Episode 1987
From Farm to Factory: The Kountry Kraft Cabinet Journey
Join me as I sit down with the legendary Elvin Hurst, the mastermind behind Kountry Kraft Cabinetry, where we dive deep into the world of custom cabinetry. From its humble beginnings with just a table saw in 1959 to becoming a powerhouse in the industry, Elvin shares the ups, downs, and everything in between of his incredible journey in Pennsylvania Dutch country. We’ll explore how cabinetry has evolved over the decades, from the finishes and styles that have come and gone to the cutting-edge technology that has revolutionized the craft. Whether you’re a DIY fanatic dreaming of your next kitchen remodel or just a fan of a good ol’ American success story, this chat is packed with golden nuggets of wisdom and a dash of humor. So, grab your favorite beverage and let’s get to work on understanding the art and heart of cabinetry!
Elvin Hurst, the mastermind behind Kountry Kraft Cabinetry, shares his remarkable journey from a simple table saw in 1959 to leading one of the nation’s top custom cabinetry companies. In a friendly chat with Eric G, Elvin narrates stories from the Pennsylvania Dutch country, where his passion for woodworking blossomed. He recounts the early days of his business, sparked by a Christmas gift from his wife that set him on a path of creativity and craftsmanship. Elvin discusses the evolution of cabinetry over the decades, emphasizing the shift in styles, materials, and technology. He reflects on how kitchen designs have transformed from functional spaces to the heart of the home, where families gather to cook, eat, and socialize. With humorous anecdotes and insightful reflections, this episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in cabinetry, craftsmanship, or the art of business.
The conversation delves into the technical aspects of cabinetry as Elvin and Eric explore the craftsmanship that goes into every piece produced at Kountry Kraft. They discuss the transition from traditional production methods to modern technology, highlighting the importance of precision and quality in today’s market. Elvin shares his commitment to maintaining high standards, ensuring that every cabinet not only looks great but also stands the test of time. They also unpack the significance of customer relationships and the personal touch that sets Kountry Kraft apart from larger, more impersonal manufacturers. This episode is a blend of nostalgia, technical insights, and the warmth of family-run business culture, making it a must-listen for woodworking enthusiasts and homeowners alike.
Takeaways:
- Elvin Hurst's journey from a simple Sears table saw to creating a custom cabinetry empire is inspiring and showcases the power of following one's passion.
- The cabinetry industry has evolved tremendously since 1959, particularly in finishes, with painted cabinets now dominating the market over traditional stains.
- Today's cabinetry is as much about aesthetics as it is about functionality, with the kitchen becoming the heart of the home for both cooking and socializing.
- Elvin emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship and quality, ensuring that every cabinet is built to last and designed to meet the unique needs of customers.
- With advancements in technology, the precision of modern woodworking has improved, allowing for stronger and more durable cabinets than ever before.
- The blending of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology at Kountry Kraft Kitchens exemplifies how innovation can enhance quality in custom cabinetry.
To get your questions answered by Eric G give us a call in the studio at 833-239-4144 24/7 and Eric G will get back to you and answer your question and you might end up in a future episode of Around the House.
Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen
If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support
We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/
Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.
Mentioned in this episode:
Monument Grill Omni-Pro Eminence Series 405
Eminence 405 enhances grilling efficiency with a smart App-synced full-color LED touch panel, a durable quality finish, and an upgraded heating system. Its sleek, modern ClearView® lid design represents the perfect blend of elegance and expert-level performance. To find out more visit: https://monumentgrills.com/collections/omni-eminence-series/products/eminence-405
SiteHype Designs
Visit SiteHype Designs and lets build a website that works as hard as you do! Use Promo Code "Eric G" for your free website audit and 30 minute consultation.
Check out the brand new Around the House Website!
Check it out at https://aroundthehouseonline.com/
To Join the Around the House Insider Program
10 day Free Trial! Plus Extended Episodes, Catch the show 48 hours early and so much more! https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support
Monument Grill Omni-Pro Eminence Series 405
Eminence 405 enhances grilling efficiency with a smart App-synced full-color LED touch panel, a durable quality finish, and an upgraded heating system. Its sleek, modern ClearView® lid design represents the perfect blend of elegance and expert-level performance. To find out more visit: https://monumentgrills.com/collections/omni-eminence-series/products/eminence-405
Check out the BEST Trailer in the US!
Transcript
Foreign.
Speaker B:The House with Eric G.
Speaker B:Your go to source for everything home improvement.
Speaker B:Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking to make your space shine, Eric G.
Speaker B:Is here to guide you through the latest tips, tricks and trends coming up in this week's first hour of the show.
Speaker A:Today, we're diving into the incredible journey of one of the most respected names in custom cabinetry.
Speaker A: th a simple table saw back in: Speaker A:Whether you're dreaming up your next kitchen remodel or just love a great American success story, this one's for you.
Speaker A:Now let's get into it right here on the around the house show.
Speaker B:So grab your toolbox, put on your thinking cap, and let's get to work right here on around the House with.
Speaker A:Eric G.
Speaker A:Welcome to the round the house show, the next generation of home improvement.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:Thanks for joining me.
Speaker A:If you want to find out more about us, head over to aroundthehouse online.com and of course, this hour is brought to you by our friends at Monument Grills.
Speaker A:If you're looking for that brand new barbecue, check them out@monument grills.com and I tell you why we've got a fun episode today.
Speaker A:We're going to be talking cabinetry.
Speaker A:And of course, with myself being a certified kitchen designer and doing kitchen cabinetry for about 35 years, we are right back in my wheelhouse and I'm really excited to be talking with Country Craft kitchens.
Speaker A:Now here's the cool thing here, guys.
Speaker A:I was at this factory probably 15 to 18 years ago checking it out when I was out in the Midwest.
Speaker A:And I'm looking forward to this conversation.
Speaker A:Elvin, welcome to around the house brother.
Speaker C:Thank you.
Speaker C:Thank you.
Speaker C:Nice to meet you.
Speaker A:Nice to meet you.
Speaker A:And kitchen cabinetry is one of those things out there and it's, it's something that I have really spent most of my career messing around with.
Speaker A:But one of the biggest issues that I see out there is we kind of have two things.
Speaker A:We have these great manufacturers like yourself that sell stuff across the country.
Speaker A:But you guys do such a great job from cabinet construction, cabinet finishes that really exceed what even some of the higher end custom shops do in their little shops.
Speaker A:And I wanted to talk cabinetry with you today.
Speaker A:And how did you guys get started with Country Craft?
Speaker C:How did we get started?
Speaker C:Well, my background is aquaculture.
Speaker C:I was a farmer for the first 20 years of my life.
Speaker C:Grew up on a farm, the family farm, which is where country craft is today.
Speaker C:It's on the whole farm.
Speaker C:So being a farmer, I got a lot of education in all kinds of challenges to build things and fix things and learn how to work.
Speaker C:And on the farm, my dad, whatever had to be done, we did.
Speaker C:We did our own carpenter work, our own mechanical work.
Speaker C:And so I always enjoy woodwork.
Speaker C: So in: Speaker C:Maybe you're seeing that when you were here to visit.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker C:And that's.
Speaker C: got me that for Christmas in: Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker C:And I started.
Speaker C:I've been working for a small kitchen company, Rich Made kitchens here local.
Speaker C:I was working there as an installer and Hamilton bought me this table saw in 58.
Speaker C:And in the spring of 59, the owner of Richmond called me in his office, said, elvin, I understand you have a saw at home and you're making some cabinets at home.
Speaker C:I said well I'm making some hobby, I'm doing some crafts, small bookshelves and just small things.
Speaker C:Well, he said, it's our policy.
Speaker C:If you work here, you can't be doing wood, you can't make cabinets at home.
Speaker C:That would be a conflict of interest.
Speaker C:So I called, I'm sorry, if that's your policy, I'm going to have to quit.
Speaker C:So I came home and told my wife, I said, well, I'm going to make good use of that saw you bought me.
Speaker C:We're going to start our own kitchen business right here in the garage.
Speaker C:So dad had a garage here on the farm, four car garage.
Speaker C:And my dad was elect electrical contractor and he had some builders he was working for.
Speaker C:So I said, dad, why don't you check with your builders if they'd be interested in me making their cabinets.
Speaker C:So he sold my first three kitchens to local contractors.
Speaker C:So it was an interesting journey.
Speaker A:No kidding.
Speaker A:That is super cool.
Speaker A:And you know, you guys, you know, farming in your, your part of the country is such a big thing.
Speaker A:And it was so beautiful when I was out there to see how you've got people out there literally working the land with their hands and then the middle of it is this high tech cabinet shop.
Speaker C:Yeah, right on the farm.
Speaker C:And I've been blessed with many good employees over the years that joined my team and they do an excellent job making beautiful cabinets.
Speaker C:And first of all, my education was from my parents on the farm and I was blessed with good, good teaching.
Speaker C:I'm blessed by God.
Speaker C:It's all a blessing.
Speaker C:It's all a gift from God.
Speaker C:Everything I have.
Speaker A:And you guys make some beautiful cabinetry there.
Speaker A:It's so amazing to hear coming from that Sears and Roebuck table saw to where you're at today with all the latest technology that helps make beautiful cabinetry.
Speaker A: n, think about that jump from: Speaker C:Oh, I know Junior, Alvin Jr.
Speaker C:Which is the president of our company.
Speaker C:He keeps up all the latest equipment.
Speaker C:He has all the computerized saw and CNC routers and break.
Speaker C:Very good equipment, Very good employees.
Speaker C:Good, good craftsmans that take pride in what they're doing.
Speaker C:So we've been blessed.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:You guys do a lot of great stuff with that.
Speaker A:And what I thought was cool, too, was.
Speaker A:Was just seeing the mix of people that you have working in your shop.
Speaker A:And I know that your son has been a pride and joy, but it is so cool to see all the different employees that you have working there.
Speaker C:Yeah, I've been blessed with a lot of good employees.
Speaker C:And first of all, my children all took an interest in the business, and my wife was my partner from the beginning, so we started together.
Speaker C:My wife, Helen, she did the office work, the design.
Speaker C:I run the factory and the installation.
Speaker C:And then our four children, Dale and Dolores, and Jerry, which is in heaven now.
Speaker C: s killed in a car accident in: Speaker C:So that was the saddest part of my journey.
Speaker A:Yeah, no question, no question.
Speaker C:Albin Jr.
Speaker C:Being the youngest one.
Speaker C:So they all three are in the kitchen business here and running things.
Speaker C:Dolores is a cfo.
Speaker C:She runs the financial, and they own the business now and do an excellent job.
Speaker A:Oh, that is great.
Speaker C:With a great team of people.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker A:I mean, what are some of the changes that you've seen over the years just in cabinet construction?
Speaker A: , how we built things even in: Speaker A:Is considerably different, I would think.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:Well, especially the finishes.
Speaker C:The finishes are endless.
Speaker C:You know, we start out mostly doing staining, hand rubber finishes, oil stain and sealer and varnish.
Speaker C:Today, I say maybe 60, 70% of the kitchens are painted.
Speaker C:So that's a big change is the kind of finishes and many, many different colors.
Speaker C:You know, years ago, white was white and black was black.
Speaker C:But now there's 40 shades of white and 40 shades of black.
Speaker A:It used to be with kitchens, you know, you had the natural, the dark, and the painted, and it was kind of like, kind of like the model T thing.
Speaker A:As long as you Want it black, you're in a good shape.
Speaker C:Right, right, right.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:But construction wise, everything is mortise and tenanted and it's built a lot like we always did.
Speaker C:Everything is built pretty well the same.
Speaker A:What's funny is that technology has almost made it easier to build a stronger cabinet because you can really dial in and take out that human error that we see that even the best craftsmen sometimes have with a table saw.
Speaker C:Yeah, yeah, we have.
Speaker C:The saws that they have today are very precision.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:Very accurate.
Speaker C:So makes it easier to assemble a cabinet when all the parts are cut perfectly.
Speaker C:Right?
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker A:Don't change that dial.
Speaker A:We come back.
Speaker A:We'll be talking more with Elvin Hurst, founder of Country Craft Kitchens.
Speaker A:We're talking cabinetry for your home just as soon as around the House returns.
Speaker A:Don't go anywhere.
Speaker B:To find out more information, head to aroundthehouse online dot com.
Speaker B:Don't change that dial around the House.
Speaker B:We'll be right back after these important messages.
Speaker A:Welcome back to the around the House show, the next generation of home improvement.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:This hour is brought to you by our friends at Monument Grills.
Speaker A:Check them out@monumentgrills.com today we've been talking with Elvin Hurst, folks, founder of Country Craft, an amazing cabinetry company custom built in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Speaker A:Let's get back to the conversation that we have really had a great time with.
Speaker A:You know, using.
Speaker A:When I first started kitchen and bath design, I was using a little computer work.
Speaker A:But when I took my CKD exam with the NKBA to be a certified kitchen designer, it was hand drafted.
Speaker A:And I worked at companies that were high end that we did all the hand drafting and now, boy, the manufacturer creates the catalog to go into the kitchen design program and off people go designing it.
Speaker A:And you guys get a list of cabinetry.
Speaker A:Pretty easy compared to having to do all the hand entering and hand keying of things.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:That's what we started with.
Speaker C:All hand drawing, drew perspectives and a floor plan, an elevation and 3D.
Speaker C:3D perspective.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And that was a challenge.
Speaker C:It was enjoyable.
Speaker C:That's all we knew years ago is drawing by hand.
Speaker C:We didn't have any computers, so we started in 59.
Speaker C: the first computer we had was: Speaker C:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker A:And I was working for home centers in the 90s and they were starting to get, you know, in the early 90s starting to use the, the computers there.
Speaker A:But I tell you what, it was a lot faster instead of me drawing a kitchen out, you know, a couple kitchens, a Day I could do seven or eight, and it was a lot more efficient and a lot more accurate because I wasn't having to rely on my math.
Speaker C:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker C:Everything's computerized now.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:And you guys build primarily face frame style, traditional American cabinetry, correct?
Speaker C:Well, it seems about 50, 50 with the frame, front frame, and then the frameless.
Speaker C:We also do a lot of frameless.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:That's a change since I was back out there a little bit.
Speaker A:It was a little bit you guys were messing around with, but, yeah, they're.
Speaker C:Doing a lot more now.
Speaker C:Frameless.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:Well, that changes production as well, because, you know, you guys having to go through and build face frames and.
Speaker A:And doing the mortise and tenon on that type of thing versus just edge banding, it really changes the workflow within the shop, it seems.
Speaker C:It does.
Speaker C:Yeah, it does change it.
Speaker A:But I have a mix.
Speaker C:Yeah, they have a mix.
Speaker C:They run some with front frame, and then the next one might be frameless.
Speaker C:So all blends together.
Speaker C:It works out.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:For me, designing small kitchens, I always enjoyed the frameless ones because it just gave me a little more drawer space.
Speaker A:When I was adding the drawers in there, I could get a little more into those small kitchens where the.
Speaker A:I wasn't losing that, you know, that three inches or at least.
Speaker A:At least losing an inch and a half of space in drawer boxes going around a kitchen.
Speaker A:So for me, out on the west coast, being a designer, we were very much a frameless leaning company out here.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And it's.
Speaker C:It's a very practical cabinet.
Speaker A:It is.
Speaker A:Have you noticed a lot of the style differences?
Speaker A:I mean, you being where you're located, when you started to expand the company, did you start realizing, wow, regionally things change a little bit.
Speaker A:Did you notice that as you kept growing?
Speaker C:Oh, yeah, A lot more.
Speaker C:Different door styles, different colors, different styles, different shape hoods.
Speaker C:And the kitchen's much more of a fashion item now than what years ago, it was just per function.
Speaker C:A cabinet was made for function and for practical use.
Speaker C:And today it's more of a designer type product.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:It is the center of your home, right?
Speaker C:Pardon?
Speaker A:It's the center of your home now, where before it was more like the.
Speaker A:The laundry room, where it was just a function only, and you never took your guests back to the kitchen.
Speaker C:Public space, nights of public space is a place where people love to hang out in the kitchen.
Speaker C:And a lot of homes are built now with the kitchen and dining room and living room all open in one big room where you can socialize and entertain and.
Speaker C:Yeah, it's.
Speaker C:It's nice.
Speaker C:It's where.
Speaker C:It's where people like to hang out in the kitchen.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker C:And it's fun food.
Speaker C:Yeah, food and fellowship that goes together.
Speaker A:There we go.
Speaker A:And that's one of the things I noticed, too, that.
Speaker A:That designing.
Speaker A:When I was designing older homes, you know, you get into stuff.
Speaker A: Like pre: Speaker A:But then you've got people trying to get in there that are trying to use it like you would a 20, 25 kitchen now, where it's that great space and you just couldn't fit your 15 closest friends in there and actually be able to do something.
Speaker A:So that was always some of the design challenges we would run into.
Speaker A:And I think that's why you see so many remodels now with people taking walls out and trying to make that into the great room feel and trying to break up those smaller spaces.
Speaker C:Yeah, I see.
Speaker C:That definitely was a big change.
Speaker C:The open space.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:Years ago, back in the 40s and 50s and 60s, people, the kitchen was a private place, and dining room was another room, and the living room was not a lot of open.
Speaker C:Open living, open space space.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A: esting, too, if I think about: Speaker A:You know, back then, it was really doors, drawers on the top, and, you know, the hinges were different.
Speaker A:And now with the soft clothes and all the different things that we've got, boy, it has come a long way.
Speaker C:It did.
Speaker C:It came a long way.
Speaker C:They have good hardware and good drawer guides, and we use them Blum under mount guides and from Germany, and they're really nice.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, it's.
Speaker A:I remember, you know, one of the things that.
Speaker A:It's funny when I see consumers out there, whether you're a builder, remodeler, or a homeowner out shopping, you know, that dovetail drawer box was always that thing with the side mount or the, you know, the white epoxy slides were out there in the 80s.
Speaker A:That drawer box strength was all based upon that.
Speaker A:You know, the heavy duty drawer.
Speaker A:And nowadays, when you're getting into those, the bloom, you know, tandem and the undermount soft close.
Speaker A:The drawers are so much stronger on the glides.
Speaker A:They support the drawer so much better that maybe you don't always have to go with that dovetail drawer box to get the job done.
Speaker A:Because I tell you what, the glides take the beating where the drawer box used to.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:We wouldn't have to make a drawer box as heavy as we do, but it's what people want.
Speaker C:They want a solid maple, 5, 8 inch thick dovetail drawer box.
Speaker C:But you could.
Speaker C:My first 20 years I made my drawer boxes out of half inch birch plywood with an edge band on.
Speaker C:Much lighter now you have all this weight here to carry around when you're shipping and handling in the factory.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker C:But it's what the market wants.
Speaker C:They want the big drawer box, which you wouldn't, you wouldn't need it, but.
Speaker A:Exactly.
Speaker C:You give people what they want and they come back for more.
Speaker A:No question.
Speaker A:And you guys have done a lot about, you know, a lot of that over the years.
Speaker A:And are you guys shipping now across the country to cabinet dealers, independent cabinet dealers like that, or how far do you guys go now?
Speaker C:Well, we're covering the whole east coast from Maine to Florida and we have a couple dealers out west in California.
Speaker C:Where.
Speaker C:That's where you're from or where.
Speaker A:Yeah, I was actually up in the Seattle area.
Speaker A:I was trying to really push you guys to your farthest limit at the time.
Speaker A:So I was trying to get it out here.
Speaker A:And that's, you know, that's one of the things I will say that I think that's getting better out there over the years is getting those cabinets successfully shipped, you know, across the country to people.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:Yeah, we have good, we have a good independent truckers that haul our cabinets very, do quality, quality work very dependable and handle things well.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:Don't change that.
Speaker A:Time we come back, we'll be talking more with Elvin Hurst, founder of Country Craft Kitchens.
Speaker A:We're talking cabinetry for your home.
Speaker A:Just as soon as around the House returns.
Speaker A:Don't go anywhere.
Speaker B:To find out more information, head to Aroundthe House online dot com.
Speaker B:Don't change that dial.
Speaker B:Around the House will be right back after these important messages.
Speaker A:Welcome back to the around the House show, the next generation of home improvement.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:This hour is brought to you by our friends at Monument Grills.
Speaker A:Check them out@monument grills.com we've been talking today with Elvin Hurst, the founder.
Speaker A:This is such a great American success story of Country Craft Kitchens.
Speaker A:This is a cabinet manufacturer in Pennsylvania Dutch country and he is the founder.
Speaker A:Now let's get back to the conversation.
Speaker A:That is great because I know when companies back in the 80s were really expanding, going across the country, they were palletizing them and they were shipping them like Anything else like towels and toilet paper or whatever else out there.
Speaker A:And yeah, those, those trucking companies could be pretty tough on cabinetry.
Speaker C:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker C:There you can't just ship with anybody.
Speaker C:These people specialize.
Speaker C:We use Sounder Trucking from New Holland, Pennsylvania.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:They do a nice job for our long distance like into Florida and out west.
Speaker C:And then we have a local company here called Cupboard Wagon and that's all they do is kitchen delivery.
Speaker C:So they do a nice job.
Speaker A:That is great.
Speaker A:I tell you what, I have never seen so many wagons that out in your country, out there in your part of the woods.
Speaker A:It is a beautiful part of that.
Speaker A:And it's, it's so interesting to watch how the different cultures have meshed in and worked together out there.
Speaker A:It's, it's, it's a piece of beauty and I think that shows in your craftsmanship out there as well.
Speaker C:Yeah, we're blessed.
Speaker C:We're in a beautiful part of the world here.
Speaker C:A lot of agriculture and a lot of local industries.
Speaker C:Craftsmen.
Speaker C:And it's just a beautiful area.
Speaker A:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker A:I remember speaking of New Holland, I remember going through New Holland and I was driving through there with some friends checking out cabinet dealers, of course.
Speaker A:And I see this huge New Holland cabinet.
Speaker A:I mean New Holland tractor dealership.
Speaker A:And directly across the road was somebody out there hand working the land with a horse.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:And I was like, I am in this ying yang world of wow, all right here.
Speaker A:And it was really cool to see.
Speaker C:Yeah, we have a lot of the Amish people still use horses for farming and so we have all different kinds from horses to big tractors.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's great to see.
Speaker A:And it's something for me that was just really foreign to see out from the west coast out here.
Speaker A:It's just not something normal that we would see in our everyday.
Speaker A:And I really thought it was beautiful.
Speaker A:And some of the buggies that run around there, and I'm probably using the wrong terms as a west coaster, but beautiful craftsmanship everywhere that I saw.
Speaker C:Yep, yep.
Speaker A:So with cabinetry, cabinetry now, I mean, it's really interesting.
Speaker A:Are you working now with, with builders, Are you working more with independent cabinet dealers or is it a mixture of both?
Speaker C:We do some of everything.
Speaker C:We always did.
Speaker C:We sell to the.
Speaker C:We're our own local dealership right here in the factory.
Speaker C:We sell to the individual retail.
Speaker C:We have a showroom.
Speaker C:So and we have in salespeople and installers that cover a 70 mile radius from our factory.
Speaker C:And then everything there goes from there on.
Speaker C:It goes through independent Dealers.
Speaker C:So we sell individuals and contractors and that's how we build our business, selling everybody from individuals to contractors to dealers.
Speaker A:So Elvin, who is your customer as far as in the space of the cabinet?
Speaker A:You know, kind of in that good, better, best.
Speaker A:And that's the one thing I learned early on in cabinetry is that you've got kind of everything that starts out with what I would call is the ready to assemble.
Speaker A:Coming in off the boat from overseas to the high end architectural digest, you know, $300,000 cabinet package going in a small condo that looks absolutely insane.
Speaker A:Where you guys kind of fit in that, in that world of cabinetry.
Speaker C:Well, we are, I would say in the high end of the high end custom.
Speaker C:We.
Speaker C:Our motto is the only limitation is your imagination and your space and your budget.
Speaker C:So if you can design it and fit it in your house and can afford it, we can build most any, any size kitchen you want with any style, any color.
Speaker C:So we make small kitchens for 20,000, all the way up to a hundred thousand.
Speaker C:So what?
Speaker C:Whatever you want.
Speaker C:We don't just do kitchens.
Speaker C:We do furniture for the entire home.
Speaker C:We do the walk in closets, office furniture, bathrooms.
Speaker C:If it's a cabinet, we build it for any and for the whole house.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:It's so amazing how, you know, kitchens were the big thing thing.
Speaker A:It expanded into bathrooms and really making the most out of that space where people started to really rethink about what went into that cabinetry.
Speaker A:And you're right.
Speaker A:From family room entertainment areas to media rooms, to that luxury closet system, which half the time in many of these big homes have better cabinetry than what's in the kitchen.
Speaker C:Right?
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:So we cover the whole house wherever you want.
Speaker C:Cabinets, even do the garage.
Speaker C:We do cabins in the garage, the basement, the laundry, the bathrooms, the entertainment centers, office, everywhere.
Speaker C:You can see it on our website.
Speaker C:We have pretty well everything going there.
Speaker A:That is awesome.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And you guys have really.
Speaker A:I was really impressed out there with, with the thought that you guys have put into the cabinetry.
Speaker A:And I just noticed like building your doors and things like that.
Speaker A:The, the attention to detail that you guys do on your stuff.
Speaker A:It.
Speaker A:There's a lot of companies I've been through, I've been through probably 30 or 40 different cabinet manufacturers and it still sticks into my head the little details to make sure that the, the doors can expand and contract correctly.
Speaker A:And just all the thought that went into building these to be something that's going to live a long life in your home.
Speaker A:And that to me is Kind of the ultimate of a green cabinetry is that you build something that's going to hold up through generations, that someone's going to get tired of the look of it before it actually fails.
Speaker C:Yeah, you won't wear it out in your lifetime.
Speaker C:The only reason people change them is because they get tired of the color or style.
Speaker C:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker C:There's a lot of detail goes into building a custom cabinet.
Speaker C:Another thing we do to make sure your cabinets get delivered on time, complete with good quality, we schedule our kitchen to go into the shipping room in the warehouse for inspection one week before delivery.
Speaker C:So we set the whole kitchen up just the way it goes in your room.
Speaker C:Inspect everything, every detail, make sure every door fits properly, every drawer and all the finish is good.
Speaker C:So make sure that when it gets delivered, it's going to be what you want.
Speaker A:You know, Elvin, that is one of the most important things that I have seen in a manufacturer.
Speaker A:And I think you were the first company I saw do that to that extent going around through cabinet plan places because so many times the final assembly crew that is at the end of the line is trying to keep up with pace.
Speaker A:They have a schedule to meet.
Speaker A:But by doing that, you catch the mistakes.
Speaker A:I mean, I have ordered.
Speaker A:I'm not going to say anything bad about your competitors out there, but many times I, as a designer and as a kitchen cabinet dealer owner, had ordered cabinetry and I had ordered 24 inch wide single door cabinets.
Speaker A:They were clear on the order, it was on the confirmation, and they were for an entertainment, tall entertainment unit.
Speaker A:Half the doors showed up as two 12 inch doors.
Speaker A:Half of them showed up with single doors.
Speaker A:And if someone would have actually stopped and looked at this and would have went, this doesn't make any sense.
Speaker A:We better look at the paperwork.
Speaker A:A lot of headaches can get solved right then before it leaves the factory.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:It's so important to do a thorough inspection to be sure that you get what you ordered.
Speaker C:And our motto is here, the golden rule.
Speaker C:Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Speaker C:Do it right, do it right the first time.
Speaker A:And for our listeners out there, this is one of the most important things, things when I see this, because I tell you what, there are other manufacturers out there that lean on their customer service team afterwards that, well, we'll just get it fixed, maybe they'll catch it, they'll ship it, they'll send out parts the next week.
Speaker A:But what you guys do is so innovative to most cabinet manufacturers out there.
Speaker A:It really makes that installation process and even just the receiving from the cabinet dealer.
Speaker A:When that comes up into their warehouse or out to their job site, it makes for such a cleaner experience.
Speaker A:Don't change that dial.
Speaker A:We come back.
Speaker A:We'll be talking more with Elvin Hurst, founder of Country Craft Kitchens, just as soon as around the House returns.
Speaker A:Don't go anywhere.
Speaker B:To find out more information, head to aroundthehouse online.com don't change that dial.
Speaker B:Around the house.
Speaker B:We'll be right back after these emergency important messages.
Speaker A:Welcome back to the around the House show, the next generation of home improvement.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:This hour is brought to you by our friends at Monument Grills.
Speaker A:Check them out@monument grills.com we've been talking today with Elvin Hurst, the founder.
Speaker A:This is such a great American success story of Country Craft Kitchens.
Speaker A:This is a cabinet manufacturer in Pennsylvania Dutch country and he is the founder.
Speaker A:Now let's get back to the conversation.
Speaker C:Yeah, we had our challenges.
Speaker C:People order things that you wonder if you can build.
Speaker C:But we are blessed with many good craftsmen here now that build most everything that people want.
Speaker C:There's very few times that we will turn down an order because we don't know how to do it.
Speaker C:So, yeah, there is challenging times.
Speaker C:But oh, yeah, we, we, we figure it out.
Speaker C:We get it done.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:One of the things that have always been one of my Achilles heels with designers that I've always worked with are those wood hoods, you know?
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:And the challenges that can go with those, from making sure that it meets fire code where it extends over the cooktop to.
Speaker A:Can you actually get it in there?
Speaker C:We, we make a lot of wood.
Speaker C:A lot of wood hoods.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:Sweep hoods, sweep.
Speaker C:Front sweep, side sweep and three.
Speaker C:Three sided.
Speaker A:Yeah, that is, that is great.
Speaker C:To be a popular thing is wood hoods.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:One of the things that I did, I think my biggest wood hood that I had ordered for a client in my 30, almost 35 years of design was this homeowner had a 14 foot long run of a hood because she had a pizza 14ft and it was crazy to build.
Speaker A:So we ended up building it locally because shipping it was never going to be something that was going to be capable without having to rent a whole truck out and ship it, you know, just getting it out there.
Speaker A:But we built a 14 foot long hood because she had a, like a 7 or 8 foot French range, a pizza oven that was in there, that was underneath it.
Speaker A:And it was really a commercial hood that we were hiding under, you know, residential woodwork.
Speaker A:But she first wanted ordered.
Speaker A:And I was like, we have to build this here locally because it's going to cost you tens of thousands of dollars just to try to ship it across the country on a semi truck.
Speaker C:So you made a wood hood 14 foot long?
Speaker A:Yes, we did.
Speaker C:Wow.
Speaker A:We had craftsmen, we had, you know, the.
Speaker A:It was a nightmare, you know, trying to get the hood to work correctly and to put.
Speaker A:We really basically had to get with a commercial hood manufacturer and then build us around, around the hood that they had to build around the line.
Speaker A:That's.
Speaker C:That's too long.
Speaker C:We'd probably say no to that.
Speaker C:We'd probably make it in two sections.
Speaker C:Make two seven foot hoods instead of 114.
Speaker A:Yeah, well, she wanted a 14 foot arch.
Speaker A:So it was not easy.
Speaker A:It was not easy.
Speaker A:I'm sure we said yes when we should have said no.
Speaker A:So those are those lessons you'll hear, right?
Speaker A:We've had plenty of those.
Speaker A:We've had plenty of those.
Speaker A:You know, the other thing is, I don't know if you're seeing that out here, but out here on the west coast, we're seeing a lot more of the waterborne finishes just to be able to meet our state regulations on, you know, what's coming out of the finish room.
Speaker A:Are you guys dealing with that out there as well?
Speaker C:Yeah, we just recently, the last couple years switched to all polyurethane finishes.
Speaker C:So we have a very good finish, very high quality.
Speaker A: That is my favorite finish of: Speaker A:Is that polyurethane?
Speaker A:It is so much better.
Speaker C:Get it from Sherwin Williams.
Speaker C:Sherwin Williams makes it.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:That is the only right answer right there, my friend.
Speaker A:That is the beautiful Stu.
Speaker A:That is.
Speaker A:It's kind of the best of all worlds.
Speaker A:You get that really clear clarity that doesn't look like plastic, but it has that durability that combines with it.
Speaker C:It's a good, it's a good finish.
Speaker A:It's just absolutely beautiful.
Speaker A:Are there other things that kind of surprise you that you see out there that have really changed in the cabin industry over the last few years?
Speaker A:And I know you're a lucky one to be able to watch from a little of the outside and not having to be on the, on the shop floor managing that every day?
Speaker A:But I tell you what, I love the kitchen and bath industry.
Speaker A:But when I hung my hat up on the design stuff and not waking up at 2 o' clock in the morning wondering if I ordered the crown molding for a project, it's nice, but you have seen so much what's new out there that kind of makes you go, wow, we sure never had that before.
Speaker C:Yeah, well, I don't know.
Speaker C:Like I said, I'm.
Speaker C:I don't know of anything that they, that's that new that they can do.
Speaker C:But I know they're always dealing with new materials and new lemonade.
Speaker C:Some people want high gloss lemonade cabinets and, and different woods.
Speaker C:They want this a lot of quarter saw and oak.
Speaker C:That's very popular noun.
Speaker C:White oak, quartz on quiet oak.
Speaker A:So yeah, the white oak and the walnuts are sure hot it seems right now.
Speaker A:You know what I mean?
Speaker A:Where, you know, that was not used in cabinetry for 25 or 30 years for many people.
Speaker A:It wasn't one of the in ones.
Speaker A:That's when we had the, the maple and the alders and maybe some fur and things like that.
Speaker A:But yeah, that quarter sawn white oak and in the light stains have been just tearing it up across the industry it seems.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And wal, like you said, walnut.
Speaker C:We're doing quite a bit of walnut too.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:It's, it's.
Speaker A:That stuff of the 70s and 60s has come back again.
Speaker C:Yeah, I know.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:There's more stains coming back again too.
Speaker C:Instead of paint.
Speaker C:The hand rub finish.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's, it's interesting.
Speaker A:And are you guys still doing.
Speaker A:When it comes to the finish shop, are you doing more spray stains or are you kind of doing a mixture depending on what the color is?
Speaker C:No, it's all the stains are all wiping stains.
Speaker A:Are they cool?
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:Hand rubbed oil stain.
Speaker A:Nice.
Speaker A:That is something that I really like.
Speaker A:There's some companies that have, shall we say, gotten away from that and they use the, like a flatline finisher that they will spray the stain on.
Speaker A:But I just love the, I love the look.
Speaker A:You get a much more furniture look with, with that hand rub stain.
Speaker A:It's just more of, well, that old school way of doing it.
Speaker A:That looks good.
Speaker C:It brings the grain out.
Speaker C:It really makes.
Speaker C:It really pronounces the wood.
Speaker C:Nice.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:Yeah, we like the handbra.
Speaker C:We don't spray any stains.
Speaker A:Nice, Nice.
Speaker A:That is a good one.
Speaker A:Well, you know, Elvin, we're running a little out of time here.
Speaker A:We're getting close to the one hour mark on this show.
Speaker A:But if there are people out there that want to maybe become a dealer for you guys that are, that are a kitchen cabinetry designer, we have a lot of designers that listen to us here on the national radio show and podcast.
Speaker A:What's the best way for them to reach out to you?
Speaker C:Well, the best way is Just to call us and tell them they're interested and we'll gladly communicate with them and connect with them.
Speaker C:You want my phone number?
Speaker C:Do you have that?
Speaker C:Our number and address and website.
Speaker C:Our website's perfect.
Speaker A:They can track you down from there.
Speaker C:We have a beautiful website.
Speaker C:You have that.
Speaker C:Would that be on your show?
Speaker A:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker A:Go ahead and we can put, Go ahead and give it out there and I'll.
Speaker A:We'll make sure that it's in the show here and I'll put it in the show notes as well.
Speaker C:Yeah, you put your website on and our phone number.
Speaker C:We're, we have.
Speaker C:We still love to talk to people one to one.
Speaker C:We don't.
Speaker C:When you call the Country Craft kitchens, you'll get a live person answering the phone.
Speaker C:You don't have to talk to a robot or push buttons.
Speaker C:And you know, we have a friendly receptionist that likes to talk.
Speaker A:That is perfect.
Speaker A:That is perfect.
Speaker A:And for the consumer out there that's thinking about building a house or last year at Thanksgiving they said, I'm not cooking another Thanksgiving in this kitchen again.
Speaker A:What's the best way for them to find out more about you guys?
Speaker A:Same website.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:We have good sales people here, good reps to follow up.
Speaker C:Anybody's welcome to call us.
Speaker C:We love to do business with anybody, anywhere.
Speaker A:That is perfect.
Speaker A:I love it.
Speaker C:We invite people to come to visit us.
Speaker C:Come to for a factory tour.
Speaker C:Come and see the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch country and take a tour of the factory.
Speaker A:Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Speaker A:I tell you what, it is beautiful.
Speaker A:My little brother actually lives up in Mechanicsburg and anytime I can get out that way to come take a look at that beautiful part of the world.
Speaker A:I sure don't.
Speaker A:I sure don't turn it down, if you know what I mean.
Speaker C:Well, I hope if you come the next time, come and visit us again.
Speaker A:Oh, I would love to.
Speaker A:And seeing factory tours, I think if you're in the area that is the most, simplest place to start is to see the people and you guys are jam packed with the people that love what they do.
Speaker A:I noticed that you had a lot of families working out in the shop.
Speaker A:Multi generational people that, oh, this is their person's cousin and this person's dad or grandfather, grandmother, whatever.
Speaker A:You have such a great crew out there.
Speaker C:We do.
Speaker C:We have a wonderful team and they love, they love to give the welcome tours here.
Speaker C:We like to give tours.
Speaker C:So thank you so much for interviewing us and we welcome everybody to come and visit us.
Speaker A:I appreciate it.
Speaker A:I'm Eric G.
Speaker A:And you've been listening to around the House.
Speaker B:To find out more about country craft, visit their website@countrycraft.com make sure you use the letter K when you spell country and craft.
Speaker B:Thanks for tuning in.
Speaker B:We will catch you next time you've been listening to the around the House Show.
