Following in his dad’s and uncle’s footsteps, Karl Kraync is celebrating the 72nd anniversary of Kraync Motor Company in Price.
Starting in 1945, Kraync’s father Frank Kraync Sr. and his uncle Vennie Slocko started their car dealership at 98 South 300 East.
Having been unable to go into the mines, Kraync’s father and uncle decided to try and start up a car dealership with the war bonds they purchased for World War II. Frank Sr. and Uncle Vennie traveled around different parts of the state and bought cars that they would then sell at the dealership. In 1954 the family switched over to selling Buick, and in the 1960s, they expanded the business by adding jeeps.
Some tough times
“Our specialty is repeat customers,” Kraync said, placing an emphasis on how the sale of cars to repeat customers and their loyalty helped them stay in business throughout the years even though the company has faced numerous challenges. Following the death of Frank Kraync Sr. in 1970, the business was left to the family and brother Frank Jr. took over. “He had personal issues,” Kraync said of the difficulties that his brother faced while he was the owner of the company.
“We almost went broke,” he said of one of the most difficult periods of the business, which occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They just buckled down and pushed through the tough times. That’s when Karl came in and started working full time. His brother died in the 1990s and Karl took over as sole owner.
The loyalty of the customers have helped them sustain the business. “Harry and Sue down in Moab have the record,” Kraync said of the people who have bought the most cars, with a total of 65 cars. “We don’t want to sell people one car, we want to sell them 20,” Kraync continued, saying that loyalty is key to his business.
Failure not an option
“For me, failure was not an option,” Kraync said of his motivations for not giving up through the tough periods and people even said he was crazy for trying to continue the business. The business saw its best years in the mid 1990s and continued to grow its inventory. Current inventory includes many newer model SUVS and compact cars.
Having kept his company in business for 72 years is not his only accomplishment. He has also been a licensed professional counselor for the last 46 years and helps people and couples with a variety of issues, along with rehabilitation counseling. Another set of accomplishments includes being involved with the economic development council for 45 years and the Business Expansion and Retention group. Both groups help advocate for local businesses.
Despite all of those accomplishments, when asked about what he is most proud of Kraync says, “My family.”