Notes via the Author

The following is an excerpt from the soon-to-be-published Project Managers Manual for the Millwork Industry. The manual is the sum total of years of experience in the industry, written by Don Richman, owner and president of 2nd T.M.C., Inc.

While looking for a good “training manual” to help me become more effective in my position, I had difficulty finding one.  To this date, I still have not found a manual for cabinetry and millwork project managers with that type of day to day information. While there are a handful of project management books, none are specific for the millwork industry. Many are simply books for the general contractor and all the college construction course material, but nothing “practical” that could be used on the job tomorrow. Prior to joining the office staff, I had been a tradesman and fine craftsman. Although I had learned a thing or two along the way, I was not an office person, let alone a project manager.  When given my first desk I did not have the needed tools.

Through the years, as opportunity presented itself, I began to move up the proverbial ladder. Ten years ago, I began building a manual for my own use and eventually shared it with a few others. Just as projects are works in progress until they are completed, this manual is a work in progress. Although I know this manual will never be absolute, I have enough information assembled here to help you improve your skills as a project manager. So please feel free to add a little something for your own specifics and let me know of anything I can share in a future revised edition of this book.

There is of course one important concept I want you to keep in mind while reading this book. It is meant to be a practical and useful tool for you. I have designed it to give you at the very least some good information with practical tips. For some of you reading this book it may become a one-stop shop for your company project management and operations. If so, please use the information to do a better and more effective job, while continuing to enjoy your work.

As an estimator, designer, production manager, sales rep and senior project manager working in a number of states, I gained my cabinetry, millwork and office skills the old fashioned way – “hands on,” working for small, mid-size and larger companies. Those positions in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, New York and Vermont had projects as unique as a sunset.  I came to understand that different size companies require different methods of operation for the owner but not different methods for managing projects successfully. The auto dealerships, Hollywood studio offices, restaurants, banks, medical centers and residential work I have completed all required different “tricks of the trade” during the engineering, manufacturing and installation processes. At the end of the day however, the one constant for profitable jobs is how you manage them.

I want to say thank you to all of you who helped me to develop my “Chops”* along the way. From my early days at Aladdin Remodelers, Inc. (Wood-Mode Designers and Installers), KBI International (especially Beverly), Mica Industries (my friend Hans), JH Bryant (Greg you were a lesson), Millcraft (the collective), Hunter Door & Mill (Mike I told you not to do that), Millcraft–Hunter Architectural Products (an education in Mergers) and of course the gang at SMI Millwork (a great father and son duo). More recently I want to thank Joe Sorrelli for the time he has afforded me in a number of ways. I need to give have special thanks to Adam & Art and my wife for their never ending support and help on this project.

It is in this spirit of sharing, that I have assembled this collection of ideas and techniques to encourage you to work as I have, with – an owner’s attitude. The more information you have the better you will work in your position. If you can create a mental partnership between yourself and the company, you will find your projects will be both successful and rewarding.

A special thanks to my dad, a jazz musician at night and a piano doctor by day. You taught me many of the old world techniques for woodwork. So here and there I will add a musical reference.