Did you know that according to a recent Gallup poll (from March 5, 2012) on MSN Health, Lancaster PA is currently the #1 US City for well-being (confirming what I already knew)? Quoting from the article “One contribution to Lancaster’s top well-being ranking is that working residences feel that their employment supervisors strongly support them.” In turn, Gallup explained, “this can lead to decreased chances of poor health and less susceptibility to potential negative effects of long commutes”.

Having always lived in the area, I am thankful for this community and cannot imagine living anywhere else.

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While the economic downturn brought about great stress and hardships, I believe that we can all say that we learned a lot!  The necessity of reducing expenses while increasing productivity has brought about a new realization of what business must look like while generating a resilience we did not know we had.

Many companies have responded to the downturn by utilizing cheaper materials in an effort to produce a less expensive cabinet.  After talking with many of our clients and listening to their comments, I determined that we would move in the opposite direction!  We have increased the quality of our cabinetry by integrating better materials and implementing significant improvements into our product line, while maintaining current pricing.  In so doing, we have created a product with a much better value – price ratio!  To offset the increased material costs, we reviewed each expenditure related to operations and overhead costs to determine if it is absolutely necessary and vital for healthy business operations.  It is amazing how many little expenditures can be eliminated and the impact that makes to the bottom line.

Presently, we are cataloging these updates and improvements along with several new items, which we will be unveiling to our designers in the coming months.  I am excited about the new products and enhancements we have made and feel that the designers will have an opportunity to have great discussions with their clients.

I see 2012 filled with countless opportunities but one must understand that a farmer is always optimistic!

Several times a year, Christiana Cabinetry host’s events that provide designers an opportunity to learn more about the cabinetry we build as well as new products that  are being developed. It’s also a time for Christiana to gather ideas about how we might improve our products and services.

The most recent training class was held on Oct 24^th & 25^th.  This event was especially interesting since the designers that attended were from various parts of the country and Canada giving the event an international flavor.

Even after 35⁺ years in the industry, I am constantly looking for ways to improve what we do.  It’s important to me that everyone involved with Christiana Cabinetry be kept current with the latest product improvements and be knowledgeable about new products being released. Providing a good quality cabinet is a given, however, I am just as concerned about providing our designers and our clients stellar service. When I make a purchase, I am always delighted when someone exceeds my expectations so I try to pass along that same anticipation to our clients.

After a day of talking about cabinets, moldings and doors, it’s time to enjoy a wonderful dinner at my home. Spending time around a table full of delicious food is really the essence of what the kitchen business is all about. As the evening progressed many stories were shared, some of them quite serious, others very humorous.  Through laughter and tears I realized that these shared life experiences bind us together.  We began the event as colleagues, and we departed as a family!  What more can one ask?

I thought it might be of interest to you to discover the criteria that are used to determine how we construct our cabinetry.

The kitchen is the most mechanically involved area of the home and requires a significant investment. Life happens in and around this area so any change or disruption will complicate the normal routine of the house.  Outside of normal family life most of the entertaining is done in the kitchen area. Since the early 1970’s the kitchen reflects an individual’s statement of style. Realizing this we have made the following determinations;

We will build our cabinetry with the best materials available.

• The clients that commissioned furniture and cabinetry 35 years ago are still enjoying their pieces today.

We will conduct our business so that we can accommodate any design style.

• While technology is wonderful, we wouldn’t allow it to dictate what we can or can’t build. Sometimes building a custom item can’t be automated and must be completely hand-crafted.

Our cabinetry will be constructed of safe materials

• Most companies will tout that their finishes are “Low HAPS” or “HAPS compliant. The finishes that we use are formaldehyde and isocyanide free.
  • We upgraded to this finish because;
  • I was concerned for the safety of our employees. All of the finishes that we have ever used have been compliant, knowing some of the chemicals that the finish contains concerned me.  Each of our employees are very  important and  valuable, I couldn’t live with the reality that their health was at risk.
  • I am a father and a grandfather, my children and grandchildren are the greatest gift I could ever hope for.  Having harmful chemicals in my home as well as yours is not an option.
  • Our new finishes are far superior in moisture resistance and wear-ability than the finish that previously used.
  • Despite the fact that the Santé’ and Avenir finish materials costs Christiana Cabinetry approximately 110% more that the conversion varnish we had previously used, I am happy with the benefits (noted above) that everyone enjoys. Our new spray equipment that was needed to apply this finish has drastically reduced our finish material waste, thus allowing us to maintain current pricing.
  • Christiana Cabinetry was environmentally conscientious long before it was socially acceptable because it’s our way of life….

Electricity is not expected to be running again until late Wednesday evening. If you have an emergency please contact Randy Brotzman at 484-459-7391, or Jerry Metzler at 610-593-7514. We are working with the electric company to get the power back on sooner and will send another e-mail when the electricity is up and running.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes, and hope that each of you on the East Coast were not too severely effected by Irene.

In the course of business, people tell us that sometimes they receive an operator message that our phone lines have been disconnected, are no longer in service, or that the number is not valid at all.  Sometimes the person calling will be connected but cannot hear us when we answer. Fortunately, we have caller ID so if you do call and cannot hear us, we will call you back. If you try several times and cannot connect (even if you do and we can’t hear you), you may e-mail us at info@christianacabinet.com, and that message will be forwarded to the appropriate person to call you back. However, be sure to include contact information so we can respond back to you.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes and hope that in the very near future this will finally be resolved.

Regards,
Jerry

Reconstituted Veneers are created by gluing together (laminating) many slices of veneer to create a block. The block is then recut in a way that the end-grain becomes the graining of the “Reconstituted Veneer”. To prevent the grain from being perfectly straight, the contours of the laminations are maneuvered to provide any desired configuration. Reconstituted Veneer may also be dyed to provide various colors and shades.This product allows the “natural” substance to be maintained while offering product consistency in coloration and graining.  If the manufacturing process is precise, it is difficult to determine if the veneer is real or reconstituted.

The benefits of utilizing reconstituted veneers:

•    Uniform colors from one project to the next
•    Uniform grain patterns
•    Less costly than real veneers
•    Could be considered a green product

Several designers that have utilized these veneers in their projects have reported very positive results.

Susan has represented Christiana Cabinetry in Montana since she started her business in 2006. During this time, I have been privileged to see many interesting kitchens she has created. While Susan is comfortable creating contemporary designs, the “Western Rustic” design theme is requested most by Susan’s clients.

Have you considered specifying LED lighting in the interior of the cabinetry you design?

I have seen cabinetry with interior lighting in many showrooms however; I never considered it a necessity until after I have experienced it in an actual working kitchen.  Many vendors have been advertising and promoting interior cabinet lighting, however I have been impressed with the new Loox lighting product line that Hafele recently introduced.  It features LED lighting that offers many benefits.  Several benefits include extremely low energy consumption, no heat and a long service life of 40,000- 50,000 hours at a relatively low cost.

To the best of my knowledge, every refrigerator has lighting inside to help us see what we are looking for; why not consider installing lighting into pantry’s and base corner cabinets as well?  I believe your clients will appreciate the ability to see everything that is stored in their cabinets.

Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about this product.