CRAFTED FOR YOU IN THE USA
Strasser Woodenworks is proud to craft our Bathroom Vanities, Furniture and Accessories in the USA. Our workforce takes great pride in crafting beautiful and elegant furniture in a clean facility that meets or exceeds all Federal and Washington State EPA guidelines. Strasser Woodenworks is proud to support our employees, their families and the economy of our community.
Here is why you will be pleased with your new Strasser Bathroom vanity that is crafted in the U.S.
THE STRASSER STORY
When Andy Hedreen and Robert Strasser started making a line of bathroom accessories in 1982, they had no idea they would have to start all over less than five years later. And little did they know that their perseverance and determination to begin again would help them not only survive but thrive, evolving into a successful family-owned national brand recognized for superior quality bath cabinetry over 40 years later.
In the beginning, Andy and Robert had a small shop in Seattle, on the west side of Lake Union. With a staff of five, they manufactured a line of oak bathroom accessories including toilet seats, soap dishes, tissue holders, towel bars, and switch plate covers. Over time, they expanded into building small pieces of furniture including tables for computers and printers. In 1985, a devastating fire destroyed the factory, but not Andy and Robert’s determination, creativity and positive spirit.
With a desire to rebuild the company bigger and better than before, Andy relocated the factory to a modern facility in Woodinville, WA. Within 10 years, the company’s offerings had expanded to include medicine cabinets, mirrors, and finally solid wood vanities, now the mainstay of the brand.
Forty years later, STRASSER is still owned by the Hedreen family, with the next generation learning the business. Today, the company continues to focus on the same family values that drove Andy and Robert to build the company back bigger and better, together.
“Our dedicated team of associates, whether in the front office or the factory, are all part of a dynamic and diverse multi-generational family,” says STRASSER Chair Judy Hedreen. “Our family has roots in Laos, Mexico, Central America, Sweden, Bulgaria, Philippines, and the United States.”
STRASSER’s family of skilled workers, along with a stubborn insistence on the highest quality products, and sheer determination, has enabled the company to not only survive four decades of market ups and downs, but to grow and thrive. Hedreen says, “Our family business’s focuses on lean manufacturing, emphasizing best use practices for eco-friendly production and sustainability, will ensure that our beloved STRASSER brand will be around for many generations to come.”
LEAN MANUFACTURING
Strasser Woodenworks makes your bathroom furniture when you order it. We do not have inventory gathering dust. We are dedicated to Lean Manufacturing because it allows us to be competitive in a global market while manufacturing in the United States.
In 1999, the Washington Manufacturing Association (WMA) identified Strasser Woodenworks as a local company they would like to support during a time when many companies were moving manufacturing offshore. WMA approached Strasser offering pro-bono consulting services. Together WMA and Strasser reviewed the production operation. WMA suggested bringing in GEMBA Research to introduce Lean Manufacturing techniques to Strasser’s operation. Thus began a positive collaboration. GEMBA introduced lean manufacturing techniques and "just in time" practices in purchasing and production, thus eliminating inventory.
To further the company’s commitment to lean manufacturing, the company president went to Japan. He visited 14 companies that use lean throughout their entire companies. A highlight was going to Toyota City and observing lean at the Toyota car plant. Strasser’s president observed the impressive efficiencies lean produced.
In the next two years, Strassers’ production, purchasing and sales managers accompanied GEMBA Research consultants to Japan to learn lean techniques first hand. Strasser continues to work with GEMBA to refresh and improve its ‘lean’ techniques which has allowed Strasser to compete in the global economy.
