Gary Pongracz and his PERSONAL PROFILE
In 1975 after completing his studies in Electronics Engineering
and Interior Design, Gary was hired by Poggenpohl Kitchens in Germany to open the first
Europeon Kitchen Design Studio in Canada. At that time, the Cabinet indusrty was considered
to be more or less a cottage industry in Canada. Importantly, back then, Poggenpohl was considered the (Mercedes-Benz
of Kitchen Cabinets). They personally trained Gary in design and fabrication techniques that were foreign to North
American understanding at the time. . Prior to that, he had worked briefly for the Beaver Lumber group designing
and selling North American frame style cabinet lines for Hanover, Beckerman and Paris Kitchens.
Poggenphol Kitchens want Gary to introduce (frame-less cabinet design to North America). He was selected
from hundreds of applicants to lead the special team.
With-in a year or two,
he was offered the position of National Sales Manager by a major Canadian Cabinet Manufacturer (CANAC
KITCHENS). At that time, they were located in Thornhill, Ontario, and they employeed over 300 factory workers who
reported to the (president) Karl Marcus. His son now owns one of the largest factories in Toronto called Aya
Kitchens. Karl Marcus wanted Gary's experience and talent to help him produce the first (Europeon Frame-less)
production cabinet line (made in Canada). Gary personally helped Karl in the creation of many new styles and speciafications. Considerd
(FIRST) in Canadian metric modules .
Soon many others Canadian Fabricator's
started to copy the new ways. Gary helped Canac to latter become one of the largerest Cabinet manufacturer's
in the world. Gary helped lay the foundational blocks for Canac until Kohler bought them out about 20 years ago,
making Karl a multi-millionare.
In the early days of Canac, Gary was only
in his early 20's, and eventually he felt the need to break loose from the Canac's complicated corporate politics.
He decided to resign his executive post, and proceeded in opening of his own consulting design studio (KITCHEN
CONCEPT). His company was the first in Canada to introduce (TRUE) Kitchen Design Consulting to
the high end Builder industry. The theory was to design the ultimate design for his clients for a small service charge while
offering buying options connected to most of the reputable Kitchen Manufacturer's. Thus, giving them the oppertunity
to quote the submitted KITCHEN design and tender package. Thus seek-out the best deals from the best Manufacturer's
and distributor's.
Some of his very successful projects of the past : Manhatten Place, Habour Castle, 616 Avenue Road, Gooderham Place , Front Street, Haselton Place and more.
His company quickly received the reputation of "BEST (INDEPENTANT) KITCHEN
DESIGN CONSULTING FIRM in Canada".
THEN THE ECONOMY DOWN-SWING: A bit short lived, as Canada was heading into it's first modern day resession back
in 1979. That short down-swing throw many once successful builders into bankruptcy. With that said, Gary was forced
into closing his Kitchen Design Office, and then took a temporary position with an Italian Kitchen Cabinet importer who also
eventually closed their doors.
Later in 1984, after trying direct custom manufacturing
and importing, Gary converted his Kitchen Design efforts into PART-TIME, while changing careers as he went
into the custom Display Cabinet woodworking industry. Mostly designing and selling custom Trade Shows dispalys
and Store interiors.
That company, now (The Taylor Group), hired him as their
National Sales Manager. He designed and sold such prominent projects as: (example): Shakley demo Kitchen, The Brook
Bonds Kitchen display, Liptons (national) Noacho cart lauch, and the national (Consumer's Gas) Appliance Centre store
programs. He finished his stay with Taylor after introducing many key elements for (The
Ontario Pavilion) EXPO 87 - Vancouver BC. After that, he resigned and started to expand his freelancing to a full-time
capacity, in both Kitchen Design and Exhibit Display woodworking. Later he also accepted short-term contract
work from companies like Cameo Kitchens.
THEN... ARISE.... (THE ORIGINAL KITCHEN
CONCEPT) - The RECESSION BUSTERS PROGRAM.
Having OVER 30 YEARS OF KITCHEN DESIGN EXPERIENCE along with UN-HEARD OF QUALIFICATIONS that few can't
boast about, Gary set up a new team.
CAN YOU REALLY AFFORD TO
HAVE YOUR KITCHEN DESIGNED BY ANYONE ELSE?
