Photo: Contributed
Choice Machinery Group supports Next Steps West Michigan.
Choice Machinery Group, a leading equipment manufacturer serving the woodworking and cabinet-making industry, has partnered with Next Step of West Michigan (NSWM) to support workforce development and skills training in the trades. Through its parent company Choice Machinery Group, Ritter Machinery, a subsidiary focused on heavy duty stationary cabinetry machinery, donated essential woodworking equipment to NSWM’s training programs, helping individuals prepare for careers in the industry.
The donation includes a door and face frame clamping table, pocket hole cutter, and a horizontal edge belt sander - key tools that enhance NSWM’s hands-on training approach. With this new equipment, trainees gain valuable experience in joinery techniques, cabinetry, and furniture construction, equipping them with industry-standard skills that local employers seek.
Empowering individuals through hands-on training
Next Step of West Michigan, a faith-based non-profit, provides job skills and work opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers such as unstable housing, past incarceration, or addiction. The organization also supports high school students through its wood product manufacturing training, blending technical, occupational, and life skills to create career pathways and bridge employment gaps.
“This partnership with Ritter Machinery elevates the quality of training we provide,” said David Bult, executive director at NSWM. “With access to professional-grade equipment, our participants develop the craftsmanship and technical skills needed to secure sustainable careers in woodworking and related trades.”
Enhancing skill development with industry-leading equipment
Each donated machine plays a vital role in the training process:
● R275EAO Combination Clamping Table – Provides an efficient and economical method for assembling face frames and 5-piece cabinet doors and other clamping applications.
● R901 Horizontal Edge Belt Sander – Enables precision edge finishing for various woodworking applications.
● R2061 Pocket Hole Machine – Introduces participants to concealed pocket screw joinery techniques widely used in cabinetry.
These machines create a professional workshop environment, allowing trainees to familiarize themselves with safety protocols, technical competencies, and best practices essential to the woodworking industry.
A long-term commitment to workforce development
This donation marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Ritter Machinery and NSWM. As part of its commitment to supporting skills training and workforce development, Ritter continues fostering opportunities that uplift individuals and strengthen communities.
“At Choice, we invest in the next generation of craftsmen and trades people,” said Jake Mulder, general manager at Choice Machinery Group. “By equipping NSWM with the right tools, we help create meaningful career opportunities and build a stronger workforce for the future.”
