______________________________________________________

Industry Insight
__________________________________________

Fabricator showrooms getting more sophisticated

by Michael Reis, Editor

In my job as editor of Stone World, I visit a broad range of stone fabrication shops around the country. From smaller five-person shops to large-scale operations cranking out 25 kitchens per day, each company offers some sort of insight for our readers. But these days, I am finding a new trend among many of the shop owners that I visit. While they are still happy to show me their equipment and fabrication methods inside the shop, they are also increasingly eager to give me a tour of their new showrooms. This is a noteworthy change from only a few years ago. full article

______________________________________________________

Inside the Shop
__________________________________________

Odyssey Tops of Myerstown, PA, begins stoneworking with high-tech machinery

by Michael Reis, Editor

Founded in 2001 as a manufacturer of laminate countertops, Odyssey Tops, Inc. of Myerstown, PA, recently expanded its operation to include quartz surfacing. And when it did so, not only did it move into a larger 24,000-square-foot building, but it also brought in the latest generation of stoneworking technology. full article

Old World Marble & Granite, Inc. of Naples, FL, sells 2-cm countertops in a 3-cm market

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

Marc Beaudet of Old World Marble & Granite, Inc. in Naples, FL, has taken a different approach than his local competitors to selling stone countertops in the area. While Naples is typically a 3-cm market, Beaudet's company primarily works with 2-cm slabs. His previous experience in the industry allows him to explain to his upscale clients the benefits of using a slightly thinner material with a laminated edge. And in the nine years that Old World Marble & Granite has been in business, his efforts have proven successful. full article

Premier Surfaces of Alpharetta, GA, focuses on quality installation and machinery    

by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor

When Eric Tryon started Premier Surfaces in June of 2002, he went into it having learned a lesson with his prior business that he sold. It was to have total control of the process. Drawn to the stone industry initially for the artistic approach, Tryon also favored the opportunity of making people's dream kitchens turn into reality. After having previous business experience relying on subcontractors, though, he knew his new company, which is based in Alpharetta, GA, would be different. full article

__________________________________________

Fabricator Issue of the Month
_____________________________________

__________________________________________

Project Spotlight
__________________________________________

Colorado Springs, CO, home is a showcase of stone

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

As natives of Texas, a family building in a private residence in Colorado Springs, CO, wanted to incorporate materials reminiscent of their home state into their new house. In particular, they wanted to use marble throughout the expansive 25,000-square-foot space. To ensure that their design objectives were met, the owners worked closely with designer Barbara Elliott of Barbara Elliott Interiors."The architecture is 'arts and crafts,' " said Elliott. "They love it. They also loved Mediterranean and Italian style. My goal was to carefully blend those elements. As big as the house is, we wanted to keep it warm and livable." full article

Modern Texas steakhouse is defined with stone 

by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor

Located in downtown Dallas, TX, N9NE Steakhouse was built with the intention of avoiding a traditional steakhouse feel. This was in keeping with the design goal that its owner, the N9NE Group, sets for all of its restaurants of this kind. To achieve this result, travertine -- which provided a classical look in a modern setting -- was used on the walls throughout the main spaces of the 7,200-square-foot restaurant.  "The whole idea [for the design] was contemporary," said Creative Director Karen Herold of 555 International, who worked along side a team of designers. Travertine -- honed and filled, and laid in a brick pattern -- had the ability to transform a typical steakhouse atmosphere into something more sleek and sophisticated, according to Herold. full article

__________________________________________

Shop How-To
_____________________________________

Achieving the optimal seam

by Fred Hueston

More and more in the stone fabrication industry, companies are looking to take extra steps to ensure that the seam is as smooth as possible. Seam polishing is one technique, although many of the seams I polished were to fix someone else's mistakes. You may also have to seam polish if you have a bowed slab. However, you can also achieve a smooth, almost "seamless" seam without breaking out the polisher. click here to find out how

__________________________________________

Industry Happenings
__________________________________________

Stone industry veteran serves overseas

by Kevin M. Padden, MIA, SFA

In an age where many Americans idolize professional sports figures, who make millions of dollars to play a game, some of the real "heroes" can often be overlooked. This is especially true of some of the men and women in the Armed Forces -- both here at home and abroad. One of these heroes is a close friend of mine, and he comes directly from our own natural stone industry. click here for more

Alpha Professional Tools releases educational DVDs

Alpha Professional Tools^® is pleased to announce the release of a series of educational DVDs. The first in the series, "Granite Countertop Fabrication and Installation," teaches step-by-step techniques for countertop and bathroom vanity fabrication. click here for more info

MIA develops performance analysis report

The just-completed 2007 MIA Performance Analysis Report provides a comprehensive set of benchmarks on financial performance in the natural stone fabrication industry. The report suggests that there continues to be major differences between the typical firm and the high-profit firm. These differences are significant for both planning and control purposes. click here for more info

New Product Announcement

__________________________________________

AEC Store’s Newest Addition: From Mops to Tops

Author, Tom McNall went from mopping 7-11's to the board of directors of the largest stone association in the world. All before 35 years of age. He presently owns part of 4 companies, trains people from the private and corporate sectors and writes articles for major trade magazines. How does one do that? These are secrets you will not find anywhere else on how to go from little to big in a short time in business. Straightforward and honest approach with time proven techniques and professionalism. They can work with any business no matter what you do or sell.

Visit AECstore.com for more details or to view our entire products related to the stone industry.

_____________________________________________________________________