Cecil J. Hernandez
Cecil Hernandez, a Mexican immigrant, started MasterCraft Cabinets, Inc., in 1959 in the greater Denver area. Hernandez, a hands-on owner, had a clear mission "to make cabinets as efficiently as possible, at the lowest possible price." He was credited with having a great vision for the future and knowing how to get there.
Hernandez began operations out of his garage, but soon outgrew it due to the quality reputation he quickly built. The company expanded several times in the early 1960s. In 1965, the company moved the Denver operation into a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. That same year another manufacturing facility, located in Mesa, AZ, was added to further fuel growth. By 1985, MasterCraft Cabinets was the largest cabinet manufacturer on the Colorado Front Range and had established a significant presence in the Phoenix, AZ market as well.
After 26 years of operation, the Hernandez family sold the business. MasterCraft Cabinets changed ownership twice prior to settling into the strong hands of Elkay Manufacturing Company in 1996. Elkay is the country's largest manufacturer of stainless steel kitchen sinks, pressure water coolers, point-of-use coolers, and residential kitchen faucets.
Elkay, already owning Yorktowne Cabinets in Pennsylvania and Medallion Kitchens in Minnesota, wanted MasterCraft to establish their presence as a national cabinet supplier. Today there are four cabinet companies that form the Elkay Cabinet Group, the sixth-largest cabinet supplier in the United States.
Hernandez began operations out of his garage, but soon outgrew it due to the quality reputation he quickly built. The company expanded several times in the early 1960s. In 1965, the company moved the Denver operation into a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. That same year another manufacturing facility, located in Mesa, AZ, was added to further fuel growth. By 1985, MasterCraft Cabinets was the largest cabinet manufacturer on the Colorado Front Range and had established a significant presence in the Phoenix, AZ market as well.
After 26 years of operation, the Hernandez family sold the business. MasterCraft Cabinets changed ownership twice prior to settling into the strong hands of Elkay Manufacturing Company in 1996. Elkay is the country's largest manufacturer of stainless steel kitchen sinks, pressure water coolers, point-of-use coolers, and residential kitchen faucets.
Elkay, already owning Yorktowne Cabinets in Pennsylvania and Medallion Kitchens in Minnesota, wanted MasterCraft to establish their presence as a national cabinet supplier. Today there are four cabinet companies that form the Elkay Cabinet Group, the sixth-largest cabinet supplier in the United States.