Schwan Products Enhances Homes Across the Topeka Area
Many living spaces are elevated from nice to beautiful because of the finishing touches. It’s the little things that matter — the custom trim, the staircase finishes, the cabinet coves and the sturdy drawers. The small pieces bring a whole vision to life and can help mark the difference between a living space and a home. Most of us don’t think about where these finishing touches come from, but if you live in and around the Topeka area, you’ll likely see the quality work of Schwan Products.
A former manager in the RV industry, Andrew Schwartz didn’t initially set out to own a business. When he was approached four years ago by a friend looking to sell his business, Schwartz and his family decided it was the right time for a change.
Alongside his wife, Miriam, and their three daughters, Schwartz took over ownership of Schwan Products. With a background in the furniture industry, his wife was instrumental in helping to get the business up and running, and Schwartz has been supplying local furniture makers with custom wood finishings ever since.
“The offer came up and we felt we had to take it,” he says. “It just fell into our hands. We always wanted to be actively involved in our community, and this was the perfect opportunity. It was too good to be true. So, we moved to the other side of the woods, put up new buildings and opened the shop.”
At its heart, Schwan Products is a rough mill shop, transforming lumber into smooth wood finishings for any home or RV. In the past, they’ve done custom kits for houses and now focus primarily on partnering with local artisans to provide the polished trimmings for furniture and other areas within the home. Schwartz and his team also apply his knowledge from the RV industry, supplying fascia, drawer sides and quality supplies for wooden ladders to companies that build recreational vehicles.
Schwartz sources his lumber from all over the country, requiring approximately two to three semi loads each week to meet local demand. He uses lumber of all varieties, with maple being a popular, sturdy, long-lasting choice.
Currently, Schwartz is also focusing his business on providing quality wood for beds, making bedrails, slats and trims, and building cabinet coves and moldings. Additionally, he is providing custom trim for two houses in the nearby area.
“We really enjoy being the ones to put the finishing touches on the spaces where people spend most of their time,” he says. “We consider it an honor.”
Schwartz recognizes that Schwan Products would not be able to supply quality products for living spaces without a reliable core team. He credits his brother-in-law, Nathan Yoder, along with his other employees, with helping meet business demand on a daily basis.
“We are supplying a large quantity of smooth lumber to local partners. My team is a true asset,” Schwartz says. “They’re always here helping me make all of this possible. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them.”
