International Surface Fabricators Association Announces Annual Awards

The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) announced the winners of its annual awards at the association’s recent annual meeting and conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. The ISFA awards are chosen by association members, and given to those in the industry that stand out as the very best.

Past ISFA Board Member Erica Hussey, of J.C.W. Countertops in Woburn, Mass., was inducted into the ISFA Hall of Fame, joining a long list of esteemed industry professionals. The Hall of Fame Award is given to the individual who has, in the course of his/her career, made significant contributions to the decorative surfacing industry, and has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the ideals of ISFA. Hussey is a 2nd generation owner, a 35 year old fabrication business, proud to have been among the first in New England to fabricate DuPont Corian. From a young age, she took to the business sweeping floors and learning fabrication and sales techniques. Today, Hussey leads the business with a focus on the future and embracing green surfaces, while continuing to excel in solid surface fabrication with an emphasis on commercial work. She has served ISFA through numerous Board of Director positions including in the roles of Treasurer and Secretary, and she has also hosted events at her shop. Hussey is committed to the industry, continuous improvement, and she is dedicated to ISFA.

The other honored winners are:

The Fabricator of the Year Award was given to ROCKin’teriors, a world-class fabricator of a variety of hard surfacing products located in Raleigh, N.C. This is the second time the company has won the award. The Fabricator of the Year is awarded to an individual of a fabricator member company that in the past year has best exemplified the ISFA ideals of quality, innovation, character and exemplary service to ISFA and/or the decorative surfacing industry, with overall excellence. ROCKin'teriors continues to push the envelope on quality, craftsmanship and service within the surface industry. Laura Grandlienard has diversified her business to cover the spectrum from high-end residential and custom builder work, to ventilated and direct adhere facades. The company excels across both residential and commercial work and no job, no matter the difficulty or technicality, scares this company.

The Associate of the Year Award is given to an associate member company that in the past year has best exemplified the role of servicing the needs of fabricator member companies, and who has best supported ISFA in all activities. This year’s winner is Caragreen, which exemplifies professional prowess, innovation and leadership in surfacing. The company has led the charge for sustainable materials, and is are true champion for the environment. Under the leadership of Jessica McNaughton, Caragreen has actively engaged in, and been an advocate for ISFA. In 2019, Caragreen hosted a Roundtable event in Raleigh, N.C., and introduced several new members to the association.

The Innovator Award is for the member firm or individual who goes outside the box to create a product or system that enhances the life or elevates the role of the surface fabricator. The 2018 Winner is INDEKO, founded by Rodrigo Velazquez as the first surface company in Mexico. INDEKO has accelerated the standards for its peers through its commitment to continuous improvement and its embrace of best practices across all products and surfaces. In a unique move, the company brought together various ISFA members to create beautiful solid surface installations in 460 rooms in a Playa Mujeres hotel in Cancun. INDEKO has established itself among the best fabricators in the world through professionalism, excellence in fabrication and ethical business practices.

The Envision Award is given to the manufacturer member that excels in creating something imaginative and special for the surfacing industry. The 2018 winner is Wilsonart for its new THINSCAPE Performance Tops, which are unlike anything in the marketplace. With a sleek, ½-in. thick profile, THINSCAPE Performance Tops are suitable for horizontal residential or commercial applications. The material is easy to work with, and fabricates with dry tools. Manufactured in the United States, THINSCAPE Performance Tops are easy to clean and also impact-, scratch- and moisture-resistant. They are UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified for indoor air quality.