Republic Elite upgrades their dust extraction with Modesta

For their cabinet manufacturing premises in Texas, Republic Elite was looking for new dust collectors. Their long-time partner CenTech convinced them to invest in the high-quality solutions of Dutch family business Modesta. And they didn’t regret it.

Republic Elite is a true household name in the kitchen and bathroom industry in the US. Representing both cabinet producer Republic Industries and countertop expert Elite Multifamily Interiors, they boast over half a century of experience in designing, producing, and installing kitchens and bathrooms. Their manufacturing centers are located from the East Coast to the West Coast: they have premises in East Texas, Georgia, California, and Illinois. Aiming to be a one-stop shop for families looking for a new kitchen or bathroom, they offer delivery, project management, and installation services. Their cabinet branch offers framed and frameless cabinets in many styles and colors, built to order in less than four weeks. Their dedicated manufacturing facility in Marshall, Texas has been producing kitchen cabinets for over 40 years. It makes around a million cabinets per year, delivering to designers, developers, and general contractors across the country. Apart from cabinets, they also deliver over two million square feet of countertops per year, ranging from marble to granite and quartz.

In the last couple of years, Republic Elite has invested extensively in upgrading and expanding facilities. When they needed a new dust collector for their Texas premises, they were introduced to Modesta’s systems by their long-term collaborators, Jeff and his son Chandler Hamilton from CenTech. ‘Jeff and Chandler have been working with Republic Elite since 2012, helping us with compressed air refurbishment and replacement projects,’ says manufacturing engineer Scott Ludgate from Republic Elite, who oversaw the project. ‘I got to know them as result-oriented team players. We value their recommendations when it comes to dust collection.’ Like Republic Elite, CenTech is located in Texas and has been supplying and installing woodworking equipment and solutions for dust collection, waste handling, and compressed air for 15 years.

CenTech has been installing Modesta equipment at several US-based projects throughout the years, so Jeff Hamilton knew what he was talking about. ‘I knew Modesta could be a good fit for Republic Elite: their dust collectors are high-quality and made with precision. On top of that, they offer remote access, which makes service and maintenance quick and easy. Lastly, their quotes cover the full package, including all electrical components and control elements, so the client doesn’t have to manage all those elements separately.’ Another added value is the high pressure of the Modesta equipment, compared to many other suppliers, Jeff goes on. ‘Other systems often lack the pressure necessary to maintain performance at the pickup point,’ he explains. ‘Higher pressure ensures that performance remains consistent even when multiple machines are running at the same time.’ Beyond performance, the centralized electrical panel of the Modesta system is an added advantage for Republic Elite: it replaces the need to control several individual panels for every machine.

Republic Elite invested in eight indoor Modesta Filter Units for their cabinet production facility. While Scott was initially on the fence about the price of Modesta’s equipment, he was ultimately convinced by Jeff, who offered him a free trial period. The automated vibratory cleaning process, CFM capabilities, and sturdy frame of the equipment were important factors in the decision to invest in Modesta. Pricing also played an important role, with Republic Elite able to acquire demo and used show units at favorable prices.

Today, Republic Elite has several Modesta units on site, bringing the advantages of familiarity and standardization for the team. As with any equipment, there have also been points requiring attention. Republic Elite and CenTech have worked together to address several electrical issues and are continuing to improve the sealing around the main hopper and machine seams when processing particularly fine materials such as MDF.

For Scott, the overall value of the equipment goes beyond price alone. ‘Price is not everything: functionality, duty cycle, resilience, and meeting expectations are important, too,’ he says. He has also shared Republic Elite’s experiences with the Modesta units with sister companies within the group and suggested CenTech as an installation partner.