Dura Supreme Cabinetry, headquartered in Howard Lake, MN, is experiencing remarkable growth. The Hardwood cabinet manufacturer offers semi-custom to custom cabinetry throughout the home. Included in the company’s product offerings are kitchen cabinets, islands, bathroom vanities, fireplace mantles, mudroom lockers, home office furniture, entertainment centers, and more. More than 1 million board feet of Hardwoods are purchased annually in Cherry, Maple, Red Oak, Quarter-sawn White Oak, Knotty Alder and Hickory (No. 1 and 2 Common, Select and Better).
With new manufacturing operations starting production in Statesville, NC, the company expects its new manufacturing site to create over 200 new jobs in the first few years including cabinet-making, furniture-making, finishing, woodworking and machining skills. VP of Marketing, Karen Wistrom, said the North Carolina facility will enable Dura Supreme to meet growing demand with a regional manufacturing site, expanded manufacturing capacity, and advantageous delivery times. “Dura Supreme acquired the manufacturing assets of another cabinet manufacturer and that equipment and machinery, along with considerable additional investments, will be installed in Statesville at the company’s newest manufacturing location,” she explained.
“Dura Supreme is focused on growth and despite some economic uncertainty in the broader market, demand for Dura Supreme cabinetry continues to grow,” said Tony Sugalski, CEO of Supreme Cabinetry Brands. “A second manufacturing facility enables us to continue meeting the ever-increasing demand for our premium, quality cabinetry and better serve our dealer partners.”
The acquisition of Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing in 2021 was part of the company’s expansion in the premium, semi-custom cabinetry market. Dura Supreme is owned by GHK Capital Partners LP (GHK), a Greenwich, CT-based private equity firm that strategically partners with well-performing companies that have exceptional growth potential. The acquisition of Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing brought together two highly regarded companies with well-known brands in the premium kitchen cabinetry and premium bath cabinetry market. With over 100 years of combined history and experience, Dura Supreme and Bertch brands are uniquely positioned to provide an advantageous mix of products to their dealer partners and build on strong operating platforms to accelerate growth in new markets across the U.S.
“We’re excited about the potential our business partnership with Bertch creates,” Sugalski said. “With our expanded portfolio of premium cabinetry brands in kitchen and bath markets, our ability to meet our customers’ needs and grow in this segment is expanded. The combination of companies creates a unique product mix that we believe will create advantages for our dealers and customers across the USA.”
“We are extremely pleased to be partnered with the Bertch team to build upon the company’s highly regarded cabinet brands and the 40-year heritage serving designers and homeowners with premium kitchen and bath cabinetry,” said Managing Partner of GHK, Gil Klemann.
Wood cabinets from Dura Supreme are certified under the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) administered by the independent Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). Designed to encourage industry policies and practices that benefit both the environment and the well-being of society, this program provides companies with tangible ways to support sustainability. “We achieved certification by demonstrating our commitment to sound environmental management and sustainable practices,” Wistrom explained. “The ESP seal lets homeowners, designers, builders and architects know they are supporting sustainability when they buy or specify Dura Supreme Cabinetry. In addition to sourcing the majority of their Hardwood from domestic forests, Dura Supreme also utilizes sustainable practices throughout all aspects of the manufacturing process.
This operation also has an eye on waste and recycling. “Our computerized cutting equipment improves the yield from our raw materials and significantly reduces waste,” Wistrom commented. “Our panel material meets stringent California Air Resource Board (CARB) emissions standards for formaldehyde, and is considered an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP).”
Dura Supreme Cabinetry also recently celebrated their Facilities Technician, Steve Anderson’s 50th anniversary at the company, a rare milestone in today’s workforce. Senior Design and Marketing Specialist Mandi Juskiewicz said, “At Dura Supreme, it’s not so rare to have long-tenured employees with incredible milestones of 20, 30 or even 40 years. But with 50 years, Steve Anderson holds the tenure record as Dura Supreme’s longest-term employee.”
Anderson’s first day at Dura Supreme was March 27, 1973. During the first two years, Anderson worked in both frames and cabinet assembly as well as other various departments crafting cabinetry. In 1975 he found his calling in maintenance and facility management and has worked his way up the ranks in this department for the past 48 years and counting. The total employment at Dura Supreme back in 1973 was 75 employees compared to today, the company has roughly 500. At the time, the factory was operating in a much smaller facility in Cokato, MN. The company was rapidly growing and beginning to outgrow its space.
From 1979-1980, Dura Supreme Cabinetry began the construction of a new manufacturing facility and offices in Howard Lake, MN. With Anderson’s position in facility management, he played a major role throughout the planning and coordination of the new factory and headquarters that Dura Supreme still operates today. Anderson celebrated his retirement after 50 years and 6 months in September of this year.
Supreme Cabinetry Brands produces kitchen and bath cabinetry for dealers across the USA with manufacturing locations in Minnesota (Dura Supreme Cabinetry), Iowa (Bertch Cabinetry) and now North Carolina. The company is one of the largest cabinet makers in North America and this expansion for its Dura Supreme brand continues that growth trajectory. Dura Supreme is ESP certified by the KCMA.
For more information visit www.durasupreme.com.
