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40-plus years, working for “just about every shop in the area, whether it be a closet place, store-fix- ture manufacturer, or millwork shop.”
His biggest motivation for getting out of the shops was his dislike for the way they treated their employees, and even customers.
“I saw how they treated people. I didn’t like the way they treated their employees; that’s why I don’t have any. And the way they treated their customers? I wasn’t crazy about that either.”
“For most people, when they go to any custom shop, it usually means they have exhausted the options at the stores. They don’t have issues with cost, they’re probably tired of the usual stuff, and don’t want to replace it in five years or so. We will make it to last.”
So he started his own cabinetry business — his second business in the field, actually. His first business was located in Chicopee.
“My family has a business bug. I got bit by it on the first go-round over 20 years ago. I had about 15 employees at its height. Don’t get me wrong
— every employee at that time I considered my friend. But I lost touch with my trade. I felt at times just a sort of babysitter. When you own
any business and have employees, they need to be busy, or you are not doing it right.”
Deerfield Cabinets and Millwork (DCM) is differ- ent, he said, explaining that he wanted to pursue his passion, but not have to answer to, or worry about, anyone else. In short, he prioritized his happiness overall, and that lies in the work itself.
He does have one other co-worker, his ‘office manager,’ Kali
— his four-legged best friend. Well, maybe not his best friend. “I owe a lot to my wife, Pam, who, against her better wishes, is always there when I need her.”
Home and Office
Staff Photo
DCM specializes in
cabinetry and millwork
projects. Millwork can be defined as anything from making a kitchen to just crafting the mold- ing that fits around the door. It ranges from a cus- tom piece of furniture, like a desk, to commercial kiosks like those seen in a mall. Brogle makes pieces for businesses and residents all over the New England area.
“We really specialize in commercial millwork for other businesses. We love doing projects for
hospitals and doctors’ offices. We have a regular customer that brings us projects for pharma- cies,” he explained. “Those kinds of jobs are great. We also love working with general contractors; they are aware of many factors that go into any project.”
Products are made, finished, and delivered to the customer, but DCM doesn’t typically perform installations. Brogle told BusinessWest that the piece is usually left in the designated area, but he
Tom Brogle says some repeat customers ask for another product before the first is delivered.
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