Faros started in business as a blacksmith and table maker. Business named Faros CRAFT.

In 1900, Faros Craft started a simple business as a blacksmith and table maker – and, as was custom at the time, his son, James W., later joined him in business. Time went on and another generation of the Craft family, James E., joined the business. Now, 125 years later, the great and great, great grandchildren of Faros Craft comprise the management team.
James CRAFT & Son has certainly changed over the last 125 years but is still owned and operated by members of the Craft family, who are dedicated to quality CRAFTsmanship and service. That dedication is reflected in the employees, both past and present, who have been instrumental in establishing James CRAFT & Son as one of the most reliable mechanical contractors in central Pennsylvania. We owe our longevity, our growth and our reputation to the hard work of our 140 employees, who exemplify the vision, mission & values that have enabled us to service customers with excellence all these years.
With its headquarters in a state-of-the-art, computerized and automated shop facility, the company continues to offer quality engineering, design and installation capabilities, as well as automatic temperature controls and emergency services. It has expanded into new territories with a presence in Chambersburg, PA and northern Maryland and prides itself in operating as a merit shop.
James Craft & Son, Inc. continues to expand its capabilities to grow right along with the technological advancements that have enhanced the industry. By incorporating progressive thinking with employee education and training, the company offers consistent quality and increased value.
Faros started in business as a blacksmith and table maker. Business named Faros CRAFT.
Faros and James W. formed partnership doing carpentry, tin- smithing, roofing and painting. Plumbing and heating work was later added. Business renamed Faros CRAFT & Son.
Purchased first red Ford truck (1947); CRAFT trucks have been red Fords ever since. Faros died (1946). Business renamed James CRAFT.
James W. and James E. formed a partnership doing general construction, plumbing and heating work. The business was renamed James CRAFT & Son, and the company’s first office and warehouse facility was constructed at 127 South Front Street in York Haven, Pennsylvania.
Purchased sheet metal equipment to do sheet metal work for contracts. Business was incorporated. Discontinued residential work. James W. died (1966).
Built sheet metal and maintenance shop building at 127 Falls View Street in York Haven. Started service department. James L. (1976), Vicki (1977) and Fred (1979) joined the company…the 4th generation of CRAFTs.
Fire destroyed the company’s warehouse and prefab shop at 60 N. Front Street, paving the way for the company’s brand new, modernized office & shop facility at 2780 York Haven Road. Controls Department formed (1984) and became an authorized dealer of Novar Controls. Thomas joined the company (1987).
Received Project Excellence Awards (1990, 1995). First contractor of Keystone ABC to achieve Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status (1993/1994). Named Specialty Contractor of the Year (1995). Named Construction Company of the Year (1999) by Associated Builders & Contractors. William joined the company (1992).
Company celebrates 100th anniversary. Substantial Service Department growth achieved. Company invests heavily in new BIM & CAD technology. The first members of the 5th Generation CRAFTs join the company…Jessica (2007), Steven (2008). James E. died (2008).
Record sales and profits achieved following devastating world economic decline. Significant investments made in modern office and mobile field technologies. Nicole & James P. (2012) join the company in the Accounting and Project Management departments respectively. Four members of the 5th Generation CRAFTs fully on-board L to R: Steven, Nicole, Jessica & James.
The signature red Ford truck that CRAFT is known for dates back to a 1947 red Ford pickup truck which was originally ordered by James W. Craft. Previous to that a 1946 blue Chevrolet was ordered & promised to Faros Craft, but was given to another customer.
Faros and James W. Craft had a blue 1930 Chevrolet truck. Immediately after World War II (Sept, 1945), Faros ordered a new pickup truck from the Chevrolet dealer in Mt. Wolf. He was promised the first Chevrolet pickup truck that came in. Later, James W. ordered a pickup truck from the Ford dealer Beshore & Koller in Manchester.
When the first Chevrolet truck arrived in Mt. Wolf, a blue 1946 pickup, the dealer succumbed to pressure from another customer and sold the truck to them. When the first Ford truck arrived in Manchester, a red 1947 pickup, James W. received it.
That is how “CRAFT” trucks came to be red Fords, instead of blue Chevrolets.
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