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What's up: Candlelight Cabinetry is a custom manufacturer of kitchen cabinets, entertainment centers and bathroom vanities.
Who's who: John Yakich, 46, is president and co-owner. Yakich, who also is CEO, is responsible for production. Robert Sanderson, 54, owner of Kitchen World, a Lockport-based kitchen cabinet and appliances retailer and wholesaler, is the other coowner. Sanderson is vice president of marketing.
Company history: Incorporated April 1, 1990, Candlelight Cabinetry has been the fulfillment of its owners' dreams.
The business began with five employees operating out of 16,000 square feet of rented space in the old Flintkote Co. building in Lockport's Lowertown. Its first finished product, $3,000 worth of kitchen cabinets, was shipped in November. The following month, the company turned out 127 cabinets, representing about six complete kitchens.
Nearly 10 years later, the company has 70 full-time employees (15 of whom were hired in 1999), annual revenue of almost $7 million and occupies 44,000 square feet of space in the building that it has renovated. About $200,000 was invested in equipment and $50,000 in training during 1999.
"At the start, we projected making money in three years....