Chuck and Ed hand-dug the footing for this new facility. Additional employees became part of Stevens Cabinet Company over the next few years. The company became known for its high quality and forward-thinking designs. It was said, “When you had a Stevens’ kitchen, you had the best.
The mid 60’s presented another opportunity when a company marketing industrial arts cabinetry challenged Chuck to produce solid hardwood products of their designs. There were drafting tables, wall and base cabinets, specialty industrial arts equipment, and storage units. Increased demand required more employees and larger facilities. It also opened up markets to expand Stevens’ own educational products.
The late 60’s proved to be exciting times with more facilities and increased production. Having gone to education shows and exhibits, Chuck realized a new trend in architectural designs. Cabinetry fully laminated inside and out in contemporary colors and designs was gaining attention. This was a watershed moment for Stevens Cabinet Company. How to design these units would certainly be a challenge, but more so it was an opportunity. It was a major change in construction, methods, and materials that certainly would require new technologies. Stevens initially laminated the laminate surfaced panels required. It also needed panel sawing equipment and a way to edge panels, since no after-assembly finishing was possible. Very quickly Chuck discovered another form of pre-laminated panel to work from.
The company maintained a steady-step-at-a-time approach. Adding a few dealers and changing Stevens’ whole way of thinking about the products was not easy. New catalogs and ultimately discontinuing the production of its mainstay all-wood kitchens required guts and faith in his decisions. There were years when business was very slim, but perseverance and ingenuity to those challenges as well brought Stevens Cabinet Company through.
