A richness in wood and history

Cranbrook Interior Woodwork takes steps towards sustainability and longevity

1 of 2Workers put the final touches on a current project. — Dan Williams photo

2 of 2This is the main work area at Cranbrook Interior Woodwork. — Dan Williams photo

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You can see and feel the craftsmanship in the showroom displays—real woods, rounded edges, and doors and cabinet shelving that move easily when opened and closed. Quality like this doesn’t happen overnight.

Blair Cooke, president of Cranbrook Interior Woodwork, is proud of and enthusiastic about the business's accomplishments since taking over from the founders in 2003. 

In 1975, Gebhard and Sabine Pfeiffer began the company; their focus was to provide high-quality interior wood products primarily for kitchens. The Pfeiffers established both a a client base and a solid reputation, and when it came to retirement for the original owners, Blair and his wife, Diane, stepped up to the plate. Since then, the Cookes haven’t missed a beat; they continue to offer personalized high-quality custom designs that began over 35 years ago.

Making it their own

The Cookes quickly gained their own reputation in the business by successfully completing significant and highly visible projects in the region; these included work at the College of the Rockies, the Canadian Rockies International Airport, the Cranbrook Public Library and the East Kootenay Regional Hospital. They followed that up by stretching their marketing further into the province of B.C. as well as into Alberta.

Providing services for both commercial and residential projects has allowed Cranbrook Interior Woodwork to expand its shop, purchase equipment for intricate accuracy and detail, and acquire customized software that allows flexibility and efficiencies pending clients' demands.

Industry and peer recognition

The business is a two-time gold winner of an Excellence in Service Award and won another gold for Excellence in Quality from the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) in consecutive years—recognition that is uncommon in the industry. AWMAC certifies the quality of both the manufacturing and the installation of wood-designed and -manufactured projects. Cranrook Interior Woodwork embraces the standards set by LEED: Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, and is keeping pace with customer product knowledge and demand for quality and sustainable wood products.

“To be recognized in Cranbrook, considering the building of luxury homes in North and West Vancouver—this is phenomenal,” Blair said.

Further evidence of the company's dedication to the craft can be found in the fact that Cranbrook Interior Woodwork is one of only three pre-approved contractors in British Columbia to supply and install laboratory casework and counters for the University of British Columbia.

Cranbrook Interior Woodwork currently employs 14 people, including cabinetmakers, designers, residential installers and five subcontractors almost exclusively on the commercial side of the business. The company is one of the few in the entire Kootenay region that offer apprenticeships. In fact, following their apprenticeship, some of these new tradespeople have stayed with the company.

Reputation and referral

A $500,000 investment in the shop's tool and software assets in 2006 raised the quality and delivery of work the business can offer exponentially.  

Blair said that clients are better informed today about both design and materials, and they ask about some very specialized pieces and materials. Most of Cranbrook Interior Woodwork's clients come to the Cookes because of the shop's reputation and through referrals by other satisfied customers. Having the proper equipment and skilled craftspeople have been key to business's survival and success, said Blair.

Cranbrook Interior Woodwork can offer a customized, high-quality product to clients at a very reasonable value, Blair said, due to the integration of detail in the automation of tools and equipment. By combining apparatus efficiencies with very talented craftsmanship, you have a formula for success—for both residential and commercial projects.

“We are careful not to be involved in too many projects at one time,” Blair said. “If you have too many jobs taking place over a small period of time, then you are not able to look after the jobs you have with the attention to detail that they deserve.”

The Cookes and the entire Cranbrook Interior Woodwork team are well prepared for the future and plan to continue their award-winning quality craftsmanship and service.