Chatham Businessman Recognized By Remodeling Magazine

Only about 2 percent of remodeling contractor companies have ever achieved a feat like Robert Gockeler and his company Kraftmaster Industries did earlier this month.

Remodeling Magazine, a trade magazine read by more than 130,000 industry professionals, inducted Gockeler and his company into its Big50, an annual list of 50 businesses and their owners that have shown exemplary craftsmanship, business practices and have imp aced the community or industry in a meaningful way.

The selection gets more rigorous each year as more businesses vie for the coveted prize.

"Uniting the 2014 inductees are high standards and a determination to rebound following the recession -- taking the opportunity to retool systems and processes-- ensuring that they are poised to meet their sales, production, and customer-service goals and continue to thrive," according to Remodeling Magazine.

Remodeling editors interview employees, competitors, suppliers and subcontractors in order to grade companies based on business savvy, fine design, industry impact, market strategy, ingenuity and innovation, niches, sales and marketing, and teamwork.

Companies also receive points for criteria such as longevity of the business, profitability and best practice standards.

Gockeler said Kraftmaster's main objective is to make kitchen and bathroom remodeling a fun and pleasant experience.

"We try to recreate the HGTV experience for all of our homeowners," he said.

Gockeler received his recognition from Remodeling Magazine at its leadership conference in Washington D.C.