Stone Industry Event Highlights Fabrication Challenges, Workforce Culture
Photo Courtesy of Jason Kamery
Dozens of stone industry professionals gathered May 8 at Arizona Tile in Salt Lake City, UT, for an educational event aimed at tackling key issues in countertop fabrication, including production inefficiencies, material fragility and employee retention.
The event, organized by Stone World magazine and the Natural Stone Institute, featured a keynote presentation by GK Naquin of Stone Interiors and a longtime figure in the fabrication industry. Naquin offered a detailed look at his company’s operations and addressed the broader challenges facing stone shops nationwide.
“We’ve automated nearly every step of our production process,” said Naquin. “From the moment material is allocated to the final installation, each step is timestamped and documented. That accountability keeps everything on schedule—and protects us when issues come up.”
Naquin also stressed the importance of establishing a work culture that values employees beyond their paychecks. He said many workers leave not for higher wages, but because they don’t feel heard or appreciated.
“You have to praise people sincerely, not just correct them when something’s wrong,” said Naquin. “If you’re not listening to your team, you’re going to lose them.”
The conversation shifted toward material handling, particularly the growing difficulties in working with quartzites and ultra-compact surfaces. Naquin warned that improper sealing and rushed fabrication can trap moisture inside dense slabs, leading to discoloration weeks or even months after installation.
“We’ve had cases where countertops darken around the edges due to trapped moisture,” said Naquin. “It’s not always the homeowner’s fault—sometimes it’s poor shop practices.”
Fabricators in attendance shared their own experiences with the time-consuming process of drying quartzite and managing mesh- or resin-backed materials that restrict natural moisture evaporation.
Naquin also discussed the importance of saying “no” to unprofitable jobs. He described a system his team uses to track problematic customers and adjust bids accordingly.
“There are some builders who always have issues,” said Naquin. “If we know a job will cost us an extra $500 in callbacks, we plan for it—or we turn it down.”
The event concluded with discussion of the Natural Stone Institute’s Stone Sourcing Catalog, an emerging resource designed to provide fabricators with data on material treatments, origins, and durability.
The event was part of an ongoing educational series by the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World, aimed at helping fabricators improve operations and navigate an increasingly complex marketplace. The next event will be held June 5, 2025, in Randolph, MA at OHM.
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