The company started to expand its market into the U.S. in 2012 when it partnered with a company that dealt with quarries and monuments -- bigger machines than the countertop market. “I was fortunate enough to deal with that company and help bring them in – another partnership ensured, and we tackled the countertop market,” explained Rob Donahue, director of sales at Donatoni Americas in Greensboro, NC. “Then our business exploded. It grew to the point that we needed to do a better job at service, which is very important to Donatoni. It’s in their DNA. That’s how they started, as a service company. So, we opened the North Carolina headquarters, and we are building that infrastructure.”

Each year, Donatoni is very involved with the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance’s (SFA) tour of Italy. The company was generous to host a dinner at Signorvino in Verona, and the next day opened the doors to its Verona-based headquarters and welcomed the group. 

Donahue and Luca Donatoni, area sales manager, provided the fabricators with a rare opportunity to watch machinery being built. They also explained the company’s history and guided them through Donatoni’s showroom to see the machines in operation. 

“Donatoni is honored to host the SFA group during their annual tour of Italy,” said Donahue. “This visit provides us with a wonderful opportunity to share in-depth insights about who we are and showcase our capabilities. Unlike the brief interactions at trade shows or short meetings, this experience allows for a unique and meaningful connection.”

Rick Graff of GSS Fabrication, Inc. in Richland, WA, was impressed with Donatoni’s facility and technology. “Luca Donatoni personally gave us a tour of their amazing facility where they incorporate everything from the machines, software and hardware integrations to make a world-class product,” he said. “They pride themselves on innovation and demonstrated an automated slab organization system none of us had ever seen. Shops that are space limited could now stack many more slabs into a usable space and the machine automatically opens each holder like being able to thumb through folders in a filing cabinet, except instead of paper, each folder held several slabs. Luca’s background in hands-on machining and mechanical aptitude showcased Donatoni’s approach to using machines to mechanize custom craftsmanship in the stone industry. There was a custom mosaic of the famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting made entirely by cutting individually colored pieces of stones one of their clients fabricated with Donatoni’s machines.”

“As a leader in the stone equipment sector and a pioneer in innovation, it’s always rewarding to show where the ‘Stone Tech Creators’ work and live,” said Donahue. “I believe this experience gives SFA members a deeper understanding of what it takes to craft the equipment they rely on every day.”

Machines being Built

Machine Capabilities