Meet Our Trusted Partners at Vartanian Custom Cabinets

In the early 1980s, the word in the luxury homebuilding industry in Western Mass was that Ray Laplante was the guy you had to sell to. 

“If you could make it with him, that was your pathway to all the other builders,” Aram Vartanian, President of Vartanian Custom Cabinets recalls.

That’s because Laplante’s founder was well-respected. He had a solid reputation and high expectations of his subcontractors. 

“When you engage with a company like that, they make your company better,” Aram explains. “The expectations they, and their clients, have of you make you raise the bar to be able to deliver.”

Aram credits much of the four decades of success as Vartanian Custom Cabinets in Palmer to the collaboration and trusted partnership with Ray and Bill Laplante.   

Getting started

Aram was 23 when he and his brother John started making cabinets for John’s remodeling business in John’s basement in Wilbraham. 

Their dad, John Sr., invited them to bid on the millwork of a new condominium development in Wilbraham and, shortly after, in 1984, Vartanian Custom Cabinets was formed. The cabinet shop was constructed in the Palmer Industrial Park and remains there today.    

Looking to build a client base, Aram sought out respected builders and remodelers in the region looking for custom cabinetry for their projects. Knowing the importance of connecting with Ray, Aram paid him a visit to introduce himself and outline his services. Ray asked Aram to join the Homebuilders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass, saying, “Once you do that, come back and talk to me,’” Aram recalls.

Aram signed on with the association, and the partnership between Vartanian Customs Cabinets and Laplante Construction became official.

Fast forward 40 years and a couple of plant expansions to keep up with the growing customer base, the tradition of family business continues for Aram; Lisa, his wife; and sons, Collin and Drew. All are involved in the daily operation.

Collin manages plant operations; Drew manages sales, design, and engineering; and Lisa oversees financials, marketing and human resources. Ironically, the Vartanian’s daughter, Brooke, now works for Laplante as design coordinator, guiding clients through the materials selection process.

The total Vartanian team of 20 is important to Aram and Lisa, and Vartanian Custom Cabinets must be important to team members as longevity is stellar. One employee has been with the business for over 40 years and another who has been there almost 20 years is considered the new guy.

Custom but affordable

Vartanian Custom Cabinets designs and manufactures high-end custom cabinetry, serving New England, focused on Western Mass, Greater Boston and Cape Cod.

They design and manufacture cabinetry for every room of the home and combine the finest materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing, and a highly skilled team of craftsmen to produce superior results.

The process begins with a conversation to understand the customer’s inspiration and vision for the space, and then high-level layout options for the room are discussed to find the most appropriate locations for appliances, sinks, and other hard points. From there, the Vartanian team dives deep into the details to help bring the customer’s vision into focus. 

Different wood species, paint colors, and door styles are just a few of the many selections a customer has the opportunity to choose from. By the time the layout is finalized, and all of the selections are made, the customer will be looking at a bespoke kitchen specifically tailored for them.

“Then we download the information to our high-tech machinery, which cuts all the components. Even the processing of lumber and the cutting of sheet stock is automated,” Aram says. “It’s incredibly accurate, and the process is very fast and efficient.”

From that point on, every piece Vartanian Custom Cabinets creates is hand assembled and finished. “Customers truly appreciate our craftsmanship,” Aram adds. 

Friends, partners

Ray’s son, Bill Laplante, has collaborated with Aram since Bill took over as company president. 

Aram says he met Bill at a customer’s house in East Longmeadow 35 years ago. “We have become very good friends,” Aram says, noting that he also works closely on project installations with project managers.

“Laplante has a great installation crew. Their carpenters are among the best in the region,” Aram says, noting that the cabinetry is always created in such an exacting way that a Laplante team can install in a day and a half to two days. “If you buy premanufactured cabinets, it can take installers a full week or more to install. Our emphasis is to do as much of that work as possible in the shop.”

Aram continues to value his partnership with Laplante for the excellence we expect, as well as our overall work ethic and trusted relationships. “They’re honest, and they’re always looking out for their client. They make us better,” he says. “They’re still always trying to push the limits and get the best. They’re just awesome to work with.”