A14
be inspired
Friday, August 28, 2015
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Founder - Peter Loewen with CEO Dave Kish
Owner and Chairman of the Board, Hans Kruger
Celebration feast prepared for Columbia Staff
Columbia’s 200+ excellent workers
Mayor Henry Braun offering congratulations
Congratulations on 45 Successful Years of Business and Ministry Support Your quiet contributions to many causes make a difference in Abbotsford and around the world. Thank you from your friends at Reimer Hardwoods.
B.C.’s Leader in Hardwood Lumber
604-850-9281
31135 Peardonville Rd., Abbotsford www.reimerhardwoods.com
Congratulations to
on their 45th Anniversary
McKillican Canadian, Inc., suppliers to Columbia Cabinets of Roseburg Hardwood Plywood and Melamine, and Wilsonart Plastic Laminates. 20233 – 100A Avenue, Langley, BC Phone: 604.513.8122 Toll Free: 800.665.7566 | mckillican.com
Abbotsford News
Columbia Kitchen Cabinets Ltd. manager, and Lee Graff as production The management team has grown to be a major employer in manager. Abbotsford and is now celebrating recognized that support of the staff was its 45th anniversary. Having humble critical in the strengthening of Columbia beginnings on Columbia Road (hence Cabinets. Even as the US sank into an its name), the founder, Peter Loewen unprecedented recession, Columbia was made a commitment to not only provide able to grow sales. With the support of all employment for his staff, but to work for the staff at Columbia Cabinets, Columbia a higher cause. Peter was committed to has doubled its sales and production in the help those less fortunate in Abbotsford, past four years. Columbia is now a strong as well as all corners of the world, giving company and is recognized internationally physical and spiritual support to those in as a viable competitor in the industry, need. Having emigrated from Paraguay providing above average cabinetry with a in the 1960s he had his struggles when broad spectrum of styles and finishes. Today Columbia Cabinets, along he started Columbia Cabinets. As with the Columbia Countertops Columbia began to bless others division, employs over 200 with charitable giving, the people at their Abbotsford company was also blessed location. The employees are with an overabundance of from over 15 nationalities, work. each bringing different As a result of rapid growth, insights and perspectives, Columbia went through making the team stronger. numerous expansions, Peter Columbia Cabinets is a major including four moves to new Loewen supporter of many community facilities. Being structured for events and charities, such as growth, Columbia began exporting Agrifair, Abbotsford Right to Life, its cabinets to Japan and Korea, in the 1990s. This carried on for years, until the Abbotsford Special Adventurers, Cyrus fall of the Yen crippled their economy. In Centre and The Salvation Army. Columbia 2002, the decision was made to expand Cabinets also provides support when the market into the US. With the help of special opportunities arise. For example, the devoted sales team, rapid growth an elderly couple had experienced a home occurred and Columbia expanded into fire on Downes Road, and Columbia had Washington, then San Francisco, and then the opportunity to provide a free kitchen. Los Angeles. Today Columbia product is On a number of occasions their hearts sold through authorized dealerships and were touched. They were privileged to be qualified designers in the eight western able to partner with the families of Lileestates of US, including Hawaii, as well as Jean and Greta Loewen, assisting the BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Yukon families through difficult times, when their Territory. All of the product for these children struggled with health issues. Columbia has a heart for the community; markets is produced at the manufacturing both our local community and the world facility on Townline Road in Abbotsford. When the US recession hit in 2008, community. Columbia Cabinets sincerely Columbia faced some serious challenges. cares and has compassion for those less The ownership was transferred from Peter fortunate than ourselves, and where Loewen to his sons Ed and Reinhard possible we offer our help and assistance. Loewen and his son-in-law, Hans Kruger. The caring culture fostered at Columbia A new management team was put into Cabinets, brings the staff together in a place, with Dave Kish as CEO, Dave Quiring common vision and common goal, a goal as the Sales and Marketing manager, Peter much greater than just manufacturing acturing Kettler as the controller, Ted Wiebe as HR high quality cabinetry!