our story
Family Owned and Operated Since
1956
Jerry founded KARTAK, and he and Joanne built it together. Their son Kevin grew the company, and today their grandson Cameron leads it from the same city, with the work still made here in Washington.
Why seventy years matters
You’re Trusting Us With More Than the Work.
When you bring someone into your home, you are trusting the people behind the name. KARTAK has been family-owned since 1956, through three generations, with the same commitment to standing behind what we do.
EVERETT, 1944 — THE CITY THEY CHOSE AS HOME BASE
JERRY KARTAK, FOUNDER
1956
Jerry and Joanne, 1956
The brothers moved on. They stayed.
The business was founded in 1956 in the Seattle area by Jerry Kartak and his brothers. Not long after, the brothers moved on and only Jerry and his wife Joanne were left to build it from the ground up.
They chose Everett as their home base, and it has been home ever since.
FOUNDED IN THE SEATTLE AREA · SETTLED IN EVERETT · STILL FAMILY OWNED
“It's for you, Daddy!”
JOAN KARTAK, THE FIRST EMPLOYEE
JERRY AND JOANNE KARTAK
Six children
All of them worked in it.
Jerry and Joanne had six children, and every one of them worked in the business as it grew. They answered the phones, worked the shop and learned it from the floor up — which is why the handovers, when they came, were barely handovers at all.
6
children, all of them in the business
3
generations
1
Washington family since 1956
The handover, twice
Three generations, one family, one county.
1956
Founded
Jerry Kartak and his brothers start the business in the Seattle area. When the brothers move on, Jerry and Joanne stay, building the company and making Everett home.
1970s-90s
Built by the family
The Kartak family grows alongside the business. Their kids work in the company, and son Kevin eventually takes the lead, carrying it into its next generation.
2017–19
Passed forward
Cameron Kartak becomes Deputy CEO in 2017 and spends a year working alongside his dad, Kevin. In 2018 Kevin moves to the passenger seat and lets Cameron drive. By 2019 the third generation is running the company.
Today
Still Kartak
More than 100 team members. Two showrooms. Proudly based in Everett, crafting our products in Washington, and family-owned and operated since 1956.
What has not changed
We have never handed this part to anyone else.
We measure it ourselves
In your home, in several places, because your walls are not square.
We make it in Washington
Cut and assembled in our own facilities, not ordered in and rebadged.
We install it ourselves
Our own crews, accountable for the piece that arrives.
Come and see it in person.
Full-size enclosures and closet sections on the floor in Everett and Lakewood, with every finish and handle in your hand.