Leininger Cabinet & Woodworking: A Legacy Built Since 1951
Leininger Cabinet & Woodworking began in 1951 when Robert “Bob” Leininger graduated from the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology. His work helped shape the unmistakable mid-century modern style of the 1950s—a design influence that still earns respect today.
Like many great craftsmen of his generation, Bob started small. The first pieces came to life in his father’s basement and garage. With help from his two younger brothers, the operation grew steadily and began to earn a reputation for quality work. Before long, Bob’s sons—John and Jim—were by his side, pushing the young company toward the larger-scale operation it would eventually become.
Bob built more than cabinets; he built trust. He filled homes and businesses across Lexington with custom casework and millwork, while his wife, Florence, kept the books and kept the family of eight running—all at the same time.
As the business expanded, Bob moved into the building that still houses the company today. He remained active in the Architectural Woodworking Institute (AWI), contributing to both the local and national chapters.
By the mid-1980s, Bob passed the reins to his sons. John and Jim had grown up in the shop and returned after college—John with degrees in Economics and Political Science and additional woodworking training under Ian Kirby, and Jim with a background in Business Management. They modernized the operation, bringing estimating, job costing, and accounting into the digital age. Then came manufacturing upgrades, starting with AutoCAD and moving into more advanced production systems.
In 1998, with the company bursting at the seams, they purchased the building next door. This expansion allowed them to redesign the production flow and invest in top-tier equipment. They focused on efficiency, accuracy, and the kind of quality that doesn’t cut corners.
Today, the legacy continues. John remains the owner but has stepped back from daily operations after years of mentoring a dedicated team. Leaders Nancy Lacy and Mathew Lowry carry forward the same mission: to be the region’s go-to architectural millwork firm—delivering high-quality, competitively priced work while giving employees a team-driven environment where craftsmanship and pride still matter.
Seventy-five years later, the company stands on the same principles Bob started with: do the work right, honor the craft, and keep improving. The tools have changed, but the values haven’t—and that’s exactly why the Leininger name still means something.