Business Sense: A Quick Guide to Setting Goals For Your Countertop Business

By Katherine Gifford of Moraware Goals are critical for any business, including the fabrication industry. Without them, it’s like playing a game of darts in a pitch-black room. You keep aiming and throwing, but you have no idea if you’re ever going to hit the bullseye. That’s where KPIs come … Read more

Health & Safety Watch: OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program

 In response to President Biden’s executive order on protecting worker health and safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) focusing enforcement efforts on companies that put the largest number of workers at serious risk of contracting the coronavirus. The program also prioritizes employers that retaliate against … Read more

New LEED Safety First Pilot Credits to Support Success

To keep pace with the evolving health challenges around the world, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) designed several LEED Safety First pilot credits, which address COVID-19. Four new Education @USGBC courses offer a combination of videos, podcasts and resources to support success with implementing these credits. The pilot credits outline … Read more

Health & Safety: OSHA Issues Stronger Coronavirus Workplace Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued stronger worker safety guidance to help employers and workers implement a coronavirus prevention program and better identify risks which could lead to exposure and contraction. Last week, President Biden directed OSHA to release clear guidance for employers to help keep workers safe … Read more

SBA and Treasury Re-open PPP Loan Portal

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve … Read more

Study Concludes Construction Industry Has Among Highest COVID-19 Positivity Rates

The results of a recent study administered by testing firm Curative in Los Angeles between August and October, were revealed in an article on Construction Dive. The study tracked the results of more than 730,000 COVID-19 tests and compared positive test results with an occupational questionnaire. Although the study has … Read more

Business Sense: Creating a Work-Life Balance at a Countertop Shop

By Katherine Gifford of Moraware We talk to many shop owners and managers, and unfortunately, it’s more common than not to be totally and utterly burnt out. Mental exhaustion. Emotionally drained. Never-ending stress. It’s no way to live, but it’s the norm in our low-margin, high-speed industry. While it’s easier than … Read more

Business Sense: Avoid Getting Burnt Out During the Holiday Rush

By Katherine Gifford of Moraware The holidays are a beautiful time of joy, family time, and relaxation. Well… for about 10% of us. For more than half of us, the holidays are a breeding ground for stress. It shouldn’t be that way, but here we are. According to a study, there are three … Read more

Health & Safety Watch: Workplace Safety and the Flu

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu, this fall and winter is more important than ever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked with vaccine manufacturers to have extra flu vaccine available this flu season. Manufacturers have already begun distributing flu vaccines and will … Read more

Tile of Spain Manufacturers Release Top Trends of Fall 2020 & A Look Ahead

Earlier this year, Spanish manufacturers vowed to continue to meet the needs of architects and interior designers by keeping production going in the ceramic tile sector. Maintaining that commitment, Spanish manufacturers overcame the setbacks that 2020 presented and emerge with new designs, technologies and innovations in tile. Tile of Spain, … Read more