Canadian Success Story: Homes that Stand the Test of Time

BOBCAYGEON, ON, March 05, 2014 (Press-News.org) It's been 30 years since Hans Dummermuth and his wife Silvia built their 1867 Confederation log home in Haliburton, Ontario. Step inside and it's just as fresh and bright as the day they moved in.

"Personally, I'm surprised," says Dummermuth. "Inside it doesn't look different at all."

Family-owned and operated, 1867 Confederation Log & Timber Frame celebrates 35 years in business this year. Quality craftsmanship is one characteristic remaining constant throughout the Canadian company's journey to worldwide success.

"Wood has a fantastic insulation factor. It makes for a warm, very cozy atmosphere and it gives our home, to me, something very special," says Dummermuth. "Particularly in winter, we've never had any issues to worry about."

Like many 1867 Confederation customers, the Dummermuths didn't just buy a home, they struck a relationship. They remember visiting current owner Rick Kinsman when sons Andy and Rich were newborns, watching them mature into their current business roles, Andy as Vice-President Operations and Rich as Vice-President Sales. They also saw the business evolve into a North American leader in the log and timber frame industry.

"We've known the family for a long time and we've seen them grow," says Dummermuth, who recalls first meeting Rick when he was employed as draftsman and the company was housed in a trailer. "This is a milestone year and we will be celebrating right along with them."

Today, 1867 Confederation occupies a sales office, manufacturing facility and model home just one kilometre outside of Bobcaygeon. It's a place where prospective buyers attend educational seminars to get answers to homebuilding questions; purchasers meet with skilled draftsmen to fine-tune designs; logs are meticulously cut and assembled prior to shipping; and, where innovating is a way of doing business.

Among the company's accomplishments is its exclusive thru-bolt design, part of a modern connection system that virtually locks log together making heat loss and separation impossible. 1867 Confederation was the first log home manufacturer in Canada to receive Energy Star approval, and its in-house design studio has advanced to the point where it now uses the latest in imaging software to produce life-like virtual floor plans for purchasers.

"We've enjoyed many industry firsts simply by listening to our customers," says Kinsman, pointing to additional achievements in timber frame, energy efficiency and precision finishing as examples. "Our commitment to service doesn't stop at the signing of a contract. We're there at every step of the building process, from design through to finishing, offering as little or as much help as required. Homeowner wants and needs continue to evolve, and so do we."

Curb appeal is another reason for the company's ongoing success. When David and Sandy Reid purchased their 1867 Confederation log home in 2003, they became the third owners. Originally constructed in the late 1980s, the home had so much charm they signed a deal within days of laying eyes on it.

"I was looking at this house in the window of a real estate office, showed my wife and in four days' time it was ours," says Reid. "It has absolutely stood the test of time. There's no deterioration of the logs at all. It's a beautiful home."

As the company marks 35 years, there's no time for resting on laurels. With a busy show schedule ahead this spring, 1867 Confederation is gearing up to announce yet another advancement in log home construction that brings a premium product to its offerings.

"Logs are in our blood," says Kinsman. "We can't wait to see where our next milestone year will take us."

About 1867 Confederation Log & Timber Frame

One of only five companies worldwide to receive the prestigious Log Home Guide Seal of Approval, 1867 Confederation Log & Timber Frame has steadily earned a strong reputation as North America's leading log home manufacturer since its inception in 1979. Today it operates an extensive dealer network which is involved in constructing residential, commercial and industrial buildings throughout the world.

Media Contact: Mark Wessel, Bullpen PR, 705-445-2733, mwessel@bullpenpr.com