Kitchener, Canada, Nov. 19--The Board of Directors of Kraus Carpet Mills Limited joins the Kraus family and all employees in mourning the passing of Michael Kraus, founder and Chairman Emeritus. Kraus entered into eternity at 5:00 AM on Sunday, November 16, at home in Kitchener, Canada, aged 95.
He will be missed by his family; including his son, Nelson Kraus, and his wife Ruth; and his daughter, Anneleen, and her husband Harold Eckhardt. Both Nelson and Harold are vice presidents and directors of the Corporation.
In recognition of his leadership and legacy, Kraus Carpet Mills will observe a day of remembrance, closing the Waterloo facility on Friday 21 November.
Having immigrated to Canada from Siebenburgen, Romania at age 18, he often described his arrival in Kitchener, “I had ten cents in my pocket, didn’t speak a word of English, didn’t know anybody.”
At 22 he married Hilda Loscher. They were married for 71 years until her death in 2001.
In the 1930s he worked in the Baetz furniture factory. After days in the factory, he would work into the night building apartments. Ever the entrepreneur, he began importing upholstery fabric at age 33, forming a partnership to manufacture fabric five years later. Initially adapting fabric looms for carpet, he started Kraus Carpet Mills at age 51. A daring expansion into yarn extrusion, he founded Strudex Fibres at age 63. Kraus Carpet Mills is today the largest Canadian-owned carpet manufacturer, employing over 900 at facilities in Canada, the United States and Australia.
A passionate entrepreneur and minister, his tireless work and inspiring leadership had an enduring impact on the business and church communities that he served with distinction. Those who had the privilege of knowing him will never forget his legacy.
