The company's 40,000 square-foot facility for granite handles islands as big as 40 square feet that weigh up to 900 pounds. Empire cuts sink holes, and profiles bullnose, demi and round edge treatments on countertops.
In addition to working slowly, the original machines processed countertops in the usual horizontal orientation, which took up considerable space at Empire's tight, growing quarters. The company saw the need for additional machinery, but also realized that available floor space was limited. Empire looked at CNC and manual machines; those that processed slabs horizontally and those that processed vertically; simple machines and complex units. They wanted new machines that would be easy to operate, provide high-quality countertops, and increase production capabilities that would eliminate the need for a second shift.