Panelists address industry issues at Kountry Kraft

Kountry Kraft Custom Cabinetry in Newmanstown, Pa. recently hosted the Susquehanna chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) for a factory tour and panel discussion. About 50 kitchen and bath designers attended the Oct. 12 event to gain insight on managing the industry’s current challenges.

“We periodically host NKBA events to bring our fellow kitchen and bath family together and share our knowledge with the design and manufacturing community. Our tour educated members on our manufacturing process and our panel provided everyone with a framework to move forward in our industries. Together we are stronger,” says Elvin Hurst, Jr., co-owner of the company, which operates out of a 96,000-sq-ft. facility with about 100 employees.

Panelist Jeff Eichenseer, of Conestoga Wood Specialties in East Earl, Pa., noted the “cost of maple and walnut products continue to climb in price in tandem with demand. While the rate of lumber increases has slowed recently, we do not expect to see decreases anytime soon.

“The worldwide shortage of MDF will continue to push pricing upward well into 2022.”

Monika Chap, a representative of Fulton Bank, addressed the financial picture. “Total project management is more important now than ever, and we should expect to see a light at the end of the tunnel beginning 2023,” she said.

“It is imperative you understand when the products are allocated for your order, ordering ahead of time is not a guarantee the parts needed to produce your item will be available,” added Matt Burkholder of Martin Appliance of Myerstown, Pa.

For more, visit kountrykraft.com. 

This article was originally published in the January 2022 issue.