Grabill, IN—Ambassador Enterprises acquired the assets of Grabill Cabinets, a 130-employee custom cabinetry business founded 75 years ago by Vilas Schertz in Grabill, IN.
The business will be managed by former owners Martin Heiny and David Carnahan, who is grandson of the founder. It will operate under Ambassador Enterprises’ recently established Dovetail Brands, a holding company for home interior businesses. Dovetail also owns Dutch Made Custom Cabinetry, also in Grabill. Both companies have national reputations for excellence in high-end custom cabinetry.
“Our number-one goal was to ensure this 75-year-old business continues on,” says Heiny. “We wanted to find a local buyer who was familiar with Grabill Cabinets and deeply connected to the area. Someone most interested in continuing what was started, who truly cared about Grabill’s employees.”
Founded in 2006, Ambassador Enterprises is based in Fort Wayne, IN with a mission to fund transitions of legacy companies investing for three returns – eternal, cultural, and financial. Committed to creating lasting, positive impact on people and communities, Ambassador Enterprises and its affiliates account for nearly $1.5 billion in annualized revenue and more than 3,600 employees. In building and construction it operates wood-related businesses including Trusco, Standale Lumber, Rival Build, Standale Home Studio, and QSI, a builder of stables, barns, and garages using post-frame construction.
“The best cabinetry in America is built here in northeast Indiana. We’re thrilled that the Grabill team will continue its legacy of excellence as part of Dovetail Brands,” says Seth Nash, CEO Dovetail Brands. “With Grabill and Dutch Made, we bring together two nationally-recognized brands with unmatched capability.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to retain local ownership of this business,” says Nash. “We’re pleased that all employees were provided the option to remain with Grabill Cabinets and that its key leaders, Martin Heiny and David Carnahan, will remain with the company.”
Nash, who is CEO of both Grabill and Dutch Made, is VP of Ambassador Enterprises, says “We’re hiring in both companies, and we’re excited about growing to serve our customers better.” Dovetail Brands is an affiliate of Ambassador Enterprises and serves designers and homeowners in the custom and luxury home interior market. Founded in 2021, Dovetail Brands is based in northeast Indiana.
