Spectrum Stone of Tucson, AZ, fabricates and installs residential kitchen countertops as well as large commercial projects in granite, quartz, limestone and marble, for a total of 3,000 square feet of production per month throughout the southern region of Arizona.
Owners Craig Green and Jeff Spiri, principals of the company, became partners in 2003 when they decided to start their own company. “Together, Jeff and I have a total of 15 years in the stone business, and we have seen building in both residential and commercial continue to grow throughout the Southwest,” said Green, who got involved in the industry by first importing stone, then installing it.
The company’s 5,000-square-foot shop houses a Sebring gantry saw and a Daytona Edge Profiling System, which were both purchased from Matrix Stone Products of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. According to Green, the Sebring improved the company’s output and quality considerably, while the Daytona produces an excellent edge. “We run our equipment constantly and depend on them to maintain our growing business,” said the fabricator. “We are very pleased with Matrix products, and our fabricators love the machines. They are easy to operate, and the dependability is excellent.”
Additionally, the shop houses a Stealth router, which was purchased from Granite City Tool of St. Cloud, MN, and an Edgemate Edger from Edgemate Stone Tools LLC of Minnesota. Workers also utilize electric and air polishers, as well as electric grinders with diamond tooling.
Most recently, Spectrum Stone invested in a Scorpion sink hole cutter from VIC International Corp. of Knoxville, TN. According to Green, all of the company’s investments have increased production capacity and enhanced quality of output.
Spectrum Stone works exclusively with slab material. A total of 50% of the company’s production is granite work, while 30% focuses on quartz and the remainder in other areas. Currently, the company’s production is around 60% residential and 40% commercial work. Clients include a mix of individual homeowners, designers, builders and cabinet companies. “On the residential side, we mainly get our business by word of mouth from contractors like Milestone Homebuilding and U.S. Homes, and by interior design companies like Lori Carroll Design and Associates.
“On the commercial side of our business, we produce kitchen and bath countertops in granite and marble as well as Zodiaq® surfaces for four Lowe’s locations in the state and for Creative Cabinet Co., another large area firm, as well as several contractors throughout southern Arizona,” he continued. “As one might imagine, we spend a great deal of time on the road and have to schedule our time precisely. A missed appointment could take a day out of our routine.”
The company currently employs a staff of 15, most of which were hired with prior experience, according to Green, who said that inexperienced workers are trained by the current fabricators and foreman in the shop. “All installers can fabricate,” he said. “All helpers can fabricate. All fabricators can assist on an install.”
For local projects, Spectrum Stone purchases its slabs from several distributors including Arizona Tile, Bedrosians and Fractured Earth. “We import containers for special projects such as condominium conversions,” said the fabricator. One of the company’s most recent installations was for a luxury home in Street of Dreams on which they worked closely with noted designer Lori Carroll.