LAKE MILLS — Dean Rasmusson and Amy Peterson are a father-daughter team that pride themselves on being family first, work second.

“As we grow, it gets to be more and more of a family effort,” said Rasmusson, president and owner of Dras Cases. “I came from a larger corporation. This is much different.”

Rasmusson works alongside his daughter at Dras Cases, a Lake Mills manufacturer that provides custom cabinet work locally and across the country.

The company provides cabinetry for retail, food service, health care, hospitality and corporate environments.

One recent project was working with the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea on cabinetry for the fourth and fifth floors. The majority of the work isn’t done locally, said Rasmusson.

“Word of mouth really gets us business,” Rasmusson said.

The manufacturer ships to all 50 states, usually by the truckload, but recently shipped a project overseas.

Once the product arrives, Dras Cases installs it for about 35 percent of its customers. Dras Cases works with a contractor in Minneapolis to install the projects outside the area.

The manufacturer employs about 34 people and is looking to grow. The location has about 30,000 square feet and is adding on another 3,600 square feet of manufacturing space. Once the project is completed, the company will add a third shipping dock.

“We keep growing,” Rasmusson said. “We will be looking to hire again, too.”

Dras Cases opened for business in 1994. Rasmusson begin the business because he enjoyed working with wood.

The facility uses modern manufacturing techniques, including a multi-axis point-to-point boring machine and computer aided machinery systems. The engineering department uses Microvellum software that helps streamline production.

Dras Cases was featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” in 2008.

When the announcement was made that the show was coming to Freeborn County, Dras Cases got involved.

Rasmusson was approached by the house builder, Larson Contracting, which is also in Lake Mills, to take on the responsibility for all interior millwork. Dras Cases employees volunteered to install the cabinetry and complete the finish carpentry including hanging doors, trimming windows, applying baseboards and manufacturing and installing the closet systems. When the house was complete, it took under 100 hours to build.

Dras Cases works with many materials including laminate, veneer, hardwood, solid surface, glass, metal and others. In addition, Dras Cases is a member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute and participates in the AWI Quality Certification Program.

The business is open five days a week and can be reached at 641-592-3333.

 

Local customers

Mrs. Gerry’s

MCB

Wedgewood Cove

Cedar Valley Services

Mayo Clinic Health System

Stadheim Jewelers

Security Insurance

Northstar Power Sports

Vern Eide Chevrolet

Zinpro

Motor Inn

Studio 22

Freeborn County
Co-op Oil

Taco King

Kingland Systems

Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau

Stutzman Physical

Therapy