Woodpreneur Network Podcast Hosts Elvin Hurst Sr.
By / October 5, 2024 December 21, 2024
Woodpreneur Network Podcast host Steve Larosiliere recently interviewed Elvin Hurst Sr.— founder of Kountry Kraft—about how he built a kitchen cabinet business that’s still thriving 65 years later. Follow along as Elvin takes you through his journey and learn the five tips for success he shares with Woodpreneur Network Podcast.
Helen Hurst’s Gift of a Sears Craftsman Saw
Kountry Kraft’s story begins in 1958 with Helen Hurst’s gift of a Sears Craftsman Saw to her husband. This gift ignited a passion for woodworking in Elvin, who used the saw to begin making cabinets for family and friends. As word spread and demand grew, Elvin and Helen realized they could transform what had started as a hobby into a real business. With the help of his parents, the couple founded Kountry Kraft.
A Kitchen Company
Elvin considers his first big business milestone as gaining name recognition for Kountry Kraft and having it become known as a kitchen company. From the very start, Kountry Kraft touted quality work, on time delivery, and fair prices. With each kitchen sold, Kountry Kraft became known for these core values.
Expanding to 45 Kitchen Dealers
As the business grew and production capabilities increased, Kountry Kraft began partnering with kitchen dealers that would use the cabinets in their own designs. This network now includes 45 kitchen dealers that span from Maine to Florida and are known for producing award-winning designs that feature Kountry Kraft cabinetry.
Five Tips for Success
When asked what advice he would give for others to create a successful and long-lived business, Elvin listed the following five tips for success:
- Have vision and ambition.
- Be willing to take the hard times with the good times.
- Be committed.
- Put your customers and employees first. Put yourself last.
- Be willing to give others an opportunity.
About Woodpreneur Network Podcast
Woodpreneur Network Podcast seeks to empower wood businesses by providing insights, strategies, and techniques to scale sustainably and deliver great products. Watch Elvin’s full interview on episode “65 Years of Cabinet Making Excellence” of the Woodpreneur Network Podcast and check out other episodes on the Woodpreneur Network.
Proactively Preserving the Kountry Kraft Legacy
By / April 13, 2022 April 11, 2022Dee Hurst-Funk, CFO, and Elvin Jr. Hurst, CEO, of Kountry Kraft, are proactively preserving the Kountry Kraft legacy by welcoming Dave Riebe as President.
In his role as President, Dave will preserve the longevity of Kountry Kraft by running the company on a daily basis under the guidance of Dee and Elvin Jr. Dave has immersed himself in Kountry Kraft by working with every employee in every department. From delivering a kitchen in Annapolis, to assisting in finishing and order processing, he rolled up his sleeves to become familiar with every part of the company.
“We’re excited about the fresh vision Dave brings to the business. He comes with knowledge and experience in manufacturing that will enrich the legacy and longevity of Kountry Kraft.” – Dee Hurst-Funk, CFO
About Dave
Dave brings a fresh vision to the business with over 25 years of experience leading organizations and developing teams in diversified manufacturing companies. He is recognized as an executive whose personal leadership style effectively balances a pragmatic management approach with strong creative and innovative abilities.
Prior to Kountry Kraft, Dave worked at Carlisle Construction Materials as Director of five different businesses, he was President of Pennex Aluminum Company, and he held various positions at Danaher Corporation (Kollmorgen) with increasing responsibility; most recently he was Vice President and General Manager, and he also served in general management, product marketing, and manufacturing roles. Mr. Riebe has also provided management consulting to senior business leaders, and he spent the first five years of his career in engineering positions at General Motors Corporation.
Dave has a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University, a Master of Science in Mechanics from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
“We sell an experience… the experience of feeling at home in the kitchen. The experience of being together. That to me is what the business is about – providing that experience for families, for generations, for life.” – Dave Riebe
A Diamond Dealer Conference Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence
By / October 4, 2019 October 4, 2019On September 26th and 27th, dealers from across the nation, near and far, came to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Kountry Kraft, a custom cabinet manufacturer located in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania. Kountry Kraft was founded in 1959 by Elvin Hurst, Sr. and Helen Hurst, after Helen gave him the gift of a Sears Craftsman table saw for Christmas in 1958. 60 years and three generations later, the company celebrated their diamond anniversary with a diamond dealer conference.
The conference consisted of two fun-filled days of activities. The designers took a tour of the 96,000 square foot facility and were able to see where and how their cabinet designs come to life. They also made some of the products themselves – metal fusion finish, banded a door front, dovetailed a drawer box, paint colors and more.
The different activities awarded the dealers “diamonds” that could be used to enter to win different prizes. Prizes ranged from cabinet door samples, to cabinet displays, to the grand prize which was an option of a diamond with a $6,000 value, $6,000 net off one cabinet order of choice, $6,000 net co-op dollars or 60% off one display. The lucky grand prize winners were Janice Page, CKD, and Debbie Karpiak of PKsurroundings.
Two special guest speakers presented – Richard T. Anuszkiewicz and Matthew Ferrarini – renowned leaders of the kitchen and bath design industry.
Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, also known as Richard A2Z, presented about Fashion Forward Thinking.
Matthew Ferrarini presented about the flow, function and feeling of a space.
Other kitchen and bath design leaders participated in a discussion forum leaded by Denise Grothouse, discussing major topics of the industry, including how to successfully brand your company and how to qualify leads. The leaders on the panel include Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, Justin Sachs of Stonington Cabinetry & Designs, Beth Veillette of Hanford Cabinet & Woodworking, August Reichert of Sunnyfields Cabinetry, and Janice Page of PKsurroundings.
Kountry Kraft is honored to have such great partnerships and employees. It is thanks to them that we can celebrate 60 years. Visit our Facebook page to see more photos from the diamond dealer conference!
#KountryKraft #KKTurns60 #CustomCabinetry #60thAnniversary #DiamondAnniversary
Kountry Kraft Logo Throughout the Years
By / April 24, 2019 March 26, 2019As our company, quality and selections evolved over time, so did our Kountry Kraft logo. In order to keep current, our brand was reflected in various logo styles throughout the years.
Kountry Kraft Logo Throughout the Years
Kountry Kraft was launched 60 years ago in April of 1959. What you may not have known was Kountry Kraft was originally called Kountry Kraft Kitchens! In the early years of Kountry Kraft their specialty was kitchens, but throughout the years they evolved and became experts in so much more.
Since Kountry Kraft specialized in more than just kitchens, “Kountry Kraft” added the tagline “Excellence in Custom-made Cabinetry” with “Since 1959”. This logo was used for years to come and is still used on the sign outside their location and throughout the shop in Newmanstown, PA. The simple tagline “excellence in custom-made cabinetry” says so much with so little words. It truly characterizes the four guiding principles on which the company was founded: craft the highest quality custom cabinetry products; deliver on schedule every time; price it fairly; and be honest, genuine and friendly.
Through the years Kountry Kraft always kept current and updated their logo design to the one featured above. Keeping the tagline the same while showcasing “Kountry Kraft” in a more simplistic way.
Fast forward to January of 2017, the Kountry Kraft logo design and brand was given new life. This new logo represents the classical and timeless quality that Kountry Kraft has to offer, while also representing their ability to be current with a simple font for their tagline. This logo was special to Kountry Kraft as it is a part of the ongoing evolution of their brand. The update of this logo came along with many other new introductions as well! Kountry Kraft launched a brand-new website and catalog, all showcasing the new logo in 2017.
To celebrate and distinguish Kountry Kraft’s accomplishment of being in business 60 years, this special logo was created! This diamond anniversary portrays the growth, responsibility, values and security that Kountry Kraft has preserved and honored throughout the years. For the duration of 2019 you will see this custom logo throughout our social media as we walk through memory lane to showcase how Kountry Kraft all started.
Visit our website to learn more about Kountry Kraft’s history or follow us on Facebook! To view our recently completed designs, visit our Houzz page.
#KountryKraft #KountryKraftLogo #KKTurns60 #CustomCabinetry #60YearAnniversary
Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence in Custom-Made Cabinetry
By / April 10, 2019 March 27, 2019Kountry Kraft is proud to be celebrating 60 years in business! This diamond anniversary signifies growth, responsibility, values and security which are all characteristics that Kountry Kraft has honored throughout the years.
Throughout the 60 Years
It all started in 1958, Elvin Hurst was a farmer raising a family of his own with this wife, Helen Hurst. In addition to farming, Elvin worked as a cabinet maker. He enjoyed woodworking so much that Helen saved $10 a month to buy Elvin a $110 Craftsman Table Saw for Christmas that year. This gift brought so many opportunities for Elvin that he did not see coming. The demand for his creations exceeded his ability to supply. So, with the help of his parents, Reuben and Mary Hurst, Elvin launched Kountry Kraft in April of 1959. Without Helen, there would be no Kountry Kraft!
Because of Elvin’s commitment to quality woodworking, Kountry Kraft became widely known for top level craftsmanship and impeccable service, and their popularity soared. Elvin continued to use the saw for 18 years as the company rapidly expanded from their four-car garage to a 96,000 square foot facility with a staff of over 100 skilled craftsmen.
In 2000, Elvin became chairman of the board after serving as president of the company for 40 years. This move represented the change from him being active in the daily management of the company. Elvin and Helen realized that it was a necessity for both the company and the industry to prepare for the next generation. It was with great pride that they gave managerial control of Kountry Kraft to two of their four children in 2003, Elvin Hurst Jr. and Dee Hurst-Funk, who spent their entire lives working in every facet of the business.
Over the past 60 years the office and manufacturing facility remains on the Hurst family farm in the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. The third generation of Hurst family members are now being groomed to manage the company in the future. We are so excited to be celebrating 60 years in business and look forward to many more!
To view all the exquisite projects Kountry Kraft has created over the past 60 years, visit our website or Houzz page!
#DiamondAnniversary #KKTurns60 #KountryKraft #CustomCabinetry #60YearAnniversary
Kountry Kraft Garage – Where the Dream Became a Reality
By / December 12, 2018 December 12, 2018For many Made in America companies, a garage is where their dream became a reality. The path that led to the launch of Disney, Google, Apple and Kountry Kraft is an inspiring journey.
How the Dream Became a Reality
Many wide known companies such as, Disney, Google and Apple started out in a garage as well. For some, there was a specific item that sparked their inspiration to start creating what they loved. Others, they grew up knowing what they always wanted to do, and the garage was their starting point.
Disney
Walt Disney shifted his interested from cartooning to becoming an animator when he received a camera. With this camera he captured his first animation called “Alice’s Wonderland”. This garage in Kansas City, Missouri was where Walt did all the editing on this project and how Disney came to life.
Larry Page and Sergey Brin were working on a project for Stanford University on how to develop a search engine. This project turned into a success, so they rented a garage in Menlo Park, California and began developing what would become Google.
Apple
Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs raised money to complete their first computer design called “Apple I”. They assembled the circuit board in Steve Jobs’ garage located in Silicon Valley, California. This garage is not labeled as a historical site.
Kountry Kraft, Inc.
Dale, Dee, Jere and Elvin Jr. in Front of Kountry Kraft 1959
Kountry Kraft started when Helen Hurst bought her husband Elvin a brand-new Sears Craftsman Table Saw. This saw allowed Elvin to create cabinetry and furniture for his family and friends. When the demand for his creations grew, the family decided to launch Kountry Kraft in 1959. They started out in the family garage, located in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania where their dream became a reality. Over the years Kountry Kraft grew rapidly and expanded to a 96,000 square foot facility.
If you visit Kountry Kraft, you actually walk through the door that is featured above. We expanded off the original garage to keep the history alive. You can also view the original Sears Craftsman Table Saw in person at our main showroom in Newmanstown, PA!
If you would like to learn more about our history visit our website! Also Check out our Houzz page to see some of our recently completed designs.
#KountryKraft #History #KountryKraftGarage #DreamBecameAReality #CustomCabinetry
Sources: Photography, Facts