Update on KraftMaid's business ...

Our KraftMaid sales rep visited us recently and shared interesting information about the market. In August 2006 I wrote in this blog that KraftMaid did 90% of their business with Home Depot or Lowe's. Not any more. Independent dealers are now well over 50% of KraftMaid's business. I don't know if that means Home Depot and Lowe's are selling less or independent dealers are selling more or some of both. But cabinet sales are down all over the United States and home center locations and dealerships are closing. All brands, including some sold locally, are noticeably affected by the recession. KraftMaid is still the #1 brand in cabinetry in the USA and they're strong. It still represents an excellent price/value for the semi-custom end of the market: but KraftMaid is not perfect. They make more mistakes than our other lines; they make their cabinets faster; they don't look at them as thoroughly before they put them on the truck. But they have done a fantastic job in creating a line of styles and finishes that offers something that almost everyone will like. And their prices and leadtimes are consistently good. As ever, our estimates are free. Just ask us. We're here, slower than last year, but still here and still working hard.