the Lake of the Woods region, Netley Millwork handles a wide variety of product lines and finishes — each with specific materials, hardware, and build requirements. Without a centralized, accurate system to manage inventory and purchasing, their workflows were getting tangled.
Why They Chose Cienapps
Stanley had already been researching ERP systems but found that most solutions were too broad or too generic. “Most ERP software fails for custom manufacturers because they aren’t built for our kind of complexity,” he said.
Cienapps stood out for one simple reason: it was designed specifically for the woodworking and custom cabinet industry. With its integrated approach to purchasing, inventory, production, and job costing, it aligned perfectly with their needs.
“It wasn’t just about software. It was about changing how we think about manufacturing and inventory control.”
Immediate Improvements — and Long-Term Wins
Since implementing Cienapps over a decade ago, Netley Millwork has:
✅ Eliminated backorders on all jobs
✅ Created new roles like a dedicated production manager to align with their new workflow
✅ Gained complete visibility over thousands of SKUs
✅ Scaled operations to support more high-end, complex projects
“We’ve never had a single project delayed due to missing materials. It just works—and now it’s second nature to us.”
Lessons for Other Cabinetmakers
Stanley emphasizes that Cienapps is more than a digital tool — it’s a mindset shift. For companies ready to grow and scale their operations, having a system that understands the realities of custom woodworking is crucial.
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Final Thoughts
Netley Millwork’s journey is proof that the right ERP solution can completely transform how a custom manufacturer operates. With Cienapps, they went from inventory chaos to streamlined, scalable control — and built a foundation for growth in a competitive market.
Interested in seeing how Cienapps could work for your cabinetmaking business?