ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Vol. 9, Issue 3 - Q3 2016

VOLUME 9 / ISSUE 3 • QUARTER 3, 2016 • SINGLE ISSUE $14.95

Synchronous Flow in the Countertop Industry Page 20 New OSHA Silica Regulations and How They May Affect Your Shop Page 28 Using Throughput Accounting to Focus Your Business Page 32 Social Media: A Fabricator’s Tool for Success Page 36 Fabricator Profile: Gecko SSS Page 40

Green Materials Spotlight

A look at surfacing materials designed to be more environmentally friendly Page 24

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ISFA Member since 2010

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CREDITS Letters to the Editor

Photography

Please send letters to editor@isfanow.org or to Letters, ISFA, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 or fax to (412) 487-3269 attention: Editor. Include a telephone number and address (preferably an email address). Letters may be edited for clarity or space. Because of the high volume of mail we receive, we cannot respond to all letters. Send queries about Countertops & Architectural Surfaces to editor@isfanow. org or mail to ISFA, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 or fax to (412) 487-3269 attention: Editor.

Photography/graphics provided by: HanStone Quartz, Synchronous Solutions, Moraware and GECKO SSS.

Countertops & Architectural Surfaces welcomes Letters to the Editor.

If you have questions about the magazine, or would like to make a comment, or voice an opinion about the magazine, ISFA, or the industry in general, please feel free to write to us.

Photos in this publication may not depict proper safety procedures for creative purposes. ISFA and Countertops & Architectural Surfaces support the use of proper safety procedures in all cases and urge readers to take steps to institute such procedures.

Magazine Credits

Publisher & Editor: Kevin Cole Proofreader: Nancy Mueller-Truax Design: V2 Marketing Communications

Contacting ISFA

ISFA Officers of the Board

About This Magazine

ISFA Directors

Phone: (412) 487-3207 Fax: (412) 487-3269 editor@isfanow.org www.isfanow.org

Countertops & Architectural Surfaces (2372-983X) is published quarterly by the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), with a fifth “Buyers Guide” issue publishing in September. Individual copies of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces are available at the nonmember “newsstand” price of $14.95. Countertops & Architectural Surfaces is also available by individual subscription at the following rates: ISFA nonmembers, one year (five issues) $30.00; ISFA members, one year free with every membership renewal.

Special rates and charges apply for orders outside of the United States.

Call for details. To subscribe, call (412) 487-3207. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright © International Surface Fabricators Association 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without publisher’s written permission.

Countertops & Architectural Surfaces and The International Surface Fabricators Association assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

Materials will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. For change of address, please include old label with new information, including both old and new zip codes. Allow 3-6 weeks for address change to take effect. Periodicals postage rate is paid at the Gibsonia, Pa., post office as well as others. Opinions expressed by writers in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces or the International Surface Fabricators Association, but rather those of the individual writers.

Postmaster: Send address change to Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044.

4 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Adam Albee, President Mell Hill, Immediate Past President Ryan Miller, Vice President Kate Dillenburg, Treasurer Erica Hussey, Secretary

Mike Woods, Director Kelley Montana, Director John Hansen, Associate Member Representative Jessica McNaughton, Associate Member Representative

ISFA Staff

Mike Langenderfer, Executive Director Kevin Cole, Communications Director and Magazine/Website Publisher & Editor Bryan Stannard, Membership Director Carol Wilhite, Operations Manager Paul Wisnefski, Account Representative Amy Kyriazis, Program Manager Lynn West, Membership Coordinator

Cover Photo

This countertop was fabricated from HanStone Quartz surfacing that uses recycled content for a more eco-friendly alternative to quartz surfaces without recycled material. This is just one of many surfaces that are being designed and marketed as more green options. Read more about this and other materials on Page 24.

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CONTENTS

Features 20 Synchronous Flow Helping the Countertop Fabricator to synchronize

the business system

24 Green Materials Spotlight A look at surfacing materials designed to be more

20

environmentally friendly

28 OSHA’s New Silica Regulation What it means to hard surface fabrication shops 32 Looking Ahead with Throughput Accounting Focusing your business on the right area 36 Social Media: A Fabricator’s Tool for Succe$$ How LinkedIn can lead to strategic gold 40 ISFA Fabricator Profile: GECKO SSS An inside look at a commercial fabricator with a

24

different viewpoint

Departments

8 From the Editor 10 From the President 12 From the Executive Director 14 Calendar of Events 16 Education Connection 17 Industry News 44 ISFA News

32

36

48 ISFA Fabricator Directory 52 Product News 56 Reader Service Form 57 Classifieds/Ad Index 58 Guest Editorial

40 6 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Check us out on social media for more regular information: Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CASMagazine/ Follow us on Twitter as @ISFA.

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From the Editor From the desk of Kevin Cole, Editor & Publisher, and ISFA Communications Director

The Times, They Are a Changin’ The halfway point for the year has come and gone, and what a year it has been so far. It’s amazing to look back and see all that has

been accomplished and all we have faced,

personally, professionally, as an industry, as a nation and as a world.

In spite of an election cycle that continues

to drag on and for many presents no options

that are, let’s say, desirable, the economy has

continued to move along at a good pace. Even better is that it appears to be something that will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Kitchen Cabinet Makers Association

(KCMA) puts out a Trend of Business Report monthly, and now for more than four years

consecutive growth has been seen. Chances

are, if you are putting in new cabinets, you are putting in new countertops.

The report goes on to say 29 percent of design firms are looking to hire this year.

The latest Case-Shiller Housing Index showed a continued increase in housing prices and at least six months in which home prices rose

at a rate of 5 percent or greater, another great

sign for those tied to the countertop/surfacing industry. Plus, the employment report issued

in July showed 287,000 new jobs, spiking the

S&P 500 to within five points of its all-time high, even after the shakiness caused by the Brexit.

Countertop Symposium at IWF on August 23; the CEO and Upper Management Gathering

in Brooklyn, N.Y., in September; and the ISFA Annual Meeting and Conference in Cancun

in November. All of these events are sure to offer insight and opportunities for growth,

networking and improving your operations.

And while I’m on my soapbox, I can proudly

say there is a lot going on with this magazine before you as well. It is growing in both size and distribution, and hopefully evolving to

Unemployment is at 4.9 percent (anything

continue to meet your needs. We hope you are

employment). This is great for sales, but may

reading about in each new issue. And don’t

a reasonable rate. This adds to the problem

coming down the pike …

below 5 percent is generally considered full

finding more of what you find value in and enjoy

make it tough for companies to find labor at

even get me started about the website changes

of finding and keeping skilled labor. However,

Anyway, what I’m trying to get at is that things

if the problem is too much work, it’s a much

Additionally, the American Society of Interior

better problem to have than the alternative.

2016/2017 Outlook and State of the Industry

problem, and ISFA offers training programs

gathered, “whatever factors may be at work,

either on-site or at regional locations.

are definitely sailing along for just about

everyone in the industry, so while you have

Designers (ASID) just put out a quite positive

Of course, there are ways to help alleviate that

report. Based on expert information they

that can help turn “bodies” into skilled workers

they have conspired to make the business of

Speaking of ISFA, it has been a very eventful

a naysayer, I think we all know the economy is

staff members, including our latest addition,

As such, you better sow when you can afford

design quite good over the past 12 months, and we expect that to continue. Last year’s

State of the Industry report showed that interior design had fully recovered to pre-recession

levels, and the momentum carried through this year, with only slight moderation.”

experience high times, even should we hit a

bump in the road. And while I don’t want to be cyclic and in the end, we reap what we sow.

Bryan Stannard, who will be serving as our

the seeds.

Membership Director. If you know Bryan, then you know he is experienced, well informed and dynamic. If you don’t know him, you

definitely should. (Read more about him and

has grown almost 12 percent and the number

magazine beginning on page 44.) We are also

also have construction spending up by more

will hear more about soon, and are working

construction and 8 percent in nonresidential.

you to increase your earning potential — the

statistics showing that the number of designers

his new role in the ISFA News section of this

of interior design firms by 6 percent. Their stats

developing several new programs that you

8 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

and your employees so that you continue to

year here, as well. We have hired three new

The report goes on to quote government

than 8 percent over last year in residential

the capital, consider in investing in yourself

on at least three upcoming opportunities for

As always, I look forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,

Kevin Cole, Publisher & Editor kevin@isfanow.org.

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From the President From the Desk of Adam Albee, ISFA President, 2016

With a Little Help from My Friends Everyone I talk to in the surfacing industry

is quite difficult to overcome. With all of the

of us have had to deal with for a while: a lot

really had time to put the appropriate staff

especially if they are doing business in the

of weathering the storm with what we have.

right now is faced with a challenge that none

new business coming so fast, we haven’t

of work, and in many cases, too much work,

in place to handle it all. So, now it’s a matter

commercial sector.

That may sound simple, but it creates a lot

It seems as though demand is outpacing supply. In fact, we get calls daily from

contractors begging us to bid jobs for this

summer. After the struggle many of us faced over the past four years, how do you say

no? It’s difficult … really difficult. However,

of pressure on the key people. It puts you at risk of burning those people out, and

what you do best. Then you can actually

focus on selecting business that fits your company’s strengths.

It’s tempting to want to grab every job that’s out there, especially now, but doing so can have consequences you didn’t anticipate.

I’m currently experiencing one of those

unintended consequences. It’s an issue that

assistance to help me overcome it. Being part of this association is a true asset that is well worth the small price for membership.

While I understand the importance of it, I

as a means to personal fulfillment. The tricky

achieve the same thing: professional success

can’t claim to have mastered it yet.

thing is, it’s easy to lose sight of the personal

there in front of you like a juicy carrot. It’s

understand what you are capable of, and

facing and can provide some advice or

the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

Do you know how much work you can really

and time-consuming. It’s important to really

worked through one of the challenges I’m

At the end of the day we are all trying to

The emails and phone messages pile up. The

are quick and simple, others highly technical

projects. Maybe one of them has recently

possibly losing them. I’m a firm believer in

sometimes it’s in your best interest to say no. handle? Not every job is the same. Some

members to share ideas and collaborate on

prospect of record sales and profits dangle

easy to let the work take over and lose sight

of everything else. After all, the work HAS to get done right?

fulfillment when you’re laser focused on the professional success. I’m still working on it, and I’m sure many of you are too.

Maybe I’ll see you at our CEO and Upper Management Gathering in Brooklyn this September, and we can talk about it and

Well, yes it does, but not at the expense of

your family, self or employees’ families. It’s up to you to protect what’s really important.

share ideas. Who knows, maybe, not likely, but maybe I’ll have all of the answers for you by then.

It is a daily struggle for me, as I’m sure it is for many of you.

This is one of those times I lean on ISFA.

I know I have a network of professionals that are experiencing the same things I am on a daily basis. I can call upon my fellow ISFA

Adam Albee, ISFA President adam@lincolnlaminating.com

It’s more than just learning how to be more profitable, saving money on the bottom line and getting great referrals and discounts.

Call ISFA today and find out how to make your world a better place.

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10 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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From the Executive Director From the Desk of Mike Langenderfer, Executive Director

Is OSHA a Four-letter Word?

AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ISFA AND AS A FABRICATION SHOP OWNER FOR THE PAST 28 YEARS, I get to see a lot of interesting things and some of them make me cringe. I know it’s a four-letter word to most of us but OSHA is really there to help both the employer and the employee.

In October last year we moved into a brand-

hours to check the level of silica in the air. This

your shop and correct anything that looks to

It meets all local codes, guidelines and

results back, but because we do everything wet

through. It could prevent an injury and may save

was about four weeks ago and I do not have the

new facility that we designed and had built.

and constantly wash things down, we shouldn’t

restrictions. It was approved on the state,

have any problems. If we do, that will be the

county, city and township levels. It was drawn

topic for my next editorial.

by an architect, with heating and cooling

experts, electricians and plumbing experts. In

OSHA may be a four-letter word, but you also

other words we had to make numerous design

need to look at those four letters as a business

changes to get everybody’s approval.

survival acronym. OSHA could also mean OUR

Some things seemed petty to me, but to the

SHOP HAS been APPROVED. OSHA on Site

approving authority they were life-changing

does a walk-through of the entire building, inside

measures. For instance, the number of bushes

around the flag pole had to be precise. And there had to be a survey of the lights to be sure there was no “light pollution” beyond the property

and out, to look for or at anything and everything.

They do not send any reports to OSHA. Unless there is a situation where an injury may occur,

they only make recommendations. The inspectors

lines. I’m serious. That is what they call it to

will write a report on what they see needs

be sure no one driving by is offended by the

correcting and will ask you to correct the items

brightness of the lights.

and send them a reply that it has been done.

But to get to the purpose of all this, we had an

As a business survival tool, it will keep you in

we were in compliance with all of its standards.

has been inspected by OSHA non-voluntarily

“OSHA on Site” walk-through to determine if

compliance. As most of us know, anyone that

Remember this was a new construction and

and was found to be out of compliance typically

met all the codes, but they still found seven

received pretty steep fines. So this inspection

items. Some as small as a screw missing

will help keep you from being fined if OSHA

from an outlet and what I would call the most

does knock. It also gives you a “free pass” so

serious was that we did not have a sign on the

to speak. If OSHA does come knocking you

water recycling pit stating that it is a “confined

can show them your OSHA on Site report and

space.” The pit is a 60-in. circular concrete pipe

it may keep them out of your shop. It definitely

about 4 ft. deep, completely open on the top,

will help prevent costly injuries, but of course it

but covered with a steel plate.

does not correct stupidity.

They also did air quality monitoring for eight

I would certainly recommend you go through

be a violation, and then have them do a walk-

you from paying fines that could shut you down.

Finally I want to reach out to everyone that displays shop images of equipment being

used. In many of these images, whether for

promotional purposes or they are actual shops in action, it is upsetting to see clear safety

violations. I’ve seen magazine cover photos

and equipment brochures that show machines without guards in place. I’ve been in shops

literally all over the world, and have seen places where it’s not if there will be an accident, but

when there will be one. So, please review your

own shops, practices and procedures, and help yourself prevent an injury.

Mike Langenderfer, Executive Director mike@isfanow.org

Editor’s Note: Mike has made some great points in this editorial, and the OSHA regulations are

regularly updated and revised. In response, we

try to provide articles on the latest changes with the most up-to-date information. And, as such,

we strongly urge you to read the article on page 28 of this magazine, which explains the new silica regulations that just went into effect.

CEO and Upper Management Gathering in New York Sept. 14-16

Check out our

More details available on the ISFA Events page at www.ISFAnow.org/special-events. sponsored by

12 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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Calendar of Events MIA Stone Industry Education Series Oct. 6 San Antonio, Texas (440) 250-9222

ISFA/IWF Countertop Symposium Aug. 23 Atlanta, Ga. (404) 693-8333 www.iwfatlanta.com

ISFA Effective Commercial Business Seminar Oct. 6 – 7 Southern California (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

IWF 2016 (with ISFA Countertops Pavilion) Aug. 24 – 27 Atlanta, Ga. (404) 693-8333 www.iwfatlanta.com ISFA CEO & Upper Management Gathering Hosted by IceStone Sept. 14 – 16 New York, N.Y. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

Greenbuild 2016 Oct. 7 – 9 Los Angeles, Calif.

(866) 815-9824

Marmomacc Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 Verona, Italy 045 829-8111

MIA Stone Industry Education Series Oct. 19 San Diego, Calif.

(440) 250-9222

MIA Stone Industry Education Series Sept. 22 Minneapolis, Minn.

(440) 250-9222

Canada Woodworking East Nov. 2 – 3 Montreal, Quebec, Canada (888) 454-7469

Concrete Décor Show Sept. 25 – 29 San Diego, Calif.

(877) 935-8906

ISFA 2016 Annual Meeting & Conference Nov. 8 – 11 Cancun, Mexico (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone Sept. 27 – 30 Virginia Beach, Va. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

Surface & Panel Symposium Nov. 14 – 16 Denver, Colo.

(920) 206-1766

ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone Dec. 6 – 9 Virginia Beach, Va. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) Jan. 10 – 12, 2017 Orlando, Fla. (877) 267-4662 NAHB Int’l. Builders Show (IBS) Jan. 10 – 12, 2017 Orlando, Fla. (800) 967-8619 The Int’l. Surface Event/ StonExpo West Jan. 17 – 20, 2017 Las Vegas, Nev. (800) 967-8619 Coverings 2017 April 4 – 7, 2017 Orlando, Fla. (703) 539-5504 Interzum 2017 May 16 – 19, 2017 Cologne, Germany 49 221-821-2200

Submit your event for consideration in Calendar of Events by emailing Editor Kevin Cole at kevin@isfanow.org.

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14 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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OR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR

Education Connection

Bio: Dave Paxton is the owner of Paxton Countertops & Showers, which is a 30-year-old fabricator of stone, quartz, solid surface and a variety of other materials based in Grand Ledge, Mich.

Solid Surface Casework: Why it Makes Sense Presented by Russ Berry, A.S.S.T.

The ISFA-IWF 2016 Countertop Symposium Offers a Great Chance for Business Development On Aug. 23, the day before the International Woodworking Fair officially opens in Atlanta, ISFA is putting on its annual Countertop Symposium in conjunction with the show. This all-day event being held at the World Congress Center has numerous educational topics, as well as an opportunity to discuss your particular operations or ask questions of some of the most diverse and successful experts in the countertop industry.

The seminar is designed to provide a wealth of information to both established countertop fabricators and those exploring their options in the countertop industry. Industry experts will share information and insights to help you learn about the products and business of the decorative surfacing industry.

Registration for the event includes a continental breakfast and lunch, as well a show floor pass for IWF. Topics covered include: Solid Surface Thermoforming Presented by Keith Haight, Relang International, LLC If you currently fabricate solid surface and you are looking to enhance your offering, why not consider thermoforming? Solid surface has transitioned very nicely from the residential kitchen countertop into a material that is now being used extensively in commercial applications. This workshop will showcase how solid surface can be thermoformed and thus transformed from flat and horizontal into sweeping 2-D and 3-D designs that will enhance any project. This presentation will outline the required tools and equipment as well as process parameters for successful projects.

Bio: Keith Haight is the technical manager for Relang International, LLC, the manufacturer of Durasein® solid surface. He is a 20-year veteran of the Decorative Surfacing Industry where his expertise is around process optimization, standards, material flow and facility layout. He is a former ISFA executive director and fabrication manager with DuPont.

Profiting from Diversification of Your Countertop Shop Presented by Dave Paxton, Paxton Countertop & Showers Dave Paxton, owner of Paxton Countertops & Showers, will discuss how his team was able to grow their business by investing in diversification of both materials offered and methods of going to market. Additionally, he will talk about going beyond just countertops and explain how other applications can lead to increased profits. He will share the intricacies of setting up his shop to handle various materials from laminate to stone, and everything in between. He will also explain methodologies for leveraging a countertop business into a variety of sales markets/business outlets.

16 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Solid surface used traditionally in counter applications is migrating to other horizontal applications, vertical applications and even into casework applications. This presentation will cover the various applications where solid surface makes sense for designers and owners and will then present the challenges fabricators will encounter building casework. Casework examples will be presented, and technical solutions will be offered to assist anyone interested in producing solid surface casework.

Bio: Russ Berry is president of A.S.S.T. in Hanover, Pa. He has been professionally active in the commercial construction industry for more than 25 years, and has specialized in commercial architectural solid surface applications for more than 15 years. He is a trainer and presenter for the Architectural Woodwork Institute, a long-standing member and past president of ISFA, and is a patent holder for process patents involving solid surface fabrication techniques.

Countertop Industry Outlook: A Forecast of Factors Affecting the Industry Presented by Kevin Cole, ISFA Journalist and researcher Kevin Cole has been supplying an annual forecast for the countertop industry for nearly 15 years and will offer insights into a variety of factors that come into play to determine what the next year, and beyond, will look like for those working in the countertop world. The presentation includes difficult-to-find statistics related to “industry share by segment and material,” in terms of both square footage and dollars, as well as a culmination of experts’ opinions on the subject and a grouping of relevant statistics all in one place. Attendees will leave with copies of key sections of the various reference materials used and a good idea how the future will fare.

Bio: Kevin Cole is communications director for the International Surface Fabricators’ Association, as well as the publisher and editor of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine. His past credentials include associate publisher of Surface Fabrication magazine, editor of Solid Surface magazine, editor of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine, and associate editor of THE FABRICATOR magazine, as well as numerous other publications and journalistic endeavors.

Panel Discussion / Q&A with a Speakers Panel Led by Mike Langenderfer, executive director of ISFA and owner of The Countertop Shop in Toledo, Ohio Ever wanted to talk to someone who’s been there and done that? Have a tough-to-answer question that could make a big difference for your business? Wondering what others see as the future of the surfacing industry? Here’s your chance to talk to five industry experts. The four speakers along with seasoned fabricator and ISFA Executive Director Mike Langenderfer will answer your questions and be at your disposal. These veterans have nearly a century of combined experience in the industry.

This is a great chance to pick their brains and learn from their insights.

For more information or to register for this event, go to the IWF website at www.iwfatlanta.com or feel free to contact ISFA Membership Director Bryan Stannard at bryan@isfanow.org.

In the Industry Neolith Calcatta Wins Two Awards

The Pinske Edge Announces 100 Percent ESOP Ownership

Neolith, a sintered

compact surfacing brand

The Pinske Edge in Plato, Minn., is now a 100 percent employee-owned company.

The Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Trust (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan that provides company stock to employees as part of their retirement benefits. As a 100 percent ESOP owned company, all of The Pinske

manufactured by Spanish company TheSize

Surfaces SL, continues

to gain recognition with

its Calacatta design from its Classtone collection.

Calacatta recently took

home the 2016 Bronze A’

Design Award and the 2016 Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award. A’ Design Award and Competition

Edge, Inc. stock is now held in trust by the ESOP exclusively for the benefit of The Pinske Edge employees. “I’ve been thinking about an ESOP for the last few years and I’m very happy that this has finally become a reality,” said CEO Tom Pinske.

is a premier annual juried design competition that

profiles, CVCD also offers a line of thermofoil,

stainless steel grid that effectively doubles

studios, brands and design-oriented companies

services the West Coast on the Canadian side

sink’s functional ledge. Now in its fourth year,

honors designers, architects, engineers, design

worldwide. The Bronze A’ Design Award is given to only the top 10 percent of designs. Architizer A+ is the largest award program focused on

awarding and celebrating products in architecture and design.

Cosentino Sponsored ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016’

painted and laminated doors. CVCD currently

the drying area when the grid sits back on the

of the border. Aleksic’s strong sales presence in

the Architizer A+ is the largest award program

the United States achieved during his previous

focused on awarding and celebrating products in

tenures with Glue Warehouse (2010 to 2016),

architecture and design.

which he co-founded, and Integra Adhesives

ETemplate Systems Opens New Technology and Training Center

(2005 to 2010) should help the company grow U.S. business while increasing capacity.

ETemplate Systems opened a new Technology

Cosentino joined the global gastronomy

Meganite Forms Distribution Partnership with Richelieu Hardware

community as a sponsor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016, held in New York at Cipriani

Meganite Solid Surface has partnered with

base for digital templating, and provide resources

Wall Street. The 15th annual event marks the first

Richelieu Hardware to distribute the company’s solid surface material. Richelieu is now a full

time it has been hosted in the United States, and

the sixth time Cosentino has returned as sponsor of the awards. During the gala celebration

Cosentino presented “A Taste of Dekton,” which partnered with New York purveyor Ample Hills.

At the event, chefs, restaurateurs and food

and Training Center in Raleigh, N.C. The center

will allow the company to expand the knowledge

to those wanting to learn or learn more about the processes. The center opened June 1.

stocking exclusive distributor with 70 Meganite

decors in New York, Chicago, Indiana, Kentucky,

and the New England states. Materials are already stocked and available.

Penn Fabricators is constructing a new

Arborite Acquires Lamin-Art

industry professionals enjoyed gourmet ice cream

Arborite, a Montreal-based manufacturer of high

to illustrate the ultra-compact material’s ability to

to acquire Lamin-Art, Inc., a brand of decorative

without scratches or stains.

Illinois-based Lamin-Art was a privately held

Aleksic Purchases Central Valley Cabinet Doors

Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces organization.

Penn Fabricators Is Expanding Operations, New Building 30,000-sq.-ft. industrial building in Medford, N.Y.,

to accommodate its growth. The company, which

prepared by Ample Hills atop a display of Dekton

pressure laminate (HPL), has formed an agreement

withstand extreme temperatures and heavy usage

surfaces in North America. The Schaumburg,

began business in 1991 with only 2,000 sq. ft. now occupies 22,500 sq. ft. of leased space.

In return for the building expansion, the Town

of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency

is offering an assistance package that includes

business and will now operate as part of the

a 10-year abatement of its property taxes, an

abatement of the mortgage recording tax on its

After more than 20 years primarily in the solid

surface industry, Ray Aleksic (formerly with Glue

BLANCO Wins Award

Warehouse) purchased Central Valley Cabinet

BLANCO’s

Doors (CVCD), a manufacturer of wood cabinet

BLANCO PRECIS

business is a fabricator of DuPont Corian and

sink with Drainer

million project would allow the company to

doors in the Fraser Valley of Vancouver, British Columbia. CVCD has been providing custom

new building and an abatement of sales taxes

paid on purchases of materials and equipment for the new facility. The third-generation family ™

Medium Single

Zodiaq quartz countertops. Penn said the $6.1

wood cabinet doors for new cabinetry and

is now a 2016 Architizer A+ award winner in the

expand operations and add 10 employees to

years. Along with wood doors in a large variety

offers a crisp angular design, durable SILGRANIT®

into the fabrication of Cosentino’s Dekton

replacement doors for existing cabinets for 23

Plumbing and Kitchen Fixtures category. The sink

of styles, panel types, wood species and door

surface and a unique wave-shaped integrated

bring its roster to 73. The company is expanding ultracompact sintered surfacing material.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 17

In the Industry NSM Earns Safety Recognition Award

Caesarstone CEO to Resign

NSM Florida Enterprises (dba

other interests. Caesarstone’s board of directors has begun the search

NSMotif) was awarded the Sunshine

State Safety Recognition Award, after another successful completion of its annual voluntary OSHA inspection,

done as part of the company’s commitment to safety and setting higher

standards. Only 40 small businesses in Florida earn this honor annually. It was developed to motivate and support employers that proactively work

Caesarstone CEO Yos Shiran is resigning from the company to pursue

for the company’s next CEO and is committed to a seamless transition.

Yonathan Melamed, chairman of the board of Caesarstone commented,

“On behalf of the board, I would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Yos Shiran for his many outstanding contributions to

Caesarstone. We were fortunate to have him lead the company to many notable achievements since his appointment as CEO in January 2009.”

Crystaline Stone Has New Exclusive Distributor

with their employees and demonstrate a commitment to continuously

improve workplace safety and health management system effectiveness.

Atlas Stone Distribution Now Distributing Lapitec in the Midwest

After the opening of a new factory in Brazil that

Atlas Stone Distribution is distributing Lapitec sintered stone surface from its

distribution. As such, Stone Haven will exclusively

allows the company to produce three times more material, Crystaline Stone is focusing on U.S.

warehouses in Dallas, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis, and Kansas City.

supply the material in New York and New Jersey.

The company will distribute in Illinois, southwest Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas. This makes

12 distributors in the United States covering 47 states, as well as Albert,

Quebec, Ontario and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. The Italian company has a strong presence in America as it is one of its privileged markets.

CMA Names New Executive Director, Announces Board Election Results The Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) named Amanda Conger to the

role of executive director. Conger has been with the organization for more than a year, initially as the organization’s director of sales and marketing,

and most recently filling in as the interim executive director. She previously held marketing positions with Premier EuroCase and Stiles Machinery.

As the executive director, Conger performs all duties and responsibilities relating to the management and the affairs of the CMA.

Additionally, the CMA elected its officers for the 2016-2017 term. Matt

Krig of Northland Woodworks was re-elected president for a third term.

Leland Thomasset of Taghkanic Woodworking was elected to serve as

vice president. Scott Comstock of Woodperfect Custom Cabinetry was

elected to serve another term as treasurer. The newly elected James Fox of Fox Woodworking will serve as secretary. The CMA also welcomes

recently elected Chris Dehmer of Dark Horse Woodworks who will join Mike Mitchell of Burger Boat and Keith Smith of Keith Smith Custom

Builders as members-at-large on the board. Completing their terms and exiting the board are Keith Kreppein of Olde Saratoga Millwork, who

served as vice president, and David Buschsbaum of Atlanta Closet & Storage Solutions, who served as secretary.

KCMA Announces New CEO The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has elected

Betsy Natz to the position of CEO, as the successor to KCMA Executive Vice President Dick Titus. Natz, who joined the organization in January

of 2016, brings many years of executive-level leadership experience to KCMA. Dick Titus departs after 35 years of service to the organization.

Natz is an association executive with experience as a congressional

aid to two U.S. Senators and President Ronald Reagan. She served as an executive director for The Institute of Clean Air Companies (ICAC),

the Formaldehyde Council, Inc. and Styrene Information and Research Circle RS#10 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

18 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Center (SIRC).

Lackmond Stone Appoints New Canadian Territory Manager

Save A Sample’s! Recycling Drive Headed to Canada

Lackmond Stone named

others in the industry in Canada to donate

Paul Belanger as territory

manager, servicing customers and overseeing the company’s sales strategies in Canada.

Save A Sample!, a nonprofit recycling drive, is expanding events to allow designers and

old samples rather than throwing them away to end up in a landfill. The samples will be

given to design students to use in educational

Before joining Lackmond Stone, Belanger

environments. The events are sponsored by

worked nine years in the stone industry

SpecSimple.com, Arborite and Wilsonart,

fabricating, installing and programming, and

and will take place from Sept. 27-28, 2016 in

operating CNC machinery.

Montreal, Quebec, and Vancouver. ​Design firm sign-up begins in July.

Houzer Holds Conference

soapstone countertops. Additionally, with the

headquarters and distribution facility. With

AG&M Anaheim Opens New Distribution Center/Showroom

network of more than 3,000 dealers, Houzer’s

opened a new location in the Anaheim Hills/

considered a one-stop-shop for kitchen and

facility is designed to meet the demand for

ft. and includes a distribution center, design

Sink manufacturer Houzer held its 2016

Mid-Year Sales Conference at its corporate

launch of its new Metro Quartz countertop line, designer lines of vertical and horizontal tiles, expanded exotic natural stone offerings

a focus on delivering value to its nationwide

Architectural Granite & Marble (AG&M) has

and stainless steel sink line, AG&M can be

National Team gathered for the introduction of

Yorba Linda area of Southern California. This

bath remodeling. The new facility is 50,000 sq.

granite, marble, limestone, quartzite and

center and showroom.

several new products being launched in the second half of 2016.

Circle RS#11 on the Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 19

Synchronous Flow

Helping the Countertop Fabricator to synchronize the business system

By Ed Hill

Custom countertop manufacturers are much

like companies in any industry. They struggle

to meet a fluctuating market demand, and they deal with constant pressures on price, quality and lead times. However, a major difference in countertop manufacturers compared to

traditional manufacturing is that every item is

unique. This is truly a custom industry because

every product made has special characteristics in color, texture, shape and features that apply only to a specific order.

This industry is also distinctive because it is

commonly owner-operated. Many successful countertop fabricators started in someone’s

garage and grew to a full-sized establishment with all the complexities of managing a real

business. The concepts that worked when it was a small business (hard work and “do whatever it takes”) will not be enough when the owner

transitions to a manager who must organize the

efforts of others. The homegrown approaches to business management, which may have worked

well in the past, may not suffice in modern times with increased technology and a wide variety of products needed to remain competitive.

Moreover, business owners must ultimately

transition to becoming entrepreneurs who work on the business rather than acting internal

managers who work actively in the business.

Owners need a system by which managers can operate the company to the standards of the

owner, but without the need for daily involvement.

Thus, the owner can concentrate on larger issues such as market growth, equipment technology and long-term planning.

A proven, scientific approach to business

“Process Flow Management” is needed. Actually, there are many such management systems in the market today. Virtually all of the popular systems (Lean Manufacturing, Demand Flow Technology, Six Sigma) are particularly applicable to mass

production processes such as the auto industry.

When thousands of copies of each product are needed, those systems have a place. But for

a custom product manufacturer, a flow control

system is needed that is specifically designed to

recognize the special needs of a custom process.

The concept of Synchronous Flow is 20 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

based on the fundamental principle that any business process is one system with common characteristics such as variability, finite capacity and an identifiable constraint, which therefore determines the capacity of the entire system.

By identifying the system’s constraint and scheduling it to a predetermined dollar volume amount each day, the business system can be synchronized around this identified Control Point.

By controlling the amount of time orders consume in flowing through defined zones in the business system, total process lead times from template through install can be controlled to a reliable fixed time, usually one week. This is accomplished by coordinating the release of jobs into the manufacturing system (input) at a rate consistent with the completion of jobs at install (output).

Control of the entire business system is rooted in the basic metric called Throughput, which is the measure of value added for the business system (see Figure 1). The system recognizes that operating with less work-in-process (WIP) inventory is easier to manage and allows much more responsiveness in manufacturing to meet the demands of the fluctuating market.

Finally, Synchronous Flow provides a methodology to deal with the routine issues of the day in a proactive rather than a reactive Throughput, expressed as $T, is the measure of value added by the company. Fabricators “value added” is the transformation of sheets/ slabs of raw material into custom countertops for its customers. That transformation is measured as the sales price minus the investment in materials, freight and outsourcing. The result of that calculation is $T. A job priced at $5,000 and having $2,000 worth of materials would have $3,000 worth of $T. That is a 60 percent Throughput Ratio.

The desired mix of products and customers is scheduled each day based on accumulating the $T value of each job to achieve the maximum profitability and customer service.

This finite schedule based on the $T for each job becomes the “drumbeat” for the company.

Figure 1

manner. Daily Buffer Management meetings replace the typical production meetings with a system that identifies all the issues that have a potential of affecting the installation schedule.

Identifying and dealing with the issues in a prioritized manner before impact is much better than “jumping through hoops” once the schedule has been interrupted.

How It Works Synchronous Flow looks upon the entire business as one system of separate but dependent events. That chain of events, when mapped from beginning to end, shows that the capacity of the entire chain is limited by only one process step, that being the weakest link in the chain (aka the business system’s constraint). Anything that the business does to increase the capacity and productivity of that constraint strengthens the entire chain and makes the business more productive. This is the basic concept of “The Theory of Constraints,” which is best described in the book The Goal by Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt.

Synchronous Flow is rooted in this concept.

Using an overall process flow map, from marketing and sales through installation and invoice collection, the strategic identification of the system’s Control Point, planned “buffers” of work-in-process and a mechanism to control the release of new jobs into the system at the template operation can be designed. By synchronizing all the functions of the business to a strategic Control Point, the entire operation can be coordinated, controlled and optimized (see Figure 2).

The Control Point is finitely scheduled each day based on its capacity to produce throughput ($T). All other functions in the company from sales through manufacturing, and including all the support functions, operate to serve the Control Point. Every function in the company is synchronized around the Control Point.

To manage the daily operations in a proactive (rather than reactive) manner, companies use another key element of Synchronous Flow called Buffer Management. The idea behind Buffer Management is recognition that there will be problems in the normal workday. Material issues, customer information issues, quality issues, equipment issues, people issues, etc.

are inevitable, and the business system must

be prepared to deal with them. Designing into the business process a method to manage proactively is much better than constantly

“fighting fires” with little effort toward preventing them in the first place. The disciplines of

Buffer Management bring those virtues to the operations of the business enterprise.

Buffer Management is accomplished by dividing all business operations into sequential “zones” reflecting a “time scheduling” approach for

controlling the jobs as they move through the

business system. Based on the date of install

(or ship, deliver, pickup), each job is planned for a certain buffer zone location each day. As jobs are processed, management can monitor the

status of each and can identify actions required to assure that each one can meet its schedule.

Overall, Buffer Management brings a system of

control to the process by optimizing the volume of WIP within each zone on a continuous basis.

As a process of accountability, the first issue

to be discussed in the agenda of each Buffer Management meeting is the follow-up on all assignments of the previous day. Assigned

persons simply report that they have (or have

not) completed the resolution of the identified

issue. How it was accomplished is not reported, only that it has been resolved. If a resolution

is not complete, a new assignment (possibly

the same person, possibly not) is made. In this manner, no issue can “fall through the cracks” and cause more serious problems for the company as it is compounded over time.

During the meeting, the current status of the business is reported including performance

relative to preset goals in daily throughput ($T)

Figure 2 — Buffer Management is accomplished by dividing all business operations into sequential zones that reflect a time scheduling approach for controlling jobs moving through the business. for each product line. Current, actual lead times in manufacturing from template through install and from cut through install are reported for each product line. The amount of work yet to enter manufacturing, expressed in elements of time and throughput dollars, is reported indicating the demand in the coming weeks for each product line. At the conclusion of these brief reports, everyone present knows the current business status, updated each day of the month, relative to the performance goals and the coming demand within each product line.

management staff. As the most serious of

Then, the status of each buffer zone is reported by the person in charge of each area. A “hole” is reported if a job is not in the position within the process that it should be according to the scheduling process. The zone location of the issue in question determines its priority for action. A “buffer hole” in the Red Zone will affect the Control Point in a few hours, whereas a “hole” in the Green Zone will not affect the Control Point for several days. Therefore, assignments are made and proactive actions are planned with these priorities in mind.

and used the planning tools it provides to grow

A review of the Buffer Management Log Book, in which a brief description of each “issue” is recorded, will allow identification of the most chronic issues for a managed effort to truly solve the problem and prevent the issue from reoccurring. The test for effectiveness is that the identified issue does not reappear in the records of the Buffer Management Log Book in succeeding months. This approach will address the issues that are occupying the valuable time of the operations people and the

these are solved, the time that those issues

required is converted into planning time during

which proactive management is accomplished.

Inevitably, the stress levels of the staff is

reduced, and a sense of calmness and control is introduced into the daily routine. Users of the Synchronous Flow system report that

the quality of life improves for them. Others

report that an extraordinary period of growth

was accomplished only because the business practiced the principles of Synchronous Flow intelligently and profitably.

Throughput Accounting Throughput Accounting is the operational

decision-making tool of Synchronous Flow. Cost Accounting is necessary for the IRS and the

bank, but Throughput Accounting focuses on key operational metrics designed to provide control and stability to the business flow system.

The fundamental metric of that approach is

throughput ($T), which is defined as the measure

of value added by the company. All manufacturers simply transform raw materials into finished

products. That transformation can be measured

as the throughput of the business. For any order or for any period of time, the sales revenue

value of the finished products, less the cost of the materials, freight and outsourcing in those

products, equals $T. Using this basic metric, the

business system can be managed to an optimum

mix of products, customers and market segments toward a predetermined financial goal.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 21

In the effective Synchronous Flow business

situation, customers are being satisfied, the

the “counter intuitive” elements of Synchronous

current $T goals and understands the $T value

company is making money. Daily Synchronous

the necessary capacity to absorb the “attacks

system, every key person is aware of the

manufacturing system is in control, and the

of each job. The common language of daily

Flow reports make known the performance status

communication becomes $T rather than square

of the company relative to the published goals on

feet, sales value or numbers of jobs. All of the

management metrics are based on $T rather than cost or efficiency statistics.

a real-time basis. Overall company performance status can be posted daily in the form of a

Productivity Score, which reflects the ratio of

$T generated relative to the operating expense

Throughput Accounting focuses on revenue

of the business. This means that managers

generation, not product costing. As such, it

can know the status of performance every day

focuses on the positive potential of a company

(the generation of wealth) and not on the reduction of costs. That is not to say that good stewardship of resources is ignored. It’s just that the focus is on generating revenue, not cutting costs.

The amount of $T planned for each day in each

product line is a calculated amount that considers three very important factors necessary in effective business planning:

rather than after the financial statements are

prepared several weeks into the following month.

■■ Financial goals

alignment in all three of these elements. In that

for a smooth and predictable process flow.

Protective Capacity does not increase costs;

it provides opportunity for creation of more $T. Maintaining the planned amount of Protective Capacity at all times allows a company to:

■■ Achieve and maintain short lead times

with the workers and can be used as a primary

■■ Finitely schedule the business with

without affecting the Control Point schedule

motivational tool by the operations managers.

confidence that the schedule can be met

Another important principle of Synchronous

Flow is the importance to establish and maintain

■■ Bring stability and calmness into the business system

■■ Confidently sell because there is knowledge that manufacturing can meet the demand

Protective Capacity is additional capacity at

The Synchronous Flow Protective Capacity

the inevitable delays, mistakes and confusions

profitable growth. Kept up to date, this report

that occur during the work day. The system’s

Synchronous Flow system seeks, there is

waste; rather it is essential capacity required

■■ Absorb the daily attacks by “Murphy”

each resource step planned for absorption of

In the ideal world, and that which the

Capacity is not “excess capacity,” which implies

sensitive financial information, it can be shared

upstream and downstream of the Control Point.

■■ Manufacturing capacity

by Murphy” that are sure to occur. Protective

Because the Productivity Score does not reveal

Protective Capacity within all the functions

■■ Market demand

Flow. The idea is that it is essential to plan for

capacity must be unbalanced. This is one of

Planning Report is the tool to use in planning for indicates the current status of the business plan and will allow a “what if” analysis to check the

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22 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

effects of most any action. It is the long-term

Manufacturing and operations managers

management of the demand growth in the

brings a sense of calmness and stability to

using the Synchronous Flow business system.

to address an issue before it has a chance to

It’s All About Behaviors

an important part of a successful operation.

planning tool for the business. It allows proactive coming months. It is the essence of planning

Synchronous Flow brings an array of procedures, policies, tools and techniques to transform the

business process from a chaotic, reactive process

report that the Synchronous Flow program

the entire operation through the practice of Synchronous Flow principles.

an otherwise chaotic environment. Being able

■■ Net profit increases have exceeded the established goals.

affect productivity and customer service is Synchronous Flow brings that ability.

Results

into a disciplined, proactive business system. The

The results of the concept from a group of

cost-oriented balanced system to a throughput-

have been impressive. Under full load, the

the business process are focused on serving the

are:

entire business operation is transformed from a

fabricators who have implemented the system

oriented synchronized system. All functions of

average improvements in key operation metrics

Control Point, and measures are readily available

■■ Lead times from template (information

to indicate the “health” of the operation at any

point in time. The approach brings an opportunity for the operations managers to deal with the

inevitable issues of the day in a proactive rather than a reactive manner.

It is important to note that transformation to Synchronous Flow is not an easy task. Effective use of the principles means that essentially every employee in the company will be affected by the process changes. While the essential elements are standard within the Synchronous Flow approach, each implementation will be specifically customized to apply to the particular processes and unique features of each company.

complete) through install have been maintained

While it is a challenging task, the results of an effective transformation to Synchronous Flow can be an exciting journey for the forward thinking countertop business.

■■ Communication and accountability have

About the Author

at one week.

significantly improved through the practice of Buffer Management.

Total process lead times are fully controllable

■■ Planning and budgeting tools are being used

needed, the lead times can be reduced even

■■ Level loading has improved through the use

the quoted lead times improve.

■■ Chaos has been significantly reduced in

at one week from template through install. As

monthly to improve profitability

further. Most importantly, speed and reliability of

of $T as a scheduling metric.

Ed Hill is president of Synchronous Solutions (www.

SynchronousSolutions.com), and is based in Charlotte, N.C. He can be reached at EdHill@ SynchronousSolutions.com or (704) 560-1536.

Circle RS#13 on the Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 2013 International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 23

Green Materials Spotlight A look at surfacing materials designed to be more environmentally friendly

Consumers and, perhaps more importantly, businesses and commercial entities are seeking out material alternatives that are designed to be more environmentally conscious, or “green.” Of course, green can mean a variety of things from recycled, to sustainably harvested to locally sourced content. While Countertops & Architectural Surfaces cannot validate the claims of these manufacturers, we can share with you the information they have provided that explains how some of their products are more eco-friendly. What follows is information we have gathered related to the subject:

Artisan Group

The Artisan Group offers its Heritage Wood line of surfacing materials. Among them are sustainably harvested North American hardwoods, quickly renewable growth bamboos, and a variety of reclaimed wood. The reclaimed wood comes from original U.S. sources including barns, factories, warehouses and other commercial buildings. The materials come in more than 30 colors and textures, each with its own unique characteristics and history. All of the wood meets LEED specifications.

Circle RS#50 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Avonite Surfaces

Some colors of solid surface from Avonite Surfaces contain recycled content. One such color with 40 percent recycled content is White Sands.

It is SCS certified for green building projects.

Circle RS#51 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

24 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Cosentino

Cosentino expanded its Dekton offering to include Trilium, a color manufactured from materials recycled from its own production process. This is the first time Dekton, the ultra-compact surface suitable for interior and exterior application, has used recycled materials.

Trilium captures the visual texture and color variation of aged and oxidized stainless steel with hues ranging from deep grays and blacks to rusty undertones, giving it an incredibly genuine appearance. It is smooth to the touch and impervious to the elements, including scratches, stains, UV rays and temperature shock. Cosentino also offers the ECO line in its Silestone natural quartz collection.

Circle RS#52 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

See Our Ad on Page 59

Curava

Curava is a resin-based, noncement surfacing material that uses 100 percent recycled glass.

Approximately 25 glass bottles worth of recycled glass are used per square foot of the material.

Slabs are 120 in. by 55 in. and come in 3cm and 2cm thicknesses. It is available in 10 colors and is approximately 60 percent recycled glass by weight.

Circle RS#54 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Durat Solid Surface

Durat solid surfacing offers more than 70 colors with up to 28 percent recycled content. Based in Finland, the company has manufacturing facilities around the world, including the United States, and does not try to mimic natural stone or quartz with its color palette. It also offers a full custom color matching service with no minimum purchase requirements.

COVERINGS ETC

COVERINGS ETC offers at least three eco-friendly materials. The first is BIOGLASS®, a 100 percent recycled and 100 percent recyclable Cradle to Cradle Silver certified material produced in six natural colors. Infinite custom colors are also available upon request. It also offers Eco-Terr® precast terrazzo flooring, countertops and wall coverings. Another material is ECO-CEM® contemporary cementitious boards.

Circle RS#53 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#55 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Formica Solid Surface

The Renew Series from the Formica® Solid Surfacing line uses post-industrial waste and

contains 10 percent recycled material used as particulates that would otherwise be sent to a landfill. It is available in White Renew (white with translucent and white chips) and Gray Renew (gray with translucent and gray chips).

so do not require sealing. It contains from 57 to 65 percent recycled glass by volume and qualifies for 4 LEED points.

Circle RS#57 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#56 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Glass Recycled GEOS Recycled Glass Surfaces

Flecked with color in a dense, durable substrate, GEOS Recycled Glass Surfaces by EOS Surfaces blends recycled glass into a range of evocative colors. Slabs are 61 by 118 in. and are nonporous

Glass Recycled Surfaces turns glass bottles and discarded porcelain into more than 400 terazzo designs. The post-consumer and industrial glass is mixed with an epoxy resin to create the material.

Circle RS#58 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

HanStone Quartz

HanStone offers four colors of quartz surfacing that are SCS-certified to have a minimum of 24 percent pre-consumer recycled mirror content by weight. The four colors are in the HanStone Classics Series and are: Mystic Blue, Obsidian Black, Passion Rouge and Specchio White. The materials are hygienic because they are nonporous, and are also scratch-, stain- and heat-resistant.

Circle RS#59 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#14 on the Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 2002 International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 25

recycled material. This material, made by the Spanish company, Porcelenosa Group, uses rejected sheets of other solid surface it produces and instead of discarding them, grinds them up and uses them as particulates in new colors and designs.

Circle RS#62 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

IceStone

See Our Ad on Page 59

IceStone surfaces are manufactured in a day-lit, repurposed facility and uses 100 percent recycled glass, Portland cement and nontoxic pigments.

A water recycling system reuses 90 percent of the water during production. With a diverse pallet, its newest color is Gotham Grey. The company also began distributing PaperStone, QuartzStone and Durat in the Northeast in 2015, three surface materials which follow IceStone’s dedication to sustainability.

landfills, but low- and zero-VOC adhesives are also used in them.

Circle RS#61 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

LG Hausys

Circle RS#60 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Kirei

Kirei provides natural, sustainable design materials, such as the company’s Kirei Board, made from reclaimed sorghum straw, Kirei Bamboo panels and plywood material, and Coco Tiles made from coconut shells. Not only are all of these products made from materials rescued from

KRION

Ecocycle™ is the product line of KRION™ solid surface that contains up to 35 percent of

LG HI-MACS® Eden Plus offers an environmentally conscious choice with the beauty and functionality of solid surface.

Containing up to 35 percent pre-consumer recycle material, the series allows for stunning interior spaces while reducing the net environmental impact. It is available in 18 color options.

Circle RS#63 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#15 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Members since 2004 26 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Meganite

Richlite

Meganite offers 18 colors of its acrylic solid surface with recycled content (such as the “Raven” color shown here). Additionally, its “Custom Program” is SCS-certified to make custom colors and dimensions with recycled content.

Richlite offers at least three lines of sustainable countertop materials made from natural fibers sourced from virgin wood and post-consumer waste, such as recycled blue jeans, burlap bags, banana peels, etc. Newest is the Stratum line that incorporates bamboo. Others are the Northwest series and Cascade series. Fibers are combined into pulp and made into sheets of paper. Then the paper is saturated with color and Richlite’s EcoBind low-VOC phenolic resin formula with no added urea formaldehyde.

Several layers of this resin-saturated paper will then go through 75 hot-press cycles to form hard slabs in sizes of 4 ft. by 8 ft. and 5 ft. by 12 ft. from 0.25 in. to 3 in. thick.

Circle RS#64 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

PaperStone

Circle RS#66 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

The PaperStone line of surfacing material, created from 100 percent recycled paper and a nonpetroleum resin, is durable, nearly impervious to water and includes products that are certified food safe for direct food contact by the National Sanitary Foundation. Manufactured in Washington state with 100 percent U.S. raw materials, it is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, earning LEED points.

Circle RS#65 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

from rapidly renewable tree plantations in South America and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, the panels use proprietary layering processes that infuse acrylic while retaining the natural beauty of balsa and increasing the rigidness-to-weight properties. It contains no added urea formaldehyde, is certified low VOC and may qualify for LEED credits. It is available in 36-in. by 96-in. panels in ⅝-in. thickness. The company also offers a variety of other eco-friendly surfacing materials, including panels made from recycled denim.

Circle RS#67 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Vetrazzo

Vetrazzo is a surfacing material made from 85 percent post-consumer recycled glass added to Portland cement, water and proprietary inert ingredients such as minerals, pigments and other non-VOC substances. It is available in 18 color options. Slabs are approximately 60 by 108 in. and 3cm thick.

Circle RS#68 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

TorZo TorZo offers several sustainable surfacing materials, including Balsa Fusion. Sourced

Circle RS#16 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 27

OSHA’s New Silica

Regulation and

What it Means to Surface

Fabrication Shops

By Shannon Decamp On March 24 the U.S. Department of Labor’s

in the countertop manufacturing, finishing

over an eight-hour shift. This level is roughly

(OSHA) announced a final rule to improve

can occur in shop environments as well as

industry, and about 20 percent of the previous

Occupational Safety and Health Administration protections for more than 2 million workers exposed to respirable silica dust. The rule,

which was effective June 23, is designed to

curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in

America’s workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Why Do We Need New Silica Standards?

and installation industries. These exposures on jobsites where finishing work may be

completed. Workers involved in manufacturing engineered stone may also be exposed to silica dust when opening bags of ground

quartz, moving or mixing bulk raw materials, cleaning and scraping mixers, or cleaning

dust collector bag houses. Anyone in the area where silica dust is present may be at risk.

Many have asked why the silica standards are

How Much Silica Is in Countertop Material?

several reasons:

material in question, countertops may contain

being changed. According to OSHA, there are ■■ The permissible exposure limits (PELs) for

silica were more than 40 years old, and based on research they did not reflect the current

understanding of health effects and preventive measures.

■■ Strong evidence shows that the current exposure limits do not adequately protect worker health.

■■ The technology for most employers to

provide adequate protection is widely available and affordable.

While many have argued that these regulation changes are unnecessary, the fact is they are now the regulations that stand.

Why Is Silica a Concern for Workers in Surface Fabrication Shops?

Stone and quartz surfacing countertops

contain high amounts of the natural mineral

silica. Though countertops and other finished stone products do not present a health

hazard themselves, the tasks involved in

manufacturing, finishing and installing these

products can release hazardous levels of very small, crystalline silica dust particles into the air that workers breathe.

Which Work Operations Pose Hazards?

Workers operating powered hand tools, such as saws, grinders and high-speed polishers,

have some of the highest silica dust exposures 28 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Depending on the type of hard surfacing more than 90 percent silica. The highest

silica levels are associated with engineered

quartz surfacing countertops. Silica content is generally lower in natural stone products.

Figure 1 shows typical silica/quartz content of common natural and engineered stones.

How Does the New Rule Protect Workers?

The final rule is designed to improve worker protection by:

■■ Reducing the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica to 50 µg/m³ of air, averaged

Stone

Average % Silica

Engineered stone

≥ 93

Quartzite

95

Quartzitic sandstone

90

Sandstone

60

Granite

10 to 45

Slate

Varies

Soapstone

Varies

Sources: Silica Hazards from Engineered Stone Countertops, NIOSH Science Blog, March 2014; ASTM C616, Standard Specification for Quartz-bBased Dimension Stone; American Geological Institute, Dictionary of Geological Terms.

Figure 1

50 percent of the previous PEL for general PEL for construction.

■■ Requiring employers to use engineering

controls, such as water and ventilation, and

work practices, such as isolation of tasks, to limit worker exposure.

■■ Requiring employers to limit access to

high exposure areas, provide training, provide respiratory protections when controls are not

enough to limit exposure, and provide written exposure control plans.

■■ Requiring employers to provide medical examinations for highly exposed workers.

■■ Providing greater certainty and ease of compliance to construction employers by

including a table of specified controls they

can follow to be in compliance. If employers

follow those specifications, they can be sure

that they are providing their workers with the required level of protection. Employers may

provide alternative methods of protection as long as they make sure that their methods

effectively reduce their workers’ exposure to silica dust.

What Does the New Rule Require of Employers?

Here is an overview of the eight main actions

employers must take to comply with the new rule: 1. Establish a written Exposure Control Plan

for protecting employees from the hazards of silica.

2. Test (monitor) the amount of respirable silica that is present in the workplace

environment (in proximity to the place where it is being used).

■■ If initial monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the

employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring.

■■ Where monitoring indicates that employee

exposures are at or above the action level but

at or below the PEL, the employer must repeat

8. Maintain records related to: air monitoring,

levels of crystalline silica above OSHA’s PEL,

recent monitoring until the exposure is brought

employee training and any injuries or illnesses

reduce worker exposures to below the PEL

monitoring within six months of the most down below the action level.

■■ If test results indicate that silica is present

in the workplace environment in excess of the

objective data, medical examinations,

related to exposure to silica in the workplace.

When Must Employers Comply?

employers are required to take action to

using a combination of engineering controls,

work practices, protective equipment, worker training and other measures.

PEL, special precautions must be taken to

The final rule is written as two standards, one

must be repeated every three months until the

and maritime. The rule provides flexibility to

Engineering controls, such as water sprays

— protect workers from silica exposure,

work practices provide the best protection

sufficient time to meet the requirements.

before respiratory protection is used. NIOSH

Employers covered by the construction

control options for countertop manufacturing,

Engineering Controls

protect employees from exposure. Monitoring

for construction and one for general industry

exposure is brought down below the PEL.

help employers — especially small businesses

and/or local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and safe

with staggered compliance dates to ensure

for workers and must be implemented first,

3. Inform employees of the results of workplace testing.

4. Establish regulated areas and post

appropriate signs based upon the results of the exposure testing.

5. Provide engineering controls, safe work

practices and proper protective equipment to protect employees from exposure.

6. Train employees about dealing with

exposure to silica, the use of protective

equipment and the policies established by the employer to address the risks.

7. Provide medical examinations to highly exposed workers.

standard have until June 23, 2017, to comply with most requirements. Employers covered

by the general industry and maritime standard

have until June 23, 2018, to comply with most

and OSHA have identified the following fabricating, finishing and installation operations:

■■ Use water spraying systems and remote-

requirements.

controlled tools at the impact site where a saw

What Can Be Done at Countertop

■■ Large bridge or gantry-like saws usually

Work Sites to Protect Workers?

use water sprays and can be remote-

Employers must determine which jobs

and activities expose workers to silica and take actions to control overexposure and protect workers. If air monitoring shows

Circle RS#27 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

or grinder generates dust.

controlled for limiting dust exposure.

■■ Hand-held angle grinders can be modified

to deliver water to the point of contact with the stone.

Circle RS#28 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 29

■■ Wet-edge milling machines or stone routers

■■ Adjust water flow as necessary to

■■ Alternatively, enclose the person, if

provide a clean edge profile with a diamond

recommendations for water flow rates.

control booth.

■■ Pre-wash stone and e-stone slabs before

■■ In some cases it may be necessary to

■■ Implement regular and thorough

may be needed more frequently for engineered

settled dust.

When Are Respirators Required?

■■ Provide HEPA-filtered vacuums for cleaning

When engineering and work practice controls

can replace dry grinders in shops. They wheel.

■■ Use hand tools (e.g., drills, masonry

control dust, following manufacturers’

cutting.

saws, grinders) equipped with a shroud and a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate

housekeeping procedures for water slurry and

air (HEPA) filter when wet methods are not practical.

■■ Install LEV systems at fixed locations to

worker clothes, and water for hand, face and

capture dust at its point of origin.

hair cleaning.

■■ Use a combination of both water and ventilation controls, if necessary.

■■ Wet methods for dust control may not be practical on or near finished cabinets, walls and floors, so other suppression methods (e.g., LEV) should be used during these operations.

stone because of its high silica content.

do not limit silica exposures to OSHA’s PEL, employers must provide workers with respirators. Whenever respirators

or perform work outdoors or in well-ventilated

respiratory protection program that meets the

dust exposure.

Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). This program

controlled shop conditions instead of on-site,

are required, the employer must have a

areas to reduce respirable crystalline silica

requirements of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection

generating Operations

Where air monitoring identifies high exposure

■■ Use wet sweeping or HEPA-filtered

isolate certain tasks in separate areas. This

■■ Do as much work as possible under

Identify and Isolate Remaining Dust-

Safe Work Practices

possible, by putting him or her in a protective

must include proper respirator selection, fit testing, medical evaluations and training.

What Training Is Needed?

areas:

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard

possible. Do not use compressed air or dry

■■ Isolate the silica dust-producing

with training and information about all

■■ Replace water and air filters as needed to

Enclosures are more effective when used

vacuuming to clean up dust as soon as sweep.

operation(s) using enclosures or walls.

control dust.

with LEV.

requires that employers provide their workers hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including silica. The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to do the following:

Circle RS#18 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

30 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

■■ Prepare and implement a written hazard

frequently if recommended by the PLHCP. A

for OSHA. It is best to get a head start on

■■ Provide training and information on the

on the respiratory system must include, at a

your business, but, most importantly, to

communication program.

hazards of silica and other chemicals used in the workplace.

■■ Provide workers access to Safety Data

Sheets (SDSs) on silica and other hazardous chemicals they are exposed to during

countertop manufacturing, fabricating, finishing and installation.

■■ Ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals is labeled appropriately.

physical examination with special emphasis minimum:

■■ A medical exam that focuses on the respiratory system;

■■ A medical and work history with emphasis on past, present and anticipated exposure

to respirable crystalline silica, dust and other agents affecting the respiratory system; ■■ A history of respiratory system

dysfunction, including signs and symptoms of respiratory disease (e.g., shortness of breath,

Medical Monitoring for Workers

cough, wheezing); history of tuberculosis; and

Exposed to Silica

Employers must provide medical surveillance

for each employee who will be occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or

above the action level for 30 or more days per

year. All medical examinations and procedures must be performed by a Physical or other

Licensed Healthcare Professional (PLHCP) that is familiar with the health effects of

silica. Medical examinations must be made available at least every three years or more

smoking status and history;

■■ A chest X-ray, evaluated by a qualified professional;

■■ A pulmonary function test; ■■ Testing for latent tuberculosis infection;

compliance immediately, not only to protect protect your most important asset — your employees.

About the Author Shannon DeCamp is Client Services Manager for TechneTrain, Inc. TechneTrain has safety training programs and reference manuals specifically designed for the surface fabrication industry, and will soon release a turnkey employee training program for the new silica regulation. These products are available from ISFA at discounted prices.

For further information regarding OSHA Compliance requirements for the surface fabrication industry, visit www.technetrainonline.com, or contact TechneTrain, Inc. at (800) 852-8314.

and

■■ Any other tests deemed appropriate by the PLHCP.

It is important to keep in mind that, as with

all new regulations, silica will be a focus area

Circle RS#19 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 2013 International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 31

Looking Ahead with Throughput Accounting Basic Accounting Principles The main goal of a business is to make money, obviously, but how do you know when you’re achieving that goal?

You make money by charging your customers more than your overall expenses — the

difference between your sales revenue ($Sales) and your costs (otherwise known as expenses or $E) is your net profit ($NP). So if last year

you brought in $1 million in revenue with overall

costs of $900,000, then you made $100,000 in

profit (1,000,000 - 900,000 =

100,000). Simple (see Figure 1).

Profit Margin

Your profit margin is $NP divided by $Sales,

typically expressed as a percentage. $100,000

$NP/$1,000,000 $Sales = 10 percent profit margin (10/100=0.1 on your calculator, then multiply it by 100 to express it as a percentage).

Profit is what really matters, but profit margin is important, too. If you make $100,000 in profit

on $1 million in sales, that’s better than making

the same amount of profit on $2 million in sales,

because you’re getting more out of the resources you’re putting at risk in the business.

Profit margin is particularly useful for comparing performance of your own business over time

(month to month or year to year). You could see your business growing over time to make lots

more sales and slightly more profit, but if your

profit margin is steadily going down, then your

business is getting bigger but not better. Ideally, you want to increase your profit margins or at least keep them fairly steady as you grow.

To make more money, you can either increase revenue, decrease costs or both.

At the end of the month, it’s easy to tell if your efforts are succeeding. Let’s say you sold 10 kitchens last month for a total of $50,000 in revenue. You have $10,000/month in fixed

expenses like rent, equipment payments, salaries, etc. (otherwise known as operating expenses or

32 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

$OE). You also spent $30,000 on things like slabs, commissions, hourly labor, etc. (truly variable expenses or $TVE) to deliver those kitchens, leaving you with $10,000 in profit, and a

expenses are still $10,000, so your profit would be $12,000, and your profit margin would increase to 21.8 percent (see Figure 4).

Clearly selling “one more kitchen” each month

causes good things to happen for your business, but it’s a little confusing to see how the averages

themselves have changed. If you sold 10 “typical”

robust 20 percent profit margin (see Figure 2).

You probably already have a report or a spreadsheet that shows you these numbers on a monthly basis. If the numbers keep trending up, it’s confirmation that your business is growing.

Job Costing A monthly report inherently looks backwards — what if you want to make more money this month? What do you focus on?

kitchens, you’d average $1,000 in profit per job.

Selling another job is what makes the most impact on your day-to-day business, so instead of looking at your business numbers for the whole month, it would be nice to look at the same numbers on a per-job basis. The goal is to estimate the impact of each additional job on your business as it comes in.

That’s why profit is only useful looking backward!

To get per-job averages for the month described above, simply divide the totals by the number of kitchens. Your average kitchen last month was a $5,000 job that consumed $3,000 in variable expenses, accounted for $1,000 of your fixed expenses and left your $1,000 of profit (see Figure 3).

throughput instead of profit.

This average is useful as a starting point, but it has its limits. What if you sold 11 “typical” kitchens instead of 10?

Your revenue would be $55,000 and your variable expenses $33,000 — but your fixed

But sell 11 kitchens instead and your average

profit increases to $1,091 per job (see Figure 5).

It might be tempting to think that each potential job you go after will bring you a specific

amount of profit, but it’s not really accurate.

When you look ahead — when you think about each potential or existing job’s impact on your business — it’s far more useful to think about Throughput Accounting The Basics We learned about throughput accounting from

Ed Hill of Synchronous Solutions via a StoneTalk podcast (www.StoneTalk.org).

Throughput ($T) is calculated by

subtracting your truly variable expenses ($TVE) from your

sales (see Figure 6).

Truly variable expenses are the things that you

wouldn’t consume (or pay for) if you didn’t make the sale, including raw materials, commissions, outsourcing, etc. It doesn’t include fixed

expenses like rent, insurance, salaried labor, etc.

Determining exactly what to include in $TVE

vs. fixed operating expenses ($OE) is actually

trickier than it sounds, but here’s one way to

sell that 11th kitchen?” The throughput on your

look at it: If you shut down your business for a

typical kitchen is still $2,000, and your profit for

month without selling (or fabricating) a single

the month also increased by $2,000 because

countertop, the amount of money you’d have

you’ve already covered your fixed expenses.

to pay out anyway (for such things as leases,

Throughput provides a useful and intuitive

salaries and other fixed expenses) adds up to

your $OE. Everything else is part of $TVE and

way to think about your business. You need

per-job basis.

to cover your operating expenses. (it’s called

a certain amount of throughput each month

can be calculated (or at least estimated) on a

the breakeven point and is exactly the same

Now let’s

as your $OE.) After that, all additional

look at

throughput will flow to your bottom line

those

as pure profit.

averages

If you only sold four typical kitchens in a

again. The typical

kitchen is still a $5,000 sale. Truly variable

expenses are $3,000 per job, which makes throughput $2,000 (see Figure 7).

That’s it. Fixed expenses and profit are simply not meaningful when looking at an individual job. Instead, you only look at those for some time interval (monthly, yearly, etc.).

Looking at the Impact of the Next Sale Now compare a 10-kitchen month to an

11-kitchen month using throughput. Ten typical kitchens equals $50,000 in $Sales (10 x $5,000) and $20,000 in $T (10 x $20,000).

Eleven typical kitchens equals $55,000 in $Sales (11 x $5,000) and $22,000 in $T (11 x $22,000). See how much cleaner and easier that is (see Figure 8)?

Throughput makes it easier to ask questions about the future! With throughput accounting you can ask questions like “what happens if I

month, you’d actually lose money because your throughput ($8,000) is less than your

operating expenses ($10,000). If you sell five kitchens, you’ll break even ($10,000 in $T).

Sell six kitchens, and you’ll make $2,000 in

profit — the $2,000 in throughput from that sixth kitchen is profit. Sell seven kitchens,

and you’ll make $4,000. Sell eight kitchens,

you make $6,000. Each additional kitchen you sell will increase your monthly profit by the throughput for that kitchen.

Circle RS#20 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 33

When you use throughput accounting, you

five Ubatuba sales were both worth $25,000

will help you evaluate the real impact of each

the month. You can even calculate it using

in twice as much throughput, collectively. In

your business.

$T - $OE

on selling more boring jobs or to revisit your

in revenue, but the five Ubatuba jobs brought

still care deeply about profit at the end of

this situation, it makes good sense to focus

throughput and operating expenses: $NP =

pricing structure so you charge more for exotic

Just remember that profit is only true looking

backward over a period of time (typically in your accounting system). Throughput lets you look

materials. Throughput helps uncover the true business value of each sale.

Next Steps

ahead and focus on the part of your business you can actually impact each day. It doesn’t

To get started with throughput, you can create

really make sense to say, “we need to make

a simple spreadsheet and pull numbers from

more profit today,” but it makes a lot of sense

your accounting system to calculate averages,

to say, “we need to bring in more throughput

but pretty quickly you’ll find that we’ve been

today.” That’s a good rallying cry in fact.

oversimplifying a bit. There’s still a fair amount of guessing and averaging involved – even

Comparing the Impact of Different Jobs

with throughput. You’re still only estimating

Of course, not all your kitchens are typical, but

throughput lets you compare the true business impact of various jobs. Let’s say you sell a big,

throughput when you project forward, because you don’t know exactly how many jobs will

require repairs, what slabs are going to break,

$25,000 job, but the material is so expensive

etc. But thinking in terms of throughput for

that truly variable expenses are $20,000 and throughput is only $5,000. You also sell five

“boring” Ubatuba jobs at $5,000 each, and the $T for each job is $2,000 for a total of $10,000

As you do this, you’ll soon discover that

you need more information to make better throughput estimates – something like the

number of kitchens you fabricate or square feet – and this information isn’t tracked in

your accounting system. In our next “Keeping Score” column, we’ll talk about why those

numbers are important, how to track them, and how to use them for forecasting and capacity planning.

For more information read The Goal by Eli

Goldratt (http://amzn.to/24cfFgR). If you want help applying it to your business, consider

contacting Ed Hill at Synchronous Solutions (and read his article on Page 20 of this magazine).

each potential sale is still a big improvement

About the Authors

your best guesses for material costs, hourly

Patrick Foley and Kathleen Teodoro provide customer support for Moraware (www.moraware.com), makers of software for countertop fabricators with a mission to help fabricators build better businesses.

over thinking in terms of profit. So start with labor and other truly variable expenses and

across those five jobs. The exotic sale and the

sale and learn which types of jobs are better for

refine as you learn more. Even with guesses, it

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34 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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subscription or fax the bottom of this form to ISFA at (412) 487-3269, or by mail: 2400 Wildwood Dr. Gibsonia, PA 15044 International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 35

Social Media:

A FABRICATOR’S TOOL FOR SUCCE$$

By Paul Max Le Pera

Social media platforms are more numerous today than ever before. A quick search on available options reveals more than 200 sites covering multitudes of value propositions. For the sake of this article, I want to focus on just one: LinkedIn. My goal is to give you a few strategic employment ideas that could be pure gold.

You may have heard recently that Microsoft announced a $26.2 billion deal to acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share. The deal is expected to close by end of this year, pending the SEC’s intense scrutiny. (By the way, if you ever wanted to know how merger arbitrage works, this deal presents the quintessential opportunity — it’s an interesting read.)

are important and can yield

You can search for the

sales perspective, the truth

solicit; prioritize them

great return; however, from a

companies you want to via your own criteria;

remains that essentially you

and search the optimal

are chumming, throwing out

target(s) within this

bait, hoping for a bite.

organization to contact.

On this note of advertising

I have used LinkedIn to

via photos, I want to suggest

that the emphasis be placed on mindfulness of

what is being portrayed. A sense of great pride

in fabricating and installing an exotic stone from

some remote location needs to be consummated by posting a photo because it adds to the

appeal of the countertops. Case in point: Make sure the kitchen is cleaned. Common sense?

communicate and eventually

secure a meeting with countless professionals,

executives, purchasing managers, global CEOs and more. In fact, on more than one occasion, I

was able to reach out to a celebrity and secure a meeting, and from there business opportunities ensued.

An article in the Wall Street Journal recently highlighted comments made by the president and CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, regarding the synergies in this union:

Empirical evidence proves otherwise. Gorgeous

Even if you do not know whom you need to or

Be mindful of the lighting and incidentals in

specified geography that manufacture or sell

“Mr. Nadella said today’s work is split between tools workers use to get their jobs done, such as Microsoft’s Office programs, and professional networks that connect workers. The deal, he said, aims to weave those two pieces together.

It’s really the coming together of the professional cloud and the professional network…For instance, connecting Office directly to LinkedIn could help attendees of meetings learn more about one another directly from invitations in their calendars. Sales representatives using Microsoft’s Dynamics software for managing customer relationships could pick up useful tidbits of background on potential customers from LinkedIn data.”

shadows and low light, etc. all of which are real

and send a message of introduction and request

And therein lies the synergy.

LinkedIn is effectively a professional networking site “linking” together a global community of industry professionals from virtually every trade.

Consider it equally an online curriculum vitae and public space to brand your products, your company and yourself, as well as to advertise, educate and share relevant information amongst your peers.

Traditionally, small business has used LinkedIn to advertise and promote — it’s a relatively low cost form of marketing. Yet this is what I refer to as “promotional chumming.” Advertising and promotion of your brand, products, services etc., 36 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

countertops with messy floors dilute the impact.

should solicit, you can research firms within your

the photo; e.g., a stray beer can in the corner,

XYZ. From there, you can identify optimal targets

examples of posts I’ve seen. Look at what you

a meeting as a starting point.

post through the eyes of your target — these

eyes are more critical — and if you pass that test,

you are good to click, “Post It.” Be mindful that all your efforts optimize the efficacy of your post.

Two Important Questions: 1. How then can a fabricator use LinkedIn

to promote business growth other than the

traditional routes of posting snapshots of installed countertops or unique applications?

2. Is there a more highly targeted, sales-focused

protocol that a fabricator can strategically utilize to increase sales and unlock valuable strategic relationships?

Absolutely. Let’s explore what could be the least expensive, but most fortuitous strategy.

If in three words I could summarize the essence of this strategy, it would be, Targeted Personal Networking (TPN).

Specific action items would be to consider securing a “Sales Navigator Account” on

LinkedIn. There is a monthly fee, but it’s doubtful it will be costlier than a weekly tank of gas spent

making personal calls on people in the traditional way. Here’s another example: Let’s assume

for the moment there’s an account you cannot

break into or get past the front door. Why not use InMail on LinkedIn and send the most inviting email — albeit short and sweet — directly to

the sales and marketing manager, or better yet,

directly to the president & chief executive officer?

Of course they need to read the email, but if your tag line and opening is sufficiently baiting, it will likely be read, and if there is resonation, a reply is likely! In this technique, you have possibly

reached the decision maker and tempted him

or her to consider your product, service or value proposition, where traditional cold calling would have, most likely, been futile.

TPN is the “magic” to produce gold. Start to think

As a salesperson, the top management

century. One person can reach/solicit countless

is typically well insulated. Good luck getting

of utilizing LinkedIn as the cold calling of the 21st targets in one day and in all corners of his or her geographic region or even all around the world!

In addition to a significantly higher volume of

targets reached in a day, the expense per target is fractions of the traditional cold-calling route.

whom you desperately want to get in front of their email or cell phone to actually reach

them. But now you can via this function called InMail in LinkedIn. You can send anyone an

email, whether you are connected with them or not! I will humbly admit, I have emailed

Circle RS#22 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

presidents and CEOs from around the world and gotten their attention. My hit rate has

historically been 37 percent, and this is vastly

more successful than the cold calls via car and I have communicated with some executives who were previously unreachable. And, the cost per successful outreach attempt was significantly less.

know you as more often than not, the target will view your profile after receiving your message.

Therein lies the final piece to this strategy. Your profile must reflect your greatest attributes. It categorically behooves me that one’s profile

picture to the world looks like they just sucked on a lemon or worse yet, a mug shot. Really?

There are sales in everything, and if you want

In addition to reaching sales targets, you can

to have maximum appeal to the business

slipped under your radar. With a search criterion

you, make them feel comfortable with you as a

also search for firms in a region that may have

community and desire to have a target invest in

such as “design” or “fixtures” and in a search

potential partner for consideration.

area radius you specify, you can discover

When it comes to your profile summary,

be enticing and portray all your noteworthy

personal and professional attributes. How you

look, and how and what you say about yourself could mean the difference between your target clicking the delete button or scrolling down for further information. They more they scroll the closer your goal.

This year is seeing increases in economic

recovery and many practices are changing. New

ways to communicate are plentiful. I will venture to say that not exploiting the networking capabilities

TPN can be an enormous asset because the

of LinkedIn carries an enormous opportunity cost

and choose to respond or not based on your

can be greatly increased with TPN. We are in an

I call TPN. You are targeting your contact and

need, etc. In traditional cold calling, how many

chance to gain a strategic advantage using a very

is networking. You can solicit more firms and

LinkedIn InMail can assuage barriers and

do the traditional way in a full day or even week!

person(s) you want and increase the probability

this methodology to set up your appointments

Many of you might be thinking, “Well, I post this

numerous companies to solicit either the

exact target you want will see who you are

— almost incalculable. Your ROI on sales time

The key here is focused cold calling, or what

solicitation approach and the timing of their

era of change, innovation, trying new things and a

sending a personal message, the result of which

times do you never get past the receptionist?

tenable and low-cost resource like LinkedIn.

contacts in 30 minutes this way than you can

afford you a golden opportunity to reach THE

Your expected ROI increases greatly. You can use

of success.

traditional or virtual way.

for the week, or use it to fill in appointments in “in-between” time.

stuff on Facebook; it’s the same thing.” No, not

really. Facebook tends to be more of a personal

As an owner, CEO or executive manager, you

may want to introduce yourself to a public figure with whom you feel there is strategic alliance

potential. Consider for a moment reaching out to a news anchor, a DIY home improvement personality, the executive vice president of business development of a company, etc.,

all of whom you can introduce your idea for consideration. It is a cold call reaching your

perfect target inexpensively, and they will get to

site, although there is much professional

solicitation on there. Facebook will be dilutive

and the search criteria will pale in comparison.

There should be a seamless, uninterrupted

transition when Microsoft assumes ownership.

LinkedIn’s networking potential, post-

acquisition, will likely increase several fold. That said, microeconomic theory will likely ensue,

so don’t be surprised if membership increases soon thereafter.

About the Author

Many HR personnel will seek out your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles to learn more about

you. However, the premise and expectation of Facebook is more relaxed and interpersonal

— it is not primarily considered a professional

networking sight, yet is increasingly becoming so because of the vast number of users.

Circle RS#23 on the Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 2014 38 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Paul Max Le Pera is the Global Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Hirsch Glass & Spectrum Quartz, with more than 20 years’ experience in business and marketing strategy for the building materials industry. He can be reached at (908) 358-5252 or Max@HirschGlassCorp.com.

Circle RS#06 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ISFA FABRICATOR PROFILE: GECKO

Filling a need in the industry

Fabricator Gecko SSS has a number of things that makes it stand out from the crowd, from its focus on commercial work and specialty projects to its unique shop setting and philosophy toward its crew.

Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in the summer of 2005 by Augie Chavez, who serves as president, the business has come a long way since its inception.

In 2005, Chavez had been in the industry already for 21 years and had plenty of fabrication experience. He acted when he saw a void in the commercial work arena that other fabricators apparently didn’t want to fill (business was booming in that time frame and businesses could be more selective). “It didn’t take long to gain traction and make a name for our company as a commercial fabricator,” said Chavez. “Six months after our conception, we were asked to fabricate for Lowe’s.”

The company decided to take on the box store work to see where it would lead, but continued

fluctuate between which materials are dominant, based demand in the market. A single large commercial project can mean the use of one material increases drastically. For instance, in 2015 it seemed quartz surfacing was the major seller, while this year kicked off with a large amount of solid surface work on the books.

Either way, the road to this kind of business was one less traveled by.

Augie Chavez has come a long way since immigrating to the United States at the age of 5. He now runs GECKO SSS, a commercial surfacing operation that covers all of Texas. to focus mainly on commercial jobs, which takes it all over the state of Texas (which is no small task). “We started off doing one product line in solid surface in three Lowe’s stores, but since then we have grown it into several product lines in solid surface, quartz and granite and we handle 21 stores,” explained Chavez. However, this only comprises 30 percent of the company’s business, with 65 percent in the commercial segment and the remainder being specialty work. “The Lowe’s work provides us with a constant flow of jobs that helps fill in the gaps in our commercial projects,” he added.

Today the company has 17 employees and runs through 80 to 100 slabs of quartz, another 80 to 100 sheets of solid surface and 20 or 25 slabs of granite a month. That said, the numbers

The company also expanded into quartz surfacing, granite and recycled glass surfaces, and quartz projects, like this table, amount for around 40 percent of the company’s work.

40 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

SSS

Chavez was born in Mexico in the early ’60s and at the age of 5 immigrated to the United States with his family, transplanting to East Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, he headed to the University of California in Santa Barbara where he was introduced to the countertop industry when he took a summer job between semesters at a solid surface fabrication shop. He continued working that job until he moved to Texas.

There, he quickly found a job at another fabrication shop, where he worked until he felt he was ready to go into business for himself and that was when he opened GECKO Solid Surface Solutions. “Having had an education in electrical engineering and business along with my experience in this industry, I took the leap and have not looked back,” Chavez recalled.

“We fabricated solid surface for the first couple of years, but when we were able to have a shop with the room to get a bridge saw, we started fabricating quartz, granite and recycled glass counters.”

The roots of the company are in solid surface, and this commercial sink project is proof that the skill level at the company is well developed.

Circle RS#22 on the Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ISFA FABRICATOR PROFILE: GECKO

The fact that GECKO’s facility is run largely on solar power is a testament to its dedication to operating in an environmentally sound manner. The company is also in the process of putting in a rainwater collection system to conserve water used in the stone fabrication process.

SSS

GECKO’s 18,500-sq.-ft. shop runs on high-end equipment and because the company doesn’t focus on residential work, all of the space can be dedicated to material throughput.

The company purchased an 18,500-sq.-ft. building in 2013, and has an array of high-end fabrication equipment, but before moving into the new facility, the company invested in one piece of technology that almost no fabricator does, and it has paid off in a big way. “Before moving in we had solar panels installed,” explained Chavez. “I felt it was not just good business sense but also a social responsibility.

And because the sun shines most of the time in San Antonio, our shop’s electric bill is less than my personal house, which also uses solar power, most of the time.”

The equipment at the company’s disposal is a veritable checklist of key technology and includes a Striebig panel saw, a Star V-groover, a Saw Stop table saw, a Pinske thermoforming oven, a Schultz Form vacuum table and a custom-made CNC router on the solid surface side. When it comes to processing the hard and shiny materials, the company utilizes a Sasso 5-axis bridge saw, a MAKO bridge saw, Sasso Bull 126 edge machine, a Fab King fabrication center and a small CNC machine for sink cutouts. The facility has an overhead crane to help manipulate the inventory, and the company has even installed cranes on a couple of its flatbed trucks to help with the off-loading of stone tops on the jobsite.

Furthermore, the company is in the process of designing a system to catch rainwater to use in running the stone fabrication machinery and 42 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

expects it will be fully operational by the end of the summer.

Although starting out primarily working with solid surface, the company’s growth into hard surfacing products has been a good move.

“Having all of the products at our disposal makes it easier for our clients to have one fabricator to meet the needs for all of their projects,” explained Chavez. “To accomplish this, though, the majority of our employees are cross-trained to fabricate and install both solid surface and stone.”

“Before moving in we had solar panels installed,” explained Chavez.

“I felt it was not just good business sense but also a social responsibility.

And because the sun shines most of the time in San Antonio, our shop’s electric bill is less than my personal house, which also uses solar power, most of the time.”

This means the company must invest a lot in its crew, which Chavez feels is what helps set the business apart from other companies.

“We are like family,” he said. “We have taught our employees that every project is important and every top that leaves our facility matters.

Through the years, they have taken on my attitude that nothing is difficult; it’s just a new challenge. Everyone from the office to the shop is always in team mode.”

When asked what the No. 1 factor to the company’s success is, Chavez replied, “Have fun, be good at what you do and treat everyone with respect. Figure out what’s important to you, follow through and your company will reflect those ideals.”

For more information, contact GECKO SSS at 4630 Sinclair Road, San Antonio, TX 78222, (210) 722-4952.

Improve your business results

with Join us for our new 2016 Education and Training Programs

education Effective Commercial Business

training Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training

A seminar that delivers information and strategies to successfully tap into the growing commercial market to expand and evolve your business.

A comprehensive hands-on training program designed to deliver the latest techniques and skills needed to become a highly skilled fabricator of Quartz & Stone.

Senior Management Conference

Solid Surface Fabrication Training

Leaders in the surfacing industry gather to share and learn the latest thinking on Business Practices and Growth Strategies.

A comprehensive hands-on training program designed to deliver the latest techniques and skills for Solid Surface Fabrication.

transition: generation 2

ISFA On-SITE

To prepare the next generation for the transition of your business, this program serves as a forum for the next generation to share ideas and learn from each other how they are dealing with transition.

We bring fabrication training to your shop. You supply the tools, shop and staff. We supply the expert.

Event

September.

Effective Commercial Business Senior Management Conference

ISFA 2016 programs October.

December.

6-7 Duracite Southern CA 14-16 IceStone New York, NY

Transition: Generation 2

TBA Custom Marble Milstadt, IL

Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training

27-30 Regent Stone Virginia Beach, VA

Solid Surface Fabrication Training

Surface Link, Chantilly, VA • Dates based on registrations.

ISFA On-Site

6-9 Regent Stone Virginia Beach, VA

Your choice of date and location

FOUNDED BY FABRICATORS FOR FABRICATORS IN T ERN ATION AL S URFACE FABRIC AT ORS ASSOCIATION

To JOIN ISFA and find out more, go to www.isfanow.org International Surface Fabricators Association SERVING OUR MEMBERSHIP SINCE 1997 Circle RS#22 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Here.Now.News.

Industry Veteran Bryan Stannard Joins ISFA as New Membership Director The International Surface Fabricators Association is proud to announce

well-known industry veteran Bryan Stannard has joined the ISFA staff as its new Membership Director.

In this new position, Stannard will

confident in his ability to provide excellent service to our members and improve the benefits we offer the industry.”

Stannard officially took on the role

take charge of all membership-

in late June, and is now overseeing

recruitment and retention, program

closely with the other members

related activities, including member

all membership functions, working

and meeting development, and

of the ISFA staff. “My goal is to

handling member educational and networking opportunities.

Having been in the surfacing industry since the mid-90s, Stannard has a wealth of

knowledge, experience and industry contacts

he will put to use in service of the association.

He previously was surfacing manager for ITW

Polymers Sealants North America, commercial manager for DuPont, and strategic account manager for IPS. He has also served three years as an associate board member with

ISFA and has been a member of ISFA since

its beginning. He has a bachelor’s of business administration degree from The University of Texas San Antonio.

“Bryan has a strong understanding of the

surfacing industry and is very familiar with the workings of ISFA,” said ISFA President Adam

Albee. “The unique perspective he brings having

grow not only the membership of ISFA, but also the number and depth of member benefits the association offers,” said Stannard.

“I am excited to take on this responsibility and getting out to meet with our members to find out how we can better serve them going forward.”

Stannard will be attending the International Woodworking Show (IWF) in August and manning the ISFA booth there, where members and industry partners that have not yet had the chance to meet him, will have an opportunity to get to know him better.

“Bryan is a great person and a solid leader,” said ISFA Executive Director Mike Langenderfer.

“He will be a real asset to our organization and should fit well with and complement the current talent we have on staff. We look forward to him playing a large role in the success of ISFA.”

served on the board of directors and being a

For more information, please feel free to contact

trailblazer for our organization. We are very

(210) 389-2917.

long-term member should make him an effective

Bryan Stannard directly at bryan@isfanow.org or

Upcoming ISFA Training & Events

For more information or to sign up to attend any of these events, call (412) 487-3207 or email info@isfanow.org.

ISFA/IWF Countertop Symposium August 23 Atlanta, Ga. IWF/ISFA Countertop Pavilion August 24-27 Atlanta, Ga. ISFA CEO and Upper Managment Gathering Hosted by IceStone September 14 – 16 New York, N.Y. ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone September 27 – 30 Virginia Beach, Va. ISFA Effective Commercial Business Seminar October 6 – 7 Southern California ISFA Gen 2 (second generation leadership gathering) October 27 – 28 St. Louis area

ISFA’ CEO and Upper Management Gathering is taking place Sept. 14-16 at IceStone’s facility in the repurposed Brooklyn Navy Yard. More details are available on the next page.

44 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

ISFA Annual Member Meeting & Conference November 8 – 11 Cancun, Mexico ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone December 6 – 9 Virginia Beach, Va.

ISFANews CEO and Upper Management Gathering Mike Langenderfer, owner

After the success of the first ISFA CEO and Upper Management Gathering in March in

of The Countertop Shop

Nashville, ISFA will be holding a second CEO

in Monclova, Ohio, and

and Upper Management Gathering Sept.

ISFA Executive Director,

14 to 16, 2016 in New York City. The event is

will moderate a “Business

being hosted by IceStone and sponsored by

Operations” discussion that

Unicell and Schechner Lifson.

This two-day event is an opportunity for

companies’ executive management to share

will focus on regulatory,

cost reduction, warehouse optimization and workplace issues.

experiences, common concerns and best

On September 15, Russ

practices regarding the processes of running

Berry, president of A.S.S.T

businesses. The gathering is designed to bring together small groups of CEOs and upper

share ideas and network in a close-knit, semiThe agenda for the first day, Sept. 14, includes: A discussion on the “Future of the Surfacing Industry”

regarding “Growing Your

on how you can sign up for

revenue and bottom line profit,

diversification and financial growth will be discussed.

with specific focus on

For more information or to find out how you

and “Industry Forecast

Director Bryan Stannard at bryan@isfanow.org or

“Pipeline of New Materials” and Trends.” Jessica

the ISFA website at www.

ISFAnow.org for information

Business.” Increasing top line

structured environment.

EVENTS/TRAINING” tab on

in McSherrytown, Pa., will

moderate the conversation

management from a variety of companies to

Please check out “ISFA

this event.

Thanks to our Sponsors

can sign up for this event, contact Membership

(210) 389-2917.

McNaughton, president of

CaraGreen, will be the moderator.

ISFA/IWF Countertop Programming The International Woodworking Fair (IWF) is just around the corner, and ISFA has been working to help the show provide great content for the

countertop industry. The show runs Aug. 24 to

27, with a full-day Countertop Symposium once

again taking place the day before the show floor opens on Aug. 23. It will feature such topics as diversification, taking solid surface beyond the

successful fabrication business owners.

industry into one area of the show floor. Come by ISFA booth #4159 where you can meet our new

Membership Director Bryan Stannard, or talk with

Tentative speakers at the show include Dave

other ISFA staff, members or board members,

Russ Berry, of A.S.S.T.; Keith Haight, of Relang

and how ISFA can help your company to become

Paxton, of Paxton Countertops and Showers,

and find out what programming is taking place

International; ISFA Executive Director Mike

better and more profitable at what you do.

Langederfer, of The Countertop Shop; and ISFA Communications Director Kevin Cole.

IWF 2016 will be held Aug. 24 to 27, at the

Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Those

countertop to casework and thermoforming

Additionally, the 2016 show will once again

interested in participating can contact either ISFA

forecast and a panel discussion/Q&A with

group together various companies serving the

(www.IWFAtlanta.com) for additional information.

applications, the annual ISFA countertop industry

feature a “Countertop Pavilion” that works to

at (412) 487-3207 or bryan@isfanow.org, or IWF

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 45

ISFANews 2016 ISFA Annual Member Meeting & Conference

The 2016 ISFA Annual Meeting & Conference

Your conference ticket includes three nights’

is a destination-themed event once again this

all-inclusive accommodations at the Hyatt Ziva

year, and is being held in Cancun, Mexico.

Running from Nov. 8 to 11, it is being held at the Hyatt Ziva all-inclusive resort on the beautiful strip of Punta Cancun, where you can build your network, reconnect with industry friends and associates, and learn new ways to improve your business, all while experiencing a stunning beachfront setting.

Arrivals & Vendor Booths

Cancun, such as dining at on-site restaurants

Networking Welcome Reception in the evening

or 24-hour in-suite dining; live entertainment;

Wednesday, November 9

unlimited cocktails, spirits, beer, wine and soft drinks at seven lounges and bars; butlers

Breakfast & Annual Meeting

Moderated Discussion Groups in the morning

to enhance your experience at the pool and

Lunch, afternoon and dinner at your leisure

beach, help with unpacking and planning

Thursday, November 10

activities; tequila and wine sommeliers to guide tastings; three spectacular infinity pools,

This year’s agenda is designed to provide

Tuesday, November 8

activities for adults and/or families; Wi-Fi

Breakfast & Moderated Discussion Groups in the morning

Lunch and afternoon at your leisure

you with a perfect balance of educational and

Internet access and all resort taxes, tips and

Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner in the evening

networking opportunities, as well as ample time

gratuities.

Friday, November 11

to relax and enjoy yourself. We’ve also made it easy for you to live it up longer at the resort by

The established event agenda is as follows:

Come and join us for this great opportunity to

adding nights to your stay after the event.

Gold Sponsor

Departures

improve your business and also enjoy yourself.

Entertainment Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

More details on the 2016 ISFA Annual Meeting & Conference are available on the ISFA website at www.ISFAnow.org and discounted early-bird registration is already open.

46 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

ISFANews Effective Commercial Business Seminar the needs of today’s businesses. Instruction

ISFA has teamed up with Regent Stone Products to provide comprehensive hands-on quartz/granite fabrication training. The twoday course is followed immediately by two additional days of surface repair and polishing that is optional.

The next class will take place Sept. 27 to 28 at Regent Stone’s training facility in Virginia Beach, Va., with the repair and polishing running the following two days.

The training program is designed to meet

includes:

■■ Seaming ■■ An introduction to laminating

■■ General shop safety ■■ Introduction to industrial diamond technology ■■ Cutting with bridge saw by hand ■■ Shaping with router and by hand ■■ Honing and polishing edges ■■ Rodding ■■ Undermount and drop-in bowls, manual

■■ Sealing, color matching and color enhancing The basic two-day program costs $1,099 per person and includes two days of fabrication training, all tools and supplies necessary, and a light breakfast and lunch each day.

and semiautomated

Contact the ISFA office about registering for the

■■ Templating and installation

class or joining ISFA at carol@isfanow.org.

ISFA Board of Directors Adam Albee President Lincoln Laminating 5010 Rentworth Dr. Lincoln, NE 68516 Phone: (402) 434-6009 adam@lincolnlaminating.com www.lincolnlaminating.com

Erica Hussey Secretary JCW Countertops 3 Aberjona Dr. Woburn, MA 01801 Phone: (781) 935-1907 ericamaria@jcwcountertops.com. www.jcwcountertops.com

Mike Woods Director Creative Countertop Solutions 919 4th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 915-0718 mike@tnccs.com www.creativecountersolutions.com

Mell Hill Immediate Past President Duracite Custom Countertops 2100 Huntington Blvd.

Fairfield, CA 94533 Phone: (707) 290-6386 mhill@duracite.com www.duracite.com

Kate Dillenburg Treasurer Bisley Fabrication 700 Industrial St. Gresham, WI 54128 Phone: (715) 787-4410 kbisley@bisfab.com www.bisfab.com

Kelley Montana Director Humboldt Countertops & Surfacing 70 W. 4th St. Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 442-5918 kmontana@humtop.com www.humtop.com

Ryan Miller Vice President VT Stone Surfaces 1000 Industrial Park Holstein, IA 51025 Phone: (712) 368-4381, ext. 236 RMiller@vtindustries.com www.vtstonesurfaces.com

Dave Paxton Director (and Past President) Paxton Countertops and Showers PO Box 174 Grand Ledge, MI 48837 Phone: (517) 719-0146 paxtoncountertops@yahoo.com

John Hansen Associate Member Representative Kohler 3721 Armstrong Dr., Ste. 2B Bloomington, IL 61704 Phone: (920) 207-7701 John.Hansen@kohler.com www.kohler.com

ISFA Contacts

Main Office 2400 Wildwood Rd. Gibsonia, PA 15044 (412) 487-3207 • Fax: (412) 487-3269 www.isfanow.org

Communications Director Kevin Cole Magazine/Website Publisher & Editor (815) 721-1507 kevin@isfanow.org

Executive Director Mike Langenderfer (419) 779-0164 mike@isfanow.org

Membership Director Bryan Stannard (210) 389-2917 bryan@isfanow.org

Jessica McNaughton Associate Member Representative CaraGreen 109A Brewer Ln. Carrboro, NC 27607 Phone: (919) 929-3009 Jessica@caragreen.com www.caragreen.com

Operations Manager Carol Wilhite (412) 487-3207 carol@isfanow.org

Program Coordinator Amy Kyriazis (412) 487-3207 amy@isfanow.org

Account Representative Paul Wisnefski (262) 498-4184 wisnefski@sbcglobal.net

Membership Coordinator Lynn West (412) 487-3207 lynn@isfanow.org

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 47

Fabricator Directory Companies in blue are Certified Professionals.

For more information on the ISFA Certified Professional Program, visit ISFAnow.org/certified-pro.html.

ALABAMA

Cutstone Co.

117 Cloverdale Dr. Alabaster, AL 35007 205-624-3538 www.cutstoneco.com

Surface One

2421 Hwy. 11 Pelham, AL 35124 205-621-1125 www.surface1.com

ALASKA

Bicknell Inc.

PO Box 33517 Juneau, AK 99801 907-789-5727 www.bicknellinc.com

Cook Inlet Housing Authority 3510 Spenard Rd. Anchorage, AK 99503 907-793-3047 www.cookinlethousing.org

North Coast Countertops 7720 Hacienda Dr. Anchorage, AK 99507 907-727-6419

ARIZONA

Kitchen Bath & Beyond

Specializing In Solid Surface 1440 Corona Ft. Mojave, AZ 86426 928-788-1000

ARKANSAS Qualserv

7400 S. 28th St. Ft. Smith, AR 72908 479-459-5892 www.qualservsolutions.com

CALIFORNIA

AZ Countertops Inc.

1560 Harris Ct. 1445 S. Hudson Ave. Ontario, CA 91761 909-983-5386 www.azcountertopsinc.com

Black Rock Construction Services, Inc. 131 E. Berkshire Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93307 323-627-3891 www.blackrockcs.net

Design Fabrication Inc.

100 Bosstick Blvd.

San Marco, CA 92069 760-727-1800 www.designfabrication.com

Duracite

2100 Huntington Dr. Fairfield, CA 94533 707-402-1600 www.duracite.com

Fischer Tile & Marble 1800 23rd St. Sacramento, CA 95816 916-452-1426 www.fischertile.com

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara 815 W. Ocean Ave. Lompoc, CA 93436 323-400-1000

Humboldt Countertops 70 W. 4th St. Eureka, CA 95501 707-442-5918 www.humtop.com

JJ Cabinets

5532 Fir Circle Norwalk, CA 90651 562-881-9715

Marble Expressions

1573 Seminole St. San Marcos, CA 92708 760-471-8737 www.marbleexpressions.com

FLORIDA

Beverin Solid Surface 1108 Palmetto Ave. Lehigh Acres, FL 33972 239-368-9444 www.beverin.com

Delorie Countertops & Doors Inc.

2140 N.W. 18th St. Pompano Beach, FL 33069 954-970-7661 www.deloriectd.com

Florida Custom Surfaces, div. of FDR Contractors Inc. 4362 S.W. Port Way Palm City, FL 34990 772-781-5517 www.floridacustomsurfaces.com

General Property Construction Co.

1550 N.W. 96th Ave. Doral, FL 33172 305-592-9570 www.gpconstructionco.com

Natural Stone Motif Inc.

1145 Irving Ave. Glendale, CA 91201 323-400-1000

870 Sunshine Ln. Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 407-774-0676 www.naturalstonemotif.com

533 S. Fremont Ave. #401 Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-739-9343

3428 Bartee Rd. Sebring, FL 33870 863-381-3965 http://cabinetrysebring.com/

RTA Cabinets

Southwest Carpenters Training Fund

The Countertop Factory

12349 Telegraph Rd. Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 562-944-2450 www.thecountertopfactory.net

COLORADO

AAFES Ft. Carson FMO 1510 Chiles Ave. Ft. Carson, CO 80913 719-291-9206

Best Tops

1250 N. 3rd St. Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-241-5187

DMS

Simmons Solid Surface LLC

Sterling Mfg.

8293 Consumer Circle Sarasota, FL 34240 941-955-8787 www.sterlingmfg.com

Surface Crafters

711 Commercial Dr. Holly Hill, FL 32117 386-253-0826 www.surface-crafters.com

GEORGIA

Atlanta Kitchen Inc.

196 Rio Circle Decatur, GA 30030 404-378-3220 www.atlanta-kitchen.com

Craftmark Solid Surfaces Inc. 2772 Simpson Circle Norcross, GA 30071 770-242-8469 craftmarkcountertops.com

Seven Stone

1400 W. Marietta St. Atlanta, GA 30318 404-355-3108 www.sevenstone.com

Stone Center

1325 Oakbrook Dr. Ste. C Norcross, GA 30093 770-446-5155 www.stonecenteratlanta.com

Top South

830 Pickens Industrial Dr. Marietta, GA 30062 770-422-4009 www.topsouth.com

HAWAII

Honolulu Tile & Marble Inc. 1602-B Auiki St. Honolulu, HI 96819 808-845-3775

Solid Surface Technologies

360 Mokauea St. Honolulu, HI 96819 808-845-8677 www.ssthawaii.com

ILLINOIS

Custom Marble Inc.

PO Box 306 Millstadt, IL 62260 618-476-1345 www.custommarble.net

Dirk Foster

802 S. 26th St. Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 206-898-8163

Knapp Tile and Flooring

105 S. Main Eureka, IL 61530 309-467-9700 www.knapptileandflooring.com

Maxwell Counters, Inc. PO Box 234 Farmer City, IL 61842 309-928-2848

1620 Paonia St. Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-574-1250 www.dmscustom.com

Counter Fitters LLC

1026 Lynes Ave. Savannah, GA 31415 912-231-0103 www.counterfitterssav.com

New Age Surfaces

Troy Granite Inc.

Countersync

Pierce Laminated Products Inc.

DELAWARE

711 Interchange Blvd.

Newark, DE 19711 302-292-1750 www.troygranite.com

48 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

2014 Westside Ct. Augusta, GA 30907 706-828-7544 www.countersync.net

1237 Naperville Dr. Romeoville, IL 60446 630-226-0011

2430 N. Court St. Rockford, IL 61103 815-968-9651 www.piercelaminated.com

Solid Surface Creations Inc.

Solid Fabrications Inc.

Marble & Granite, Inc.

The Pinske Edge

Sprovieri’s Custom Cabinets

Surface Solutions Inc.

PADCO Countertop Co.

MISSISSIPPI

403 S. Sycamore Villa Grove, IL 61956 217-832-8207 www.ssctops.com 55 Laura Dr. Addison, IL 60101 630-917-4690 www.sprovieris.com

Stalwart Systems

7797 N. Caldwell Ave. Niles, IL 60714 847-972-1193 www.stalwartsystemsusa.com

Stevens Industries Inc. 704 W. Main St. Teutopolis, IL 62427 217-857-7100 www.stevensind.com

INDIANA

A. I. A. Countertops LLC 501 W. Railroad Ave. Syracuse, IN 46567 574-457-2018 www.aiacountertops.com

Bollock Enterprises LLC 900 Farabee Ct. Lafayette, IN 47905 765-448-6000 www.bollockstoptops.com

Hard Surface Fabrications, Inc./Kormax 810 S. Beiger St. Mishawaka, IN 46544 574-259-4843

Laminated Tops of Central Indiana Inc.

711 E. Dillman Rd. Bloomington, IN 47401 812-824-6299 www.rakesolutions.com

M & W Countertops Inc. 11934 Witmer Rd. Grabill, IN 46741 260-627-3636 www.mwcountertops.com

Michiana Laminated Products Inc.

7130 N. 050 E. Howe, IN 46746 260-562-2871 www.michianalaminated.com

IOWA

Custom Countertops & More 1801 E. Oak St. Algona, IA 50511 515-295-4835

Granite Custom Design

2369 Heinz Rd. Unit #J Iowa City, IA 52240 888-452-0714 www.granitecustomdesign.com

2515 Murray St. Sioux City, IA 51111 712-255-5319 www.solidfab.com

323 La Porte Rd. Waterloo, IA 50702 319-287-5056 www.surfacesolutionsia.com

VT Industries

1000 Industrial Park Holstein, IA 51025 712-368-4381 www.vtindustries.com

KANSAS

Parman Brothers LTD

PO Box 7 Johnson, KS 67855 620-492-6882 www.parmanbrothersltd.com

Top Master Inc.

2844 Roe Ln. Kansas City, KS 66103 913-492-3030 www.top-master.com

KENTUCKY

Surfaces Unlimited Inc.

1272 Hwy. 490 E. Bernstadt, KY 40729 606-843-6891 www.surfaces-unlimited.com

MAINE

Maine Marble & Granite 1312 Portland Rd. Arundel, ME 04046 207-351-5733 www.thomasandlord.com

Shad’s Custom Countertops Inc.

11 Collins Pond Rd. Windham, ME 04062 207-893-3445 www.getshad.com

MARYLAND

Carefree Kitchens Inc.

2910 Strickland St. Baltimore, MD 21223 410-233-4900 www.carefreeindustries.com

Creative Surface Interiors Inc. 8393 Ardwick Ardmore Rd. Landover, MD 20785 301-386-4654 www.creativesurfaceinteriors.net

SolidTops LLC

505 South St. Easton, MD 21601 410-819-0770 www.solidtops.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Jack’s Custom Woodworking/ JCW Countertops 3 Aberjona Dr. Woburn, MA 01801 781-935-1907 www.jcwcountertops.com

270 University Ave. Westwood, MA 02090 781-407-9560 www.marbleandgranite.com 5 Springdale Ave. Canton, MA 02021 781-828-1177 www.padcocountertop.com

Sterling Architectural Millwork 55 Avocado St. Springfield, MA 01104 413-732-2131 www.sterlingarc.com

76 Leominster Rd. Sterling, MA 01564 978-422-3321 www.sterlingsurfaces.com

Sterling-Miller Designs Inc.

1079 N. Montello St. Brockton, MA 02301 508-894-6999 www.sterlingmillerdesigns.com

TWD Surfaces

903 Ingalls Ave. Pascagoula, MS 39567 228-938-6484 www.alexandercounterwrights.com

MISSOURI

9 Industrial Dr. St. James, MO 65559 573-265-7070 www.cohenwoodworking.com

Surface Menders

32 Clipper Ln. Kimberling City, MO 65686 417-598-2390 www.surfacemend.com

MONTANA Jim Shreve

PO Box 721 Florence, MT 59833 406-880-3566

VanSetten Walker Construction Co.

75 Hale St. Bridgewater, MA 02324 508-279-2650 www.twdsurfaces.com

821 1st Ave. N.W. Great Falls, MT 59404 406-570-5283

WoodCo LLC

MICHIGAN

PO Box 30254 Billings, MT 59107 406-259-5177 www.woodcollc.com

Blasius Inc.

7343 Buell Rd. Vassar, MI 48768 989-871-5000 www.blasiusinc.com

NEBRASKA

Innovative Surface Works

12855 Fairlane St. Livonia, MI 48150 734-261-3010 www.innovativesurfaceworks.com

Marbelite Corp.

22500 Heslip Dr. Novi, MI 48375 248-348-1900 www.marbelitecorp.com

Builders Warehouse 4600 N. Second Ave. Kearney, NE 68845 308-627-6702

Lincoln Laminating Inc. 5010 Rentworth Dr. Lincoln, NE 68516 402-434-6009

Premier Countertops

8720 L St. Omaha, NE 68127 402-991-7258 www.premiercountertops.com

Paxton Countertops & Showers

PO Box 174 Grand Ledge, MI 48837 517-719-0146 www.paxtonsurfaces.com

Solid Surfaces Unlimited Inc.

NEVADA

Carpenters Int’l. Training Fund 6801 Placid St. Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-938-1111

NEW JERSEY

6689 Sterling Dr. S. Sterling Heights, MI 48312 586-274-9668 www.ssunlimited.net

Innovative Surfaces Inc. 515 Spiral Blvd.

Hastings, MN 55033 651-437-1004

Alexander Counterwrights

Cohen Architectural Woodworking

Sterling Surfaces

MINNESOTA

119 Main St. Plato, MN 55370 320-238-2196 www.pinske-edge.com

J&M Granite Design LLC 558 Englishtown Rd. Monroe, NJ 08831 908-267-4331 www.jmgranitenj.com

Marvic Corp.

2450 Lorio St. Union, NJ 07083 908-686-4340 www.countertopsofnj.com

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 49

Fabricator Directory Fabricator Directory

Companies in blue are Certified Professionals.

For more information on the ISFA Certified Professional Program, visit ISFAnow.org/certified-pro.html.

Solid Surface Designs Inc.

NORTH CAROLINA

Spaulding Fabricators Inc.

13570 Broadway Ave. Midland, NC 28107 704-888-4010 www.carolinacounters.com

NEW MEXICO

PO Box 511 589 Hiatt Rd. Mount Airy, NC 27030 336-719-2729

1651 Sherman Ave. Pennsauken, NJ 08110 856-910-7720 www.ssdtops.com

1136 Industrial Pkwy.

Brick, NJ 08724 732-840-4433 www.spauldingfabricators.com

American Countertops 8013 Edith N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-897-3141

Franken Construction Co. 1201 Tilden Ave. Las Vegas, NM 87701 www.frankenconstruction.com

Jaynes Structures

2906 Broadway N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87107 505-344-8589 www.jaynescorp.com

OGB Architectural Millwork

Carolina Counters

Johnson Granite Inc.

Merge Design Co.

3001-103 Spring Forest Rd. Raleigh, NC 27616 919-790-1749 www.mergedesignco.com

Seven Stone

8350-C Arrowridge Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28273 704-598-1255 www.sevenstone.com

Seven Stone

920 Old Winston Rd. Kernersville, NC 27284 336-773-0714 www.sevenstone.com

3711 Paseo del Norte Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-998-0000 www.ogb-am.com

OHIO

PO Box 429 Roswell, NM 88202 505-626-3553

Cabinets 2 Countertops

Rojo Enterprises LLC

NEW YORK

Distinctive Granite

331 Dante Ct. Ste. C Holbrook, NY 117411 631-737-3337 www.distinctivegraniteny.com

Evans & Paul LLC

140 DuPont St. Plainview, NY 11803 516-576-0800 www.evansandpaul.com

Marker Systems Inc.

940 River Rd. North Tonawanda, NY 14120 716-695-1102

Modern Home Distributing PO Box 395 Nunda, NY 14517 585-468-2523

Penn Fabricators Inc. 100 Bellport Ave. Yaphank, NY 11980 631-205-0282 www.penn4corian.com

Wilbedone Inc.

1133 NYS Rte. 222 Cortland, NY 13045 800-734-8813 www.wilbedone.com

Bertke Countertops 9355 Amsterdam Rd. Anna, OH 45302 937-538-7024

7142 Frank Ave. N.W. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-244-0221 www.cabinets2countertops.com

Cutting Edge Countertops Inc.

1300 Flagship Dr. Perrysburg, OH 43551 419-873-9500 www.cectops.com

Laminate Shop, Inc. PO Box 1218 Marietta, OH 45750 740-749-3536

Solid Surfaces Plus

4640 Manufacturing Rd. Cleveland, OH 44135 216-267-7040 www.solidsurfacesplus.com

The Countertop Shop LTD

10406 Geiser Rd. Holland, OH 43528 419-868-9101 www.countertopshop.net

Top Advantage Surfaces Inc.

12989 Market Ave. N. Hartville, OH 44632 330-877-2138 www.topadvantage.com

Top Shelf Laminated Products 400 Dietz Rd. Warren, OH 44483 330-393-1289

Hoffman Fixtures Co.

6031 S. 129th St. Ste. B Tulsa, OK 74134 918-252-0451 www.hfccountertops.com

OREGON

Grifform Innovations Inc. PO Box 258 Glide, OR 97443 541-496-0313 www.grifform.com

PO Box 387 Wilsonville, OR 97070 503-692-6660 www.precisioncountertops.com

A.S.S.T.

805 W. Elm Ave. Hanover, PA 17331 717-630-1251 www.asst.com

4561 Crystal Pkwy.

Kent, OH 44240 330-677-1883 www.korkangranite.com

Advanced Surfaces Inc.

1030 E. Wilson St. Bryan, OH 43506 888-537-6484 www.lesmith.com

870 Rte. 910 Unit 400 Cheswick, PA 150244 412-406-8442 www.arminastone.com

50 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

John Kramer’s Fabrications Inc. PO Box 41 Bernville, PA 19506 610-488-6213 www.kramershowerbases.com

McGrory Inc.

576 Rosedale Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19349 610-444-1512 www.mcgroryinc.com

Pence Countertops Inc.

OKLAHOMA

PENNSYLVANIA

L. E. Smith Co.

3617 Simpson Ferry Rd. Camp Hill, PA 17011 717-918-3315 www.troygranite.com

1060 484 Lowries Run Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-446-1060 www.troygranite.com

PO Box 647 Massillon, OH 44648 330-837-2216 www.towersurfaces.com

Kitchens by Rutenschroer

Korkan Granite

Harrisburg Troy Granite

Tower Industries

Earth Anatomy Fabrication

950 Laidlaw Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45237 513-251-8333 www.kbrmfg.com

760 N. Front St. PO Box 7616 Steelton, PA 17113 717-939-2878 www.capitalcitycounters.com

124 Ellis Woods Rd. Pottstown, PA 19465 610-326-6609 www.pencecountertops.com

Precision Countertops Inc.

4092 Greenwich Rd. Norton, OH 44203 740-244-5316 www.earthanatomy.com

Capital City Counters Inc.

130 Plastics Rd. Corry, PA 16407 814-663-0369

Armina Stone

Pittsburgh Troy Granite

RHODE ISLAND

Allied Floor Covering, Inc.

Tiverton, RI 02878 401-624-4477 www.alliedfloorcovveringinc.com

New England Counter Top PO Box F Pawtucket, RI 02861 508-761-7588

SOUTH CAROLINA Seven Stone

1900 Suber Mill Rd. Greer, SC 29650 864-879-9378 www.sevenstone.com

Solid Products

109 Lazenby Dr. Ft. Mill, SC 29715 704-236-9796 www.solidproducts.biz

Tom Rush

109 Lazenby Dr. Ft. Mill, SC 29715 704-236-9796 www.solidproducts.biz

SOUTH DAKOTA

Dakotaland Woodwork & Cabinets LLC 41181 179th St. Raymond, SD 57258 605-532-4150

DFC-Dakota Fixture & Cabinet Co. 45753 237th St. Madison, SD 57042 605-256-3707 www.soliddfc.com

Formatop Co.

101 S. Franklin Sioux Falls, SD 57103 605-332-3151 www.formatopcompany.com

TENNESSEE

Alexander Brothers Tile & Marble Inc.

Gecko Solid Surface Solutions

4630 Sinclair Rd. San Antonio, TX 78222 210-227-3100 www.geckosss.com

Patel Inc.

2306 Sunset Tr. Sugarland, TX 77478

W.R. Watson Inc.

12902 Mula Ln. Stafford, TX 77477 281-495-3664 www.wrwatson.com

1446 S. Cooper St. Ste. 101 UTAH Memphis, TN 38114 Utah Kitchen and Bath 901-278-9626 2098 E. 2250 N. www.alexandermarbleandgranite.com Layton, UT 84040 801-814-8847 Countertops www.utahkitchenandbath.com of Memphis 301 W. Olive Ave. VIRGINIA Memphis TN 38106 Metro Stone Works LLC 901-602-7115 9115 Digital Dr. Unit 12 www.countertopsofmemphis.com Manassas Park, VA 20111 703-396-866 Creative Countertop www.metrostoneworks.com Solutions Inc. 919 4th Ave. S. Mid-Atlantic Nashville, TN 37210 Manufacturing Inc. 615-915-0718 10040 Whitesel Rd. www.creativecountersolutions.com Ashland, VA 23005 804-798-7462 Kitchen Tops http://midatlanticmfg.com 1300 Ault Rd. Knoxville, TN 37914 Surface Link Corp.

805-523-0967 4200 Lafayette Center Dr. Ste. A www.kitchentops.net Chantilly, VA 20151 301-482-1717 Seven Stone www.surfacelinkcorp.com 740 Space Park Dr. S. Nashville, TN 37211 615-386-0509 www.sevenstone.com

TEXAS

Alejandro Contreras 6418 Harbor Mist Dr. Missouri City, TX 77459 970-471-4393

Ba Shi Ba Inc.

38303 Green Willow Way Magnolia, TX 77355 281-881-2911

Classic Counter Tops 2325 Executive Dr. Garland, TX 75041 972-840-1234

Counterscapes, Inc. PO Box 82087 Houston, TX 77282 903-581-5676

Countertop Solutions LLC

TRINDCO

1004 Obici Industrial Blvd.

Suffolk, VA 23434 757-539-0262 www.trindco.com

WASHINGTON

FloForm Countertops 22445 76th Ave. S. Kent, WA 98032 253-639-4567 www.floform.com

Mt. Rainer Marble LLC 2606 Jackson Hwy. Chehalisi, WA 98523 360-520-1844 www.mtrainiermarble.com

WISCONSIN

Bisley Fabrication Inc. 700 Industrial St. Gresham, WI 54128 715-787-4410 www.bisfab.com

PO Box 82087 Houston, TX 77282 713-204-0080

McDermott Top Shop LLC

455 Commercial Dr. Buda, TX 78610 512-328-5111 www.elitegraniteandmarbleaustin.com

Spectrum Surfaces Inc.

Elite Granite & Marble

200 A Main St. Sullivan, WI 53178 262-593-2456

812 Marquis Way Green Bay, WI 54304 920-337-6575

AUSTRALIA

ITALY

Asian Solid Surface

40 Day Dr. Pasadena, South Australia 5042 Australia 040-571-3865

BARBADOS

In-Counter, Inc.

Respond S.A.L.

1st Floor Missirian Bldg.

Beirut, Lebanon 90076 961-150-1414

CANADA

Colonial Countertops Ltd. 609 Alpha St. Victoria, BC V8Z 1B2 Canada 250-383-1926 http://colonialcountertops.com

Coni-Marble Mfg. Inc.

PO Box 40 99 Harrison St. Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0 Canada 519-461-0100

FloForm Countertops 125 Hamelin St. Winnipeg, MB R3T 3Z1 Canada 204-474-2334 www.floform.com

FloForm Countertops 7630 Yellowhead Trail Edmonton, AB T5B 1G3 Canada 780-474-7999 www.floform.com

Boulevard de los Charros 1500 Col. Belenes Ind. Nte. Zapopan, Jalisco Mexico 45150 52-3310287863 www.indeko.com.mx

Victor Coronado Services

Boulevard Hacienda Galindo 116 Villas del meson Juriquilla, 76230 Mexico 52-4422342743

Svobody St., 29 Moscow Russia 125362 +7(495)782-84-75 http://akrilika.com/en

ARTCOR

60th km. Ring Rd. Ste. 4A Moscow Russia +7-485-657-8578 www.artcor.ru

DECORA PRO

Granit Design

Turistskaya str., 23/1 St.Petersburg, Russia +7(812)922-50-70 www.decora.pro

77 Industrielle Stanstead, QC J0B 3E0 Canada 819-564-7111 www.granitdesign.com

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Bond Interiors

Shape Industries

PO Box 15758 Dubai U.A.E. 04 2711727, 06 5343222 www.bondinteriors.com

10 McPhillips St. Winnipeg, MB R3E2J7 Canada 204-947-0409 www.shapeinc.com

460 Principale St. Saint-Sebastien, QC G0Y 1M0 819-625-2333 Canada www.summumgranit.com ZA Le Cheval Blanc Solgne F-57420 France 38-764-6923 www.crea-diffusion.com

INDEKO

AKRILIKA HOLDING

10-710 Cynthia St. Saskatoon, SK S7l 6A2 Canada 306-665-7733 www.floform.com

CREA Diffusion

MEXICO

RUSSIA

FloForm Countertops

FRANCE

Via Dell’Industria 13-15 Piovene Rocchette, VI, 36013 Italy 39-0445-551500 www.legnopan.com

LEBANON

27 Lodge Terrace St. Michaels BB12001 Barbados 246-253-3440

Summum Granit Inc.

Legnopan SPA (Starkryl Solid Surface)

UNITED KINGDOM Interfab LTD

Unit 9 Willersey Business Park Willersey, Nr. Broadway Worcestershire WR12 7RR United Kingdom 441-386-858100 www.interfab.co.uk

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 51

Product News power while weighing less. Not just a sink rail cup, it can be used in other areas. If dropped

on your table or bumped by a router, neither the table nor tooling will be damaged, according to the company. And, it can be repaired and used

again at no cost by installing a new gasket very

quickly. Noncorrosive parts can be swapped out

Elkay Introduces E-Granite Sink Line Extension Elkay® introduced new colors and models to its E-Granite™ collection. The company’s new E-Granite kitchen, bar and prep sinks include 10 new models and five new colors — Greige, Greystone, Sand, Putty and Pecan. With these additions, Elkay’s E-Granite portfolio now includes a total of 10 colors and 26 different models. They are stain- and odor-resistant, and easy to clean. Made from 80 percent quartz, they are durable, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant up to 535 F and are also UV stable so the color will not fade. Available in top, under and universal mount formats with single-, double- and Aqua Divide™ bowls, the sinks also come with a variety of accessories, including coordinating cutting boards and rinsing baskets.

in seconds, and it allows for the use of fewer

ConfiAd Carries Variety of Stone Care Products ConfiAd® Cleaners can remove all kinds of heavy stains on stones. ConfiAd Polishers provide a high gloss on stone surfaces without any harmful effect. ConfiAd Protectors protect stone from water, wine, oil, coffee, etc. ConfiAd Enhancers can restore stone to the original color and intensify or darken the original color.

Circle RS#37 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

vacuum cups to decrease setup time.

Circle RS#39 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Crystallyne Releases Updated Version of QuickQuote Software Crystallyne Enterprises released version 4.0 of its QuickQuote countertop estimating and drawing software. This version features new pricing and

drawing options as well as substantial upgrades to various parts of the software. As part of

that, the company has updated the software’s

underlying framework to accommodate Windows 10, and given it utilities for customizing products and pricing. Additionally, frequently requested features, such as creating slab labels with bar

codes/QR codes and plotting routes between

various activities on the schedule using Google

Circle RS#35 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Maps have also been added. The company describes the upgraded product as having

Karran Has New Quartz Sink Models Tenax Offers Mastidek Cartridge Glue for Cosentino Dekton Tenax Mastidek is a new generation bicomponent resin used to glue Dekton. Dekton Mastidek Fast Outdoor Cartridge glue has a very high adhesion in a short amount of time, which allows for cutting and polishing the assembled parts in approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The hardened product is shiny and is very polishable. This product is produced in special 215ml cartridges with a 2:1 bi-axial quantity. The glue and hardener are pre-dosed in the cartridge which, once inserted in the proper gun, with the special mixer fixed on top, allows the correct extrusion and mixing of the product. It requires use of special M200XMR Cartridge Gun, and is suitable for use outdoors.

Circle RS#36 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

52 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Karran is offering three new quartz sink models that seamlessly undermount to laminate and solid surface. These include the Q-360R in white (pictured here), the Q-350 double equal bowl, the Q-340 extra-large single bowl and the Q-320 standard single bowl.

received a complete overhaul.

Circle RS#40 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Staron Launches 15 New Solid Surface Designs Lotte’s Staron Surfaces has

unveiled 15 new solid surface

colors/patterns

Circle RS#38 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

to increase the

design flexibility of the material.

The new colors are nonporous, hygienic and

scratch-, heatand stain-

resistant. Among them are: Solid Univers; Solid

Better Vacuum Cups Offers New Sink Rail Cup Better Vacuum Cups introduced the SS50400 sink rail cup, designed to increase the holding

Sunflower; Tempest Shell; Solid Serene; Pebble Chocolate; Sanded Clay; Solid Pure White;

Sanded Cornmeal; Solid Tusk; Sanded Meadow; Aspen Concrete; Aspen Pond; Aspen Alder; Aspen Sky; and Aspen Cliff.

Circle RS#41 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Schultz Forming Products Carries Solid Surface Vacuum Former

Outwater Introduces Solar Iced Rock Lights

Manufactured by Schultz Forming Products, the

Solar Powered Iced Rock Lights from

Solid Surface Vacuum Former is available in two

Architectural Products by Outwater are perfect for

standard sizes, 48 by 103 in. and 48 by 150 in.;

outdoor kitchen applications in which soft lighting

however, custom sizes are also available. The

is wanted. Entirely powered by the sun, the eco-

membrane frame raises 28 in. for tall projects.

friendly, self-enclosed light panels come with a

The machine uses a reserve tank to hold vacuum

pressure so that there is no need for a large pump, making the units energy efficient. The vacuum

simple to understand panel located on the front of the unit: “Power On,” “Frame Up/Down,” “Apply

for up to five hours overnight and automatically

battery replacement. The solar-powered lights are

installed with no wiring required. The ultra-durable glass casing can support up to 3,300 lb. and is

Vacuum” and “Release” to dump the vacuum,

water-resistant. Available in warm white and RGB

which allows a faster frame opening action for

(Red, Green, Blue) colors, setting the right mood

project removal. Used mainly for forming solid

surface materials and plastics, it can also be used for decorative sheet film and porous materials like

Circle RS#42 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#44 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

the lights have an on/off switch and access for

All functions are controlled electronically with a

easy to use, reports the company.

RouterBitsNow.com now has one-step router bits for a ⅛-in. radius in solid surface. The company carries all of the major manufacturers’ bowl bit recommendations in ⅛- and ½-in. radius options. A four-bit set includes bits for a 1/8-in. radius and 10-, 15- and 20-degree bowl profiles.

recharges during the daytime. For maintenance,

pressure is controlled with a Mercoid switch.

veneer. They are durable, maintenance-free and

rechargeable AAA battery that can power the light

RouterBitsNow.com Offers New Bit Styles

is easier than ever with a choice of lights. For

added customization, they come in three sizes: 3 by 3 by 2 in.; 4 by 4 by 2 in.; and 2 by 8 by 2 in.

They require no weatherproofing or special tools for installation.

Circle RS#43 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Antolini Introduces ‘Invisible’ Natural Stone Antolini introduced two new natural stone colors to its lineup. Invisible Blue Signature Stone has an intricate and unique design with bluish gray undertones that form a striking contrast against

Circle RS#24 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 53

Product News the white coloring. Invisible Grey Signature

background with brown marbling; Campina, with

that consists of an almost shattered look with

veining and soft movement in a dusty neutral

Stone displays a unique and individual pattern dark gray contrasting against lighter tones.

Circle RS#45 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

HanStone Expands Cascina Quartz Collection

soft marbled ivory layers; Empress, with light

gray; Nova Bisque, a taupe gray hue with soft

pearl marbling; Savoy, a dark veining and mellow,

earth undertones; and Strato, white marbling with feathery contrasting amber and gold veins.

Circle RS#46 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

base that adheres to nonporous surfaces

HanStone Quartz

Festool Introduces Portable, Suction-based Vacuum Clamping

expanded its

Festool USA introduced a portable, suctionbased clamping system; the VAC SYS is

from edge banding to trimming to sanding and

Cascina to

include six new

suitable for small shops or on jobsites. This

colors. The six

system allows users to clamp nonporous

colors range

material for machining and finishing while

from traditional white hues to pale gray and soft

taupe shades, and include: Brava Marfil, a taupe

protecting delicate surfaces from clamp

damage. Each clamping module has a suction

with a quick release valve, and can adapt to many surface sizes based on interchangeable vacuum cups. Suitable for panel preparation, final finishing, it will work for any application that benefits from seamless access to all sides without moving clamps. Material can be rotated a full 360 degrees, or can be tilted up to 90 degrees. It comes in three configurations.

Circle RS#47 on page 56 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ISFA Member since 1998

Circle RS#25 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ISFA Member since 2013 54 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Circle RS#26 on Readers Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#17 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Free Product Information Form Or visit www.ISFANow.org/info to fill out our online form

Main: (412) 487-3207 • Fax: (412) 487-3269 • www.ISFANow.org • 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044

Volume 9 / Issue 3 Get Your Free Product Information Today: For more facts on products and services, please fill out all the information below and circle the product referral numbers that are found in the magazine. Product referral numbers can be found below each advertisement. Your request will be immediately forwarded to the proper manufacturer. You can submit this form via mail, fax, email (editor@isfanow.org) or visit us online at www.ISFAnow.org/info.

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Which one category best describes your job title/function? q Owner/Partner/Corporate Management and Related Personnel q Production/Plant Management and Related Personnel q Design (includes staff designer/architect and related personnel) q Purchasing/Specifier and Related Personnel q Marketing & Sales Management and Related Personnel q Other (please specify)

Information By Category If you want more information from several advertisers in a category, circle the category number that matches up with the category below.

C01 Abrasives

C12 Sealers/Polishes

C02 Adhesives

C13 Seaming Equipment

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C04 CNC Machinery C05 Concrete Materials & Supplies C06 Hand/Power Tools C07 Laminate C08 Material Handling Equipment C09 Prefabricated Accessories C10 Quartz Surfacing C11 Saws

What surfacing materials do you work with?

____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Free Product Information Please circle below all of the referral numbers found in the magazine, or the category numbers found on this page that you would like more information on. Your request will be immediately forwarded to the proper manufacturer.

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56 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • 57

Guest Editorial

By Jessica McNaughton

Green That Comes Out in the Wash For the last decade, companies have been

cement, metals, sintered surfaces and anything

some sort of label or declaration that classifies

those downsides outweigh the upsides and what

clamoring to get their products tagged with

them as “green.” This certificate, sticker, logo or

claim would absolve them of any responsibility in

explaining why their product was either beneficial to, or less detrimental to the environment,

because people would just “know” it was green because some certifying body, or pay-to-play

entity said it was so. This is completely maligned with what the intent of green building was at the outset and has completely derailed the green initiative in so many ways.

People hear the word green and the most likely response today is an eye roll or a fatigued,

belabored stare that not so kindly encourages you to “go on.”

else you can name. It is a matter of whether matters the most to your design or project.

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that affect the “green” value of surfacing materials and from

has no added urea formaldehyde.” Well no, it

doesn’t take a detective to know granite never

has and never would have formaldehyde added.

The anti-formaldehyde movement was meant to

address adhesives and other composite materials that could avoid using toxic formaldehyde in lieu of a less dangerous ingredient.

When it comes to environmental benefits of

products, whether it is better materials, better

claims that are meaningless and help drive the industry toward better materials. you the product is eco-friendly in relation to

local communities and damaging to the Earth.

is Cradle to Cradle certification, in which the

used cannot be recovered or take a very long

product are assessed in five categories: Material

are mined or harvested can be devastating to

others, the holy grail of green certifications

Also, many natural resources are finite and once

materials and manufacturing practices of a

time to recover.

Health, Material Reutilization, Renewable

Manufacturing Location — Is the material

shipped from across the globe or manufactured/ harvested locally? The further a material has to

Harmful Content — Does the material contain

someone may make a claim such as, “My granite

do is know the facts, flush out the greenwashing

Natural Resources — The way some materials

a claim that your product is “good” because it actually apply to your product. For example,

is just no perfect product, so the best thing to

If you are going to look for a label that assures

The term coined for these misrepresented claims

met some baseline criteria that may or may not

and ugly of the trade-offs of green claims. There

an environmental perspective:

travel to reach its final home in a project, the more

is “greenwashing,” and it is basically making

These are some examples of the good, the bad

carbon emissions are released getting it there. harmful substances? This could be emissions

Energy Use, Water Stewardship and Social Responsibility.

Environmental stewardship is not an afterthought any longer; it is a requirement when introducing a product or a product line. And the ecosystem in which new and existing products are trying to survive is smarter, savvier and knows what

that are given off from the finished product

questions to ask to really vet out the true

dangerous that is only released during the

product,” but there definitely are some that are at

harmful to workers. Also, some products emit

strive for product improvement instead of hiding

harvesting process.

products that rise to the top and find their way to

that damage indoor air quality, or something

stewards. There may not be any “perfect

fabrication of the material and is potentially

least on a path of continuous improvement and

harmful substances during the manufacturing or

behind false claims with no merit. Those are the

Performance/Durability — Will the material be

damaged easily and have to be replaced often, or will it last a lifetime?

leading architects, designers and builders savvy enough to partner with the brands they know will stand behind their claims.

It is not easy being green, and it all comes out in

adhesives, better sealants, better disposition at

Recycled Content — Materials that are made

or better manufacturing, there is a collection

diverted from the landfills and repurposed.

About the Author

one another. A single claim of something being

100 percent, depending on the product.

Jessica McNaughton is president of CaraGreen (www. caragreen.com), a distributor of sustainable materials, and co-authored the book Understanding Green Building Materials. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and an associate member representative on the ISFA Board of Directors. She can be reached at Jessica@caragreen.com or (919) 929-3009.

end of life, less material for the same purpose

using recycled materials means waste is being

of trade-offs that must be balanced against

Recycled content could range from hardly any to

“green” bears no weight and has no merit.

Of all of the surfacing materials on the market,

Recyclability — If a surface can be recycled at

the end of its life and made new again, then it is

there is nothing that does not have a downside.

less likely to end up in a landfill itself. If it cannot

surfacing, solid surface, wood, recycled glass,

harm when put in a landfill?

This includes laminate, tile, stone, quartz

58 • Vol. 9 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association

be recycled, does the material cause potential

the wash.

Circle RS#29 on the Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 1998

Circle RS#30 on Reader Service Page or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ISFA Member since 2003