A family business since 1995
Panache Kitchens was established by John Little in 1995. John built the business as a hands-on, one-stop kitchen company, designing, manufacturing and installing his own high-quality work. He was, and still is, a true craftsman, and his workmanship helped define what it meant to have a traditional French Provincial Panache kitchen.
His sons Ashley and Clinton grew up working in the business and learned the trade through years of practical work in the factory and on site. Soon after they became qualified, they found work as independent subcontractors and continued to develop their knowledge and skills in the building industry.
When Ashley and Clinton took over the business, they initially continued in much the same way, developing their craft and passion for joinery. Over time, Panache began manufacturing more work for specialist designers and architects. The projects became more demanding, the relationships became stronger, and the business naturally evolved around the technical execution of designer-led joinery. While the foundations of traditional cabinetmaking remain, Panache has continued to evolve with changing styles, materials and technology, and the work itself has become increasingly contemporary and technically detailed.
Today, much of Panache’s work involves turning established design concepts into detailed, manufactured and installed joinery while protecting the original design intent. Panache also continues to work directly with private clients and can help develop ideas into a clear design direction that can be carried through to manufacture and installation. The styles have changed, the team has grown, but the passion for quality joinery has remained since 1995.
Ashley Little
Projects and site
Ashley manages quoting, client relationships, interpretation of design concepts, site coordination, subcontractors and much of the installation process. For private projects where a designer is not already involved, he also works directly with clients to develop their ideas and establish a design direction. He holds a Certificate III in Kitchens and Detailed Joinery and a Diploma of Building and Construction, and is also a qualified Class 2 builder.
Clinton Little
Production and manufacturing
Clinton develops detailed production drawings, turns concepts into CNC-manufacturable parts, manages tooling and machinery, oversees factory systems and quality control, manages materials and research and development, and undertakes complex installation work. He holds a Certificate III in Kitchens and Detailed Joinery, a Certificate III in Carpentry and a Certificate IV in Building and Construction.
John Little
Legacy and guidance
Although retired, John still plays an active role in the business, helping out wherever he is needed. His work includes solid timber work, complex CNC programming and operation, and technical drawings. He holds a Certificate III in Cabinet Making and is a licensed builder.
Wayne Muligan
Leading hand
Wayne is a valued and dedicated member of the team. He oversees factory production, helping ensure work is completed on time, and also carries out onsite installation. He holds a Certificate III in Kitchens and Detailed Joinery.
Mohammed Alshawaf
Factory work
Mohammed plays an important role in the business, carrying out a wide range of factory tasks and also assisting onsite during installation. He holds a Certificate III in Kitchens and Detailed Joinery.
Keeping current
As a team Panache continues to invest time in understanding where the joinery industry is heading. This includes attending international trade shows such as Interzum and EuroCucina, visiting leading manufacturers including Blum in Austria, and continually researching new hardware, materials, manufacturing methods and technology.
The aim is not to follow every trend, but to understand what is changing, what is genuinely useful, and how new products and systems can be applied to better execute the work Panache is asked to build.
