The company fabricates an even combination of natural stone and quartz surfacing such as Silestone, for which the company is a major national distributor. A total of 10 containers are unloaded at the Willingboro facility every week, and the company stocks slabs as well as tiles for distribution around the country. Most recently, the firm began fabricating FormicaStone, a quartz-based product that is produced by Cosentino of Spain.

On the fabrication side, Counter-Fit is currently equipped with two Contourbreton NC 400 stoneworking centers from Breton of Italy. These computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines are each equipped with two large worktables and have broad axis movements of 11 1⁄2 feet (X axis), 6 1⁄2 feet (Y axis) and 15 3⁄4 inches (Z axis at 0 degrees). Each NC 400 can hold 27 tools, and tool changing is programmed in advance and executed automatically throughout the process. Additionally, each unit can be equipped with one of two saw blades - a straight blade and a concave blade.

The software for operating the machine is designed to be simple to use, and it is compatible with Microsoft Windows. It is also equipped with a 3D optical precision system that, without contact, detects the shape and dimensions of the workpiece.

A third Contourbreton NC 400 and a Contourbreton NC 260 (a smaller version of the other units) are being added shortly. In addition to the CNC units, stone is processed on one of two bridge saws from Zorzan, and the company is purchasing a third bridge saw from Breton that will be equipped with the same optical system as the CNC machines. For straight edge work, such as backsplashes, the company uses the Marmo Meccanica LCV 711 M edging machine.

During the production process, slabs are first processed on the bridge saws, where they are cut to within 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch of the final dimensions. From there, they move on to the CNC machines. For certain shapes, such as an eased edge, the edge work will bring the workpiece to its final dimensions. For others, such as an ogee edge or a triple-pencil edge, the blades are needed.

Wooden templates are made for every project, and to enter the working parameters into the system, the company either uses a digitizing table or enters the measurements directly into the computer. It has also begun using an electronic templating system from Proliner USA.

One interesting aspect of Counter-Fit's operation is its efficient water recycling. A total of 100% of the water used at the facility is recycled using a system from Water Treatment Technologies of North Hampton, NH, and the company does not use any municipal water. In this system, the water runs through a pool, and the larger debris is removed. Two pumps are used to feed the resulting “gray water” to the bridge saws as well as the edging machine and the “halos” of the CNC spindles. Since the water for the “halos” only cools the working unit, gray water is acceptable. By using two pumps, the company is guaranteed not to have any down time, as it can operate with only one pump if the other breaks down.

To obtain the pristine water for other components of the CNC machinery, water also travels through a large filter that operates in the same manner as a pool filter. The filtering units are coated with a fine powder called Harborlite, which is similar to the diamataceous earth (“DE”) used in certain pool filters. The impurities in the water cling to the powder, and the resulting crystal clear water is actually cleaner than regular drinking water, the company reports.

Counter-Fit currently has 20 employees, including the shop, office and installation crews. When bringing in new workers, the company chooses not to hire from other shops in the area. Also, any worker must eventually learn all phases of the operation, so a templater must first work on installations. Also, workers first demonstrate a proficiency in the shop before they work on the installation teams. The company currently operates one shift, and it processes 12 to 15 kitchens per day. However, it expects this amount to triple when it adds machinery and runs additional shifts.

All of the natural stone processed at the facility - regardless of where it is quarried - comes from Italy, where the company has an agent that takes care of all quality control. In addition to Silestone, the company is also a major distributor of Brazilian soapstone.

Counter-Fit sells its fabricated work primarily to Home Depots and builders. A total of 75 to 80% of work is currently residential, but this will change, as the company is bringing in sales representatives specifically for

the commercial market and for kitchen/bath dealers. In one example of commercial work, the company is currently working on the luxury suites for the Phillies new baseball stadium in Philadelphia, PA.