Every year, Stone World honors a Fabricator of the Year. The person is nominated by industry members and goes to someone who has shown dedication to growing their own business, as well as a willingness to share their knowledge to help other industry members. The following candidates each possess these qualifications. Please take a minute to learn more about them and vote for the person you would like to see receive the 2020 Stone World’s Fabricator of the Year Award.
Click on a nominee's name below to learn more about them!
Duan Coqui | Sandya Dandamudi
Mike Hyer | Rob Riegler
Eric Rolseth | Mario Sardo
Learn about the 2019 Fabricator of the Year James Donaire
View complete list of past winners
Company: Stone World of Tennessee
The reason for my nomination:
As if the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough, during the early hours of a Tuesday morning in April, a fast-moving storm cut across Middle Tennessee, producing devastating tornados that took 25 lives and destroyed several homes, schools and businesses, including Stone World of Tennessee.
Prior to this disaster, Duan and the Stone World of Tennessee team were leaders in stone fabrication and installation industry. Their combination of streamlined production processes, digital templating and fabrication technology, and enormous inventory of granite, marble and quartz made them one of the largest stone fabrications in Tennessee. Not to mention the more than 20,000 crafted countertop fabrication and installations they have completed over the course of 14 years.
Duan’s 7 Steps to a New Countertop process was highlighted during The Rockheads Group USA 2019 Fall Meeting, which was hosted at Stone World of Tennessee. Duan and his team provided insight to their process, which includes consultation, collaboration, template, finalize, fabrication, installation and completion, as well as a comprehensive tour of their entire facility and operations.
Education and knowledge-sharing is top of mind for Duan not only for his customers, but also his peers and colleagues in the stone industry. He has always been active in several industry associations and organizations, speaking with other fabricators and discussing how to advance the industry as a whole. This approach is also evident on the Stone World of Tennessee website where several enlightening articles are available to read.
No matter who you talk to, whether it’s one of his employees, customers, colleagues, friends or family, they will tell you that Duan has a heart of gold. He appreciates everything and everyone in his life. From knowing everyone’s name to a combination of handshakes and hugs, Duan is beloved by so many.
It’s no wonder why so many of Duan’s peers, colleagues and friends in the industry pitched in to help him and the Stone World of Tennessee team get back on their feet. Through resilience, determination and compassion, Duan has been able to rebound, and he continues to prove why he is one of the best in the industry.
Company: GI Stone
The reason for my nomination:
After growing up in the stone business, Sandya Dandamudi became the second-generation owner of GI Stone, a Chicago-based commercial stone provider specializing in sourcing, fabricating and installing interior and exterior custom stone for clients nationwide. Sandya’s experience with stone started at a young age when she used to accompany her mother, Rani, on interior design projects. In 1995, her mother founded GI Stone; Sandya joined the company, eventually taking the helm when her mother retired. As a stone expert, Sandya generously gives designers and architects cost-saving suggestions, design advice, and help in specifying the right stone for their commercial or residential projects. And her message remains constant: “Stone is the boss.”
Based in Chicago’s Hubbard Street industrial district, with clients in markets throughout the country, the company sustains strong relationships with local and international stone providers to source the highest quality raw materials available. GI Stone provides fabricated stone products to developers and contractors for upscale commercial developments, consulting with architects, engineers and interior designers to shape the stone into elegant finishes and execute the owner’s vision.
Always striving to be at the forefront in technology, GI Stone started its company’s workshop with a CMS Brembana Idea 625, an automatic bridge sawing machine; a Commandulli Omega 60 stone polishing machine; and a Park Industries Jaguar machine for precision cutting of stone. In 2008, the company upgraded to a Northwood SW-138EDS that allowed operators to process an entire slab worth of countertops in one setup and added a Northwood SJ-127R Jetsaw cutting saw. In 2019, GI Stone upgraded their machinery again to a Prussiani Cut & Jet 5 that combines diamond-blade cutting and waterjet to produce unique pieces.
In nearly all areas of her business, Sandya uses the latest technology to overcome challenges. Using innovative new technology on large commercial projects is an essential part of meeting extremely high client standards while also reducing costs and minimizing material and labor waste. Following are a few examples of how GI Stone has applied its pioneering use of new technology on high-end commercial projects.
High-End Hotel Lobby and Amenity Space Renovation
GI Stone was charged with creating a connection between the lobby and the original building exterior by applying stone panels to columns. However, using traditional 2-cm stone wall material would have added considerable weight to the columns, requiring additional support that would have reduced usable space and added significantly higher installation costs. GI Stone’s solution was to install Polycor Carbon Fiber-backed 1-cm panels, which met the client’s expectations while keeping costs low. GI Stone also provided feedback to Polycor on their panels.
High-Rise, Ultra-High End, Fully Customized Condominiums
For one project, the client wanted large format tiles to be part the standard finishes in the residences. Sandya suggested porcelain-reinforced marble tiles from the Akdo Akdolam product line – meeting the client’s desire for large format while also creating a cost savings on the material.
For another condominium project that required full wall porcelain panels, GI Stone used the SmartLift 400 Sky Lifter, which is designed for large glass panes, to transport and install the panels. This machine saved on the cost of hiring additional labor to install the panels by hand.
Of course, in the stone business, material is heavy. For the installation of 80 carved marble fireplace hearts and 400-pound mantles, Sandya used a Vestil Hydraulic Lift Cart CART-PN-600-D.
In other cases, material can be too weak. To prevent breakage in the field or during transportation of tub decks, Sandya applied epoxying aluminum angles to the edges of the material with Integra Component Bonder. This relatively simple and cost-effective solution increases efficiency in both the shop and field.
High-Rise Mixed-Use Development
Multiple lots of natural stone were specified for the lobbies, amenity areas, and 250+ high-end condominiums of a luxury high-rise. At GI Stone, all veined/natural stone materials are mapped digitally. These digital mappings create a reference for production. Everyone from the quality and production managers, to the machinist, to the polisher, to the driver, to the installer reviews and confirms that the final product matches what was approved by the client.
The client receives a visual rendering for review and can adjust how the material should be used, such as directing GI Stone to use the bottom of the slab for islands and the top third for perimeters. This process gives clients more control and demonstrates how changes may affect other units. It also creates strict remnant control. Because slab remnants are already assigned to another item, greater care is taken when cutting, labeling, and storing the material since it will be used in the future. All items are shown on the slab renderings and minimum sizes for all the pieces must be known before any fabrication. Thus, an early understanding for how the material will be used prevents possible waste later.
Also, when bidding on multifamily high-rise projects, stone subcontractors must accurately estimate material needed, determine how to minimize waste and budget accordingly. Sandya found a software solution in the woodworking industry -- CutList Plus fx – that has streamlined time on the Prussiani machine and minimized waste by understanding the remnant size before cutting.
Sandya also promotes technological progress in her community and associations. She works with the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing and the Saint Paul Church of God in Christ Community Development Ministries (SPCDM) pre-apprenticeship training program. As a member of the River North Residence Association Land Use & Development Center, she has also advocated for developers in the area to help support the SPCDM. And, by working with the SPCDM, Sandya hopes to create a sustainable pipeline for training new stone workers, to provide opportunities to those who otherwise would not be have them, as well as to help improve representation within the trade.
As an active member of the Natural Stone Institute (formerly Marble Institute of America), Sandya has participated in panel discussions, including “Managing a Successful Family Business Forum” at Coverings 2016, as well as being an NSI ambassador at industry trade shows in Verona, Italy, and Vitoria, Brazil. Also, she has contributed to the Natural Stone Council’s Sustainable Production for Natural Dimension Stone (ANSI/NSC 373).
Company: Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication
The reason for my nomination:
Mike and the Rocktops team continue to be a leader in Kansas City’s stone industry with nearly 40% growth in 2020. They have navigated through the pandemic without any layoffs or furloughs, and in fact, they have added 20 new employees to bring their total team to almost 80 team members.
This amazing growth have led them to hire an industry expert as a business consultant to implement EOS for improved processes & communication. They’ve expanded their operations to enhance their efficiency and productivity to handle an additional 300 SF per day. Rocktops opened a new facility and expanded their showroom, as well as debuted a new in-home consultation program with a mobile showroom and financing program. They also purchased new equipment, including three new saws, new crane system and four new vehicles. Additionally, Rocktops partnered with national brands like Cambria and Kohler to offer more selections to their customers.
Rocktops consistently look to educate themselves and keep on top of trends in the industry. They have been voted The Best of KC Countertops and even won a Gold ADDY (American Addy Award) for their online /interactive consumer website.
In addition to their dedication to educating their customers and colleagues in the stone industry through participation in various associations and organizations, they are extremely active in their community with donations to Hope Haven, War Horses for Veterans, Sleepyhead Beds, Harvesters, Ronald McDonald House, Daltile Food Drive, as well as various local schools, churches and police fundraisers.
Company: Lakeside Surfaces Inc.
The reason for my nomination:
Please consider Rob Riegler of Lakeside Surfaces for the award of Fabricator of the Year.
Rob Riegler of Lakeside Surfaces of Muskegon Michigan has been an inspiration and willing source of help for countless fabricators that have needed help in navigating the complex business of stone fabrication.
During a recent tour Riegler explained how culture is the driving force in influencing his employees to perform at their highest levels. He added, “We have the best interest of the company and our workers in mind in every aspect of the day at Lakeside. Our team relies on creating processes, documenting them and then holding team members accountable for following these processes. When something goes wrong, the first step is to see if the process was followed and if so, the process is changed. If the process was not followed, then the employee is “coached” to follow the process in future endeavors.”
Lakeside’s processes and culture have proven to be very effective tools for running a complex operation. The facility is maintained better than any shop I’ve seen, and safety is a key aspect of the shop environment.” Some of the descriptions of the tour by attendees include; inspiring, humbling, and overwhelming.
Rob has a mix of high technology digital equipment including BACA saws, Intermac CNCs and Park Industries CNCs. Lakeside utilizes a precision tool measuring system made by Zoller and sold by Granquartz. With this system Rob has extended the life of his CNC tools and has achieved some of the longest tool life of anyone in the industry.
Rob currently serves on the Artisan Board of Directors and Lakeside is an Accredited member of the Natural Stone Institute.
What makes Rob most deserving of the Fabricator of the year award is his willingness to share his knowledge. This trait is not just in technology and business but also in his interaction with all those around him. I recently saw a picture of a young boy holding a fish with Rob behind him. It turned out to be the first salmon the boy had caught on a fly rod by one of Rob’s employee’s son being coached by Rob himself.
Company: Astonia Stone Artisans
The reason for my nomination:
Eric Rolseth began his career in the trades as a high school woodshop student in 1985 after making an award-winning Grandfather clock out of black walnut that won several prizes and made the local TV news. This recognition afforded him the opportunity to work at a nearby cabinet shop as a summer job exposing him to laminate and solid surface countertops as well as cabinets. At that cabinet shop Eric accepted an opportunity to enter a 2 year apprenticeship focused on fabricating and installing countertops. Eric excelled at this and completed it in 9 months and saved enough money to buy his own truck and tools. He continued installing countertops throughout high school and 5 years in college. After college he continued making countertops and built this into a viable business in the remainder of the 1990’s.
In 2000 he transitioned into granite and quartz countertops as Astonia Stone Artisans. He made this transition by selling hard surface projects which he would then outsource the fabrication and handle the templating and installation with his own crews. It was a great formula in the beginning and led to explosive and even exponential growth. By 2005 he had outgrown the companies he was using for fabrication and purchased his first saw, cnc stone machining center and edge polishing equipment. Everything was going well until February of 2007 when the housing market in his region collapsed. This led to a lot of hardship, but it was also the doorway to a tremendous amount of learning and change. If Eric learned one thing during this time it was how to swiftly adapt and meet the needs of his customers. Another lesson he learned was diversification.
This diversification became a key element in his company’s ability to survive and thrive making countertops, and Eric used this same principle to expand beyond making countertops. In addition to maintaining his fabrication business, he also launched his revolutionary FillaChip brand of UV chip repair for hard surfaces which have become the industry standard. More recently, he has brought to market the innovative Panel Handler system of material handling. This creative, yet simple, solution for safe material handling has proven to be a “must-have” product for fabricators serious about delving into the new porcelain market. Eric’s expertise as a fabricator has proven to be a substantial benefit in creating products to help fabricators and he continues to do this.
Eric says the Stone Fabricators Alliance and the relationships he’s built within the organization have been the largest single factor in helping him increase his stone IQ. He says he’s humbled by how many people within the SFA have been an open book and offered him help. In kind, Eric has done the same and has made giving back a priority. Eric is now a Director of the Stone Fabricators Alliance, he has led the SFA’s Italy Tour and oversees the contractual side of the SFA’s involvement in various trade shows. You can ask him for his insight on various topics that he is well versed in and he is happy to share. For example, ask him a question on importing stone from Brazil and it’s not likely you’ll get a short answer to your question, but rather a detailed, thorough and helpful explanation. Eric has helped dozens of fabricators to make this step and begin importing stone directly. If he can help, he will.
Eric is also a member of the Rockheads group. He’s found this organization particularly helpful introducing him to other shop owners who are driven to improve their business process’ and grow their business.
Eric’s depth of knowledge in this industry is vast. He has traveled extensively to the major stone producing regions of the world, has a long list of personal connections with industry leaders, has a solid mind for business and in the true spirit of this award, has the craftsman skills to produce a project from start to finish with the highest standards of service and quality.
On behalf of the membership of the Stone Fabricators Alliance, I can think of no one more deserving and has done more for the industry than Eric Rolseth, which is why I strongly nominate him for the 2020 Stone World Magazine’s Fabricator of the Year.
Company: Fordham Marble Co., Inc.
The reason for my nomination:
Best quality workmanship, service and customer service
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