Celebrating 20 Years

KW COUNTERTOP

This year marks the 20th anniversary of KW Countertop and as the year comes to a close, it’s easy to reflect on their humble beginnings; an 1,800 square foot shop, three guys, and a mitre saw.

After ten years in the renovation business, starting at the young age of 18, Jim Young, owner and founder of KW Countertop, decided it was time for a change.

In 1997, Jim was purchasing countertops from what would soon be his competitor, when it occurred to him that focusing on countertops could be a long-term career, with no seasonal limitations. Wasting no time, it was that very year that the young entrepreneur started KW Countertop.

While continuing with the renovation business, Jim also managed to find a different supplier from that of his competitor. In the fall of 1997, he opened up shop in KW Countertop’s very first 1,800 square foot space located on Breithaupt Street in Kitchener and the story began.

In only three years, KW Countertop outgrew it’s first home, making its first move to Wilson Avenue. While it was only a small percentage of a larger space, their new 4,500 square foot home more than doubled the company’s start up shop, unknowingly foreshadowing just how big KW Countertop would become.

The walls that divided KW Countertop’s 4,500 square foot space expanded twice until the growing business required the entire 15,000 square feet their building had to offer. Not long after, the company needed to grow again, thanks in-part to their purchase of a new MidWest Automation cutting saw that increased the company’s productivity in 2001.

It was in 2003, that KW Countertop opened not only a second location in Oakville but also moved to a new shop in Kitchener located at 149 Manitou Drive, a 20,000-square-foot space that the company continues to call home to this day.

In 2005, Jim was faced with a major decision when he discovered he would no longer be able to acquire the same product as his competitor. What could have been a major roadblock for the fast-growing business was merely a speed bump on their journey and offered them another opportunity. With careful planning and foresight-- one-year later, major renovations at their space on Manitou Drive commenced. In 2007, KW Countertop unveiled Postform Ltd.; their very own manufacturing line. “We stopped buying product,” stated Jim. “This is when we started making our own laminate

countertops and were able to fully sustain our own business.”

Postform Ltd. allowed KW Countertop to explore new and innovative growth. In 2012 they partnered with a laminate manufacturer from New Jersey, fashioning their own private collection of 26 colours, titled Postform Exclusives. These colours are not available from any other Ontario manufacturer, another exciting feature of the ever-evolving company.

In 2013, Jim made the decision to add a new option for KW Countertop’s customers; stone. In October of that same year, new equipment was installed at the company’s Manitou location. In no time, the company was filling orders for granite and quartz. At the same time transforming another building into a 10,000-squarefoot gallery, allowing customers to select the actual slab of granite or quartz that would make up their kitchen or bathroom countertops; a vast improvement from the standard 2” by 3” sample swatch.

“Every year, we were getting better and better,” said a reminiscent Jim. “We invested more and more back into the company. New equipment, state of the art machinery, nothing was purchased used; it was, and continues to be, the best of the best. This year we added a second machine to fabricate our stone and expand the division.”

Today, KW Countertop is one of the leading destinations, not just for local retail and commercial customers, but also for Toronto skyscrapers to cottages in Muskoka, from Halifax to our local hospitals and schools. It’s hard to believe that this now 40 employee, 40,000 square foot space powerhouse started 20 years ago with only three guys, a fraction of the space and a mitre saw.

“I’ve lived here my whole 52 years,” said Jim. “I’ve been through a lot of different phases and changes throughout our city, it’s been great. I always say the toughest job today is staying on top and successful. It’s our people that work with me, that make us who we are. We have the best staff from our showroom to our production, right to our managers and installers.”

KW Countertop is also this year’s recipient of Waterloo Region’s Consumer Choice Award in the countertop category. With Jim’s dedication, forward thinking and innovation, it’s not hard to see why the last 20 years have been so prosperous for this company and that the future is full of opportunities.

“It’s our people that work with me, that make us who we are.” Jim Young, Owner and Founder of KW Countertop