Gramco’s ability to salvage the “unsalvageable” also gave it “preferred vendor” status with insurance companies like AAA, All State and other major carriers. For claims on fires, floods, and other catastrophes, insurance companies and catastrophe restoration firms would and still do favor Gramco to restore the high-end furniture
to pre-loss condition.
Gramco can keep up with the demands of corporate customers while still achieving museum-quality results through a balanced mix of new technology and traditional restoring techniques. Dust-free power tool systems, European finish systems and other technologies move the process along at a faster pace, allowing for more hands-on time to fine-tune the finished product.
“Power tools and finishing systems expedite the restoration process tremendously, but to properly finish a piece you still have to put your hands on the wood,” said John. “At Gramco, we train and mentor our technicians in both the high-tech and traditional fundamentals of restoring antique furniture.”
Part of that training comes from a core curriculum John Verhines developed just for Gramco employees. The well-received program drew attention from the Ford Motor Company, who invited John to present Gramco’s core curriculum to its facilities maintenance department.
“Our employees really appreciate the effort we make to teach them the nuances of furniture restoration as well as the technology,” said John. “Most, if not all, of the dozens of people who worked here would admit their time at Gramco was a growing experience.”
The ranks of Gramco Furniture’s work force now include a third generation of Verhines, John’s sons Bill and John. Just as it was for their father before them, Gramco has proven to be a learning ground.
“One can learn a lot in the restoration business—art, history, and culture. But more than anything else, this business teaches you about people,” said John. “When you get right down to it, that’s really what’s kept us in business all these years.”
to pre-loss condition.
Gramco can keep up with the demands of corporate customers while still achieving museum-quality results through a balanced mix of new technology and traditional restoring techniques. Dust-free power tool systems, European finish systems and other technologies move the process along at a faster pace, allowing for more hands-on time to fine-tune the finished product.
“Power tools and finishing systems expedite the restoration process tremendously, but to properly finish a piece you still have to put your hands on the wood,” said John. “At Gramco, we train and mentor our technicians in both the high-tech and traditional fundamentals of restoring antique furniture.”
Part of that training comes from a core curriculum John Verhines developed just for Gramco employees. The well-received program drew attention from the Ford Motor Company, who invited John to present Gramco’s core curriculum to its facilities maintenance department.
“Our employees really appreciate the effort we make to teach them the nuances of furniture restoration as well as the technology,” said John. “Most, if not all, of the dozens of people who worked here would admit their time at Gramco was a growing experience.”
The ranks of Gramco Furniture’s work force now include a third generation of Verhines, John’s sons Bill and John. Just as it was for their father before them, Gramco has proven to be a learning ground.
“One can learn a lot in the restoration business—art, history, and culture. But more than anything else, this business teaches you about people,” said John. “When you get right down to it, that’s really what’s kept us in business all these years.”