This Brazos Valley manufacturer of residential and commercial wooden cabinetry invested more than $6 million to develop a new way of finishing the finely crafted creations they've built for almost 30 years. By proactively seeking innovative technology, Kent Moore Cabinets has positioned itself as an industry leader in using low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) in wooden-cabinet construction.

The effort dates back to 2002, when company executives began exploring ways to increase production without increasing air emissions. The search led them to adopt a unique, water-based, ultra-low, VOC finish for their cabinets, and in 2004 Kent Moore broke ground on a new plant as part of the transformation. By early 2005, the new production line was in place. It is the only flat-line process equipped for 100 percent water-based wood finishes of its type in the United States, and the payoff was dramatic. VOC emissions dropped from a high of 101 tons in 2003 to just 1 ton in 2006. In addition, using the water-based finish generates approximately 80 percent less hazardous waste than using the solvent-based finish.

The transformation also makes good business sense because it reduces regulatory costs by eliminating some fees associated with federal rule compliance and annual toxic release inventory reports. After the company developed the new finishes, it shut down and demolished the old, manual-spray booths and finish-drying ovens.

Throughout the process, Kent Moore executives coordinated the needs of finishing-equipment manufacturers, wood-finish suppliers, and its own production team, ensuring everyone's goals were met. By working together, they've created a blueprint for cabinet construction in the 21st century that also considers the needs of the environment.