Panel Specialists, Inc.

For 35 years, Panel Specialists, Inc. (PSI) has built more than furniture and wall systems — it has built a culture of craftsmanship. From producing a half million units of wall and marine panels, college and university furniture, and custom component parts each year to crafting custom installations shipped to forty states, PSI has grown from its 1990 founding into a national supplier with deep local roots. That enduring success is rooted in a commitment to people — employees, suppliers, clients, and the community — who form the backbone of everything PSI does.

A People-First Philosophy

Inside PSI’s Temple headquarters, the hum of precision work and collaboration has defined the company for decades. Many of the 150 full-time employees have been with PSI for years, passing along a culture where craftsmanship and care go hand in hand.

“It’s a family culture,” said Inventory Manager Carl Bennett. “Everybody really takes care of one another, from the president on down.”

That sense of family extends across the organization and has helped PSI evolve without losing sight of its core values.

“Even as we grow and innovate, craftsmanship is at the heart of what we do,” said David Gomez, Director of Continuous Improvement. “Every person here plays a part in that. We’re proud of what we build and who we build it with.”

That commitment to people is also reflected in PSI’s leadership. President and CEO Elliot Germany says the company’s success has always been driven by relationships and purpose.

“The greatest joy at PSI is collaborating with people who believe in serving a purpose greater than themselves,” Germany said. “Our impact is evident in the products and services we deliver, the longstanding relationships we have with our customers and supplier partners, and in our deep roots within the community we have supported for over 35 years.”

Engineering Manager Renfro Carranza, who has worked at PSI for more than 15 years, recalls his early interactions with Germany when both were still growing in their careers.

“He’ll often just walk around the company and say hello to everyone, and that’s basically how it started — with a hello,” Carranza said. “Most of it was just checking in on me as a human. The culture is they truly care about the people, and I’m living proof of that.”

Under Germany’s leadership, PSI has evolved into a nationally recognized leader in the woodworking industry, trusted by major architectural and design firms across the country. A pivotal step in that growth was the company’s acquisition by Markel Group, joining a family of companies known for operational excellence and long-term stewardship. Through it all, PSI’s focus on building environments where people live, learn, heal, work, and play has remained constant — visible in both the precision of the product and the pride of the people who make it.

As PSI celebrates 35 years in business, the company’s future continues to be shaped by the people-first philosophy that has brought them this far. That purpose extends beyond the production floor: PSI actively supports Career & Technical Education programs, invests in Temple’s schools, and donates equipment that gives students real-world experience — from donating CNC equipment to local schools to providing a custom wall system that helps Temple High’s simulation healthcare space look and feel like a real hospital room.

Anchored in Temple

Even as PSI’s products reach from Temple to Tennessee, Academy to Austria, Salado to Slovenia, the company remains firmly rooted in the community that helped it grow. Local partnerships strengthen PSI’s work and reinforce a craftsmanship culture that reflects Central Texas values: quality, collaboration, and pride in a job well done. Whenever possible, the company sources materials from local vendors. For example, PSI uses laminates from both iZone and Wilsonart.

“Local partnerships are essential. We thrive as part of a vibrant ecosystem built on collaboration,” Germany said. “Our markets span education, transportation, commercial, retail, and maritime sectors. We are proud of every project, each made possible by strong relationships and teamwork.”

For Germany, PSI’s success cannot be separated from the success of Temple itself. He points to the wide range of industries in Central Texas, including life sciences, technology, and logistics, as evidence of a regional ecosystem in which the success of every company lifts the potential of its neighbors.

Looking Ahead

As PSI celebrates 35 years in business, the company’s future continues to be shaped by the people-first philosophy that has gotten them this far.

“As the world changes rapidly, PSI continues to embrace innovation in products, manufacturing, technology, and workforce development,” Germany said. “Through progress and transformation, our philosophy remains unchanged: people come first, and when people thrive, so does the craft.”

With a legacy of craftsmanship and community behind it, PSI’s next 35 years promise to be built on the same foundation that started it all — purpose, precision, and people.