Made to Last: The Story of Krost Business Furniture
Published
The Krost family business has a rich history of quality manufacturing, spanning an era, an ocean and a generation or two. Here’s how it all began.
Krost Business Furniture has its earliest beginnings in South Africa in the 1920s. Launched by three brothers to create and manufacture lasting steel products, the company’s initial focus was not solely office and commercial products.
The original Krost logo was a knight clad in indestructible armour. The figure symbolised durability and hardiness, one of the key beliefs of the original founders. Initially, the small outfit made a wide range of steel products, which included steel office furniture.
During the war years, Krost was a supplier to the South African and British army, sending off utility items like jerry cans, pots, pans and even water bottles. Interestingly too – Krost supplied jerry cans to the Australian army and the broader Commonwealth.
It wasn’t until after World War Two, that the focus began to be office furniture pieces. In South Africa, Krost pioneered 4 drawer filing cabinets, steel office chairs and steel desking systems. By the mid 80s, the business had expanded into multiple divisions including plastic manufacturing, warehouse racking, office accessories and other general office products. These divisions eventually became separate businesses, and most still operate today.
As for Krost eventually landed in Australia – some 11,000km away – the new Australian outpost was established in Sydney in 1989, by brothers Colin and Steve Krost, grandsons of one of the original founders, Barney Krost. Manufacturing and supply, and the office furniture industry, was a part of the family.
Over Krost’s 25 years in Australia, the philosophy and focus has been on providing customers with complete office furniture solutions, as opposed to just product-by-product. At the company’s very beginnings, Krost set out to offer the best service, provide the highest quality products, and always sell at a fair price. These key principles date back to Krost’s foundations many years ago, and have remained company keystones ever since.
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