JD: American Floor Covering was founded in 1995 and is based in East Hartford, CT. We specialize in tile, stone and flooring installation for commercial, hospitality, corporate and multi-family residential projects across Metro New York and New England. Our work spans high-end hotel and spa environments, corporate interiors, healthcare facilities, and large-scale apartment and condominium developments.

In the early 2000s, clients on high-end projects began including stone fabrication in our scope of work. At the time, we were subcontracting to fabricators who lacked experience with the specific demands of commercial work. After researching the industry, we recognized an opportunity to build that expertise internally. In 2006, we moved to a larger facility and began investing in equipment, and by 2007, we were fabricating stone ourselves. That decision gave us direct control over quality, scheduling and coordination, and it has been a core part of our operation ever since.

Our clients include major developers and general contractors who require a contractor with strong technical expertise, tight quality control and the operational discipline to perform on complex high-profile projects.

SW: How long have you worked there and what is your role?

JD: I have been here for almost 15 years, and I am the production manager that runs the shop.  I am also the project manager for most of our stone jobs.  

SW: What are some reasons you got involved with the SFA?

JD: I graduated from college in December of 2006 and started in this industry in January of 2007.  I found the SFA from a google search and was impressed by the forum and the level of knowledge. Being new to the industry, I signed up hoping to learn from those who came before me in the industry. There is no better place to learn than the SFA.  

In 2016, I joined the SFA Board of Directors to give back to the industry that helped me.  

SW: How has being a member of the SFA benefitted you and American Floor Covering’s business?

JD: The SFA is a leading source of peer-to-peer knowledge in our industry. American Floor Covering has benefitted by finding new techniques for areas we were not experts in. For example, when mitering became the norm in most commercial work, we researched methods on the SFA page to find what works best for us. From the basics that we found on the SFA, we refined them to best fit our processes. We have even borrowed tools from other fabricators that had a profile set we did not have so that we did not have to spend thousands of dollars purchasing them.  

I have made many friends throughout the years that have also helped me numerous times with different techniques and methods. From top polishing and mitering to helping to manage the business, you can find people in the SFA who will help. Sharing of information is the backbone of the SFA. 

SW: What are some reasons American Floor Covering offered to host the upcoming SFA workshop?

JD: I see it as a way to give back and promote the sharing of information to make everyone better. We also have some equipment that most of the fabricators in the U.S. have never seen. Burkhardt Loeffler does not advertise and they do not have a large footprint in the U.S., but their machines are very innovative, and they can do anything you can think of doing.    

SW: What are you most excited about to show attendees?

JD: In addition to showcasing our equipment, I plan on showing some of the other types of work we do such as thermoforming quartz, cladding reception desks and more. 

We have also partnered with the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) who is going to host the Silica and Slab Safety certificate class on Wednesday, June 3rd, for those who want to come early. 

SW: What machinery do you have?

JD: We have two Burkhardt Loeffler sawing lines, a Pedrini bridge saw, two Burkhardt Loeffler CNC routers, a Comandulli Omega Pencil, a Marmo Meccanica LCV ST and an ECS Eich water clarifier.  

SW: If someone is on the fence about coming to the June workshop, what would you say to convince them?

JD: We are different than most fabricators in that we focus on commercial work rather than residential. We have spent years refining our processes and we are still learning and adapting every day. The machinery and processes we have allow us to be able to be very flexible with our production schedule to meet our customers’ demands and deadlines. Commercial work has an entirely different set of deadlines and demands from residential work and we welcome the challenges. 

For those interested in registering, visit: https://stonefabricatorsalliance.com/events/sfa-workshop-june-4-5-2026.