Hardboard, Pegboard, Melamine, Particleboard, MDF Panels & Parts...We're the Industry Leader

About Panel Processing What We Do Where We Start What We Can Do For You Locations Corporate Video

Panel Processing was founded in 1971 by R. M. "Bob" Granum. From a small plant in Alpena, Michigan, we have grown to be the largest panel fabricator in North America. With a continued dedication to serving our customers, we have grown to ten manufacturing plants in six locations. Every order is custom made. We have developed unequaled experience in fabricating, painting, printing and laminating to serve our customer's growing needs.

Panel Processing, Inc. is an employee owned (ESOP) company. Every one of our employee owners is dedicated to your success. Your best guarantee is people who passionately care about your business.

Panel Processing's quality and service are unmatched in our industry.

Call, fax or e-mail us. An account manager will help you with your specifications, get samples, a quotation and follow through with your order to ensure it is produced on time and to your quality expectations.

Put Panel Processing to work for you!

Alabama Inter-Forest History

Jack Winkleblack started Alabama Inter-Forest in 1982. His career in the industry began in the early 1960's selling particleboard for Gray Products out of Waverly, Virginia . Jack saw the potential for composite panels in the mobile home industry and opened a distribution facility in Elkhart Indiana in 1966. He expanded product lines and added some manufacturing operations during the 1970's.
In 1981, Jack's building in Elkhart collapsed due to a heavy snow load on the roof. A few weeks later Louisiana Pacific's Sales Manger called Jack to see why he had not been buying any MDF. After hearing Jack's problem, L.P.'s manager said "Why don't you move your operation here to Eufaula , Alabama where the sun shines and there isn't any snow?"
In addition to L.P.'s MDF plant in Eufaula, there were several particle board plants located within 120 miles of Alabama Inter-Forest . Being close to sources for raw materials was a primary factor in Jack's decision to re-locate to Eufaula , Alabama . AIF's southeastern location is also beneficial in servicing our customer base. We are within one day's drive to several furniture, cabinet, and store fixture markets.

Jack and his wife, Sue Winkleblack, worked hard to get AIF established. The first products manufactured were U.V. filled MDF and particleboard sheet stock. A panel saw, edge foiler, and print line were added a short time later. This expanded our product line into cut-to-size, drawer sides, shelving, and award plaques.
In 1985, Jack's son, Doug Winkleblack, joined the company. Jack and Doug worked day and night over the next several years adding new machinery and expanding product lines. A few key employees joined the AIF team during this period: Darrell Calhoun, Panel Plant Manager, Don Wood, Maintenance Supervisor, and Rusty Norton, Fabrication Plant Manager were all big contributors to AIF's growth.
Through the years, AIF has had one primary goal: satisfying our customers. We continually strive to improve the quality of our products, our on-time deliveries, and our overall customer service. We are a family-owned business that never forgets our very existence depends on our long-term customer relationships.

AIF became a subsidiary of Panel Processing, Inc in June 2004.