Century Components, a family-owned company based in Holmes County, Ohio, is a leading name in American-made kitchen cabinet accessories. They have a reputation for quality cabinet hardware and creating custom components for woodworking professionals. Century Components creates woodworking products that are both functional and beautiful. These products are made with care and attention to detail.
A Humble Beginning with Lazy Susans
The origins of Century Components can be traced back to a simple yet profound shift in the market. Two brothers started the business after noticing that the furniture market was declining. They decided to use their skills in a different way.
“They started building Lazy Susans,” explains Bill Sewell, National Sales Manager at Century Components. “Previously, they steam-bent chair backs, but as the furniture market was moving to China, they needed to do something else. So they began making Lazy Susans by steam-bending the rims, which we still do to this day.”
Starting with handcrafted Lazy Susans, the company grew to offer a wide range of kitchen accessories. As the company grew, it stayed true to its core values of quality and craftsmanship that have been with it since the beginning.
Made in America: The Century Components Difference
At the heart of Century Components’ success is their unwavering dedication to producing high-quality products in the United States.
“Everything we do is made domestically,” says Sewell. “Nearly all our products are benchmade, including base rollouts, Lazy Susans, drawer storage organizers, and more.”
This commitment to domestic manufacturing goes beyond quality control—it’s about supporting the local community. “We have an 85,000 square foot facility in Sugar Creek, Ohio, and we work through seven sub-manufacturers, whom we consider partners,” Sewell notes.
Crafting Kitchen Cabinet Accessories for the High-End Market
Century Components targets high-end custom manufacturers. These manufacturers value the quality and durability of their products. This focus helps Century Components build a strong market position.
Sewell explains, “Since our products are of such high quality, we aim for the top of the cabinet market. We target the higher-end custom manufacturers because we’re made domestically, and our quality is so good that sometimes the lower end just doesn’t fit into what they’re building.”
This focus on the premium segment is evident in their choice of materials. “We manufacture in three different species: solid maple for the ultimate high-end, walnut for a rich, luxurious look, and birch for a lower price point that still offers a beautiful appearance,” says Sewell.
Century Components offers many choices to meet different preferences while maintaining top-notch craftsmanship.
Kitchen Cabinet Accessories Innovation Born from Customer Collaboration
Century Components values customer feedback and uses it to shape their product development process, setting them apart from others. “Most of our ideas come from when a customer says, ‘Can you build this for me?’” Sewell reveals. “We’ll take a piece, build one or two, and generally, when a cabinet shop finds something they like, they will use it over and over again.”
Their cleaning organizer is a good example of collaboration to create something new. They made it to meet a customer’s request.
“A customer didn’t want the paper towel sitting on the countertop, but they also didn’t want it hanging in sight in the cabinet,” Sewell recalls. “So they designed a paper towel unit, brought it to us, and we built it for them. They continued to use it regularly, so we decided to add it to our line.”
This customer-centric approach allows Century Components to continuously evolve and expand their product offerings, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry.
The X-Bracket: Solving Real Problems with Simple Solutions
Century Components is not only about crafting beautiful products—they also excel at solving practical problems for their customers.
The X-Bracket, one of their standout innovations, exemplifies this approach. “The X-Bracket was developed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by a couple of brothers who own cabinet shops,” Sewell explains. “They thought of the idea and brought it to us. We worked with them to fine-tune the product and also manufacture the pilasters that are used in conjunction with the bracket.”
The X-Bracket solves a common problem in kitchen design by allowing adjustable shelving without needing tools. “What the X-Bracket does is allow homeowners to quickly adjust their shelving based on their needs without any tools,” says Sewell. “It more than passes KCMA standards, carrying 100 pounds for over 150,000 cycles.”
The C-Trac: Redefining Smoothness and Stability
Another innovative solution from Century Components is the C-Trac, which addresses the issue of wobbling in base rollouts. “For the last 10 years, all our base rollouts had a third slide to remove any kind of wobble,” Sewell explains. “But we discovered that the third rail added a lot of drag and pull force to open the drawer.”
Century Components created the C-Trac, an aluminum channel that stops wobbling without increasing resistance. “What it does is eliminate the wobble, which is what the third slide did, but it doesn’t add drag or pull force,” Sewell says. “Installers love it because it saves around 50-60% of installation time.”
A Commitment to Quality That Stands Out
Century Components’ dedication to quality is evident in every product they create. “Customers are impressed when they see the quality of our products,” Sewell states. “The craftsmanship is very apparent. We use conversion varnish rather than just pre-catalyzed lacquer, so when they take it out of the box, you can see there’s an actual finish on it.”
This attention to detail sets Century Components apart from competitors who rely on cheaper, mass-produced imports. “Sometimes the Asian importers’ products look like they’re starved for finish,” Sewell notes. “When you pick up one of our products, you’re getting the quality that you’re paying for, that’s for sure!”
American-Made Kitchen Cabinet Accessories
Century Components has mastered the art of producing American-made kitchen accessories that combine functionality with unparalleled craftsmanship. From their humble beginnings with Lazy Susans to their innovative solutions like the X-Bracket and C-Trac, Century Components continues to lead the industry with products that are not only beautiful but built to last.
Their unwavering commitment to quality and their customer-focused approach ensure that they remain a trusted partner for woodworking professionals and high-end custom manufacturers alike
