A “Behind the Scenes” Look at Harkraft
When a business survives for over 50 years, you know that its focus is centered on the needs of its customers. With Harkraft, that fact couldn’t be more true. As a home storage and design business for builders and remodelers, the team at Harkraft knows how important it is to be a resource for the customer. As company president Warren Eck said, “Many of our new product ideas come from customer requests. We love to be that resource for them. If we don’t have it, we will get it, and if we can’t do it, we will either learn how or find you someone who can.”
One-Stop Storage Solution
Unique in the industry, Harkraft is a one-stop shop for builders and remodelers looking for special details and finishing touches that add value to a home. Not only does Harkraft design closets, wine cellars, and garage storage systems, but they also supply the parts and provide complete installation services as well.
How We Got Started
Back in 1962 when the company first started, they were building closet doors in a makeshift shop in a small garage. Warren Eck and his business partner Jack Hinnenthal added a line of wire closet shelving to their business after a vendor sold Hinnenthal on its benefits. Local builders rejected the wire shelving at first, claiming that it looked too much like refrigerator shelving, but Eck and Hinnenthal continued to promote the product’s benefits. Now, wire shelving is standard in most homes in the area. Demonstrating Harkraft’s courage to take risks when it benefits their customers, Eck says, “We are not afraid to pioneer a new idea if we believe in it – and the company providing it.”
Keeping Up with Home Storage Trends
Although the company began with closet storage systems, Harkraft continues to evolve and expand its product offerings as homeowners tastes and needs change. The latest trend is wine cellars and racks. When homeowners find out that they can display their wine beautifully in a climate-controlled environment for as little as $3000, “it’s a welcome addition to their plan,” Eck says. “Enjoying, displaying and appropriately storing wine has proven to be much more than a passing trend.”
Glass shower doors are also a trend that Harkraft picked up on and continues to offer to homeowners with a desire for a luxury bathroom. Frameless heavy glass shower doors create an indulgent, spa-like atmosphere in a bathroom, allow decorative tile patterns to show through the glass, and add a sense of openness to the room.
Building Relationships
The team at Harkraft knows the importance of strong customer relationships. Through their high quality work and “call us and forget it” experience, Harkraft has built up countless long-term relationships with contractors in the local area. By working with custom builds and offering standard designs, Harkraft can work with a variety of customers and budgets. As Eck explains, “We have a well-established system in place for ensuring that the expectations of the builder and their homeowner are exceeded, and that is where we spend our energy.” When the builder and homeowner are happy, Harkraft is happy.
Minneapolis Home Storage Systems
Harkraft offers custom home storage solutions for builders and homeowners in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. Our products and services include closet storage systems, shower door installation, mirrors, garage storage, wine cellars, and more—all backed by a lifetime guarantee for products and labor. Give us a call at (763) 544-4478 or contact us online to see how we can meet your building and remodeling needs.