For Ripano Stoneworks, located in Nashua, N.H., building a successful countertop business is all about experience and fine-tuning. Optimizing the daily workflow is a strategy that this company has embraced since it was founded 27 years ago. To meet the company’s optimization goals, Ripano Stoneworks became one of the first fabricators … Read more
Consolidated Kitchens & Fireplaces has established itself as a regional leader in countertop fabrication and installation by placing an emphasis on brand integrity. In order to give the brand a good name, the company has hired a full-time brand manager whose primary job is to communicate and interact with customers. … Read more
Jim and Georgann Garver, owners of GW Surfaces in Ventura, Calif., attribute their success to keeping a close eye on every aspect of the business and new industry trends. In addition, they note that a willingness to change the business as new trends and circumstances dictate is essential in long-term … Read more
The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is extending the deadline for filling out its fabricator benchmarking survey by two weeks. The new deadline will be December 17. The MIA is inviting all fabricators of stone and quartz surfacing in North America (members and non-members alike) to participate in the survey. … Read more
In 1999, Axel and Carmina Mendez immigrated to the United States from Mexico City to establish themselves as a pioneer for Silestone. At the time, quartz surfacing was relatively unknown among consumers, and competition with solid surface and Granite was fierce. In 2002, the couple was able to acquire a … Read more
On a recent trip to visit friends in Russia, I immediately noticed their newly redecorated kitchen. I was duly impressed with everything about it, including the cabinets, the range and oven and the integral sink. However, a closer inspection of the sink revealed dark stains at the bottom and a few chips around … Read more
Across several states in the Midwest, Blasius, Inc. is known just as much for its maple syrup as it is its countertops. This family-owned fabrication company is located in Vassar, Mich., about 90 minutes north of Detroit, and the main fabrication facility is smack-dab in the middle of a working … Read more
Mitch Hires, founder of Atlanta Kitchen in Decatur, Ga., attributes the success of the business to a wide selection of products, selecting a top-quality staff and getting rid of company debt as quickly as possible. When it comes to his business, failure is simply unacceptable to Hires, noting the difficulties … Read more
Pat Weaver, former National OEM Sales Director for the Formica Corporation and previous Senior VP Sales & COO for Alliance Minerals North America, joined The L.E. Smith Company as Director of Sales. Weaver brings more than 25 years of executive experience in the countertop industry to his new role. He … Read more
Billings Marble & Granite was founded in 1996 when owner Kenny Roesch made a decision to buy the company that installed the natural stone countertops in his own kitchen. Because Billings, Mont., is in a fairly isolated location, he and his son, who is now also his business partner, worked … Read more
