Customer service -- your best defense against competition

by Michael Reis, Editor

Early last year, while languishing in the waiting room of a self-important fabricator in the Northeast for nearly two hours, I wrote some notes that became a Stone World column entitled: "It's not you; it's the granite." In this column, I noted a trend among some successful fabricators that began to fancy themselves as "rock stars." As such, these industry icons were far too important and busy to stick to appointments -- with me, and more importantly, with their customers. The waiting rooms of some shops I visited at that time were filled with anxious homeowners, eager to spend big money on new granite countertops. Yet, as I wrote in my column, they were being treated as if they were "sitting at the Discount Tire shop waiting to have a set of all-weather tires installed" ...  Full article>>

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Inside the Shop
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Palomar Stoneworks Inc. of Murrieta, CA, relies on five key management philosophies

by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor

An interesting partnership combined with five key management philosophies has enabled one-year-old company, Palomar Stoneworks Inc., to really get off to a fast start. Headquartered in Murrieta, CA, Palomar Stoneworks Inc. is owned by Chief Executive Officer, Ed Vasko, who is experienced in high-efficiency fabrication and business development; Vice President of Operations, Mike Crosby, who brings more than 10 years of knowledge from the stone industry; and Duke Hong, who has a background in the financial and IT worlds. The different skills of each individual have been brought to bear on the business, according to Vasko... full article>>

Schumacher Tile & Stone of Meridian, ID, moves into a new 36,000-square-foot facility

by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor

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Fabricator Issue of the Month
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Air and Water Filtration

by John Fallon, National Sales Manager, Water Treatment Technologies, Hampton, NH

There are many choices that face the owner of a stone fabrication shop, and water filtration can seem to be the most complicated, as there are so many options to choose from. Especially with OSHA, EPA and state regulations, you want to be sure that your choice is the best one for you and your specific fabrication process...full article>>

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Project Spotlight
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Slabwork combines with mosaics for Florida show home

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

Mosaics and custom stone countertops were essential components for bringing an Old World style to Villa Milagros, a "Build for the Cure® Home" that was designed to raise funds to help fight breast cancer by benefiting the Florida Suncoast Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation in Sarasota, FL. The mosaics played a large role in creating an environment reminiscent of Tuscany throughout the interior of the residence, which spans more than 10,000 square feet...full article>>

Century-old building transforms into Kenichi Restaurant in Austin, TX

by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor

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Shop How-To
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Countertop Installation Forum

transcribed by Michael Reis, Editor

As part of the comprehensive seminar program at StonExpo East, which took place earlier this year in Atlanta, GA, a panel of industry veterans held an open "Countertop Installation Forum" with fabricators representing shops of all sizes from around the country. Panelists included Clark Jones of Brentwood Granite, Marble & Tile, LLC in Brentwood, TN; Lindell Lummer of Malibu Art Tile & Stone of Malibu, CA; and Duane Naquin of Stone Interiors in Gaston, SC. The following is a synopsis of the topics that were discussed during the forum: click here for a list of forum topics>>

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Industry Happenings
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MIA Accreditation Program Picks Up Pace

Three more companies have joined NBC Solid Surfaces of Springfield, VT, as Marble Institute of America (MIA) Accredited Natural Stone Fabricators. Radtke Tile and Marble of Carson City, NV; Solidtops of Easton, MD; and Great Lakes Granite and Marble of Redford, MI have all earned the coveted distinction after successfully completing the demanding three-phase procedure, which includes individual exams and on-site inspections...full article>>

Book on Ohio sandstone is published

Marble Institute of America (MIA) staff member James Hieb has authored a book about the sandstone quarries of Lorain County, OH. This region, known as the "Sandstone Center of the World," has quarry beginnings in the early 1800s. During the height of its hey-day, several dozen quarries were active, with over 2,000 individuals employed. At one point, Bob Hope's father worked at the quarries as a stonemason and master carver. The book, entitled Sandstone Center of the World: Images & Stories of Quarry Life in Amherst, South Amherst, & Lorain County, debuted in June...full story>>

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