Back Row (l to r): Sheri Robinson, Shawn Brown, Peter Scarrow, Jacquie Cormier, Brian Kratzenberg, Adam Lewandowski, Noori Oad, Keith Tilley, Doug Farquharson, Teri Beland, Suzanne Loney, Kim Tumak and Kasia Kabat. Front Row (l to r): Peter Johnston, Joe Beland, Sandra Quinn-Boyes, James Brown and Derik Whitfield.
One Big, Happy Family
By Mark Kandborg
M
any of us have had this experience. Maybe when we were younger, visiting a friend’s house, or maybe as an adult, accepting a kind dinner invitation from a hospitable stranger in a foreign land. We walked in and were met with warm smiles. Our hosts were honestly happy to welcome us, to spend time with us, to get to know us. We felt like we’d found a second family. It’s a good feeling. It’s like that when you walk through the doors of Monarch Floors (1953) Ltd. The folks here, from president Brian Kratzenberg to the admin staff to the installers, are honestly happy to welcome you, to spend time with you, and to get to know you. You’ll feel like you’ve found a second family, because you have.
“It really is a big family,” Brian says. “One that’s evolved over the years. This is a group of really great, dedicated people that have a common vision. Lots of people have been here a long time. When I bring someone on, I say to them, ‘We want to grow old with you,’ and I really mean it.” If these values seem from another time, far from today’s infamous revolving doors of employment, maybe they are. Monarch Floors was founded by Brian’s father, Werner, at a time when these values didn’t seem so foreign, especially to a hardworking family man from Germany. “My father immigrated here in 1951 and started working right away as a brick layer’s helper,” Brian says. This couldn’t have been easy, as Werner didn’t speak the language, but his wife did. So right
Monarch Floors (1953) Ltd • 60 Years
from the start, cooperation and family was an integral part of his working life. “I don’t really even know how, but somehow my dad started this company two years later,” Brian says. You may be wondering where the name ‘Monarch’ came from. A fondness for butterflies, perhaps? Not exactly. “It was early days, and he went where the work was. Wherever it was,” Brian says. “He spent a lot of time up north.” Frobisher Bay in winter, no less. “He even did a job in ‘Akabah, on the Red Sea. I’m not sure why, to be honest, but he went there and installed flooring.” Wherever he went (except, one would assume, ‘Akabah), Werner could be seen in his trusty panel van. “He told me about one winter in Cold Lake where he had to crawl under it every morning with a Tiger torch to heat up the oil pan, but it always started.” What kind of van was it? Maybe you’ve guessed: a Mercury Monarch. The spirit and the name of that loyal, dependable, hardworking van are alive today, not just on the sign out front, but in Monarch’s culture. Why? Like father like son. “I always saw myself working for my dad,” Brian says, but when he was handed the reins, “I was wide-eyed. I was a decent salesperson, but I’d never managed.” So when his first year calling the shots was a less than stellar one, “I went to my dad. I told him I didn’t want to lose his money.” Werner, a man Brian describes as “funny, bright and charismatic,” knew exactly what to say as both a father and a boss. “He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I have faith in you’.” Sure enough, the next year was better. And the one after that, better still. Now the company named after a little van that could is celebrating six decades of success. “To run a business for 60 years is a great story,” says operations manager Keith Tilley, who gave up a promising career flying corporate jets because he “wanted another challenge.” His decision lead to an Executive MBA, but not directly to Monarch. “Brian and I were waterskiing buddies. He got me thinking that maybe I was climbing the wrong ladder.”
Brian Kratzenberg, Sheri Robinson and Keith Tilley.
Or, as Brian puts it, “I set the hook and pulled him into the vortex.” Keith’s only been with the company since December, but he’s as assured in his earth-bound chair as he was in the sky. “Surrounding yourself with good people,” he says, is key. “I’m not the best at everything, but I’m good at finding who is. We use the collective strengths of everybody.” Another key is accountability. Brian agrees. “My dad used to say, ‘If you cut wood, you get sawdust.’ Things happen. One of the people here might drop the ball, but I’ll pick it up. We’ve pulled our wallet out to make things right with a client. A lot of people make excuses. We get things done.” Clearly, the folks at Monarch are determined to make it right; but as it happens, there is surprisingly little ‘sawdust’ to worry about, due in large part to the experience and dedication of each member of the Monarch Floors family, for which Brian couldn’t be more appreciative. “I’m nothing without my people,” he says, “and they have nothing without our tradespeople, our contractors and suppliers.”
TRC Distribution Congratulates Monarch Floors on their 60th Anniversary! www.trcflooring.com Monarch Floors (1953) Ltd • 60 Years • Page 2
Clearly, the folks at Monarch are determined to make it right; but as it happens, there is surprisingly little ‘sawdust’ to worry about, due in large part to the experience and dedication of each member of the Monarch Flooring family, for which Brian couldn’t be more appreciative. If it isn’t obvious by now, Brian Kratzenberg likes to give credit where it’s due. He’s a self-professed shy and humble guy. “I don’t like to talk about myself,” he says, and he means it. So he invited other members of the Monarch family to share their thoughts about the company. Doug Farquharson, who worked in aviation with Keith for many years before joining him here, was happy to oblige. “I’m honoured to be part of this team, built on integrity. Part of what Brian built, and what his dad built. And what Keith will continue to build.” Joe Beland is proud of the company’s long standing connection with this city. “I lived and worked in Edmonton my whole life,” he says. “We really know this town.” Adam Lewandowski, who always seems to have a big smile on his face, had this to say: “It’s great here. Hard work tempered with a little bit of humour makes this a great place to work. It’s a fun place. And the combined experience here is over a hundred years.” It’s only right that the last word goes to the man who, as he says, will pick up the ball if ever it’s dropped. True to his humble nature, Brian’s last word is about his dad. “He was the kind of guy who was sitting at the table on Sunday night, going over blueprints. But he also liked to schmooze and entertain. The Governor of Nevada stayed at our house. Another time it was a yodeler from Germany. It was great. I think that being so good with people really helped him build the business.” “In many ways my dad and I are very similar. I’m more shy than he was, of course, but I’m a good listener. I think we all are here. That’s really what I’d like people to take away from this,”
Brian says. “We’re the real deal. We want to serve the community, make a living and enjoy our time together. And we’ll listen to your needs.” They’ll make you feel at home, too. Like I said, it’s a good feeling.
14240 118 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5L 2M5 (780) 454-0717 monarchcarpetoneedmonton.com
Superior Service Since 1953
CONGRATULATIONS MONARCH FLOORS! 205-10441 178 Street Phone: 780-487-7135 • Fax: 780-487-7197 • ccllp.cac
BUCKWOLD WESTERN AND ARMSTRONG WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MONARCH FLOORS ON 60 YEARS.
ARMSTRONG® HAND-SCRAPED HARDWOOD
Monarch Floors (1953) Ltd • 60 Years • Page 3
Congratulations Monarch Floors on 60 years of success!
Christopher Carpets Ltd. 16312 111 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5M 4G3 780-421-7773
Congratulations Monarch Floors! We wish you many years of continued success! lauzonflooring.com 2101 côte des Cascades Papineauville, Quebec, Canada J0V 1R0 • Toll Free: 1-877-427-5144
Congratulations and wishing you another 60 years of success!
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One broker. Immediate action. Done right.
Congratulations Monarch Floors!
Congrats Monarch Floors on 60 years!
Your 60 years in business means you’re doing things right too. We’re proud to be one of your partners.
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• Staff in all locations with the knowledge and ability to help you solve your flooring installation problems • Daily delivery service to established flooring dealers in the five cities with shamrock branches • Same day shipping to all rural locations • Wide range of installation products • Continually source out innovative products • Alberta owned and operated • Partners in buying groups in both Canada and United States
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Monarch Floors (1953) Ltd • 60 Years • Page 4