PF Custom Countertops - Edmonton

PF Custom Countertops (PFC) has been creating stunning surfaces since 1969, when Otto Holzapfel established the business. Otto came to Edmonton, Alberta, as an immigrant and began working at Clark Lumber in the city. The business inspired him to learn about a new product on the market, post-form laminate countertops. Otto became educated on the product and led production for the company. When Clark Lumber dropped the line from its production, Otto set out on his own. Starting as a small operation in his garage, he went on to build a successful local business that has grown for more than 35 years.

John Holzapfel, Otto’s son and now president of PFC, as well as Ed Holzapfel, John’s brother and vice president of PFC, now lead the company’s operations. John and Ed take pride in maintaining and building a second-generation brand that serves dealers throughout northern Alberta and British Columbia.

“I’ve been in the business all my life,” John recounts. “I started working in the summer when I was young, doing work around the shop. After high school, I went to get a college education in business administration. I returned with my new skillset to continue working for the family business.” Ed’s education as a journeyman cabinet maker gives him the skills and experience to manage the production operations of the business.

After more than three decades, PFC has expanded its product line significantly. PFC creates countertops in three main categories: laminate, solid acrylic surface products and natural and quartz stone surfaces. With around 85 employees, the company operates from two locations in Edmonton. With a total of 60,000 square feet of manufacturing facility, PFC can turn around high quality, custom countertops to meet a wide range of tastes and functionalities.

Our Process

Post-form laminate is still a major part of the business and PFC is the only manufacturer that builds countertops using this technique in the province. This unique process creates countertops formed with high-quality laminate rolled over particle board, covering all edges to build a clean, attractive product. These countertops offer the affordability of laminate without compromising aesthetics and the products remain popular with homebuilders and homeowners remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms.

“We do a lot of work with our staff that includes product training to make sure we are going to the core needs of what the customer wants and to be able to find the most appropriate product for them. There are a lot of products out there; customers watch a show and say, ‘this is what I need’ but it may not be the best product for them. We help to guide their decisions.” Ed adds with a laugh when thinking of the plethora of home renovation shows on television “Sometimes the timing of the installations in those shows creates problems for us!”

Products

PFC was one of the first companies in Alberta to work with acrylic solid surface materials, popular brand names include Corian, Wilsonart, Formica and more. “Solid surfaces allow us to fabricate countertops that are seamless when installed, including having sinks integrated into the countertop surface,” details John. “The end result is a one-piece countertop.” These materials are very popular in the health care and food service industries due to seamless quality and its non-porosity. According to John, these features virtually eliminate the ability of bacteria to grow on the counter surfaces.

The company’s product line includes quartz surfaces, a fast-growing product line that offers the natural aesthetic and hardness factor that attracts consumers to stone countertops, but with some distinct advantages over granite. These countertops are engineered stone, a man-made product that is durable and comes with an impressive warranty.

“Quartz is very popular,” John confirms. “It’s very durable. It gives the look and feel of natural stone but with a higher quality. It’s very functional.”

Ed adds, “Quartz is more environmentally sustainable than granite too. It doesn’t have to be quarried out of a beautiful forest. You can source quartz raw, enhance it, and put together a countertop.”

“This is a man-made product,” John notes, “utilizing natural quartz crystals and composite material. The manufacturing process makes the material strong, durable and nonporous and with more color consistency than granite.”

Granite has been a trending material for the countertop business in recent ears. Natural stone is a popular theme for interiors and granite is strong, hard and durable. Despite the cost differential, many consumers are willing to invest in these luxurious countertops. Each granite countertop is one-of-a-kind, a strong draw for homeowners who want a functional statement piece for the kitchen.

Customer Service

PFC has built a reputation in the industry for high-quality products and lasting relationships with customers. The business caters to a wide range of requests, including custom colors, finishes and edges, allowing end users to make these pieces as unique as desired. PFC’s customers now that they can count on John and his team to deliver a high-quality product, to the specifications requested in a timely manner. PF Customer Counters’ full-service range includes removal and installation for retail clients, high-quality plumbing fixtures, and more.

“We value service,” says John, president, of how PF Custom Countertops continues to impress long after other competitors entered the post form market. “We are a full-service countertop supplier. We only manufacture in Alberta so that gives us a bit of an advantage; we can turn products around quickly depending on customer’s needs.”

“One of the greatest points of pride for us is when our clients pass along letters from their customers saying how happy they are with their new kitchens,” John says. “At the end of the day, that is how we gauge our success. The things that are important to our customers, such as time of delivery and job accuracy, are the things that are important to us. Ours are often the last trades to go into a home, which makes it even more important for us to deliver on time.”

Finally, over the past two years it’s about maintaining a track record for quality products and memorable customer service. Between supply chain issues, product availability and price increases, we have kept our eye on the details. If PF Custom Countertops continues to deliver high-quality countertops and leading service, we will continue to be successful.