Premier Custom Millwork: Continuing A Legacy Of Craftsmanship
manufactured by Akron, NY-based, Premier Custom Millwork for a New York City banking office.reenshot
Attica Millwork Inc., a long-standing name in high-end custom millwork based in Attica, NY, officially closed its doors in June 2023, marking the end of a 140-year history. While that chapter has ended, it also marks the beginning of an expansion for another local, established business, named Premier Custom Millwork. The company, Premier Custom Millwork, was acquired by Jesse Schmitt, president of Premier Custom Millwork, along with his wife and office manager, Laura Schmitt who plays an integral role in the family owned and operated business, and her son, Anthony Gil, who now oversees operations at the Attica location.
Premier Custom Millwork purchases approximately 120,000 board feet annually in 4/4 through 16/4 domestic hardwoods. Primary species include No. 1 Common Hard and Soft Maple. Premier Custom Millwork also uses a fair amount of exotic woods including Sapele 4/4-8/4 and varying quantities of eastern white pine in softwoods.
The transition came when former Attica Millwork owner, Justin Papucci, and his business partner—who had been instrumental in running the operation—decided to exit the industry. Instead of putting the company up for auction, Papucci offered Premier Custom Millwork an exclusive opportunity to take over the business. “Jesse and Justin had built a strong relationship over the past 15 years, and when the time came for Justin to move on, he gave us the first opportunity to continue the legacy,” Gil explained.
Premier Custom Millwork has been manufacturing custom hardwood doors for the past 15 years, originally operating out of Varysburg and now located in Akron, NY.
Many of the individuals in the local woodworking industry had long-standing relationships, making the transition a seamless one. Today, Premier Custom Millwork continues Attica Millwork’s tradition of producing premium mouldings and custom millwork while expanding into high-end door manufacturing. While dovetailed drawer boxes are no longer manufactured there, they are assembled there and still available for purchase at highly competitive prices.
Gil transports 5/4 Red Oak 9-10’ for an upcoming job.
Despite the change in ownership, the company remains dedicated to the same high standards of quality and craftsmanship. “We continue to manufacture high-quality custom mouldings, dovetailed drawer boxes, and a wide range of millwork-related products,” Gil noted. “These products complement our custom interior and exterior doors, which were the foundation of Premier Custom Millwork from its inception.”
The species selection remains largely the same, with primary materials including Hard and Soft Maple, Poplar, and select exotic woods. “We work with a species called Sapele, which is sometimes confused with African Mahogany but is distinct in its own right,” Gil explained.
With the acquisition, Premier Custom Millwork has introduced several upgrades to the Attica facility to enhance efficiency and safety. New equipment includes a Felder D963 planer, a Cantek America upcut saw with TigerStop, and a SawStop table saw, known for its state-of-the-art safety technology. “Attica Millwork had been using a 1950s-era radial arm saw and an old Whitney table saw—both of which were outdated and unsafe,” Gil said. “Upgrading to modern machinery has improved both productivity and workplace safety, which is highly valued by our team members for peace of mind.” Gil added.
Shown here, are custom-made butcher block counters for a Niagara Wheatfield High School technology class.
When Premier took over, Attica Millwork had a team of four employees, including Papucci. Today, the Attica location has grown to a five-person team, with Gil overseeing operations. “All our team members are appreciated and essential to daily operations and the growth of our business,” commented Gil.
Company-wide, Premier Custom Millwork now employs 10 individuals, with operations spanning both Attica and the headquarters in Akron. The company’s website, formerly AtticaMillwork.com, has been rebranded to PremierCustomMillwork.com, consolidating the old Attica Millwork moulding catalog under its new identity.
Premier Custom Millwork’s reputation for excellence has earned it high-profile projects. “We supplied custom stair treads for a learning center in Ithaca, NY, which was built and funded by the Dalai Lama,” Gil shared.
The company has also supplied materials for a luxury high-rise office building owned by a billionaire banker in New York City. “We used an exotic wood called Wenge to create high-gloss, mirror-like doors and mouldings for the space,” Gil said.
Rip saw operators team up to increase efficiency.
Other prestigious projects include custom Walnut millwork for a federal courtroom in Mississippi, high-end mouldings for the Crag Burn Golf Club and Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY, and thick butcher block countertops for Niagara Wheatfield High School’s tech labs.
An operator feeds a six-head spindle moulder.
Beyond Attica, Premier Custom Millwork’s door division has furnished projects for Martha Stewart, actor James Spader, and institutions like Harvard and Yale. “Jesse has built a strong reputation with high-end
clientele, and the demand for quality craftsmanship continues to grow,” Gil said.
What sets Premier Custom Millwork apart from competitors is its ability to reproduce historical mouldings with exact precision. “Many of our customers bring in trim from the 1890s or early 1900s, wanting to match it,” Gil explained. “Unlike most competitors, we cut our own knives to recreate these intricate profiles.”
This expertise has led to frequent collaborations with other millwork companies. “It’s not uncommon for our competitors to reach out when they need a unique pattern reproduced,” Gil said. “We take pride in bringing long-lost designs back to life.”
Anthony Gil, general manager at Premier Custom Millwork, looks to match a profile from the knife inventory.
With its deep-rooted history and forward-thinking approach, Premier Custom Millwork continues to uphold the legacy of Attica Millwork while expanding its offerings. “This industry is more than just manufacturing—it’s about creating pieces that last generations,” Gil reflected. “Whether it’s doors for a historic university, mouldings for a luxury home, or stair treads for a learning center, our work becomes a part of people’s lives.”
For more information, visit premiercustommillwork.com.
