Robert Gockeler Honored With Remodeling Magazine Big50 Award 2014

    CHATHAM, NJ, May 15, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Robert Gockeler, owner of KRAFTMASTER RENOVATIONS, has been selected by REMODELING magazine to join the REMODELING Big50. The Big50 awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Remodeling Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, on May 8, 2014. The 2014 Big50 winners are featured in the May issue of REMODELING, a national trade publication read by more than 130,000 professional remodeling contractors, with longer profiles of the winners posted on the REMODELING website, see the full story about KraftMaster.

Each year since 1986, the REMODELING Big50 inducts 50 owners of remodeling companies that have set exceptionally high standards for professionalism and integrity through exemplary business practices, craftsmanship, and impact in their community or the industry at large. Big50 remodelers run successful, often growing, companies of various sizes that have taken the lead in raising industry standards.

The Big50 selection process has become increasingly rigorous in recent years, and the result, REMODELING editors believe, is one of the strongest classes to date. "Uniting the 2014 inductees are high standards and a determination to rebound following the recession -- taking the opportunity to retool systems and processes-- ensuring that they are poised to meet their sales, production, and customer-service goals and continue to thrive," according to REMODELING.

"We are very honored to receive this distinction," says Bob Gockeler, President of KraftMaster Renovations. "The award recognizes excellence and leadership, and we are privileged to be named to this select group of remodelers."

REMODELING editors, columnists, industry leaders, and the companies themselves make the nominations each year. Following a lengthy evaluation and interview process, the editors select the 50 individuals who exemplify the best of the industry that year, and who have something to offer other remodelers in proven practices. This award is only given to a small fraction of companies in the industry, less than 1/10th of 1%, so receiving it is a huge honor.

REMODELING, published by Hanley Wood, LLC, is the leading publication in the home improvement industry. REMODELING has and continues to be the indispensable tool that remodelers cannot do without--delivering the business know-how, product and technical information that home improvement pros need to help make smart decisions that will shape their project success.

KraftMaster Renovations is known their innovative designs, craftsmanship and attention to detail many projects can be seen on their responsive website in the portfolio section online.

What is the Big50?
Started by Hanley Wood's REMODELING Magazine in 1986, the Big50 were originally identified as the 50 remodelers running the biggest remodeling firms in the 50 metro areas with the most residential remodeling. The foundation of the award was that each company must have a stellar reputation, do quality work, and exhibit the professionalism needed to counter the industry's long-tarnished image. Key to success was customer satisfaction.

How has the Big50 changed?
Although it's still focused on those same principles, in its second year, REMODELING'S Big50 began recognizing contractors who ran smaller, well-run businesses. The magazine's editors slotted recipients into categories of business and industry excellence, such as teamwork and industry impact. That's still the case today, as the magazine focuses on the owners of the best-run companies that have a tight control on costs, know how to target work, and do good, quality remodeling, with honesty and integrity. By 1990, the awards program had become firmly established as the remodeling industry's Hall of Fame.

What are the criteria today and how are they set?
REMODELING'S editorial staff sets the criteria, based on longevity, profitability, and firm commitment to customer service and best practice standards.

How many people have been named to the Big50?
Some 1,785 individuals in 1,237 companies, in all states and the District of Columbia (except Mississippi and Wyoming) - and even Canada -- have been named to the Big50. This is a small percentage of the industry, which has more than 62,000 remodeling firms with payrolls. The reason these numbers aren't even multiples of 50 is because before standards were tightened, a few owners won more than once, as did accomplished non-owners from previously named companies. Today, all individual owners get named to the award. With few exceptions, it's a once-in-a-lifetime honor. The state with the most Big50 companies is California (128), followed by Maryland (78) and Pennsylvania (66).

How are companies nominated?
REMODELING editors, columnists, and industry leaders - including those at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers - make the nominations. We also ask remodelers to nominate themselves or their peers, by filling out a form available at www.remodelingmag.com. Once individuals and their companies are in REMODELING Magazine's database, they remain there until a determination is made to name them to the Big50.

How are companies selected for the honor?
Each year, REMODELING editors interview people at the nominated companies, and often talk to competitors, suppliers, and subcontractors. Also weighing into the decision are multiple nominations for a single company, geography, longevity, profitability, and best practice standards. After research is finished, REMODELING'S editors select the 50 remodelers who exemplify the very best of the industry that year, and who have something to offer other remodelers in proven practices. Winners are put in some or all of the following categories:

Business Savvy: Remodelers with especially effective, established business systems.
Fine Design: Remodelers with high aesthetic standards for their projects.
Industry Impact: Remodelers who have taken active leadership roles in industry-building activities.
Market Wise: Remodelers who have built their business around a keen understanding of their markets.
Movers & Shakers: Owners of larger remodeling companies that aggressively expand market share while maintaining service standards.
Niches: Remodelers who have built successful companies serving an easily overlooked but profitable corner of the market.
Sales & Marketing: Remodelers with effective systems for obtaining leads and closing sales.
Teamwork: Owners of remodeling companies whose personnel work together effectively to achieve more than the sum of their individual work.

Is there a customer service component of the award?
The 2009 Big50 launched the debut of the Big50 Service Excellence Award. Created in partnership with GuildQuality, this award recognizes Big50s that deliver a consistently exceptional customer experience. GuildQuality surveyed more than 5,000 customers of Big50 candidates who elected to be considered for the 2014 Service Excellence Award. Virtually all of these who were selected for Big50 scored high in customer surveys, but six in particular were singled out for delivering service of the highest standard.

How does Big50 live on past the May awards ceremony?
Winning individuals see Big50 as a graduation of sorts, and each spring many of them return to the Washington, D.C. area to celebrate and learn from incoming Big50s at the Remodeling Leadership Conference. The conference also helps Big50 contractors build strong relationships with national manufacturers. It's been called the highest level of remodeling education in the industry. Conference-goers appreciate how the gathering brings business perspectives from outside the industry and applies them to remodeling.

How does Big50 help the companies selected?
Remodelers see their Big50 honor as an objective, third-party endorsement for their business. Their clients enjoy doing business with a notable firm. And the award helps to differentiate their company as the best in the business. The award also helps them recruit employees, as good people like to work with industry leaders. And remodelers frequently use the honor to help build an employee culture focused on quality and customer commitment. It's not uncommon to go on a jobsite of a Big50 contractor and find the Big50 logo on company shirts, jackets, and caps. Clearly, Big50 is a badge of honor and respect.

How does the Big50 help the remodeling industry?
Big50 has become a community of top-notch remodelers, who are always willing to learn to improve their systems, and ultimately, to better serve the public. A section in REMODELING Magazine each month shares their best practices with other remodelers seeking to reach the same benchmarks of performance and integrity. In the end, the name "Big50" is a misnomer, since the awards have little to do with company size. The award recognizes excellence and leadership, and the individuals who belong to this select group set the vision for the entire industry.

About KraftMaster Renovations

KraftMaster Renovations is a team of project managers and designers that have the same common goal: making a kitchen and bathroom remodel an exciting and fun experience for all of our clients. The owner, Bob Gockeler, often says "We try to recreate the HGTV experience for all of our homeowners". It is in this spirit that we focus on the whole design process, from the initial planning phase to months later when the project is completed. We want you to love your kitchen from that first cup of coffee in the morning until you turn out the lights and head to bed for the evening.

KraftMaster is the leading home remodeling and design-build firm, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - one dream at a time.

Learn more about KraftMaster Renovations at www.kmrenovate.com

242 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928
908-517-5581

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