Small Shop Wins Big Projects with Cabinet Vision and the Submittals Database

Celista Cabinetry saves hours on producing quality shop drawings for commercial projects thanks to a Cabinet Vision add-on submittals database.

When Ben and Rob Pawluk opened their small millwork and cabinetry shop in Scotch Creek, BC they knew what software they’d be using. Rob, the un-retirable former partner in Planit Canada and his son Ben, well-loved former Planit Canada support technician are living their dream of making sawdust together on their own busy schedule. Specializing in office interiors, restaurants, retail store fixtures, dental clinics, medical facilities and labs, Rob has enjoyed combining his history of woodworking shop operation, with his knowledge of technology and automation.  Their doors may only have recently opened, but they’ve quickly established a reputation for high quality, on-time delivery and competitive pricing.

Having the benefit of a combined 20 years of experience using Cabinet Vision, they didn’t think twice before investing in the top modules of Cabinet Vision & Screen-to-machine and installing the new Submittals Database. Originally created by Bill Walker, Engineer and Cabinet Vision power-user, over the course of several years – this database is a powerful collection of CAD blocks (ex. leaders with auto-text, title blocks, common symbols, etc.), case part operations, catalog items (ex. ADA sink, closet shelf, countertop bracket), fasteners, hinges, doors, drawers, rollouts, locks and pulls, all made for the commercial millwork project.  Now optimized for Cabinet Vision version 12 by Sandy McClintock, Special Projects at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, the Submittals Database is a no-brainer add-on that saves commercial shops 2000 hrs of custom programming work.

In discussing how the submittals database has saved time in production, Ben explains: “It has saved hours upon hours in setup time alone, with a lot of the hardware or catalog items we use on a daily basis already included. For example; drag-and-dropping KV shelving from the catalog, which automatically gives us correct drawings and a correct material report for ordering.”

They use Cabinet Vision to create and cut every part in their projects and enjoy the seamless flow from what’s been drawn in the software, to the presentation drawing pages. “One of my favourite features is the auto-text that is linked directly to the actual material created in CV – so if I need to change a material on a specific part, then my drawings will update without my having to make any changes,” explains Pawluk.

The database has allowed Celista Cabinetry to use Cabinet Vision software exclusively from start to finish, from engineering to submittals and then right to production.

“Since we are creating all of our shop drawings directly from what has been engineered in CV, we are completely confident that what has been submitted is what will be produced with very minimal intervention on the shop floor.”

– Ben Pawluk, Production Manager, Celista Cabinetry

Isn’t Rob a Little Biased?

If you’re asking yourself why you should take the word of someone who used to work with us, Rob has an answer for you. “I know I’m biased because I’ve sold CV for so many years and became convinced long ago there is no better software for woodworking.”  So, how does he feel now that he’s using it in production and putting his own business where his mouth is?

“Now I know how true that is.  I do all the estimating using CV’s order entry module, which is as good as any estimating software I’ve seen.  It captures all the material precisely and our labor component is based on parts, hardware, assemblies and square footage of specific things.  There is no guess work here.  Once we win the project, the materials can be ordered directly from the estimate.  We only order what we need and have virtually no waste and very little inventory.”

– Rob Pawluk, Owner, Celista Cabinetry

The addition of the database has allowed Rob and Ben to bid on large high-end projects despite having very few hands on deck. In discussing how they generate the shop drawings required to win these kinds of projects, Pawluk credits the submittals database; “Ben does all the shop drawings and by using Bill’s millwork database, literally, hours are reduced to minutes.  To be honest I don’t know why every commercial millwork shop doesn’t have this setup.  Material changes and cabinet modifications are done quickly and easily. When we’re really busy I can even jump in and make drawings.  If I can do it, anyone can do it.   We get raving reviews about our shop drawings from our clients and architects, they love the detail and can easily see what material every single part or hardware is.”

View Sample Shop Drawings

Submittals Database Features & Benefits

• Saves 2000 hours of custom programming work for submitting commercial projects with the latest North American Architectural Woodwork Standards (NAAWS) standards.
• Saves hours in creating shop drawings and allows for quick & easy modifications to materials
• Powerful collection of CAD blocks (ex. leaders with autotext, title blocks, common symbols, etc.), case part operations, catalog items (ex. ADA sink, closet shelf, countertop bracket), fasteners, hinges, doors, drawers, rollouts, locks and pulls, all made for the commercial millwork project
• Accurate ordering thanks to automatic material report allows for minimal inventory and waste
• Has allowed Celista Cabinetry to use Cabinet Vision exclusively from start to finish, from engineering to submittals and then right to production – with minimal intervention on the shop floor.

About Celista Cabinetry

• Shop size: 2100 SQ FT
• Specializes in Office Interiors, Restaurants, Retail Store Fixtures, Dental Clinics, Medical Facilities & Labs
• Software used: Cabinet Vision Solid Ultimate, Screen-to-machine Ultimate
• Installed the Submittals Database in July 2019