About Us
Stevens Advantage
Total Package Solutions
68 Years of Industry Excellence
Stevens Advantage has been innovating to provide the finest casework and millwork on the market since 1956. From the beginning, it’s been our mission to make the entire construction process as seamless as possible. That’s why we proudly call ourselves “The Solutions Company”.
Now, 68 years later we’re leading the industry as the largest manufacturer of casework and millwork in North America. With our experience and expertise to back us, we are equipped to collaborate with designers, architects, and contractors on projects of all sizes. We offer Total Package Solutions–you can think of us as your project partner and one-stop shop for all your millwork and casework needs.
Our Story
From humble beginnings to the national industry leader, learn about how Stevens got its start.
1950s
In 1956, Charles “Chuck” Stevens began making wood products in his father-in-law’s garage in Teutopolis, IL. That same year, he founded Stevens Cabinet Company. Soon Chuck set up a small shop in Teutopolis lumber yard and his dream of starting a successful cabinetry company became a reality.
1960s
Chuck’s first shop may have been tiny but his ambitions were huge. He soon outgrew his small shop in the lumberyard and invested in a larger, freestanding building at the edge of town. Luckily, Chuck wasn’t in it alone. He hired and found a friend in Edward Buenker who would stay with Chuck and the business for the next 40-plus years.
Chuck and Ed built their new shop and business from the ground up, adding new employees along the way. Soon, the business was known around the state for its high-quality and forward-thinking designs. Word spread and soon it was said that, “When you had a Stevens Kitchen, you had the best.”
This success allowed Stevens Cabinet company a new opportunity in the mid-60s when a company marketing industrial arts cabinetry challenged Chuck to produce solid hardwood products of their designs. There were drafting tables, wall and base cabinets, specialty industrial arts equipment, and storage units.
Chuck and his team rose to the challenge and Stevens Cabinetry secured itself an innovative niche. The increased demand for this product allowed Chuck to grow his company’s reach further, add employees, and expand. This allowed Stevens Cabinetry to open up markets to expand the company’s own educational products.
Chuck began attending education shows and exhibits and noticed a trend: cabinetry fully laminated inside and out in contemporary colors and designs. Consumers were willing to pay more for this desirable and durable product, so Chuck decided to invest in making it. Figuring out how to create laminated casework proved challenging, but as usual, Chuck and his team persisted.
Stevens Cabinetry changed with the times while maintaining a steady one-step-at-a-time approach to the new endeavor. The change was not easy, as discontinuing production of Stevens’ mainstay all-wood kitchens required guts and faith in his decisions.
1970s
Eventually, Chuck’s perseverance and ingenuity paid off. Stevens’ company continued to grow and in the late 70s, Chuck traveled to Germany to attend a woodworking exhibition. Here, he was introduced to new equipment, machinery, and technology that could not be found in the U.S. called direct melamine lamination. Chuck invested in this cutting-edge European equipment. Two days of production with this new technology yielded enough materials for two weeks of production.
1980s
Direct melamine lamination opened up a whole new market of opportunity. Chuck insisted on using the latest and greatest technology, even if it had to be imported from Europe. Many times, the equipment Chuck invested in was the first of its kind in the United States. In fact, Stevens had the second machine in the U.S. for postforming with environmentally friendly PVA adhesives.
Stevens also led the industry as one of the first companies in the United States to 32mm dowel pinned joinery–now an industry standard years later. Coincidentally, Stevens Industries was named Innovator of the Year by the Woodworking Machinery Importer Association Companies. Needless to say, Chuck was always ahead of his time.
1990s
Stevens continued to lead the industry by investing in state-of-the-art technology and always being at the cutting edge of innovation in industrial casework and millwork. At this time, Stevens had its ups and downs as any company does, but in spite of this, the company continued to advance.
By 1998, what had started as a workshop in a two-car garage had become a 360,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that stood on 31 acres. At this point, Chuck decided to sell his interest in the company he founded. The company was converted into an “Employee Stock Ownership Company”.
2000s
The first decade of the new century extended the company’s entrepreneurial spirit with further conversions and continued investment in the latest technologies. The latter half of the decade began with the passing of beloved founder Chuck Stevens, but his legacy lives on in our company’s innovative spirit.
2010s
Today Stevens Industries continues its legacy of innovation and outside-the-box ideas. The company has reinvented itself again to be one of high volume production and flexible changeovers. Production today includes unique texture and pattern products in laminating, advanced fabrication techniques, and a one-stop shop for medical, educational, and commercial interior cabinetry and millwork.
Industry Affiliations
Stevens Industries is a Proud Member of the Following Organizations:
National Associations
Regional Associations
Serving Designers, Architects, & Contractors Across the North America
Stevens Advantage products can be found in hospitals, commercial offices, nurseries, restaurants, hospitality centers, schools, and a wide variety of other facilities across the country. We are North America’s trusted name in casework and millwork solutions.
As your project partner, we will work with you and your team to successfully deliver your project on time and on budget. Our goal is to exceed your expectations in every element of our work. Schedule a consultation with us to get started on your project today.
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