The company was formed in 1995 by the Sauder family as a manufacturer of slate welcome signs and similar items. But over the past few years, the company has made the "natural progression" to roofing and architectural products, said Jeff DeCelle of Vermont Specialty Slate. "Once the name got out there, we were getting more and more requests [for architectural products,]" he said. "We already had the machinery, so it just made sense."
Production at Vermont Specialty Slate relies on a combination of old equipment, new technology and handwork. Slate pieces are cut to size with a traditional slate trimmer, and the company also purchased an automated trimmer two years ago.