Inspiring Story of Respect, Loyalty and Celebration for Two Men Who Deserve It! This article is about celebrating life achievement events for Paul Nichols, a almost life-time native of Lambeth, who just recently moved to Komoka. Paul Nichols will be celebrating his 80th birthday shortly and also his 60th wedding anniversary to his beloved wife Sharon. What’s even more surprising is he’s also celebrating his 50th year (and counting) anniversary of working for Cardinal Cabinetry of London. Yes, he’s 80 years old and has been working for Cardinal Cabinetry for 50 years and is still a vital full-time member of their team. Paul has worked primarily as their truck driver, which involves the loading and unloading of the cabinets the company is noted for. According to Paul Bilyea, co-owner of Cardinal Cabinetry, Paul is a necessary part of the working team they’ve created, who has a number of assistants who generally are exhausted by trying to keep up with Paul Nichols. He just plainly outworks them. Paul Nichols is a sweet-natured, mild-mannered man whose personality just shines with friendliness and modesty. Paul Bilyea told me this trusted employee has a work ethic that is astounding and feels deeply lucky to have him on their team and looks forward to their continuing relationship. And the celebrations don’t stop there, as Cardinal Cabinetry is also celebrating another 50th year anniversary with their warehouse manager Don Blunt. While attending Saunders Secondary School, Don was lucky enough to be taught woodworking by a well-known local teacher by the name of Dan Willows. Mr. Willows took Don under his wing and went to bat for Don by setting up an interview with a previous owner of Cardinal Cabinetry, along with giving him a glowing recommendation. Don got the job, an internship, and started by hanging hardware, then building vanities, and then just generally learning all the jobs in the warehouse and how to operate the machines. This of course made him natural to become manager of the warehouse and he’s been there ever since. Don is an easy-going, laid-back character with a wicked sense of humour and a loyalty to his employers that you can read whenever he speaks about them. He says that Cardinal Cabinetry is a great place to work, that he feels his efforts and skills are appreciated there and the owners value him. He related a story of when he had to go to the hospital. It was Laurie Bilyea, co-owner of the company, who drove him there and then picked him up when he was released and looked after him while he was recovering. How many employers would do that? The amazing thing is that BOTH of these men are still employed full-time and have no plans on leaving their positions with Cardinal Cabinetry, and the Bilyeas are more than happy to know that. Cardinal Cabinetry, originally named Cardinal Kitchens, has a rich history in London, dating back to when Tom Nelson started the
To advertise here, please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com Cardinal’s shop floor is a space where independence is re- spected, but feedback and collaboration are also encouraged. All employees are highly skilled and specialized in their particular stage of the production process, from CNC operation to quality control. As such, most of the small details are left to the employee occupying a particular station, with no micromanagement. To this end, Bilyea emphasizes good internal communication and a tight- knit workplace culture, facilitating opportunities for all staff to learn about the whole process. It’s no wonder their employees remain working there for 50 years and counting! Learn more about Cardinal Cabinetry at cardinalcabinetry.ca. company in Lambeth in 1960. In 1966, Cardinal moved into its current facility on Exeter Road, in an area now known as “Kitchen Alley” due to the high concentration of kitchen outfitters (at present, there are six within a few blocks). The company continued to grow consistently throughout the 1970s and 1980s, expanding its facilities twice and adding a showroom. In 2006, current president Paul Bilyea was hired, and in 2014, he acquired the company. With a degree in industrial design and many years of hands-on cabinet-making experience, Bilyea chooses to emphasize lean manufacturing and exceptional in- house design and engineering in his leadership. In addition, he has fully committed to London-based manufacturing, dropping Cardinal’s line of imported cabinetry and focusing on building all products in-house. Cardinal is the recipient of multiple awards from both the London and Ontario Homebuilders Associations, including awards for Best New Kitchen, Best New Living Space, Best New Bathroom, and others. This is primarily due to Laurie Bilyea and her outstanding design talent. Then and Now: Top row – a young Don Blunt, and at right, a young Paul Nichols. Above: Don Blunt and Paul Nichols celebrate their 2025 50 year anniversaries with Cardinal Cabinetry.
Cardinal Kitchens, Exeter Road (1966)
Page 6 Lambeth Villager • July-August 2025
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