Kountry Kraft turns 65

From left to right, Elvin Hurst Jr, Elvin Hurst Sr, Helen Hurst, and Dee Hurst-Funk.

Photo By Kountry Kraft

NEWMANSTOWN, Pa. — Kountry Kraft Custom Cabinetry, one of the oldest privately-owned custom cabinet shops in the nation still run by the original family, is celebrating its 65th anniversary celebration. 

The milestone event will take place Sept. 11-12 when the company will welcome dealers from across the country to honor the legacy and future of Kountry Kraft.

Founded in 1959 by Elvin and Helen Hurst, Kountry Kraft began with a single saw, a powerful vision, and the dedication of two people. From their family garage, they laid the foundation for a company that would become synonymous with quality and craftsmanship in custom cabinetry. 

Over the years, Kountry Kraft has grown into a 96,000-square-foot facility in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania, encompassing the plant, showroom, and company offices, and has undergone 17 expansions. The company is also on the FDMC300 list of top North American manufacturers of wood products. It ranks #248 on the list

Today, the company said their children, Elvin Jr. and Dolores Hurst-Funk, continue to uphold the legacy with the same commitment to excellence and innovation that their parents instilled. Elvin Jr. serves as the company’s CEO, focusing on manufacturing and maintenance, while Dolores oversees the financial and sales aspects as the CFO. 

Together, they ensure that Kountry Kraft remains a leader in custom cabinetry, offering personalized designs and exceptional customer service. “We are deeply grateful for the unwavering loyalty and support of our dealers, which has been instrumental in our journey,” said Dolores Hurst-Funk.

Kountry Kraft’s expansive facility, located in the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch countryside, continues to surprise many with its scope and capability. The company produces a variety of custom woodwork, including cabinetry, libraries, offices, and commercial retail spaces, all made to order. About 70 percent of their products go to dealers, with the remaining 30 percent sold directly to customers.

The homecoming event will feature a detailed look at Kountry Kraft’s rich history, a showcase of their latest innovations in custom cabinetry, and heartfelt tributes to the founders' vision and values. Author Greg Rohl will be the featured speaker and attendees will also have the opportunity to reconnect with partnering vendors, share experiences via a discussion panel, and visit learning kiosks placed throughout the factory.

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Larry Adams | Editor

Larry Adams is a Chicago-based writer and editor who writes about how things get done. A former wire service and community newspaper reporter, Larry is an award-winning writer with more than three decades of experience. In addition to writing about woodworking, he has covered science, metrology, metalworking, industrial design, quality control, imaging, Swiss and micromanufacturing . He was previously a Tabbie Award winner for his coverage of nano-based coatings technology for the automotive industry. Larry volunteers for the historic preservation group, the Kalo Foundation/Ianelli Studios, and the science-based group, Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST).