Artisan Group Newsletter - Spring 2018

ARTISAN UPDATE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ARTISAN GROUP

SPRING 2018

Calacatta Manhattan

MetroQuartz has added new colors!

MetroQuartz unveiled 30 new designer-inspired colors at KBIS, bringing the line to 60 colors. Most of the new colors are polished, but a unique new finish will appear on three colors in the ‘Atlantis’ series, and is made to resemble concrete with more variation in color and texture than other quartz slabs.

The new offering is supported with an assortment of marketing collateral. A redesigned tower display showcases the full range of 60 colors in 5x10” or 10x10” sample sizes, while a complete set of slim 4x4inch x 4mm samples fits into a sleek box that’s perfect for design libraries. Brochures showcase full slab images for the veined marble looks, and the website features full slab images plus installation photos for every color. MetroQuartz is also featured in the 2020 design library, and the full palette is available currently via the inspiration module visualizer at metroquartz.com.

All colors are available in both 2cm and 3cm thickness dependent upon your location, and combine superior durability with long-lasting performance. Superb manufacturing practices, the highest quality materials, and unsurpassed quality control create exceptional quartz surfaces in this collection. For more information, call your sales rep.

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BRAD PEARCE The Artisan Group got together for a couple of days of fishing and fun at the Woodland Plantation in West Pointe à la Hache Louisiana on December 13-14. As the group has been known to do, some friendly wagers were made on the biggest fish and the most spots on a fish.

The first day, Jamie Myers of Hoffman Fixtures took first place with a 40” redfish caught on a fly rod. The second day, Bob Schoen of Florida Bath caught a monster 44” redfish on a fly rod as well.

Most anglers can fish their whole lives and not catch the size of fish caught by many on this trip.

Newcomer and avid angler Tym Moszeter won the most spots award both days with 15 spots the first day and 6 the second. I’m sure we will see Tym on future trips.

Pictures of the fish caught can be found in the gallery on our members site. ASG graciously treated the group to a dinner in New Orleans’ French Quarter, following the fishing. Activities following should not be published to protect the innocent. Thanks to Rick Seiders of ASG for suggesting this location and putting the trip together.

BOB SCHOEN

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TED SHERRITT

CHUCK MARTIN

EVAN KRUGER

LAYTON DAY

FADI HALABI 3

Architectural Surfaces Group (“ASG�), exhibited multiple exclusive product lines at the KBIS show on January 9-11 in Orlando. KBIS, in conjunction with the NKBA, is an inspiring, interactive platform that showcases the latest kitchen and bath industry products, trends and technologies.

sophisticated colors that combine superior durability with long-lasting performance. Superb manufacturing practices, the highest quality materials, and unsurpassed quality control create exceptional quartz surfaces.

PentalTek, which debuted at the show, is a premium slab material that combines the technical performance of porcelain with aesthetically sophisticated stone and marble looks. Slabs come in an XL size and are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

ASG featured the extended MetroQuartz offering, as well as launching a porcelain slab collection called PentalTek, and a backsplash tile program titled Backsplash Innovations.

The expanded MetroQuartz palette now offers 60 4

Backsplash Innovations is an exclusive, homeownerfriendly collection of wall tile that is hand selected and ideal for backsplashes. Kitchen design is made easy with this curated selection of traditional and trending tile solutions available nationwide.

“KBIS was the perfect venue to launch our new designer-inspired collections,” says Sunil Palakodati, President of ASG. “Our buying power allows us to offer an array of luxurious surface options to customers nationwide, at an affordable price.”

Jon Lancto has completed his successful reign as MIA/new Natural Stone Institute president, and was honored by the group at KBIS. Now, Artisan Group can have him all to ourselves.

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We had such a great time at our Artisan Group happy hour (Hosted by ASG/ AG&M) at the Chandelier Lounge at the Cosmopolitan Hotel during TISE in Las Vegas. Members and prospective members chatted about the Artisan Group and the show over some great h’ordeuvres and cocktails.

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ASG’s new porcelain tile line, PentalTek, is a premium slab material that combines the technical performance of porcelain, with aesthetically sophisticated stone and marble looks. With nine initial colors, the refined palette pays close attention to detail for classically elegant design installations.

Seven of the color options are offered in both polished and matte finishes, while six that feature strong veining will also be available in book matched slabs for a high end effect. Two metal-look colors in a matte finish deliver a sleek industrial feel.

Along with the strength and durability of a porcelain slab, PentalTek’s XL 62 x 125 x 1⁄2 inch size allows for seamless installations from large kitchen islands, to long stretches of countertops, expanses of walls, and even flooring. It also contains 100% natural ingredients, with no chemical resins. pentaltek.com

PentalTek is: • Scratch & abrasion resistant. • Thin, yet impact-resistant. • UV resistant - ideal for both indoor & outdoor use. • Heat & frost resistant. • Hygienic and non-porous - suitable for contact with food. • Resistant to mold, mildew and fungus. • Unaffected by chemicals, acids, alkalis and solvents. • Requires no sealing or protective surface treatment of any kind.

Please reach out to your ASG representative today for more information and availability.

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The Artisan Group Industry Showcase April 26-27

Our biggest money-maker of the year, The Artisan Group Industry Showcase is April 26-27 at the AG&M office in Spicewood, Texas. Please plan on arriving April 25. There will be a dinner, speaker, meeting, PentalTek demo on tooling, and keynote speaker.

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This year’s keynote speaker is Alex Chausovsky, with ITR, Institute for Trend Research.

Alex is a highly experienced market researcher and analyst with more than a decade of expertise in subjects that include macroeconomics, industrial manufacturing, energy efficiency, automation and advanced technology trends. He has consulted and advised companies throughout the US, Europe, Brazil, China and Japan for the last fifteen years.

Alex is currently responsible for providing reliable industry and company forecasts, presentations, webinars, and economic consulting services to small businesses, trade associations, and Fortune 500 companies across a spectrum of industries. In his prior role, Alex led a group of analysts covering the industrial manufacturing domain. He was also the lead analyst for 3D printing at a major international firm.

Alex regularly delivers keynote addresses at leading industry conferences and association events, and his research has been featured in major industry trade publications and magazines such as the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in interviews on NPR and the BBC. Alex takes part in more than 50 speaking engagements each year, and his presentations have helped thousands of business owners and executives capitalize on emerging trends.

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LANCTO’S CORNER In case you missed it, we rolled out our new Metrics program with a webinar on January 10. There is a recording of the webinar on the members site. This new metrics program offers several advantages over our past program that you have asked for including:

of the companies I visit. The answer might surprise you, and I’m sure there are exceptions, but I haven’t found one. Good housekeeping is a clear indication of profitability.

I’ve asked myself why and several points come to mind:

• Simplified data entry • Security and confidentiality of data by using a third-party administrator • Flexibility in functionality to accommodate different business needs • Real-time instantaneous results • Similar business profile comparison

• Employees that care about their environment care about their work as well.

• A clean shop is safer.

• Customers like to see a clean wellorganized shop when they spend their money.

• A clean shop is more efficient.

• Stored obsolete inventory and remnants take up production space that could be producing revenue.

• Equipment that is not maintained breaks down more often, and never at a good time

This is the first step in developing this new platform for our group. The next goal will be to insert the data probes into existing software programs to automate data entry. In the short term, this is an exciting development that can help with profitability in your company. The more of our members we can get to participate, the more powerful this initiative becomes.

Changing a culture of caring about the shop environment can be difficult, and requires a top to bottom approach and commitment. I suggest starting with assigning individuals as the leader in each area, and empower them to make the necessary changes. Don’t forget about your office environment in this effort as well.

I will be sending every member a username and password to enable participation. Let me know if for some reason you did not get one.

Several of you have stepped up to be the first to get pricing on our insurance initiative. We could still use more volunteers to increase our power with the carriers in getting the best deal for our group. If you can and would like to help out let me know.

Regards, BFJ

In my recent and past visits to shops I have noticed one clear indicator as to the profitability 10

So, once we have created a media list for you, press releases are only $250! We help you share news like: • • • • • • •

Great Installation New Color/product New service New employee Special event Charitable donation Community Involvement

“I would like to give a very sincere shout out and kudos to Gina Covell of Going Public for a wonderful press release she wrote & distributed on behalf of Paxton Countertops.We received lots of positive feedback.

Gina’s work is awesome, and we look forward to using her services as much as possible in the future. If you are not taking advantage of this opportunity, you should be.

Thank you so much Gina and the Artisan Group!”

Artisan Group Adds Public Relations Co-Op Program

-Dave Paxton, Paxton Countertops

We have expanded our Marketing Co-Op program to include Public Relations.

About Going Public

Going Public has 25+ years of experience placing brands in magazines, newspapers, on TV and radio, including 14 years in the countertop industry. Gina has been successfully promoting the Artisan Group to consumers and the industry for more than nine years.

PR can: • Build awareness of your product, service and brand • Increase sales • Secure partnerships and customers • Supplement any direct marketing and advertising efforts.

Media Outreach for the group as a whole has included national TV, industry publications, blogs, national magazines, and consumer publications.

WE HAVE A DEAL FOR YOU!

$300 One Time Fee -- for initial media list creation $250/per news release writing, editing, distribution (co-op is $250 for $500 value per release).

Start your PR today! Email gina@goingpublic.co (co not com) or call 832-338-5188.

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NEW EMPLOYEE

SCOTT BYERS

Majestic Kitchen and Bath Creations announced its appointment of Scott Byers to the position of president and chief executive officer. In this capacity, Byers will lead the family-run company’s transition to a professionally managed enterprise with focus on advancing Majestic’s growth and expansion objectives.

Byers joins Majestic from EDM US, one of the world’s leading information management firms, where he served as president and chief executive officer and successfully led the merger integration of Diversified Information Technologies into EDM in 2013. As US President & CEO for EDM US, Byers completed a multi-year US transformation initiative and was responsible for advancing the company’s strategic growth plan, operations, client services and corporate development. Byers started at Diversified Information Technologies in 2008, which was a family owned and operated business for 27 years.

“We are delighted to welcome Scott to Majestic Kitchen & Bath Creations and know we will greatly benefit from his demonstrated experience and expertise in advancing company growth strategies,” said Danny Cox, co-owner of Majestic. “Majestic has grown significantly since its formation in 1990 and with our designation as North Carolina’s best stone, glass and cultured marble fabricator we are focused on expanding our product portfolio, customer base and enhancing the exceptional value and high professional standards we are recognized for. We will build upon these values as we look to the future under Scott’s leadership.”

“I am very impressed by the committed team, operational and client service excellence that Majestic embraces and I am excited to join the team,” said Scott Byers, president and CEO, Majestic Kitchen & Bath Creations Inc. “Majestic has a very solid history of success which has been achieved by setting high standards of quality, professionalism and by putting its clients first. It’s an exceptional organization with great future growth opportunities.”

Byers is an accomplished and solutionsfocused leader with more than 25 years of business success. His skills include extensive business strategy, merger and acquisition work, operational/process improvement, financial management, and growth strategy leadership to drive profitability. An attorney and finance expert, Byers earlier in his career held executive positions with responsibility for finance, legal, accounting and business strategy for US Airways, American University and Wilkes University.

About Majestic Kitchen & Bath Creations

Danny Cox founded Majestic Marble & Glass Company in 1990 as a distributor of cultured marble vanity tops and shower surrounds, and custom glass shower enclosures.

Visit: gomajestic.com 12

MEMBER UPDATES We have two new members and one returning member!

Sam Roberts and Brandon Self of Summit Stone Works in Buda, Texas join us. Tom Callahan and Eric Cole of True Blue in San Antonio and Austin are new as well. Rob Riegler and Matt Neiger of Lakeside Surfaces in Western Michigan missed us and are back in! Welcome to all.

Welcome baby Charlotte Seiders!

Congrats to Rick & Emily Seiders on the birth of their daughter Charlotte! Gray is a big brother.

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Fund was established. The fund will provide financial support to those families within the MPS Society who need assistance to cover travel expenses and to visit doctors, purchase needed medical equipment or to possibly experience a once-in-a-lifetime extraordinary experience.

DESIGN SUPERSTORE ASKS FOR YOUR HELP WITH FOUNDATION Please sponsor the Jenna Marie Richbourg Endowment on behalf of Keith & Sherri Richbourg. Keith Richbourg, owner of Design Superstore in Waco, lost his daughter Jenna Marie last year to MPS, a rare disease that affects 1 in 25,000 children.

For its first fundraiser, the foundation has invited Vocal Majority, a chorus of over 100 men, to perform a benefit concert to help raise funds for the endowment. This chorus is a 12-time International Competition Gold Medal Champion and has performed throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

A March 17, 2018 event in Waco will benefit the Jenna Marie Richbourg Endowment, a newly created endowment of the National MPS Society, initially funded by a generous gift through the Magnolia Foundation established by Chip and Joanna Gaines in memory of their daughter, Jenna.

If you would like to donate to the foundation and help a fellow Artisan Group member out with this important work, please contact Keith Richbourg at krichbourg@designsuperstore.com or call 254-498-0032.

Jenna passed away on January 2, 2017 after a life-long battle with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). After a bone marrow transplant at the age of 13 months, multiple surgeries, and numerous doctors’ visits, Jenna lived to be 19 years old. Keith’s family was blessed to live close to doctors who could care for her. But, not all families are as fortunate. Many travel hundreds of miles to see the few specialists in the country who are familiar with this rare disease. In addition, many can’t afford the medical equipment that is often needed to make their child’s life as comfortable as possible.

For this reason, the Jenna Marie Richbourg Endowment

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