As the lingering recession finally eases, attendees at the various industry “Fabricator Forums” are once again focusing on technical issues they face in the shop as well as the field.
While the stone pavilions at Stone+Tec in Nuremberg, Germany, are beginning to heat up after a relatively slow start, the technology side of the fairgrounds has been solid since the doors opened.
Sarah Stanhope has been appointed the new Branch Manager for Fine Line Pacific’s Portland, OR, location. Fine Line Pacific is an Artisan Group member and a division of FLOFORM Countertops Inc, which is North America’s largest countertop fabricator.
With the majority of its work in the commercial sector,
D & J Tile Co., Inc. of San Carlos, CA, has continually invested in
new machinery and software to maintain its competitive edge.
The Mega-JawTM Carry Clamp by Omni Cubed has been designed for easier and safer carrying of countertops. The lightweight clamp opens wide enough to accommodate thicker tops, including concrete countertops.
Started more than 30 years ago, Barbosa Cabinets, Inc. is a family-run business that prides itself on efficiency and outstanding customer service. From its humble beginnings as a cabinet shop working out of a 2,500-square-foot facility, the company has grown to include a full-scale countertop division, which operates out of a 66,000-square-foot plant in Lathrop, CA.
When it was founded, K & D Counter Tops of Trenton, IL, specialized in the production of laminate countertops. But as time passed, the company evolved to the point that it is now primarily a stone fabrication shop. And despite a slowing economy, K & D Counter Tops has held its ground and has continued growing by diversifying into other segments.
Over the past few years, countertop fabricators across North America have expanded their business into sectors such as tile, sinks, fireplaces and even cabinetry in order to provide a more complete buying experience for their customers.
Braxton-Bragg offers the “4-Corner View” Tavy two-sided Tile Spacer as well as the Tavy Tile Puck, which allows professional tile installers to verify that each intersection is perfectly laid. The Tavy Tile Spacer has a circular design that prevents the spacer from bottoming out into the cement or adhesive, making removal extremely easy.
Informal and functional appear to be two primary components in kitchen design today, and homeowners are also searching for a relaxing, simplistic space for their baths. Many consumers are straying away from sophisticated designs and are leaning towards more minimal looks - but overall, still inspiring.