CRAFT-BILT MANUFACTURING CELEBRATES 60^TH ANNIVERSARY

SOUDERTON, PA...In a proud statement issued from their company headquarters in Souderton, Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company announced that 2006 is the 60^th Anniversary of the founding of their business. The company was started back in 1946, the same year that Winston Churchill coined the term "The Iron Curtain" in a speech at Westminster College in Missouri.  Harry S. Truman was our President and World War II had just ended.  The Chicago Bears won the Pro-Football Championship, St. Louis won the World Series, and Joe Louis knocked out Bill Conn and Tami Mauriello.  IBM introduced the first electronic calculator, and AT&T introduced the first car phone.

Craft-Bilt moved into the Souderton area from Philadelphia, when they acquired the old French's Mustard Plant in 1994.  The 214,000 square foot factory had stood empty for many years. When Craft-Bilt began to renovate the building, many former employees of French's who lived in the area stopped by to watch the progress.  Craft-Bilt Manufacturing is the home of Betterliving Patio and Sunrooms, made famous throughout the United States through their television programs that feature sunroom owners from around the country.

Today, Craft-Bilt is owned and operated by Andy Stone, son of the original founder of the company.  Continuing its tradition as a manufacturer of components for home improvement, the company distributes its products through professional remodelers throughout the US and Canada. In addition to Betterliving, Craft-Bilt holds trademarks for Aristocrat Retractable Awnings, PanelCraft building panels, Best Defense Rolling Security Shutters, among many others. 

Approximately one hundred area residents are employed at the Souderton location, split evenly between factory and office workers.  More than a third of the work force - and about half of Craft-Bilt's customers - have been with the company for more than 10 years. 

Craft-Bilt's first orders and invoices were typed on manual typewriters, and computed on mechanical adding machines that didn't total until you pulled the handle.  A lot has changed in 60 years time.  But after all this time, there are some things which have remained the same.  Craft-Bilt's mission - Enthusiastic Employees, Flawless Performance - Delighted Customers - is still operable today.

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company is still thriving after 60 years of hard work and dedication by every member of the Craft-Bilt family, caring about customers who helped us reach this milestone.

BUSINESS NEWS

Released           April 9, 2008

Contact:            Deborah Stone

                        dstone@craftbilt.com

Crawford & Brinkman to Carry Betterliving Sunrooms

Souderton, PA….Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company today named Crawford & Brinkman the exclusive representative for Betterliving products in the Central Illinois area.  A fixture in the greater Peoria community, Crawford and Brinkman Door and Window Company of Peoria has been in service for over 50 years. Already specialists in windows, retractable awnings and all types of residential doors, they are known for their professional installation and service.    

Betterliving products are sold throughout the US and Canada through an exclusive dealer network. Companies who apply for a Betterliving dealership must meet a number of qualifications including financial stability, professionally trained employees, and full insurance coverage.  Backed by a 50 year manufacturer’s warranty, Betterliving sunrooms are fully engineered to meeting building codes and Energy Star requirements in all 50 states.

Crawford and Brinkman president Tom Hoffman stated that he was proud to be selected to represent Betterliving products in the Peoria market. “Betterliving focuses on the quality side of the business and so do we,” Hoffman said. “Our customers are like family. We always go back to make sure that all of our customers are completely satisfied, and they are.”