Paul Wellborn and the Fight for American Cabinetry A Triumph of Leadership Against Unfair Trade

When Donald Trump took office as the 45th President of the United States, he inherited a country grappling with the consequences of decades of unfair trade practices, particularly from China. One of the hardest-hit industries was American cabinetry, a bedrock of American craftsmanship and manufacturing. The flood of cheap, dumped, and government-subsidized Chinese imports were putting thousands of hardworking Americans out of jobs and permanently crippling the domestic market.

But America had a fighter willing to take the bull by the horns: Paul Wellborn.

Paul Wellborn is not just a businessman; he is a dedicated craftsman and a champion of American industry. Born and raised in Alabama, Wellborn developed a passion for woodworking at an early age, inspired by his father’s small furniture shop. His deep appreciation for quality craftsmanship and hard work led him to establish Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. In 1961, he founded Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. in Ashland, Alabama, with a simple mission: to provide high-quality, American-made cabinetry that homeowners could trust. Over the decades, his company has grown into one of the largest family-owned cabinet manufacturers in the United States. What sets Wellborn Cabinet apart is not just its commitment to excellence but its deep-rooted family values.

Paul Wellborn’s wife, Betty Wellborn, has been an integral part of the company, working alongside him to build and sustain their business. Betty plays a crucial role in operations, overseeing key administrative functions and ensuring the company’s strong customer relationships. Her leadership helped maintain the family-centric culture that has defined Wellborn Cabinet. Their five children have also joined the enterprise, ensuring that Wellborn Cabinet remains a truly family-run operation. Each of them plays a significant role in different aspects of the business, from product development and manufacturing to sales and customer service, carrying on the company’s legacy of quality and integrity. Their dedication has helped maintain a culture of quality and integrity, making Wellborn Cabinet a household name in the American cabinetry industry.

In 2017 when Donald Trump was inaugurated, the statistics were staggering. According to reports from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), imports of wooden cabinets from China had skyrocketed from $403 million in 2012 to over $1.09 billion in 2017. These imports were priced well below fair market value, devastating American manufacturers, particularly family-owned businesses like Wellborn Cabinet, which had long been a pillar of American quality and ingenuity. The Chinese government’s subsidies allowed their manufacturers to operate with an unfair advantage, creating an uneven playing field that tilted against American workers.

Rather than accept this as an unavoidable reality, Paul Wellborn and his entire family took the lead organizing the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance to fight back. They petitioned the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate these unfair practices. Their fight led to the imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing tariffs on Chinese cabinet imports, reaching as high as 262.2% in some cases. This move was a game-changer, reaffirming America's commitment to free but fair trade. With the tariffs in place, Wellborn Cabinet saw a stabilization in its market share, allowing the company to continue expanding its workforce and investing in new technologies to improve production efficiency.

This victory was not just about one industry—it was about the broader battle for American manufacturing. The Trump administration, with its America First trade policies, understood the stakes. Without intervention, another vital industry would have been hollowed out, just like steel, textiles, and electronics before it. Thanks to leaders like Paul Wellborn, American cabinet makers were given a fighting chance to reclaim their rightful place in the market.

Thousands of American jobs were saved, and a critical domestic industry was strengthened. Wellborn’s leadership was not about protectionism, it was about ensuring a level playing field. When given the chance to compete fairly, American manufacturers can and will win.

Today, as we look toward the future, the Wellborn’s fight serves as a blueprint for how American industries can stand their ground against unfair foreign competition. Looking ahead, Wellborn Cabinet is committed to innovation, sustainability, and further strengthening American manufacturing by investing in advanced technology and training programs for the next generation of craftsmen. His story is one of perseverance, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to the American worker.

As President Donald Trump embarks on his second term as the 47th President of the United States, his administration priority will be policies that protect American industries from unfair foreign competition. The success of leaders like the Paul Wellborn family in revitalizing domestic manufacturing serves as a testament to the effectiveness of such policies. By prioritizing fair trade and supporting American businesses, the administration will ensure that industries like cabinetry not only survive but thrive, securing jobs and fostering economic growth for generations to come.

Perry O Hooper Jr is a former State Representative who writes columns on his political perspective and has been published in a number of publications around Alabama and beyond. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump and was the 2016 Trump Victory Chair.

Opinions expressed in the Alabama Gazette are the opinions and viewpoints of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Alabama Gazette staff, advertisers, and/ publishers.