Just when you’re starting a business, the last thing you want to hear is dream killing news. Waterstone founder and President, Chris Kuran, heard it first when a banker told him – You’re probably not going to make it. Well, Kurans don’t quit. That has always been the mantra of Chris and his wife, Darcy. When the couple and their 3 small children decided to start a plumbing company in 1999, they always knew that they would succeed.
“We had some lean years. We ate a lot of macaroni and cheese,” say Chris. A U.S. Naval Academy grad and Marine Corps veteran, Chris was determined to make it work. Today, 20 years later, Waterstone has turned into the premiere manufacturer of luxury kitchen faucets in the North America.
EARLY DAYS
After serving in the Marine Corps, Chris moved back home to Orange County and began a plumbing business with his father. Four years later, the duo sold that company and Chris went to work for another plumbing manufacturer. However, that entrepreneur desire still tugged at Chris. He knew of a friend that was ready to retire and had manufacturing equipment. They partnered and started Waterstone. At first, the company primarily sold parts and components to large manufacturers that made drinking water filtration systems. When asked if he could design a more elegant filtration faucet in custom finishes, the answer was “Sure, we can do that. We’ll just figure out a way to just get it done.” That’s when Kuran spotted a niche opportunity. Waterstone pivoted toward the production of high quality filtration faucets in a choice of several finishes.
In 2001, the company recruited Steve Kliewer, the product engineer that would bring Chris’ faucet visions to life. The team works well together blending art and technology. “We are truly faucet geeks. I love going to friends homes to see what type of faucet they have. I am always inspired and try to figure out how things work. I think I am blessed to have the ability to visualize what the market is looking for and it shows in our designs,” says Chris.
As the kitchen has evolved into a central gathering area in the home for family and friends, Waterstone has increased the number of faucet choices to keep pace with new and spacious kitchen layouts and designs. In 2005, Waterstone took the big leap and added kitchen faucets to its product line-up. However, faucets as a stand alone product was just not good enough. Along with kitchen faucets, Waterstone developed a one-of-a-kind collection of kitchen faucets called “Suites.” These traditional and contemporary style faucets and accessories match as a group in both style and finish. It creates a complete collection that looks gorgeous together on any kitchen sink. Waterstone was the first kitchen faucet company to offer this unique package. These Suites provided its customers the ability to get matching products from a single source instead of mix and match from several faucet lines. Each Suite has its own unique look, feel and style that lend itself to a specific kitchen design. The six Suites were all influenced by experiences in Chris’s young life. The Annapolis – a tribute to the U.S. Naval Academy along with the nearby city of Towson. Hampton is where Chris loved to visit when he at his first duty station in the Marines. The Hunley is named after a civil war submarine. The Parche was one of the most decorated vessels in Word War II. Lastly, the Fulton is inspired by steamboat innovator Robert Fulton.
In 2010, Waterstone really knocked it out of the park. Chris and Steve developed the PLP Pulldown kitchen faucet. An industry first. It’s innovative “Positive Lock Pulldown” design features a sprayer handle with a locking mechanism to hold it in place when not in use. When using the pulldown sprayer for food prep or clean up, a counterbalanced weight on the hose allows for a smooth pull every time and prevents snap back. When finished, the sprayer easily slides back up into the spout and locks firmly into place. This patented design elimates the sprayer sag found on most competitive pulldown faucets. Not only do they work great, but they’re beautiful!. The traditional style PLP Pulldown Faucet is Waterstone’s best seller to this day.
THE CALIFORNIA DREAM
Waterstone is proudly made in the USA. Chris and Steve are passionate about keeping manufacturing and jobs here in the U.S. In order to create the highest quality, luxury faucets, you have to do it here. You just cannot create a quality product 5000 miles away. From raw material to a beautiful finished product, Waterstone is a vertical integrated factory. Every faucet is engineered, manufactured and assembled here in Murrieta California.
So, why California? It is the toughest state in the nation to do manufacturing, but it is also the best place to live.
“This is our home. I grew up in Orange County and I have always found my way back California. Where else can you can drive up to the mountains in the morning, ski, then make it home to surf in the afternoon?” says Chris. All the Kurans – Chris, Darcy, four children and Zoey the dog were born and raised right here in sunny Southern California.
“Why would we go anywhere else? We want to put people to work. American manufacturing jobs are important and have a positive impact on the U.S. economy. We admit it isn’t easy. It’s tough, but we found a way to create record sales every year.”
Record sales are great, but space was limited. This led to a move to a bigger building in 2015. More machines meant more parts, but more importantly – more American workers!
“Were are a family here. Our employees spend so much time at work, we want to make this feel like home. We give people opportunities here and encourage them to grow. They are one of the biggest reasons Waterstone is so successful,” says Darcy. “It really shows in our products. Our team has so much pride in their work.”
That is what gives Waterstone its’ edge. Since our country’s beginning, we have been a land of innovators and dreamers. Waterstone is full of those dreamers. Everyday, we arrive to work from the local neighborhoods and communities. We grab some coffee, roll up our sleeves and get their hands dirty. No lattes here. We love what we do. We take great pride in creating a piece of art in the form of a kitchen faucet and calling it their own. The craftsmanship and attention to detail cannot be duplicated anywhere else. That is why Waterstone is sought after by designers, architects, high end builders, and homeowners that want the best.
MAKING THE BEST FAUCETS IN THE WORLD
Now in our 20th in business, Waterstone has grown substantially in both sales and growth. The innovation here never stops. This year, Waterstone has already introduced several new faucet products. Jumping on the success of the PLP Pulldown faucet line, Waterstone has created a slimmer body Pulldown with modern, industrial knurling. Perfect for big city urban lofts with a minimalist style. The Yorktown Kitchen Faucet Suite is another that was released in late 2018. This faucet comes at it from a different angle compared to the legendary shapely designs. It’s a transitional design whose flat, mirrored surfaces and angular elements are modern, but with just a touch of that traditional feel. The look is truly revolutionary.
So, 20 years ago when one man told another that it can’t be done, the motivation and desire was set in motion. Chris, Steve and Darcy never quit and have created a home, a family and the best kitchen faucets in the world. Hard work, pride and American ingenuity. That’s the Waterstone Way.
