From Stittsville to Carleton Place.
It doesn’t seem like that big a journey. But in the case of Laurysen Kitchens, it’s a bigger leap than that. That’s because it marks the company’s most recent organizational transition, as the respected manufacturer of kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and more moves from its longtime home to an impressive new facility, setting the stage for increased production, greater innovation, and new markets.
The family business’ long and impressive history, in fact, is populated by strategic shifts. Laurysen Kitchens Ltd. came into the world 55 years ago as John Laurysen Custom Cabinets, a modest enterprise whose headquarters were a 1200 square feet garage. In no time, the shop’s reputation for personalized, high-quality cabinets, drawers, and other handcrafted amenities grew—as did the number of family members assisting the founder. While still school-aged, the Laurysen children, including brother and sister Bill and Caroline, spent their spare time helping out with everything from woodworking to administration. They became the first of a number of generations to learn the family trade from the ground up.
In 2010, Bill’s sons, Michael and Corey, came aboard. Today, the former is Laurysen’s current VP of Operations while the latter is VP of Sales and Service. Together with Bill and Caroline, they’re spearheading the company’s move to its new location. While Laurysen has had a foothold in Carleton Place for some time, the specialized facility the company established there has been expanded to better accommodate homeowners looking to create their dream kitchen, bathroom, or closet.
From a warm, modern kitchen to a spa-inspired bathroom retreat, these recent projects highlight Laurysen’s signature blend of craftsmanship, functionality, and design-driven detail.
While both brothers held summer jobs in the family business, their involvement grew even deeper as they matured. Michael, a graduate of UBC’s forestry program, joined the fray for good after returning home with his wife-to-be. “While I enjoyed university and living in Vancouver, I didn’t really have another plan,” he explains. “Even while I was away, I always felt I had a responsibility to my family and our staff.”
“Working in the various manufacturing departments at a young age groomed us to be extremely well rounded, giving us the tools and knowledge we needed to communicate with clients and employees,” adds Corey, who holds an MBA from Sacred Heart University. “Today, that allows us to provide solutions for others that we otherwise might not be able to come up with.”
While quoting projects and managing operations occupies most of their time, Michael and Corey have invested a lot of sweat equity into the big move.
“We’ve been integrating new equipment installations there over the last 6 months,” Michael explains. “Our offices are still in the process of moving over but we plan to be there fully before the end of this year.”
It’s been hard work, but it’s been worth it.
“The newly expanded manufacturing facility in Carleton Place is spectacular,” offers Corey excitedly. “The new building is equipped with state-of-the-art cabinetry manufacturing equipment that will advance our processes, increase our capacity, and provide an improved product to the end user. The 110,000 sq. ft. building will be home to all our cabinetry production and administration. We’ve had nothing but great feedback from the local community. We look forward to making that home for years to come.”
While the Carleton Place facility will include a showroom for local clients, Ottawa has become home to an eye-opening Design Experience Centre, located on Colonnade Road. It’s the biggest opportunity yet for homeowners in the capital region to explore Laurysen’s full design range—and to meet the award-winning designers and key creative collaborators behind it.
The brothers stand inside their soon-to-open Design Experience Centre on Colonnade Road, a space that will soon showcase fully built model kitchens and curated design vignettes—offering clients a hands-on, immersive look at Laurysen’s craftsmanship and creativity.
The company engaged the services of a professional showroom designer, who provided the practical and aesthetic framework. Then, they invited designers to submit concepts for each kitchen up for prospective display, before Caroline pulled it all together within an eye-catching milieu. Says Corey, “The space captivates customers the moment they walk in. It really shows what Laurysen Kitchens can offer. I don’t honestly think there’s a better cabinetry showroom in Ottawa!”
While both the new, Carleton Place-based headquarters and the Design Experience Centre in Ottawa are impressive achievements, Laurysen isn’t done yet. After all, the company has demonstrated a commitment to growth throughout its history, even in the face of some dramatic setbacks. In the 1980s, after it was devastated by a dramatic fire, John, Adri, Bill, and Caroline fashioned an interim plant from a trio of barns they rented from a local farmer. By 1994, the rebuilt Laurysen was so successful, it was exporting its expertise beyond Ottawa’s borders, with dealership locations in over 27 markets. Aside from Carleton Place and Ottawa, you’ll find retailers in such cities as Ajax, Barrie, Brockville, Cornwall, Huntsville, Kingston, London, Mississauga, Morrisburg, Nepean, Newmarket, North Bay, Oakville, Perth, Peterborough, Prescott, Sudbury, Whitby, and Windsor. Currently, Laurysen has 60 dealers throughout Ontario, Quebec and northern Michigan.
And there might be more to come. At Laurysen, there’s always something on the horizon.
“The future is very bright,” Michael affirms. “We’ve been growing steadily and I think we’re poised for even greater success.”
Corey concurs. “With Mike and I as the third generation, we hope to build on the legacy created by our grandparents and expanded upon by our dad and aunt. The name Laurysen in Ottawa is synonymous with quality cabinetry because of the family before us and the people who currently work or have worked for us in the past.”
The tenor of the times is on their side, too. While the Trump Presidency hasn’t done Canada many favours, the national pride it’s ignited north of the border is a boon to proudly patriotic companies like Laurysen. “Now more than ever,” Corey implores, “supporting Canadian-made products is extremely important. Not only do we manufacture our cabinetry locally, but we also do our very best to source from local suppliers.”
“Being a Canadian locally owned and operated family business means we will take care of you and your family,” offers Michael reassuringly. “After 55 years in Ottawa, we’re a local brand you can trust and depend on.”
by Dan Lalande | Photography by Nicolai Gregory
