Industry Insight __________________________________________
Examining the source of your stone by Michael Reis, Editor
Last month, as Memorial Day Weekend came to a close, I headed to Newark Airport in New Jersey so I could make my annual trip to the CarraraMarmotec exhibition in Carrara, Italy. And although this fair doesn’t have the size or draw of the Marmomacc exhibition that takes place in Verona, Italy, there is still a great deal to be
gained by visiting Carrara — for stone fabricators of any size ... Full story >>
Inside the Shop __________________________________________
Metropolitan Cabinet & Countertops of Norwood, MA, moves into CNC stone fabrication by Michael Reis, Editor
Metropolitan Cabinet & Countertops in Norwood, MA, has been in the cabinet business for over 25 years, and in addition to manufacturing and selling cabinets, it also has a history in processing laminate countertops. "Four years ago, I made
the decision that granite had to become part of the company," said Stuart Elfland, President of Metropolitan. "The problem in the past was that I didn’t want to just wholesale granite. There wasn’t enough margin, so I never just sold it. I met John Fallon [currently of Water Treatment Technologies] at the national kitchen show, and I ended up purchasing an Intermac Master Stone 4000 [CNC stoneworking center] through AGM. I also bought a bridge saw and the Water Treatment Technologies EnviroSystem" ...
Full story >>
Buzzelli Contractors of Philadelphia, PA, emphasizes quality over quantity by Michael Reis, Editor
As more and more new stone fabricators began opening in the Philadelphia, PA, Metropolitan Area over the past few years, Tony Diguglielmo of Buzzelli Contractors said the company had to make a choice. "We had to decide whether to follow the trend of
lowering prices, or that we would emphasize quality," he said. "We went with quality." Once that decision was made, Diguglielmo, who has 17 years of experience in the business, said he hasn’t looked back. "It’s actually gotten easier, not harder. People are getting educated, and they want quality," he said. "Since we are not just working on the basis of price, we can afford to pay our employees well, and people stay with us. We’re not just looking to save a dollar here or there" ...
Full story >>
11-year-old fabricator opens three locations by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor
Since its inception in 1996, Tile Market of Delaware, Inc. has grown to include three locations, including a stone fabrication facility that is equipped with high-end machinery.
The company was developed as an importer and distributor of ceramic tile and natural stone as well as a custom stone fabricator, and it has continually grown and expanded its operation. Today, the company’s production stands at 20 to 25 kitchens per week, but owner John Watson plans to add a second shift to the shop in hopes of more than doubling the company’s current output. "Tile Market of Delaware’s growth has averaged greater than 15% annually since inception, and we continue to explore new opportunities to tap into other markets," the owner said ...
Full story >>
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Fabricator Issue of the Month _____________________________________
Understanding electrical power needs by Kevin M. Padden, MIA, SFA
While in the process of setting up my first natural stone fabrication shop, one of the first oversights that I made was to not fully understand the ratio of electrical power supply to demand, and how this all interacts at the shop level. I did not have a clear understanding of "budgeting" available power to peak demand, so this would be a big learning experience for me. I had never been very good with electricity, but I had what I thought was a very basic understanding (enough to be dangerous), and so I basically trusted other people to re-enforce and otherwise make up for my weakness in the subject. My thinking was that as a manager, I did not have to fully
understand every small detail of a subject that I did not know very much about. I was quite wrong on that idea! ... Full story >>
One-of-a-kind stone applications in North Carolina by Michael Reis, Editor
At a private residence in North Carolina, the stonework that was fabricated and installed make the home a virtual exhibition of the possibilities in natural stone. The homeowner and stone supplier collaborated to create a one-of-a-kind space in several rooms of the residence, highlighted by innovative
stonework. The stone was fabricated and installed by Granite and Marble by Malavé of Greensboro, NC, one of the first fabricators located in this region of the state. Innovative and unique uses of stone are prevalent not only in the kitchen and bathroom spaces, but also in the common areas of the home ... Full story >>
Innovative slabwork updates restaurant design by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor
Stone Interiors of Gaston, SC, recently served as the stone consultant for an extensive renovation of the bar area of Milano’s Restaurant in White Rock, SC. Susan Cowan of Susan-Interior Design of Sautee Nacoochee, GA, was responsible for the design, which included the use of over 200 square feet of granite for bar tops as well as a fireplace surround, and travertine was also mixed into the design to add flair and interest to the space ...
Full story >>
A slab bathroom in onyx and travertine by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor
A combination of onyx and travertine — used in a slab format — transformed a contemporary master bath into a Zen-like spa in a private residence in Excelsior, MN. The stone palette created a haven where the homeowners can retreat at the end of a tiresome day.
The use of stone was essential to the remodel design, as it provided texture and depth. "I always like to start with the stones," said designer Brandi Hagen, ASID, of Eminent Interior Design of Golden Valley, MN, who collaborated on the project with architect Taunya Nelson, AIA, ASID, of Vujovich, Inc. of Minneapolis, MN, a residential design/build firm. "You can always choose the paint colors later, and there are always fabrics and custom vanities. You need to start with the stone so that you are not so limited" ...
Full story >>
Coverings Fabricator Forum 2007 transcribed by Michael Reis, Editor
The most recent open Fabricator Forum, which took place at Coverings 2007 in Chicago, IL, allowed stone fabricators with five or more years of experience to discuss some of the issues they are facing today. At this session, stoneworking professionals were able to submit specific issues to a panel of industry veterans as well as the audience at large.
This year’s panel for the forum, which was intended for stone fabricators with five or more years of experience, included GK Naquin and Mark Blanda of Stone Interiors in Loxley, AL, and Brandon Maldonado of Maldonado Tile & Marble of Fullerton, CA. The following is a recap of some of the issues raised during the session, along with the solutions and answers that were discussed ...
Click here for the Q & A >>
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Industry Happenings __________________________________________
Stone Fabrication Workshops enjoy a successful run in the Northwest
For the third straight year, Stone World
Magazine rolled out its Stone Fabrication Workshops to meet a need for high-quality industry education. These one-day intensive sessions took place in Seattle, WA; Oakland, CA; and Las Vegas, NV, in May, and future sessions are planned for later this year in the Southwestern U.S. and the Northeastern U.S.
A new course curriculum was developed for the 2007 Stone Fabrication Workshops, and it was based on specific issues raised by North American stone fabricators. Each presenter made extensive use of visuals, showing "real life" examples of stone fabrication shops and techniques to offer participants an illustration of the points being raised during the various sessions ...
Full story >>
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Last month, as Memorial Day Weekend came to a close, I headed to Newark Airport in New Jersey so I could make my annual trip to the CarraraMarmotec exhibition in Carrara, Italy. And although this fair doesn’t have the size or draw of the Marmomacc exhibition that takes place in Verona, Italy, there is still a great deal to be
gained by visiting Carrara — for stone fabricators of any size ... 
Metropolitan Cabinet & Countertops in Norwood, MA, has been in the cabinet business for over 25 years, and in addition to manufacturing and selling cabinets, it also has a history in processing laminate countertops. "Four years ago, I made
the decision that granite had to become part of the company," said Stuart Elfland, President of Metropolitan. "The problem in the past was that I didn’t want to just wholesale granite. There wasn’t enough margin, so I never just sold it. I met John Fallon [currently of Water Treatment Technologies] at the national kitchen show, and I ended up purchasing an Intermac Master Stone 4000 [CNC stoneworking center] through AGM. I also bought a bridge saw and the Water Treatment Technologies EnviroSystem" ...
As more and more new stone fabricators began opening in the Philadelphia, PA, Metropolitan Area over the past few years, Tony Diguglielmo of Buzzelli Contractors said the company had to make a choice. "We had to decide whether to follow the trend of
lowering prices, or that we would emphasize quality," he said. "We went with quality." Once that decision was made, Diguglielmo, who has 17 years of experience in the business, said he hasn’t looked back. "It’s actually gotten easier, not harder. People are getting educated, and they want quality," he said. "Since we are not just working on the basis of price, we can afford to pay our employees well, and people stay with us. We’re not just looking to save a dollar here or there" ...
Since its inception in 1996, Tile Market of Delaware, Inc. has grown to include three locations, including a stone fabrication facility that is equipped with high-end machinery.
The company was developed as an importer and distributor of ceramic tile and natural stone as well as a custom stone fabricator, and it has continually grown and expanded its operation. Today, the company’s production stands at 20 to 25 kitchens per week, but owner John Watson plans to add a second shift to the shop in hopes of more than doubling the company’s current output. "Tile Market of Delaware’s growth has averaged greater than 15% annually since inception, and we continue to explore new opportunities to tap into other markets," the owner said ...
At a private residence in North Carolina, the stonework that was fabricated and installed make the home a virtual exhibition of the possibilities in natural stone. The homeowner and stone supplier collaborated to create a one-of-a-kind space in several rooms of the residence, highlighted by innovative
stonework. The stone was fabricated and installed by Granite and Marble by Malavé of Greensboro, NC, one of the first fabricators located in this region of the state. Innovative and unique uses of stone are prevalent not only in the kitchen and bathroom spaces, but also in the common areas of the home ... 
by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor
A combination of onyx and travertine — used in a slab format — transformed a contemporary master bath into a Zen-like spa in a private residence in Excelsior, MN. The stone palette created a haven where the homeowners can retreat at the end of a tiresome day.
The use of stone was essential to the remodel design, as it provided texture and depth. "I always like to start with the stones," said designer Brandi Hagen, ASID, of Eminent Interior Design of Golden Valley, MN, who collaborated on the project with architect Taunya Nelson, AIA, ASID, of Vujovich, Inc. of Minneapolis, MN, a residential design/build firm. "You can always choose the paint colors later, and there are always fabrics and custom vanities. You need to start with the stone so that you are not so limited" ...
For the third straight year, Stone World
Magazine rolled out its Stone Fabrication Workshops to meet a need for high-quality industry education. These one-day intensive sessions took place in Seattle, WA; Oakland, CA; and Las Vegas, NV, in May, and future sessions are planned for later this year in the Southwestern U.S. and the Northeastern U.S.