ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Vol. 8, Issue 4 - Q4 2015

Overcoming the complexities of compound angles in a staircase project Page 30

Solid Surface with a Twist

Five Problems and Five Steps to Assist in Succession Planning Page 14

Spotlight on Sinks Page 22

Applied Financial Theory for Sound Business Investments Page 36

A Tale of Two Factories: Comparing a Pair of OEM Sheet Good Facilities Page 40

VOLUME 8 / ISSUE 4 • QUARTER 4, 2015 • SINGLE ISSUE $14.95

ISFA Member since 1997Circle RS#01 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#02 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

4 • Vol. 8 / Issue 4 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Letters to the EditorCountertops & 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.

Please send letters to [email protected] 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 [email protected] or mail to ISFA, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 or fax to (412) 487-3269 attention: Editor. Contacting ISFAPhone: (412) 487-3207Fax: (412) [email protected]

About This MagazineCountertops & 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 2015. 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, self-addressed 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.

Photography 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.

Photography/graphics provided by: ASST, Chuck Choi Architectural Photography, Payette and Leonard Elbon.

Magazine CreditsPublisher & Editor: Kevin ColeProofreader: Nancy Mueller-TruaxDesign: V2 Marketing Communications

ISFA Officers of the BoardMell Hill, PresidentDave Paxton, Immediate Past President Adam Albee, Vice PresidentErica Hussey, TreasurerRyan Miller, Secretary

ISFA DirectorsMike Woods, DirectorKate Dillenburg, DirectorJohn Hansen, Associate Member RepresentativeJessica McNaughton, Associate Member Representative

ISFA StaffMike Langenderfer, Executive Director Kevin Cole, Communications Director and Magazine/Website Publisher & Editor Carol Wilhite, Operations Manager Paul Wisnefski, Account RepresentativeDave Lillegaard, Account Representative Amy Kyriazis, Membership Coordinator

Cover PhotoThis photo (taken by Chuck Choi Architectural Photography) of the solid surface staircase in the atrium of 75 and 125 Binney St., Boston, depicts an amazingly complex project designed by Payette architectural firm in conjunction with fabricator ASST. Read the full story on Page 30.

CREDITS



A Tale of How Different Plants across the Globe

Worked Together to Meet Demand

Two Factories

By Leonard Elbon

CONTENTSFeatures22 Sink Spotlight A look at the latest and greatest sink offerings

30 A Project with a Twist Fabricator conquers complex commercial construction of KRION® solid surface stairway

36 Investment & Financial Modeling — A Leadership Mind-set… How to simplify advanced modeling so it can be applied in the shop setting

40 A Tale of Two Factories How different plants across the globe worked together to meet demand

Departments 8 From the Editor

10 From the President

12 Calendar of Events

14 Education Connection

16 Industry News

44 ISFA News

48 ISFA Fabricator Directory

52 Product News

57 Reader Service Form

58 Classifieds/AdIndex40

30

22

36

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Circle RS#04 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 1998


While I’m not the biggest Facebookie, I recently got into a bit of a debate after watching a video posted by a friend and reading the comments others had made. While I don’t want to rehash the discussion here, the basic discussion I took part in was whether people should think in more or less general terms about the particular subject of the post.

Regardless of the specific subject matter, over the next couple of days the idea stuck with me and I began to think about how it might apply to our industry. It made me think of one of the presentations that was put on at the recent ISFA Annual Meeting & Conference. Ed Hill spoke about shop bottlenecks, or points in the production process that slow down productivity, how to identify them and what to do once the bottleneck had been found. However, during the discussion, it was brought up that as soon as you identify and fix the item that most prevents productivity gains, something else then becomes the new bottleneck. While this is certainly no excuse not to hunt down the stage in the process that is limiting production, it is a prime example of how there is no one simple cure-all to fix all of your problems.

As you probably know, running a business is complex and there are a lot of working parts and moving targets. So for those who think they just need to grow their business and they will have it made, I think that is a platitude that should probably be retired. From what I have witnessed, growth does not necessarily mean an increase in profitability. For example, if a company increases its sales by X number of countertops per week, but to accomplish the task it must either hire additional staff, buy additional equipment or both, the gain from sales increase might actually lower the profit once the overhead for the extra staff or equipment is paid. Of course, the opposite may also be true, and the additional income

may cover any extra costs and leave money left over for profit. But careful examination and calculation must be made in advance of the decision to increase the number of jobs a given shop takes on.

In this very issue of this magazine, in an article on Page 36, Max Le Pera discusses a variety of models that exist just for calculating the potential ROI for additional capital or staff expenditures. And while the article seeks to simplify the process, none of the models are what most of us would probably call easy to understand (hence his efforts to simplify them).

Another generality that seems to me to often be misleading is to focus on what you do best. I won’t argue that some companies really thrive using this philosophy. There is a good example of a company just like this in our cover article (see Page 30), in which the fabricator focuses largely on commercial solid surface projects of a highly complex nature. This focus on what the company does best has served it well. However, the author readily admits that part of his shop is for more common straight line work, and the company has used its talents to become an OEM of sorts for some very unique products, thereby including some diversification. While there is certainly wisdom and validity to this, a great suggestion might also be to focus on what you do worst.

That is not to say that any business wants to put out subpar products, but rather if you want your business to improve, and you know there is a particular area you and/or your team does poorly in, then that would be a great area to focus training and extra work to turn a flaw into a strength. Also, expanding a company’s skill set gives it an opportunity to upsell by offering distinctive edge treatments, coved backsplashes, unique inlays, different surface textures, etc. This means more money per job, and hopefully a deeper margin.

Lastly (and you may have heard this from me before, as I am a strong advocate of this particular theory), I would urge diversification in most cases. Diversification in the products and services you offer, as well as diversification on how you get to market.

You may be one of the few companies that is so good at a particular, complex aspect of your business that you don’t have to worry about competition or a decrease in customers, but chances are, that’s not the case. So, if you put all of your eggs in one basket, either on the materials or the market side, you are taking a gamble. For instance, if a material goes out of favor, perhaps because of a recession and price constraints, you have are more likely to have alternatives that your competition may not. Likewise, when the building industry collapsed in the not-too-distant past, those companies that had pigeon-holed 90 percent of their business in that previously booming market suddenly were in trouble. And sadly, many aren’t around today.

Some common ideas, platitudes and business norms have the status as such for good reason, but there are always exceptions to the rules. As leaders in business, it is your job to contemplate the options and figure out for your own company what works in your particular case. And don’t be surprised if some generalities just don’t apply to your operations.

As always, I look forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,

Kevin Cole, Publisher & Editor [email protected].

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

In General, Avoid Generalities, Oversimplification and Platitudes



We have a new executive director with firsthand knowledge of the industry and understands the board of director’s desires to reconnect and show value. And I, for one, believe Mike Langenderfer will do amazing things for the organization in the coming year. We also brought on Carol Wilhite as an operations manager and recently added an office assistant as well.

We hosted a destination annual meeting in Austin, Texas, recently and had approximately 70 attendees. It was a great start to reconnecting the organization with its members and our members with each other. The conversations I participated in while there were priceless, to say the least. We are also working on big plans for the annual meeting next year.

From the outside change can be alarming, but from the inside ISFA is strategically aligning itself to better serve you. You will see the effects of our hard work as we progress into the next year, and as always, I encourage you to stay engaged or re-engage with this association; after all, we are here for you. Drop us a line and let us know what you need to improve, explain what your struggles are, or provide feedback on recent events.

The board of directors is excited to have been able to retain its talent for the coming year and

provide a little consistency, as the 2015 board will remain intact for the upcoming term, with the addition of one fabricator member, Kelly Montana of Humboldt Countertops, based in Eureka, Calif. I am a firm believer that you are only as strong as the team you have working with you, and I am confident this team will continue to push ISFA to greatness again.

I would like to thank all of our board members for their hard work and participation this year. Since my time on the board, we have had to evaluate, reevaluate and make some hard choices on how to keep us moving forward, and each board member played a supporting role in those conversations and decisions.

As I close out my term as president, I am continuously grateful for the experience and for the friends in the industry I have made and will continue to reach out to for advice. I know that I will look back on this as an experience undervalued by most, but rewarding in the grandest of ways — connections!!

I will be passing the leadership torch to Adam Albee of Lincoln Laminating, based in Lincoln, Neb. Adam has been in the countertop industry for more than 10 years and has served on the board of directors since 2013. During his tenure

on the board, he has shown great leadership skills and a passion for the industry that rivals some of our longest standing members. It is refreshing to continue to see my generation of industry professionals melding with the past generations and caring for it so deeply. Adam speaks to that more than most as he not only cares about the founding generation, but he wants to continue to grow the new generation and bridge the gap between the two. He has the drive and tenacity the industry was built upon so long ago. In the past year Adam and I have worked closely together to navigate through the needed changes and to try to instill in our growing staff the meaning and value of ISFA. Adam has been a great partner and I couldn’t have asked for a better vice president with which to serve. With all that I have seen in him to date, there is no doubt that he will step up and continue to make the organization better for our members during his term.

Thanks again for allowing me to serve you, and I hope to continue to see more of you at our events in the coming years.

Mell Hill, 2015 ISFA [email protected]

From the PresidentFrom the desk of Mell Hill, President of ISFA Board

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow …

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.

(412) 487-3207www.ISFAnow.org


WOW! I would like to, first, thank our members for allowing me to serve as your president for the past year. It is an experience that I not only enjoyed but learned from as well. Through the year I have talked about ISFA, participating in the organization and making changes. As I wrote each one of my letters for this magazine, I tried to step back and look at ISFA’s path. I would say this has not only been a year of change, but one of great changes.


Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) Jan. 19 – 21 Las Vegas, Nev. (877) 267-4662

NAHB Int’l Builders Show (IBS) Jan. 19 – 21 Las Vegas, Nev. (800) 967-8619

The Int’l Surface Event/StonExpo West Jan. 19 – 21 Las Vegas, Nev. (800) 967-8619

Vitoria Stone Fair 2016 Feb. 16 – 19 Espirito Santo, Brazil 55-27-343-40600

ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone March 1 – 4 Virginia Beach, Va. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

16th Xiamen Stone Fair March 6 – 9 Xiamen, China (86) 592-595-9616

ISFA Senior Management Conference March 10 – 11 Nashville, Tenn. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

Movelsul Furniture Show Brasil 2016 March 14 – 18 Bento Goncalves, Brazil (54) 2102-6800

ISFA Effective Commercial Business Seminar April 7 – 8 St. Louis, Mo. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

Coverings 2016 April 18 – 21 Chicago, Ill. (866) 285-3691 www.coverings.com

ISFA Transition: Generation 2 Workshop April 28 – 29 Toledo, Ohio (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone May 17 – 20 Virginia Beach, Va. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org

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

IWF 2016 Aug. 24 – 27 Atlanta, Ga. (404) 693-8333 www.iwfatlanta.com

2016 Surface & Panel Symposium Sept. 12 – 13 Denver, Colo. (920) 261-1945

ISFA Senior Management Conference Sept. 14 – 15 New York, N.Y. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.orgConcrete Décor Show Sept. 25 – 29 San Diego, Calif. (877) 935-8906ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone Sept. 27 – 30 Virginia Beach, Va. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org ISFA Effective Commercial Business Seminar Oct. 6 – 7 Southern California (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.orgGreenbuild 2016 Oct. 7 – 9 Los Angeles, Calif. (866) 815-9824ISFA 2016 Annual Meeting & Conference Nov. 8 - 11 Cancun, Mexico (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone Dec. 6 – 9 Virginia Beach, Va. (412) 487-3207 www.isfanow.org Submit your event for consideration in Calendar of Events by emailing Editor Kevin Cole at [email protected].

Calendar of Events



Circle RS#09 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.ISFA Member since 2015


FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR •

Education ConnectionThe importance of the family business to the U.S. economy continues to grow, and they are beginning to reverse the trend of mega-businesses wiping mom and pop stores off the map. Family businesses now account for about half of the U.S. GDP.

Family-owned or family-run companies are responsible for 60 percent of the jobs in America and nearly 80 percent of new jobs created. However, research indicates around only 52 percent of these family businesses expect the next generation can handle the businesses on their own.

Growth and Sustainability

Family businesses often have complex histories and cultures, and families in today's world are often less traditional. For these and other reasons, some issues may hinder the successful continuation of the business.

Five key issues include:

1. Generational transition: Only a third of all family businesses successfully make the transition to the second generation.

2. Alignment of family interests: Alignment of interests between current owners and others becomes more pronounced as members retire and turn over the reins to the new generation, while still looking to the company for retirement income.

3. Interfamily disputes: While the interest of family members may not be aligned, these situations can become even more difficult where there is, for example, a divorce of a family owner or a death and the surviving spouse is holding at least partial ownership, but is not involved in the business.

4. Balancing of financial returns: Creating buyout agreements is challenging. When the retiring generation looks to the value of their interest, they may tend to look to a balance sheet number. However, the true value of a business should be based on an earnings capitalization model.

5. Estate and Inheritance issues: These include state and federal estate and inheritance taxes and probate delays upon the death of a family owner.

What to Do? A Five-step Process

By following five main steps, the business can create a viable succession plan, provide for the financial independence of the retiring owner(s) and position it for continued success and growth:

Step 1: Establish Goals & Objectives

■ Review any current succession plan and reasonableness of achieving desired goals.

■ Develop a collective vision, goals and objectives for the business.

■ Determine the importance of continued family involvement in leadership and ownership of the company, but consider the option to bring in professional management.

■ Establish personal retirement goals and cash flow needs of retiring family owners.

■ Identify goals of next-generation management, both personal and business.

■ Identify and retain professional advisers.

Step 2: Establish a Decision-making Process

Identify and establish governance processes for involving family members in decision making.

■ Establish a method for dispute resolution.

■ Document the succession plan in writing.

■ Communicate the plan to family/stakeholders.

Step 3: Establish the Succession Plan

■ Identify successors — both managers of the company and owners of the business.

■ Identify active and nonactive roles for all family members.

■ Identify required additional support for the successor from family members.

Step 4: Create a Business/Owner Estate Plan

■ Address taxation implications to the owner/business upon sale, death or divorce.

■ Review owner estate planning to minimize taxes and avoid delays in business transfer to remaining owners or spouse.

■ Have an attorney draft a will and a revocable family trust agreement to assure the business goes where you want it without excesses taxes or inheritance complexities.

■ Create a buy/sell agreement that reflects the value of the business and minimizes taxes.

■ Consider some form of life insurance to provide funds to your spouse or the family business in the event of your death.

Step 5: Create a Transition Plan

■ Consider options: outright purchase, gift/bequest or a combination of these.

■ If the business is to be purchased, consider financing options including financing from an external party or self-financed from the retiring owners on a deferred payout basis.

■ Establish a timeline for plan implementation.

■ Consider a partial sale of the business to investors to fund your exit from the business.

■ Beware of unintentional “tax traps.” For in-stance, if the business buys your interest and you continue to serve in some capacity, you may inad-vertently turn capital gains into ordinary income.

Many family businesses do fail, primarily because of differing family interests and the ability of the next generation to grow the business. Taking these five steps now will save money and time and will help assure the continued success of your business.

About the AuthorMichael L. Evans is the national managing director for the Newport Board Group, a partnership of board directors and senior executive leaders with knowledge of business strategy, operations and capital markets. Evans previously was with Ernst & Young. During his 34 years with the firm, he served as a tax, audit and consulting services partner, specializing in real estate companies and private businesses, as well as its global director of real estate and construction. Evans is a frequent writer for Forbes.com and authored two books. He can be reached at (415) 990-1844 or [email protected].

5 STEPS for a Workable Family Business Succession PlanBy Michael Evans

Are you transitioning your business to the next generation or are you interested in doing so?

Check out ISFA’s Transition: Generation 2 program on April 28 to 29 in Toledo, Ohio, or in October in the St. Louis area.

Email [email protected] or call (419) 779-0164 for more information.



In the IndustryCosentino Group Buys Its Canadian Distributor The Cosentino Group recently acquired its Canadian distribution partner Maple Terrazzo Inc. for $11 million. The acquisition demonstrates its commitment to international expansion by strengthening both its presence and distribution network in priority markets, including Toronto. To date, Cosentino has opened four Cosentino Centers in Canada and invested more than $21 million. Since 2014, the company has opened Centers in Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal. These Centers include a functional warehouse, brand and product showroom supported by a sales team. Cosentino will increase its commitment to Canada with new investments and facilities, including a second Cosentino Center scheduled to open in Montreal in 2016.

Livingstone Opens Distribution Hub, Hires Commercial Sales RepresentativeU.S. Surface Warehouse opened a new distribution hub for Livingstone Solid Surface in Cerritos, Calif., that services from Fresno to San Diego, as well as Las Vegas and all of Arizona. In addition to stocking all 46 “SmartPalette” colors, this 30,000-sq.-ft. facility houses solid surface and stainless steel sinks and all matching Seam-It adhesives. The company also appointed Abigail Landman as it’s commercial sales representative for Southern California. In her role Landman will be responsible for all commercial sales activities and commercial specifications in the area, working with fabricators, millworks and design professionals, as well as other interested parties. She brings more than 10 years of experience in the surfacing industry.

GranQuartz Moves to New HeadquartersGranQuartz moved into a new 80,000-sq.-ft facility in Norcross, Ga., to better serve its customers. According to the company, the move was required because of rapid growth, and the new facility will allow it to optimize its operations.

ASID Receives Award in Spain from the Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) was recently honored at the prestigious Macael Awards, hosted by the Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía (AEMA), the leading natural stone association in the Almeria region of Spain. On behalf of ASID and

Gluewarehouse.com Achieves Greenguard Gold Certification Gluewarehouse.com, an online source for professional adhesives, earned its GREENGUARD Gold Certification and put out an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its countertop and surfacing adhesives. UL Environment’s EPD provides purchasers with comprehensive information on a product’s environmental impact including carbon footprint, impact on acidification, eutrophication, depletion of natural resources and energy consumption. To earn this EPD, the company underwent an extensive audit conducted by UL Environment, a respected name in environmental testing and certification. “We have seen a significant increase in projects that are specified to include the GREENGUARD certification, especially in commercial projects,” reported Chad Thomas of Gluewarehouse.com “Our formulation can be specified for use in facilities that demand the lowest level of VOCs such as schools and medical facilities.”

Lackmond Acquires Diamond Tooling Solutions, Hires New Sales RepLackmond Products, Inc., a supplier of diamond and carbide tools and equipment, and parent company of Lackmond Stone, has acquired Diamond Tooling Solutions (DTS), of Royalton, Minn. DTS product lines consist of Tyrolit CNC Tooling, Nemi Vacuum Pods, and many other tools and supplies for the stone/quartz fabricator. It also offers support and application solutions to automated fabrication shops, whether calibrating a CNC machine or setting up new tools.

Additionally, Lackmond hired Randy Brock, who

has an extensive knowledge in diamond tool manufacturing, as a sales representative, servicing customers and overseeing the company’s sales strategies in the Southeast. Before joining Lackmond Stone, Brock worked as a sales representative for Granite City Tool, and before that worked for GranQuartz for nearly 28 years.

New IGNITE Education Program Featured at TISE The International Surface Event (TISE) 2016 offers the new IGNITE Education Program taking place January 19 to 22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. This educational program offers participants strategies for increasing a company’s profitability and productivity. With more than 80 hours of standard industry education and 88 hours of on-floor education, training and demos, attendees will have the chance to learn from more than 100 speakers, panelists and industry pros. Held on the 19th through 21st, most seminars are 90 minutes.

2016 Presidential Candidate Forum to Be Held During Design & Construction Week Sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the National Journal in partnership with Vegas PBS will convene a 2016 presidential candidate forum during Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas in January. The week includes the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), TISE and the International Builders Show (IBS). The forum titled, “Building Opportunity: Solutions for the American Dream,” will give the candidates the opportunity to address issues affecting the country in front of the largest annual

its more than 26,000 members, ASID CEO Randy Fiser and ASID National Chair, Board of Directors, Sandy Gordon, accepted the Institution Award, which recognizes professional organizations that play an integral role in strengthening the presence of Spain’s stone industry across the globe. “ASID is grateful to Cosentino Group for nominating our society for this esteemed award, and to AEMA for celebrating its international partnership with an organization that represents all aspects of the interior design profession,” said Fiser.



In the Industrygathering of housing industry professionals. The candidates are invited to discuss their vision for taking on America’s domestic, economic and foreign policy issues. The event will be held at the Westgate Hotel, Paradise Event Center, on Jan. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

GlueBoss Names Tenax as Exclusive Distributor of Its StoneBond Acrylic Adhesives GlueBoss Adhesive Company partnered with Tenax USA, who is now the exclusive North American distributor for GlueBoss’ newest adhesive line, StoneBond. StoneBond, made for stone and quartz offers strength and flexibility, reports the company. Tenax USA will market and distribute the adhesive out of its corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., with future distribution points throughout the United States by the end of Q1 2016. StoneBond is a 10:1 nonsag dripless adhesive. A unique feature of the glue is the colored activator side allowing a

fabricator to identify immediately whether the glue is activated or not. It has exceptional bonding abilities to even moist stone, reports the company, and is available in 250ml and 500ml cartridges.

M S International Expands New York/New Jersey Distribution Center, Opens New Facility in Detroit

M S International Inc. completed the expansion of its distribution center in Edison, N.J. The expansion includes a new 350,000-sq.-ft. distribution center offering an extensive selection of MSI’s stone, quartz and porcelain. It also includes showrooms for each of the major product categories. For countertops, the Slab

Selection Showroom features a new Natural Stone Slab Selection Center where customers can view more than 350 colors of natural stone. The Q™ Premium Natural Quartz Gallery and Selection Center displays the entire quartz collection of more than 40 colors. With the expansion into the new distribution center, MSI now occupies three major buildings in Edison, N.J., totaling more than 600,000 sq. ft. Addtionally, the company opened its 19th distribution center just outside of Detroit, in Wixom, Mich. The new facility features a 65,000-sq.-ft. distribution center showcasing a full offering of MSI’s product lines.

Hanwha Surfaces Expands Stalwart Systems Partnership, Opens New Facility in PhiladelphiaHanwha Surfaces expanded its relationship with Stalwart Systems. One of the largest distributors of HanStone Quartz nationally, Stalwart Systems’ new warehouse will now be the exclusive


International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 8 / Issue 4 • 19

distributor of HanStone Quartz in Nashville and Memphis, Tenn., as well as parts of Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. Hanwha has been working closely with Stalwart Systems since 2005.

Additionally, Hanwha opened a direct distribution center near Philadelphia in North Wales, Pa. The 40,000-sq.-ft. facility features a showroom, office space, a training room and a full-service warehouse. It also has a full line of quartz slabs so customers can see their quality and design firsthand. Its 1,500-sq.-ft. showroom serves as the centerpiece for HanStone Quartz and Hanex Solid Surfaces’ latest products and includes five kitchen vignettes featuring the latest countertop design trends. The company is also opening a similar direct distribution center in Atlanta.

All Tile Expands to Indiana, Ohio and KentuckyChicago-based All Tile, Inc. was appointed the exclusive distributor of Samsung Staron® Solid Surfaces and Radianz® Quartz Surfaces for the states of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. With

its existing territory of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, All Tile now has coverage of much of the North Central Region. The firm has 25 Midwestern facilities with 270 employees.

VT Industries Acquires Capitoline ProductsVT Industries, Inc. acquired Capitoline Products, Inc. Both family-owned companies have facilities in Rome, Ga. Capitoline Products is a regional laminate countertop and decorative panel manu-facturer. Capitoline services Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and North and South Carolina.

Concrete Decor Show Calls for Trainers/SpeakersThe 2016 Concrete Decor is seeking proposals for educational seminars, hands-on workshop or panel discussion for next year’s show, to be held Sept. 25 to 29 in San Diego. The education program focuses on topics related to current and emerging issues in concrete design, application, repair, maintenance and business management.

Neolith Launches New Website with Enhanced Features Visualization ToolNeolith sintered compact surfaces manufactured by TheSize has launched a redesigned website at www.neolith.com to meet the architectural and design needs of its customers. The site is now organized by collections, applications and projects, allowing industry professionals and homeowners to benefit from richer online content, navigate effortlessly and visualize the product with ease. The site better shows the product’s aesthetics, with improved imagery throughout, installation and fabrication videos, and a new visualizer tool that allows visitors to see a simulated version of the Neolith collection, color and finish in the application of their choice.

Winners Announced in BLANCO Design ContestBLANCO announced the three winners of the #BLANCODreamKitchen Design Contest. After sifting through dozens of stunning designs, BLANCO along with a panel of design



In the Industryprofessionals chose one first place winner, Florida designer Marilyn Russell to win the $1,000 grand prize along with two runners-up, Milwaukee designer Lila Guizado and Philadelphia designer Mick Ricereto. The contest encouraged designers

to submit an original hand or digital drawing of their dream kitchen featuring the BLANCO PRECIS™ and BLANCO CULINA MINI™.

Formica Corporation Names Mike Berg as North American Vice President of SalesFormica Corporation hired Mike Berg as vice president of sales. In this role, Berg will oversee North American sales operations, and lead strategic selling initiatives and key customer relationships. Berg’s expertise includes 26 years of experience in sales and sales leadership roles at a variety of very large, prominent companies.

ETemplate Systems Exhibiting at TISE and Offering Free Show Registration CodeETemplate Systems will be exhibiting at The International Surface Event (TISE) taking place January 20 through 22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The company will be demonstrating its ELaser Pro™ and ELaser Xpress™ featuring the power of its custom designed Measure Manager™ Software for countertop templating. And ETemplate is offering a code potential attendees can use, for a limited time, to register for the show online free of charge. Those interested must visit https://www.tisewest.com/Attendee/RegForm?PromoCode=XB143.

Marble Institute and Building Stone Institute Consider Consolidation After a year of discussion, the boards of the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Building Stone Institute (BSI) voted to ask their respective members to consolidate their operations for two years. A vote by each organization’s members is expected to happen before the end of the year. The recommendation for this two-year consolidation came from a task force made up of both organizations that discussed their similarities and duplication of efforts. If agreed upon, after two years both memberships would decide to fully integrate or separate. The combined group would be called: “MIA + BSI - the natural stone institute.”

Coverings 2016 Trade Show Offers Free AdmissionTaking place April 18 to 21 in Chicago at McCormick Place, Coverings tile and stone show offers free registration to all distributors, retailers, specifiers, builders, remodelers, fabricators, contractors and installers at www.coverings.com. Coverings offers dozens of free education sessions led by experienced and knowledgeable professionals, and provides numerous opportunities to network with peers and visit more than 1,100 exhibitors from 40 countries.


International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 8 / Issue 4 • 21 Circle RS#15 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.


BLANCO Creates PRECIS Sink with Drainer and Integral DrainboardBLANCO introduced the BLANCO PRECIS Medium Single with Drainer featuring an integral drainboard for drying dishes or food prep. The new sink offers an angular design, durable SILGRANIT II surface and a unique wave-shaped integrated stainless grid that effectively doubles the drying area when the grid sits on the sink’s functional ledge. This reversible, dual-mount sink can be undermounted or installed as a top-mount, and its custom accessories, including drainer grid, colanders and cutting board, create a workstation right on top of the sink. Its compact size is also great for kitchens that are limited on space. The sinks are available in White, Biscuit, Biscotti, Café Brown, Truffle, Metallic Grey, Cinder and Anthracite. Custom-designed accessories, such as a stainless steel mesh colander, are included. An optional beechwood cutting board fits on top of the sink. As an undermount, it fits 36-in. cabinets and as a drop-in it fits in a 27-in.

cabinet. The sinks dimensions are 30¾ in. by 9¾ in. by 7½ in., are 80 percent solid granite and heat-resistant up to 536 F. They are also resistant to scratches, stains, acids and alkali solutions. Circle RS#38 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ChemcoreUrban Apron is the newest sink product Chemcore Industries has developed. It is a unique apron farmhouse-style sink that features an open area between the sink bowl and the front apron, which allows the sink to drop over the cabinet edge. This means it can be mounted in most standard kitchen cabinets, without cutting. The front apron is 6½ in. in depth, allowing standard cabinet doors to be opened without interfering with the normally lower apron. The sink is 9 in. in depth, and comes in 30- and 33-in. widths. They are available in both a large single bowl as well as a low-divide 50/50 style. Bowls on all four models feature the new “radial” 15 degree inside rounded corner design, which can make cleaning easier. They also feature extra heavy sound deadening coating, and triple thickness sound deadening pads.Circle RS#39 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

See our ad on Page 20

Franke Granite Sinks Launching in January, Franke will have nine new models of granite sinks in six finishes: Onyx, Mocha, Storm, Oyster, Champagne and Vanilla. The sinks feature antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of bacteria that may affect the sink surface. They also have a durable surface that is heat-resistant. The Franke Granite Orca Single Bowl sink comes with Franke’s integrated ledge system.Circle RS#40 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

GemstoneFive new lavatory models of sinks were introduced by Gemstone. These sinks are

Sink Spotlight A look at the latest and greatest in sinks, bowls and basins

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designed to have a cleaner look, more sizes to choose from, offset drains and universal designs. They include the new universally designed 1711-UVO (with or without an integrated overflow) made for 18-in. cabinets; 1416-V and 1518-V for hand-washing stations that can be installed with a flush backsplash; 1513-VO ramp sink with rear overflow; and 1814-EVO shallow rectangle sink with side overflow that complies with Europe’s ADA requirements. With more ramped sinks for healthcare, they can be integrated with the backsplash in fabrication for a design that reduces areas that might harbor bacteria.Circle RS#41 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Grifform Custom shapes, sizes and configurations of solid surface sinks are always available from Grifform, which allows you to offer special new models to your customers with minimum effort and cost to you. In some instances new prototypes have been delivered in as short as two weeks. The company already has many design applications such as Pedestal, Trench, Baby Bath, Oval and Round Lavatory sinks. Its round corner model kitchen sinks are made to the customers’ required shapes and sizes in any color, depth and configuration in over- or under-mount applications. The company now also offers Mini Model Lavatories for the transportation and recreational vehicles industry. Healthcare has long incorporated Grifform baby baths, operating and emergency room scrub sinks and a large offering of ADA sinks and shower pans.Circle RS#42 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Houzer Inc. Undermount Porcelain enamel steel sinks from Houzer are one of the company’s latest offerings. The Porcela Series feature porcelain enamel steel sinks with an innovative twist of material. These porcelain enamel steel sinks offer the high end look of cast iron but are 65 percent lighter, providing a twist on traditional style with easy undermount installation. Double

baked at 1,500 F, porcelain surfaces are non-chipping and resistant to scratches or stains. They are available in eight distinctive colors: White, Biscuit, Lemon, Mint, Slate, Espresso, Navy Blue and Black.Circle RS#43 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.See our ad on Page 17

ILBAGNOALESSI The visual anchor and keynote design element of ILBAGNOALESSI One is the floor-standing wash basin, affectionately called Tam-Tam, for its likeness to a drum. Cast in one piece, it encapsulates the technical inner workings in a column. This ceramic sink with organic looks has won also a Design Plus award. Circle RS#44 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

KarranKarran’s Edge Series stainless steel sinks have a unique resin rim that features a sharp 90-degree edge where it transitions from the flat rim to the vertical bowl wall. Not only does this make it perfect for seamlessly integrating into

laminate and solid surface, but it also allows for a flush installation in granite and quartz countertop materials.Circle RS#45 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.See our ad on Page 29

KOHLER® Neoroc™

The KOHLER Company’s durable Neoroc composite material for sinks offers a matte finish that’s designed to complement countertops. And because Neoroc sinks are solid as a rock, they will stand up to years of kitchen tasks, reports the company. With impact, stain, and heat resistance, the sinks have a lifetime limited warranty. The Cairn Collection, crafted from Neoroc, has gentle curves that flow into the sinks by clean, simple design lines. They are available in three configurations (large single-basin, double-equal two-basin and offset two-basin) and in two colors (matte black and matte brown). Circle RS#39 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

KRION Made of KRION solid surface Snow White color, the wash basins in the Unique Series offer broad design potential because of the different positions in which they can be fitted and their combinability. These stylish oval wash basins come in three different versions: a recessed, semi-recessed and countertop model.Circle RS#46 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.See our ad on Page 35

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 8 / Issue 4 • 25 Circle RS#16 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 2014


LapicidaLapicida offers a collection of basins in classical and contemporary shapes. Each piece is a sculpture in its own right, carved from a single block of stone or marble and hand finished. Lapicida also makes bespoke basins available in various materials, including semiprecious stones. The sink collection includes options like the Oval in Blue Batieg limestone, the Oval in Mocca Fino limestone, the Cubist in Blue Batieg limestone, the Makrana in Indian white marble and the Ellipse in Arabascato marble. Circle RS#47 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

LG HAUSYS Releases Three New HI-MACS Solid SurfaceLG HI-MACS extended its offering by adding three solid surface basins to its standard bathroom collection. The slender top-mounted basins — squared, rectangular and circular shaped — are specially designed to sit on top of vanity units or customized top surfaces. Mix and match is a reality, especially for renovation projects where there is a desire to combine styles and materials for an eclectic space design. The solid surface characteristic and sleek design of these basins marry perfectly with other materials and surfaces: from concrete to wood, vintage tiles or any other surface. Acrylic basins are nonporous, stain-resistant and resistant to scratches and wear. The collection is available in the shades Alpine White and Nougat Cream.Circle RS#48 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

MR DirectMR Direct offers a new series of lower-priced stainless steel sinks with top-mounting or under-mounting options. They are made

in North America and are available in 18 to 24 gauges, with less expensive 6-in. depths also available as an option. According to the company, the stainless steel sinks are fully insulated, which helps prevent dripping and condensation buildup under the sink. In addition, a coat of barrier formula is sprayed on the bottom for extra protection. Sound dampening pads are also added to the sinks to minimize the "tin" sound when water is running.Circle RS#49 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Native TrailsNative Trails has concrete sinks made of a unique cement and jute fiber mixture called NativeStone™. The NativeStone line includes kitchen, bar/prep and lavatory sinks. According to the company, the sinks are made impervious to staining by use of a nano sealer. Jute fiber, a renewable vegetable fiber, is integrated throughout the concrete, resulting in a material that is resistant to cracking. The sinks are reportedly 40 percent lighter than those made with more traditional cement mixtures, improving the ease of installation and expense to ship. Circle RS#50 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Silestone Silestone expanded its collection of integrated natural quartz basins with the introduction of the Integrity DUE XL, the largest Silestone sink ever developed, touting oversized dimensions for even greater ease of use. Created from a single piece of Silestone quartz surfacing, the sink

creates a unity between it and the countertop with clean lines and seamless integration. Its seamless properties contribute to its durability by reducing weak areas and joints. The basin size, measuring 26 by 17 by 8 in., was introduced to meet demand for a deeper, wider Silestone sink basin. They are available in a selection of Silestone’s most popular colors (White Zeus Extreme, Lyra and Lagoon) and feature lack of porosity, and have scratch-, stain- and heat-resistant qualities for which quartz surfacing products are known.Circle RS#51 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.See our ad on Page 7

SolidSurface.comSolidSurface.com added more than 700 sinks and sink accessories in 2015, including major brands such as Blanco, Elkay and Karran, with more to come. The addition of these sinks is part of SolidSurface.com’s continued goal of becoming the industry’s centralized online order desk for surfacing material and related supplies. In addition to sinks, the company primarily offers a variety of brands and lines of solid surface sheet products, overstock and discontinued sheet goods and remnant material from leading brands such as Corian, HI-MACS, Formica, Wilsonart, Avonite, Livingstone, Mystera, Hanex, Staron, Meganite, and more. SolidSurface.com is also home to ProFinder, a free searchable directory of countertop professionals for specifiers and homeowners.Circle RS#52 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.



NeolithMade of the same material as the Neolith kitchen countertop, the Neolith sink perfectly integrates for a functional kitchen concept. Neolith is a brand of all-natural sintered compact surfaces with near-zero porosity, making it hygienic, stain-resistant, easy to clean and impervious to chemicals. The product is also wear-, scratch- and heat-resistant, and its all-natural colors are fade-protected. Neolith sinks maintain the elegance and durability inherent to the material. Available in four formats and two finishes, satin and silk, as well as several different colors, the possibilities with Neolith sinks are endless. The Kitchen Lounge Line provides a more uniform and minimalist appearance to kitchens with sinks made of the same material as is used for the kitchen countertops.Circle RS#53 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Thompson TradersThompson Traders’ founder and creative director, Alejandra Thompson, created Milagro, a bath basin with a heart-shaped embossing whose name means "miracle" in honor of the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud — the Church of Our Lady of Health — based on her personal connection to the church where miracles are said to occur. The solid copper bowls are hand-hammered by craftsmen in Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico, where generations of coppersmiths have used time-honored, metal-crafting techniques. No two pieces produced at its factory there are exactly alike.Circle RS#54 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

TopZero Seamless Edge SinksAll TopZero stainless steel sinks are manufactured with premium 304 series stainless steel that is nonporous, hygienic, rust free and durable. The company also offers wide range of custom fit cutting boards, colanders and stainless steel grids or rinsing baskets to protect the sink bottoms. The seamless-look TopZero sinks can be successfully installed in virtually any surface such as solid surface, granite, marble, engineered quartz, wood butcher block as well as porcelain slab or honeycomb/veneered natural stones.Circle RS#55 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

TOTOTOTO's new Atherton undercounter lavatories offer an appealing and versatile design option suitable for any bathroom environment. With clean lines, simple geometric shapes and precise symmetry, these new undermount lavatories offer the sleek look of a seamless transition from basin to countertop. They are available in three designs — two oval models that measure 17 by 14 in. and 19 by 15 in., and a rectangular model that measures 17 by 13 in. Their easy-to-clean basins have vertical sides and a flat bottom. These universal design undercounter lavatories are ADA compliant.Circle RS#56 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

U.S. Surface WarehouseU.S. Surface Warehouse, suppliers of Livingstone solid surface, offers Hahn kitchen and bathroom sinks that provide distinctive style, craftsmanship and uncompromising

performance designed to delight and inspire. Every Hahn sink is produced using fine materials with meticulous attention to detail — including more features and components. Stainless steel sinks are among the choices for today’s kitchens, and their neutral color and sleek finish complement a wide range of styles. U.S. Surface Warehouse offers Hahn Classic Chef Series, Farmhouse Series, Small Radius Series and Embossed Series. It also offers the company’s Copper, FireClay and Granite Series.Circle RS#57 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Villeroy & Boch Villeroy & Boch has a new Octagon wash basin, a luxury bathroom innovation. The octagon has long been a symbol of perfection and is a unique design for the bathroom sink segment, requiring precision manufacturing. The interior of the wash basin features precise, beveled lines, reminiscent of a jewel. Made of the company’s TitanCeram, a pioneering blend of clay, quartz, feldspar and titanium oxide, this material allows for precise design, enabling the creation of thin walls and clearly defined edges. The material also is shock- and scratch-proof, resistant to extreme temperatures, and is particularly easy to clean. The basin’s pedestal can be finished with several premium options, including leather, real wood veneer or stone veneer.Circle RS#58 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Woodstock SupplyWood Stock Supply carries many sink models to choose from with a fast turnaround time. A new prominent line is Gemstone’s universal design sinks that allow fabricators more flexibility when installing sinks in healthcare and ADA applications. Gemstone has worked



with architects and designers to improve the ease of fabrication and installation. These new sinks allow for installation closer to the front, allowing for easier wheelchair access. When bacteria is a concern, the company has integral overflow designs with smooth poly tubes for maximum protection. The sinks are 100 percent acrylic solid surface that is nonporous, so they are naturally resistant to mold and stains. Woodstock also stocks SeamPro bonder, Silco silicone sealants and Mystera solid surface to go with specified sinks.Circle RS#59 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

For more information about these products, fax the reader service form on page 57 to (412) 487-3269 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

30 • Vol. 8 / Issue 4 • International Surface Fabricators Association PHOTO TAKEN BY CHUCK CHOI ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY


The design for the monumental stairs was inspired by the red spiraling spool of thread depicted in the Ariad Pharmaceuticals logo. However, the design was highly complex with two surface planes meeting along a rising curve (see Figure 1). The difficulty of fabricating the project was nearly as massive as the project itself, so much so that most fabricators wouldn’t even attempt it. However, Payette already knew a company that would be likely to take on the challenge.

The Architectural Firm

Payette was no stranger to complex projects. Although it is based in Boston, it has completed advanced architectural projects around the world.

The firm was originally most well known for the many hospital and healthcare facilities it designed centered on enhancing patient experiences. It created architecture with an intimate connection to the landscape coupled with an abundant use of color and natural light to help orient patients and visitors. Through the promotion of the same humanistic values and fundamental design approach, over time the firm broadened its focus to include high-technology buildings, bringing deep technical expertise, commitment to rigorous research and dedication to beauty to a new class of projects. Today, the practice has advanced as an international architectural thought leader, providing planning and design services to leading institutions across the country and abroad.

And it is that reputation that led to Payette being selected to work on this project. Similarly, the high regard that fabrication company ASST, based in south central Pennsylvania, was held in based on the positive outcome of the previous work it had performed with Payette, was the motivating factor to bringing the fabricator onboard for this difficult project. ASST had previously worked with Payette on the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and so the architect was familiar with the well-developed thermoforming capabilities ASST possessed. While other fabricators were invited to bid on the project, ultimately it didn’t necessarily come down to price, but rather ASST was selected because of its thermoforming experience and clean safety record combined with its ability to provide an adequate bonding on a large complicated project such as this to reduce owner and general contractor risk.

The Fabricator

So who was this fabricator daring enough to take on such a difficult project? If you ask anyone familiar with ASST, they likely won’t be surprised that the company stepped up to the plate. ASST is an award-winning specialty surfaces fabricator and manufacturer. As an industry leader, it specializes in complex fabrications and complete Division 6 millwork and casework solutions for the healthcare industry.

However, its work spans a variety of markets beyond healthcare, such as the education, retail and corporate/public space arenas. Known for its innovative (and patented)

A Project with a

SFabricator conquers complex commercial construction of KRION® solid surface stairway

By Andrew Dreves, ASID

Spiral staircases are certainly nothing new but fabricating an enormous one in solid surface with compound angles,

well that is new. And that’s exactly the project that renowned architectural firm Payette had in mind for an atrium in the

building that would connect both 75 and 125 Binney Street, in the heart of Boston, that when completed would be the

home of Ariad Pharmaceuticals.

Figure 1 – Krion in the colors Red Fire and Snow White were used on the stair with the Snow White cladding on the underbelly and interior areas of the stair. An expansion joint located at the facet between the upper and lower panels provided room for adjustment prior to the final Krion panel glue-up.


thermoforming technologies and product designs, ASST takes on project challenges others avoid. It brings to the table a passion for excellence — to go beyond and to build what some initially thought was impossible. Since its founding in 1998, ASST has developed an impressive portfolio of successfully completed projects with high-profile contractors, architects, interior designers and end users.

The company’s headquarters encompass 52,000 sq. ft. and includes both offices and fabrication facilities, including a very large thermoforming workshop. Among the equipment at the disposal of the 31 employees of the company are three thermoforming ovens and two vacuum tables, as well as a 60-ton proprietary press and a vacuum press related to patented ASST technologies. It also has

three CNC machines: one 5-axis KOMO CNC

machine, one 3-axis KOMO CNC machine and

one 3-axis Heian CNC machine. For cutting

parts the company also has a Schelling panel

saw. The shop is set up into typical “line work”

areas for more common flat fabrication work,

but also has various open workshop areas for

custom projects.

Figure 2 – After the stair design was finalized, a working mockup was created of one landing to verify the geometry and for architect final approval.

Figure 3 – ASST utilized the final 3-D models as the basis for machining the MDF thermoforming molds with its KOMO 5-axis CNC machine. A total of 12 MDF molds were used to create the curved thermoformed Krion panels for final attachment.

Figure 4 – The interlocking plywood support rib assemblies were attached to the curved steel upright supports.




It seems ASST was custom-made for this highly custom project. But once they had been selected for the work, the venture had to be realized.

The Process

The architectural team underwent many design variations, but the main design intent was for the stair to appear to be fabricated from continuous solid surface.

The Porcelanosa Group’s Krion solid surface material, a relative newcomer to the U.S. solid surface market, was chosen by the architects because of its excellent thermoforming capabilities. According to the manufacturer, Krion is a “new generation of solid surface” and has a unique proprietary blend of approximately 75 percent ATH to 25 percent resin. This makes the material easier to thermoform, according to the company, and also best ensures color consistency throughout each sheet. Of course, each manufacturer touts a variety of

Figure 5 – The Krion panels were hung with z-clips to the plywood substructure.



properties that make it stand out from the rest, but as we all know, beauty (or in this case thermoformability) is in the eye of the beholder.

One of the main complexities of the project, beyond its size, was a result of the stairs having two curved and rising surface planes with cut angles that, by nature, constantly changed as the material pieces were routed to the correct dimensions. So, before any actual fabrication work could be done, modeling was required. Once an initial design was put together, a mockup of one landing was built in the ASST shop to verify the geometry (see Figure 2). Once it was created, the design could then be tweaked according to the architects input, with regard to the lighting and tread termination locations, etc.

To improve the flow of information between the fabricators and architect, a co-location work arrangement was established on-site in Boston to speed up the final design process and to improve communication among team members. With everyone working in one location for two weeks, design revisions were realized faster and coordinated across

disciplines (see Figure 3). The group utilized 3-D modeling extensively when it came to determining the aspects of the steel substructure, built by DeAngelis Iron Work, for the plywood support ribs (see Figure 4). When all was said and done, 80 hours of design work were required.

Then came the 2,000 hours of fabrication, which included 196 hours of CNC programming and run-time on the 5-axis KOMO machine. And once all of the parts were fabricated, glued up and sanded, the panels were numbered, labeled and prepared for shipping to the site in Boston for assembly. Unfortunately, though, this wasn’t the end of the challenges involved in the project. As is the case with Northeastern winters, Boston was hit by weekly blizzards during installation. The extreme cold temperatures delayed the schedule by four weeks, and Boston officials even declared a state of emergency at one point with mandatory traffic shutdowns preventing deliveries to the site.

In spite of the challenges and compressed schedule, in the end 215 sheets of ½-in.-thick

Krion solid surface in “Fire Red” and “Snow White” were installed using z-clips and the project was completed (see Figure 5). The final result is nothing short of an amazing accomplishment for all involved, and is another spectacular project for Payette and ASST to proudly hang their hats on.

The author would like to offer special thanks to Payette’s Gordon Grisinger and Hillary Barlow for their design vision, steel fabricator DeAngelis Iron Work and ASST’s team (in no particular order): Nick Buckley, Josh Cowden, Brian Magness, Bob Hannigan, Mike Henry, Jared Shearer, John Sulc and the entire ASST production team.

About the Author

Andrew Dreves, ASID, is the director of marketing and Products Workshop for ASST, 350 South St., McSherrystown, PA 17344; www.asst.com. He is responsible for strategic business development, marketing, branding and product design initiatives for the company and can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (717) 630-1251 ext. 305.


Financial models were developed to serve as objective ways to evaluate pricing, risk, returns and more. Understanding these written models, however, can equate to deciphering hieroglyphics. Although intimidating, there is a way to grasp their essence without needing advanced mathematics to help make businesses more successful, systematic and profitable.

My goal is to translate some key economic/investment models into more understandable terms to help you make the best financial/investment decisions. I’m convinced the mind-set and ability to think critically are among a leader’s most valuable gifts. By conceptualizing the underlying fundamentals of financial theory, we can avoid gut-wrenching math and overly mechanical procedures, which are arguably ineffective in small businesses.

Five concepts I’ve demystified here should help you think more critically when faced with having to expand, borrow, invest, divest, hire, leverage, price, etc. Obviously there are many more concepts, but I’ve selected those most applicable to the surfacing audience. Here I can only summarize the essence of the model to strengthen the strategic resolve in making some of the most important decisions.

■ Capital Investment Analysis: Pay Back Period (PBP), Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

■ Opportunity Cost

■ Full Absorption Costing versus Contribution Margin

■ Financial and Operational Leverage

■ Sensitivity or Swing Analysis

Capital Budgeting and Project Assessment

Capital Investment decisions typically involve the purchase of land, machinery, buildings, trucks, etc., and are among a company’s most important strategic decisions. They are harrowing because they require large sums of money upfront with the benefit coming years into the future. So how do we keep it simple, nonmathematical and hedge as much as we can against walking into the land of no-return?

First, understand this: To commit large sums of money, time and other resources on a hunch or “strong belief,” without analysis that weighs incremental costs and benefits, estimates cash flows, time value, cost of capital, etc., is tantamount to gambling! Small business owners may be adept at finding ad hoc solutions and be blessed with gut instincts that guide them in uncertain waters, but, all too often, poorly evaluated capital investment decisions lead to the downfall of a business.

That said, an appetite for growth will invariably make potential large-scale investments necessary. Financing of the project is one set of decisions required; i.e., do I borrow money or use retained earnings (cash in bank)? Every time you invest money, there is a cost of capital — always! — even if you use your own cash. Why? Using your cash carries an “opportunity cost of capital” — that is, the lost return you could have used for a more pressing need, e.g., invested it in marketable securities, hired another salesperson, etc.

The decision to use cash versus borrowed funds can also be a function of your aversion to risk — solvency risk, specifically. This is very

personal in small business and not as clear-cut as the investment optimization protocol used by larger companies.

So how can we feel more secure about making large investments or selecting among various alternatives? As in any analysis, the quality of your inputs (assumptions, returns, incremental costs, timing, etc.) is directly linked to the quality of your output, (the answer telling you if and to what extent the investment creates positive value).

The three most commonly used project assessment tools are Pay Back Period (PBP), Net Present Value (NPV), which is also called the Discounted Cash Flow model, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). There are formulas for each and yet, ironically, that’s the easy part! Let’s identify the key drivers of each so we can utilize their essence.

Pay Back Period

PBP is just that; it’s the time it takes for the benefit to equal the investment — presumably the point you start getting a positive ROI. PBP is expressed in “time,” which is useful when the PBP is defined and compared to projected significant changes in the economic and political environment, family life, key personnel tenure, etc. Typically, PBP is the least scientific and effective as a stand-alone measure; however, its value emerges when computed in tandem with its more sophisticated partners of NPV and IRR.

Net Present Value

NPV, , is a

formula (and theory) that evaluates the differences of the sums of the discounted cash inflows and outflows of a project. Simply put, if the calculation yields a positive integer, then the project returns more than it costs.

Investment & Financial Modeling — A Leadership Mind-set … By P. Max Le Pera

“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” — Collin Powell



What is important to grasp from this financial model is this: Time is money. So, a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow. A dollar today is certain and a dollar in the future carries uncertainty risk and therefore is slightly less valuable from an “expected value” standpoint. Additionally, a dollar in the future may need to be allocated to the cost of capital to secure that future dollar.

The cost of capital is a significant cost. The higher the cost, the more it reduces the extent to which your NPV could be positive. Also, incremental expenses incurred as a result of the investment — key factors that play a huge role in the quality of your ROI assessment — are often underestimated. You have relative control over these two areas. Remember, the more complete and accurate your input, the more dependable your assessment.

One thing that can help you is to get on a first name basis with your local bank general manager or president. Consider taking a small bridge loan once or twice and pay it back on time flawlessly so you establish a “credit rapport.” If ever you need a favor, this history will be vital to your banker’s extending himself/herself for you.

Essentially, this model requires one to identify, estimate and quantify the projected benefits from the investment — along with the time frame of these benefits (increased sales, liberated cash, etc.). Then, these benefits are weighed against the outflows (costs) as a direct result of making that investment (headcount, additional truck, increase in utilities, etc.); the cost of capital (financial leverage); and the timing of these outflows. The result is a time-adjusted net value of the investment. When positive, it adds value to the business.

NPV’s one main drawback is it doesn’t consider the ROI percentage. Positive returns on investments are wonderful, but you must also consider those with the highest percentage return to optimize your investment portfolio.

Internal Rate of Return

IRR, aka Intrinsic Rate of Return, is effectively your break-even rate or the rate of return achieved when you set your NPV to zero. The math here is the proof to assure that an investment should be selected only where the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is lower than the IRR. Nonmath applied theory can help you this way: if the NPV yields a dollar

amount, IRR yields a percentage. Positive net income is wonderful, but it’s the percentage that is the relative indicator of how your money is working for you.

The more complete and accurate the input, the better the assessment. Carefully think through all the incremental expenses you will incur, including labor, machinery, overhead, utilities, etc. Sales may increase by entering a new product line or region, but yield percentage makes it worth your time, money and heartache to invest in. In rationing resources, drilling down into these fine details is indispensable to success.

Touching on opportunity cost again, it’s important to remember there is a cost to every decision, including the decision to do nothing. By doing nothing, you have foregone the opportunity to do something; therefore, that gain has been lost. Opportunity cost plays a role in capital rationing when resources are finite and you really need to make the wisest decisions.

Opportunity cost can be expressed financially, or in terms of leisure or family time lost. Here are three very real examples to put into perspective:

■ The opportunity cost of a stone fabricator shying away from quartz fabrication can be extremely high.

■ The opportunity cost of keeping too much cash in the bank is the yield lost on discounts taken on accounts payable or very safe and liquid investments

■ The opportunity cost of collecting your accounts receivable in 45+ days versus 30 days may be the discount you could have asked your suppliers for in expediting payments to them had you enough cash on hand.

Full Absorption Versus Contribution Margin Theory

These theories relate to price/costing methodologies. I believe pricing decisions may be the hardest business decisions. Do you price what the market can bear and your actual costs to fabricate a top? Theoretically, everything you sell should have a component of overhead allocated to it, but what’s fair and reasonable?

Essentially, most fabricators are not piece-mealing work or making only one ultra-custom item. When production is very limited and specialized, you can effectively argue for full-absorption costing — that is, every bit of

fixed and variable cost in your business gets allocated as product cost and sets the cost basis for your pricing. Ideally, the more custom and unique a product is, the more cost-absorbed your item can be.

A contribution margin approach to pricing appears to be much more applicable to fabricators’ work. This methodology states as long as your price covers your variable costs then anything you charge over and above goes toward your fixed expenses.

The degree to which you are financially and operationally leveraged, i.e., the degree to which you utilize fixed expenses as your slingshot to profit, is also a necessary element in pricing design. However, that is a subject for a future article.

Sensitivity or “Swing Analysis”

Sometimes the desire to have one tell-all answer can be misleading. For example, what happens to ROI calculations when assumptions are over or underestimated? In these cases, your best hedge is to perform a swing analysis, which is a measure of elasticity in your ROI.

Critical input variables such as increased sales or volume throughput should be evaluated over a range of estimates to determine the marginal effect on ROI. You can also hold constant your sales and volume estimates, but toggle some costs to see how sensitive your ROI responds to assumption changes.

If your ROI remains relatively stable given reasonable changes in your inputs, then you gain a higher degree of resolve about your decision.

Financial modeling is essential to investment decisions. The model drivers center around costs and benefits weighed against time and cost of capital. Understanding the value of opportunities discarded (opportunity cost) and the sensitivity of project assessments to changes in input variables will facilitate more critically and analytically based investment decisions, ultimately optimizing companies’ values and strategic positions.

About the author

P. Max Le Pera is principal partner of Global Surfacing Alliance, LLC with 20 years’ experience in business and marketing strategy for the building materials industry. He can be reached at (908) 358-5252 or by email at [email protected].



A Tale of

How Different Plants across the Globe

Worked Together to Meet DemandTwo Factories

By Leonard Elbon

One of the factories I consult for in China has been an OEM supplier of solid surface material to Formica since 2005. Because the Chinese Revolution ended a mere 65 years ago, I will call them “Factory 1.”

For the back story, after Formica closed down its solid surface manufacturing operations in the United States, Factory 1 was its sole supplier of solid surface. The last remaining Formica solid surface factory in the United States was demolished a few years ago. I spent a good portion of my life working there and, quite frankly, I get a little misty-eyed

when I reminisce about it. “It was the best of times …”

Don’t you just love and appreciate when one of those tight, demanding timelines that I call “timelines from purgatory” comes dancing into your life? I seem to get them all the time. I guess I’m fortunate in that respect. “It was the worst of times …” Well, that is a big part of my story as well.

Changing Chemistries

Formica, in a move that was long overdue, recently switched its solid surface product

line to acrylic chemistry. It also picked up a domestic (U.S.) OEM supplier who manufactures the material on a continuous line. Let’s call the domestic supplier “Factory 2.” Because of the nature of a continuous line, it’s extremely arduous to manufacture patterns with extremely large particulate (larger than 4mm to 6mm) in high visual density. This has to do with the line speed and what method is used to add the larger particulate, but generally continuous lines stick with particulate that is 4mm or smaller (or occasionally up to 6mm). However, there are also certain patterns more easily produced on a continuous line.

Because Factory 1 has both a continuous line and a cell cast operation, it can produce a wide variety of appearances. However, it could not match the price point of Factory 2, so Factory 1 was relegated from producing a large number of Formica patterns to only handling five, now in acrylic.

So, last year I started working on matching various Formica colors in acrylic chemistry. Suppliers in China had to be found for acrylic resin, promoters and catalysts. I had to develop and optimize the process, then test the material for performance: tensile and flexural properties, stain resistance, boiling water resistance, high temperature resistance, impact strength, light resistance, thermal aging, seamed strength, thermoforming properties, etc.

In late July of this year, Factory 1 was asked to take on five additional Formica colors that were going to be sold in Lowes stores: Black Lava (501B); Sea Glass (505B); Bianco Mineral (759B); Bottle Glass Quartz (770B); and Copper

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …” I’m sure many of you remember reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, which compared and contrasted two cities: London and Paris, before and after the French revolution. So taking a cue from Dickens, I’m doing the same with two OEM manufacturers of Formica acrylic solid surface material located halfway around the world from each other. I hope to provide some insight into how OEM contracts are awarded; how capability, timing and pricing play into that; and some of the things entailed in pulling off a new product introduction on a tight timeline.

The last remaining Formica Solid Surface Plant (formerly the Fountainhead Solid Surface plant) after razing.



Quartz (772B). Factory 1 had produced those patterns prior to this in a polyester blend material, but had never matched them in acrylic chemistry.

In addition to those five patterns, Formica asked us to produce a new color called Dali Mineral that had to be designed in acrylic.

Now I can’t be positive, but I suspect that Factory 1 picked up the original five acrylic colors and the six additional colors because Factory 2 either could not produce that look, could not produce it as affordably or could not develop/produce the colors as quickly. Also the finishing capability may have played a role in the acquisition of the Black Lava and other dark patterns.

When it comes to finishing, Factory 1 normally takes its sheets to a 600-grit wet-sanded final finish. However, Factory 2 provides a 220-grit dry-sanded finish (less than a matte finish) for the final product that is not as visually appealing, especially on darker colors, and requires the fabricator to do a lot of work to improve it.

Another factor that could have played into the decision is the desire to avoid keeping all of the company’s eggs in one basket. Many corporations like to have multiple sources as a contingency in case one vendor goes out of business, raises pricing or is subject to force majeure (an act of God).

This is where the “timeline from purgatory” came into play. It was extremely tight, as these colors had to be in stock in the United States and have samples made and in the Lowes stores by the first or second week in October.

I stayed on-site in China and didn’t leave. I’m most likely still here as you read this.

Meeting the Demand

Formica has very talented, creative and astute designers on staff, but they are “conceptual designers” who evaluate market trends, decide what’s going to be the hot-selling look for the next year and decide upon the type of look they desire. Sometimes they send you a “design board” that has various items glued to it: pieces of broken eye glass frames, broken glass, turtle shells, sea shells, rocks and minerals and all sorts of things including post-it notes stuck on it. Sometimes they send you a written story detailing what the type of look they are seeking. Sometimes they organize it into a power point or put it into spreadsheet form. It’s different every time.

I wear many hats (R&D, business development, marketing, operations, etc.) but I’m also deemed a “materials designer,” which is the “boots on the ground” person who turns those concepts into reality. It required long days (10 to 12 hours a day) and a lot of work (six or seven days a week). I didn’t get a lot of rest and skipped many meals. However, I matched each color in an acrylic resin/ATH background, and overnighted samples for approval to Formica who signed and dated the standards and couriered them back. Most took several iterations.

Factory 1 ultimately made timeline and had the initial orders manufactured and shipped out on a container by the end of August. (They had to be out that much ahead of the deadline because the containers spend as long as a month getting to port, traversing the

Pacific and being trucked to the warehouse.) By August, 42 sheets for samples were air freighted to a fabricator in order to arrive by September 4 to give that fabricator time to produce the sample chips/displays and ship them to Lowes. Formica knew from the outset of the project that was the only way we could make the deadline.

By mid-October this year, the Formica acrylic patterns from both factories were on display at Lowes. We hope you like them and appreciate the efforts that went into them from all involved at both factories. It was a truly labor of love by a myriad of individuals working at Formica and their two OEM factories with vastly different cultures, half a world apart. I was proud to be a small part of that effort.

One of my current projects for Factory 1’s Formica acrylic solid surface material is manufacturing my own acrylic resin for cost savings and enhanced performance. But that is a story for another day, so I will just say, as the radio announcers used to say back in simpler times, “Stay tuned and don’t touch that dial.”

About the Author

Leonard R. Elbon, owner of LCI, “Decorative Surfacing Industry Consultants,” has worked on projects in 17 different countries over the past decade. He wears many hats including those of a trouble shooter and problem solver, speaker at trade shows, published author and inventor

of award-winning surfacing products. He has been granted 10 patents and has two additional patents in the application process. He can be reached at [email protected].

A sheet acrylic “Copper Quartz” compared to a small acrylic standard, which was a challenge to design and manufacture.

Top: Acrylic “Sea Glass” compared to small standard. Bottom left: “Bottle Glass Quartz” polyester standard compared to large acrylic sheet and acrylic standard (small strip on bottom).

A lab sample of “Dali Mineral” compared to a strip cut from a sheet as viewed under CWF lighting (the color looks muted and a lot lighter in sunlight).


Here.Now.News.Upcoming ISFA Training & EventsFor more information or to sign up to attend any of these events, call (412) 487-3207 or email [email protected].

Cosentino/ISFA/NKBA Event Hosted at the Cosentino KBIS Booth #N2149 Jan. 29 (at KBIS) Las Vegas

ISFA Total Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone March 1 – 4 Virginia Beach, Va.

ISFA Senior Management Conference March 10 – 11 Nashville, Tenn.

ISFA Effective Commercial Business Seminar April 7 – 8 St. Louis, Mo.

ISFA Transition: Generation 2 Workshop April 28 – 29 Toledo, Ohio

ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone May 17 – 20 Virginia Beach, Va.

ISFA/IWF Countertop Symposium Aug. 23 Atlanta, Ga.

ISFA Senior Management Conference Sept. 14 – 15 New York, N.Y.

ISFA Quartz & Stone Fabrication Training Hosted by Regent Stone Sept. 27 – 30 Virginia Beach, Va.

ISFA Effective Commercial Business Seminar Oct. 6 – 7 Southern California

New Faces at ISFAWith the new year approaching, ISFA has seen some changes and additions to its staff and leadership roles. The changes are expected to be positive ones that allow the organization to better focus on member and programming development. Additionally, Carol Wilhite was promoted to the position of Operations Manager.

New Interim ISFA Director

ISFA announced at the end of October that it had appointed Mike Langenderfer as (Interim) Executive Director. Mike recently left the ISFA Board of Directors after having served two

full terms, including a year as President of the association.

Langenderfer replaces Keith Haight, who left the organization after filling the role from 2014 through 2015 to pursue other opportunities. ISFA expresses its thanks to Haight for his work and wishes him the best moving forward. “Keith has been in the surfacing industry for many years, and we are confident he will have a bright future,” said 2015 ISFA President Mell Hill.

Langenderfer, who has run a successful countertop fabrication business for many years, began his new role in November.

ISFA Hires New Membership Coordinator

Amy Kyriazis is now serving as ISFA’s part-time Membership Coordinator. Kyriazis has lived in Pittsburgh, where ISFA is headquartered, for 19 years and is

married with one daughter. She has a degree in business, specifically focusing on human resources, and has worked in the HR field for more than 10 years. She is also a volunteer at her church and a fan of outdoor activities.

She will be in the main ISFA office three days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) and will assist with updating website content and social media outlets; contacting members for renewals and sending out membership certificate and packets; sending program certificates and managing the paperwork around ISFA’s CEU Program that operates in conjunction with the AIA; and assisting with magazine circulation and contact with members and those requesting magazine subscriptions. “Amy seems very qualified and competent to handle these responsibilities,” remarked Executive Director Langenderfer. “We feel she will be a great new team member and provide real additional value to ISFA and its members.” She can be reached at [email protected].

ISFA Elects New 2016 Board Member

Revealed during the announcement of the election results at the recent ISFA Annual Meeting & Conference (see Page 45), ISFA members elected Kelley Montana to

the Board of Directors. Montana is the second-generation business owner of Humboldt Countertops & Surfacing, in Eureka, Calif., having previously spent the last two-and-a-half years managing it. She took the reins of the business from her father, who started the company more than 30 years ago and she has 10 years of experience in the custom cabinets and construction industry. She also has a bachelor’s degree in business sdministration, specializing in management, from San Jose State University. Humboldt Countertops & Surfacing provides laminate, solid surface, quartz and stone products to customers in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity Counties in Northern California. She can be reached at [email protected].

For more information on any of these new roles with ISFA, please email [email protected].


ISFANews

On Nov. 4 and 5 ISFA held its Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas, but this year also included a conference portion. With around 75 in attendance, the event was considered a success (in spite of troubles with flights getting in and out at the airport) and also a sign that ISFA is growing and validating its purpose as an organization to bring together its members for educational and networking opportunities that ultimately lead to the improvement and profitability of members’ companies. Special thanks must be given to Cosentino, the Gold Level Sponsor of the event, without whom the event largely would not have been possible.

The destination-themed event was conducted at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel overlooking the Colorado River downtown and kicked off with a sponsor meet-and-greet followed by a cocktail party with live music sponsored by the KOHLER Company. A gourmet taste of the local cuisine was included and after the party wound down, many of the attendees took the opportunity to enjoy the night life and the variety of live music the city has to offer.

The next morning began with a light breakfast and additional time for fabricator members to spend with attending Silver Level sponsors (Avonite Surfaces, Alpha Professional Tools, Integra Adhesives, Moraware, Mystera and SolidSurface.com) and Bronze Level Sponsors (Colt Industries, GlueBoss, GlueWarehouse.com and GranQuartz), followed by a break-out session on Eli Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints, presented by expert in the field Ed Hill.

The session was followed by lunch catered by the Four Seasons. Upscale versions of the local fare were served while the Annual Meeting portion of the event took place. At the meeting the election results for the 2016 Board of Directors were announced along with the Board Members who will be serving as officers.

2016 ISFA Board of Directors

Fabricator Member Directors are chosen by association members, for a term of three years, with the option to renew for a second consecutive three-year term. Once members have served their terms, the Board may elect to keep them on for one additional year.

Adam Albee, of Lincoln Laminating in Lincoln, Neb., will assume the role of President of the ISFA Board of Directors on Jan. 1, 2016. Albee replaces Mell Hill, of Duracite Custom Countertops in Fairfield, Calif., who now takes on the role of Immediate Past President. The former Immediate Past President, Dave Paxton, of Paxton Countertops & Showers in Grand Ledge, Mich., has been elected to serve a final one-year term as Director before retiring from the Board in 2017. Rounding out the Executive Committee of the Board are Ryan Miller, of VT Industries in Holstein, Iowa, who will serve as Vice President; Erica Hussey of JCW Countertops in Woburn, Mass. who will serve as Secretary; and Kate Dillenburg of Bisley Fabrication in Gresham, Wis., who will serve as Treasurer. Retaining his position as Director is Mike Woods of Creative Countertop Solutions in Nashville, Tenn., and joining as a new Director is the previously mentioned Kelley Montana of Humboldt Countertops in Eureka, Calif.

Retaining their positions as Associate Member Representatives on the Board are John Hansen of the Kohler Company, who via special election was retained for one final year: and Jessica McNaughton of CaraGreen.

2015 ISFA Annual Awards

The 2015 ISFA Annual Award winners were also announced at the annual meeting. These awards are chosen by association members, and given to those in the industry that stand out as the very best.

The ISFA Annual Meeting & Conference


Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Cosentino, Kohler, Avonite Surfaces, Alpha Professional Tools, Integra Adhesives, Moraware, Mystera, SolidSurface.com, Colt Industries, GlueBoss, GlueWarehouse.com, GranQuartz, CountertopIQ.com, Meganite and Water Treatment Solutions

ISFANews


The ISFA Hall of Fame Award is given to the individual, or individuals, who have in the course of their career made significant contributions to the decorative surfacing industry, and have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the ideals of ISFA. This year’s winner was Jon Forst. As a founding member of ISFA and all the dedication toward developing various programs that help fabricator’s businesses, Jon was the inspiration behind “The Break Even Point” series of training programs and remains an inspiration to the industry today.

The Fabricator of the Year Award was given to Steve Stoddard of Advanced Surfaces. This is awarded to an individual of a fabricator member company that in the past year has best exemplified the ISFA ideals of quality, innovation, character and service to ISFA and/or the decorative surfacing industry, with overall excellence. Stoddard, an early and consistent member and supporter of ISFA and the decorative surfacing industry, has been a pioneer in industrialized shop processes and the use of CNC technology and equipment.

The Associate of the Year Award is given to an associate member company that in the past year has best exemplified the role of servicing the needs of fabricator member companies, and who has best supported ISFA in all activities. This year’s winner is Colt Industries, for being an early supporter of ISFA and its members and for recently hosting the tremendously successful ISFA Effective Commercial Business Program.

The Innovator Award is for the fabricator member firm or individual who goes outside the box to create a product or system that enhances the life or elevates the role of the surface fabricator. The winner for 2015 was ASST in Hannover, Pa., for creating an innovative 21-step system for tracking projects, thus allowing companies to stay on task and budget. This system became part of the Effective Commercial Business Program.

The Envision Award is given to the ISFA associate member firm or individual that excels in creating something imaginative and special for the surfacing industry. The winner for 2015 was Cosentino. A leading developer of numerous engineered surfacing products from quartz surfacing to ultra-compact sintered surface technology, this company is a forward-

looking creator of leading-edge designs and technology.

Once the awards were handed out, a second seminar, this one put on by Andrea Chapman of Suitable Solutions, was put on. She spoke on a variety of ways for improving surfacing businesses, with a particular focus on understanding the available methodologies and technologies for doing so.

After the session ended, attendees were given a couple of hours to enjoy the local scenery before being treated to a dinner featuring some of the finest cuisine Austin has to offer where ideas and information could be exchanged between attendees in a comfortable atmosphere.

Once the event ended, there was an impromptu gathering around a fire pit at the hotel in which ISFA members shared their thoughts on the event, the industry or just life in general.

Overall, feedback from attendees was decidedly positive and the event was deemed a success. So much so that plans are already in the works for the 2016 Annual Meeting & Conference, which will once again be a destination-themed event, but this time expanded a day and located in Cancun, Mexico.

The ISFA Hall of Fame award goes to Jon Forst.

The Fabricator of the Year Award winner, Steve Stoddard.

Colt Industries received The Associate of the Year Award.

The Innovator Award went to ASST.

Cosentino received The Envision Award.

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.

ISFANews


Main Office 2400 Wildwood Rd. Gibsonia, PA 15044 (412) 487-3207 • Fax: (412) 487-3269 www.isfanow.orgExecutive Director Mike Langenderfer (567) 703-9012 [email protected]

Communications Director Kevin Cole Magazine/Website Publisher & Editor (815) 721-1507 [email protected] Manager Carol Wilhite (412) 487-3207 [email protected]

Account Representative Paul Wisnefski (262) 498-4184 [email protected] Representative Dave Lillegaard (815) 621-7293 [email protected]

Membership Coordinator Amy Kyriazis (412) 487-3207 [email protected]

ISFA Contacts

ISFA Board of DirectorsMell Hill President Duracite Custom Countertops 2100 Huntington Blvd. Fairfield, CA 94533 Phone: (707) 290-6386 [email protected] www.duracite.com

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

Adam Albee Vice President Lincoln Laminating 5010 Rentworth Dr. Lincoln, NE 68516 Phone: (402) 434-6009 [email protected] www.lincolnlaminating.com

Ryan Miller Secretary VT Stone Surfaces 1000 Industrial Park Holstein, IA 51025 Phone: (712) 368-4381, ext. 236 [email protected] www.vtstonesurfaces.com

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

Mike Woods Director Creative Countertop Solutions 919 4th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 915-0718 [email protected] www.creativecounter solutions.com

Kate Dillenburg Director Bisley Fabrication 700 Industrial St. Gresham, WI 54128 Phone: (715) 787-4410 [email protected] www.bisfab.com

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

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

ISFA Launches New ‘ISFA on Demand’ Training ProgramThe International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) has launched a new “ISFA on Demand” training program, in which a certified ISFA trainer will travel to facilities to train on-site personnel in solid surface fabrication. The training will be performed using the client company’s own equipment and supplies, so that those being trained will be shown fabrication processes on the very machinery they will be using in actual production.

While the on-site program currently only covers solid surface training, expansion into quartz/stone training, business training and shop optimization is being planned. Companies that sign up for ISFA on Demand training must be members of ISFA or must sign up for membership prior to training. For more information or to sign up for this on-site training, call the ISFA office at (412) 487-3207 or email [email protected].

Fabricator DirectoryALABAMACutstone Co.117 Cloverdale Dr.Alabaster, AL 35007205-624-3538www.cutstoneco.com

Surface One 2421 Hwy. 11Pelham, AL 35124205-621-1125www.surface1.com

ALASKABicknell Inc.PO Box 33517Juneau, AK 99801907-789-5727www.bicknellinc.comCook Inlet Housing Authority 3510 Spenard Rd. Anchorage, AK 99503907-793-3047www.cookinlethousing.orgNorth Coast Countertops7720 Hacienda Dr.Anchorage, AK 99507907-727-6419

ARIZONAKitchen Bath & Beyond Specializing In Solid Surface 1440 CoronaFt. Mojave, AZ 86426928-788-1000

CALIFORNIA AZ Countertops Inc.1560 Harris Ct.1445 S. Hudson Ave.Ontario, CA 91761909-983-5386www.azcountertopsinc.comDesign Fabrication Inc.100 Bosstick Blvd.San Marco, CA 92069760-727-1800www.designfabrication.comDuracite2100 Huntington Dr. Fairfield, CA 94533707-402-1600www.duracite.comFinishing Touch Millwork1280 Activity Dr. Ste. DVista, CA 92081858-382-9143www.ftmillwork.comFischer Tile & Marble1800 23rd St.Sacramento, CA 95816916-452-1426www.fischertile.com

Humboldt Countertops70 W. 4th St.Eureka CA 95501707-442-5918www.humtop.com

Integra Cabinets & Millwork249 W. Baywood #BOrange, CA 92865714-283-2890www.integracmw.com

Marble Expressions1573 Seminole St.San Marcos, CA 92708760-471-8737www.marbleexpressions.comMio Metals400 Western Ave.Petaluma, CA 94952888-530-7630www.miometals.comSouthwest Carpenters Training Fund533 S. Fremont Ave. #401Los Angeles, CA 90071213-739-9343

The Countertop Factory12349 Telegraph Rd.Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670562-944-2450 www.thecountertopfactory.net

COLORADOAAFES Ft. Carson FMO1510 Chiles Ave.Ft. Carson, CO 80913719-291-9206DMS1620 Paonia St.Colorado Springs, CO 80915719-574-1250 www.dmscustom.com

CONNECTICUTPorta Door Co. Inc.65 Cogwheel Ln.Seymour, CT 06401203-888-6191www.portadoor.com

DELAWARETroy Granite Inc.711 Interchange Blvd.Newark, DE 19711302-292-1750www.troygranite.com

FLORIDABeverin Solid Surface1108 Palmetto Ave.Lehigh Acres, FL 33972239-368-9444www.beverin.com

Florida Custom Surfaces, div. of FDR Contractors Inc.4362 S.W. Port WayPalm City, FL 34990772-781-5517 www.floridacustomsurfaces.comNatural Stone Motif Inc.870 Sunshine Ln.Altamonte Springs, FL 32714407-774-0676www.naturalstonemotif.comRefresh Interiors Design4641 Lown St.St. Petersburg, FL 33714727-527-0206www.refreshinteriorsdesign.comSimmons Solid Surface LLC3428 Bartee Rd.Sebring, FL 33870863-381-3965http://cabinetrysebring.com/

Sterling Mfg. 8293 Consumer CircleSarasota, FL 34240941-955-8787www.sterlingmfg.com

Surface Crafters 711 Commercial Dr.Holly Hill, FL 32117386-253-0826www.surface-crafters.com

GEORGIA Atlanta Kitchen Inc.196 Rio CircleDecatur, GA 30030404-378-3220www.atlanta-kitchen.com

Counter Fitters LLC1026 Lynes Ave.Savannah, GA 31415912-231-0103www.counterfitterssav.com

Countersync 2014 Westside Ct.Augusta, GA 30907706-828-7544www.countersync.net

Craftmark Solid Surfaces Inc. 2772 Simpson CircleNorcross, GA 30071770-242-8469craftmarkcountertops.com

Seven Stone1400 W. Marietta St.Atlanta, GA 30318404-355-3108www.sevenstone.comStone Center1325 Oakbrook Dr. Ste. CNorcross, GA 30093770-446-5155www.stonecenteratlanta.com

Top South830 Pickens Industrial Dr.Marietta, GA 30062770-422-4009www.topsouth.com

HAWAII Honolulu Tile & Marble Inc.1602-B Auiki St.Honolulu, HI 96819808-845-3775

Solid Surface Technologies360 Mokauea St.Honolulu, HI 96819808-845-8677www.ssthawaii.com

ILLINOIS Custom Marble Inc.PO Box 306Millstadt, IL 62260618-476-1345www.custommarble.net

Dirk Foster802 S. 26th St.Mt. Vernon, IL 62864206-898-8163Knapp Tile and Flooring105 S. MainEureka, IL 61530309-467-9700www.knapptileandflooring.com

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

New Age Surfaces1237 Naperville Dr.Romeoville, IL 60446630-226-0011

Pierce Laminated Products Inc.2430 N. Court St.Rockford, IL 61103815-968-9651www.piercelaminated.com

Solid Surface Creations Inc.403 S. SycamoreVilla Grove, IL 61956217-832-8207www.ssctops.com

Sprovieri’s Custom Cabinets55 Laura Dr.Addison, IL 60101630-917-4690www.sprovieris.com

Stalwart Systems7797 N. Caldwell Ave.Niles, IL 60714847-972-1193www.stalwartsystemsusa.com



Stevens Industries Inc.704 W. Main St.Teutopolis, IL 62427217-857-7100www.stevensind.com

Ultimate Stone Inc.1445 Tonne Rd.Elk Grove Village, IL 60007847-437-8662www.ultimatestone.net

INDIANAA. I. A. Countertops LLC 501 W. Railroad Ave.Syracuse, IN 46567574-457-2018www.aiacountertops.com

Bollock Industries Inc.900 Farabee Ct.Lafayette, IN 47905765-448-6000www.bollockstoptops.com

Hard Surface Fabrications, Inc./Kormax810 S. Beiger St.Mishawaka, IN 46544574-259-4843

Laminated Tops of Central Indiana Inc.711 E. Dillman Rd. Bloomington, IN 47401812-824-6299www.rakesolutions.com

M & W Countertops Inc.11934 Witmer Rd.Grabill, IN 46741260-627-3636www.mwcountertops.com

Michiana Laminated Products Inc. 7130 N. 050 E.Howe, IN 46746260-562-2871www.michianalaminated.com

IOWACustom Countertops & More1801 E. Oak St.Algona, IA 50511515-295-4835

Granite Custom Design2369 Heinz Rd. Unit #JIowa City, IA 52240888-452-0714 www.granitecustomdesign.com

Solid Fabrications Inc. 2515 Murray St.Sioux City, IA 51111712-255-5319www.solidfab.com

Surface Solutions Inc.323 La Porte Rd.Waterloo, IA 50702319-287-5056www.surfacesolutionsia.com

VT Industries1000 Industrial ParkHolstein, IA 51025712-368-4381www.vtindustries.com

KANSASCountertop Shoppe5855 S.W. 21st St.Topeka, KS 66604785-271-8675www.mycountertopshoppe.comParman Brothers LTD PO Box 7Johnson, KS 67855620-492-6882 www.parmanbrothersltd.comTop Master Inc.2844 Roe Ln.Kansas City, KS 66103913-492-3030www.top-master.com

KENTUCKY Surfaces Unlimited Inc.1272 Hwy. 490East Bernstadt, KY 40729606-843-6891www.surfaces-unlimited.com

MAINE Bangor Wholesale355 Target Industrial CircleBangor, ME 04401207-945-5928 www.bangorwholesale laminates.comMaine Marble & Granite1312 Portland Rd.Arundel, ME 04046207-351-5733www.thomasandlord.comShad’s Custom Countertops Inc. 11 Collins Pond Rd.Windham, ME 04062207-893-3445www.getshad.com

MARYLANDCarefree Kitchens Inc.2910 Strickland St.Baltimore, MD 21223410-233-4900www.carefreeindustries.comSolidTops LLC505 South St.Easton, MD 21601410-819-0770www.solidtops.com

MASSACHUSETTS Jack’s Custom Woodworking/ JCW Countertops 3 Aberjona Dr.Woburn, MA 01801781-935-1907www.jcwcountertops.comPADCO Countertop Co.5 Springdale Ave.Canton, MA 02021781-828-1177www.padcocountertop.com

Sterling Surfaces76 Leominster Rd.Sterling, MA 01564978-422-3321www.sterlingsurfaces.com

Sterling-Miller Designs Inc.1079 N. Montello St.Brockton, MA 02301508-894-6999www.sterlingmillerdesigns.com

TWD Surfaces75 Hale St.Bridgewater, MA 02324508-279-2650www.twdsurfaces.com

MICHIGANBlasius Inc.7343 Buell Rd. Vassar, MI 48768989-871-5000www.blasiusinc.com

Innovative Surface Works12855 Fairlane St.Livonia, MI 48150734-261-3010www.innovativesurfaceworks.com

Marbelite Corp.22500 Heslip Dr.Novi, MI 48375248-348-1900www.marbelitecorp.comMarble & Granite, Inc.270 University Ave.Westwood, MA 02090781-407-9560www.marbleandgranite.com

Paxton Countertops & ShowersPO Box 174Grand Ledge, MI 48837517-719-0146www.paxtonsurfaces.com

Solid Surfaces Unlimited Inc.6689 Sterling Dr. S.Sterling Heights, MI 48312586-274-9668 www.ssunlimited.net

MINNESOTA Innovative Surfaces Inc.515 Spiral Blvd.Hastings, MN 55033651-437-1004

The Pinske Edge119 Main St.Plato, MN 55370320-238-2196www.pinske-edge.com

MISSISSIPPI Alexander Counterwrights903 Ingalls Ave.Pascagoula, MS 39567228-938-6484www.alexandercounterwrights.com

MISSOURI Surface Menders32 Clipper Ln.Kimberling City, MO 65686417-598-2390 www.surfacemend.com

MONTANA Jim ShrevePO Box 721 Florence, MT 59833 406-880-3566

VanSetten Walker Construction Co. 821 1st Ave. N.W.Great Falls, MT 59404406-570-5283

WoodCo LLC PO Box 30254Billings, MT 59107406-259-5177 www.woodcollc.com

NEBRASKA Best Quality Countertops4340 S. 90th St.Omaha, NE 68127 402-670-6338

Builders Warehouse4600 N. Second Ave.Kearney, NE 68845308-627-6702

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

NEVADACarpenters Int’l. Training Fund 6801 Placid St.Las Vegas, NV 89119702-938-1111

The Countertop Shop, LLC301B Sunpac Ct.Henderson, NV 89011702-839-2224www.thecountertopshopllc.biz

NEW JERSEY J&M Granite Design LLC558 Englishtown Rd.Monroe, NJ 08831908-267-4331www.jmgranitenj.com

Companies in blue are Certified Professionals. For more information on the ISFA Certified Professional Program, visit ISFAnow.org/certified-pro.html.


Fabricator Directory

Marvic Corp.2450 Lorio St.Union, NJ 07083908-686-4340www.countertopsofnj.com

Solid Surface Designs Inc.1651 Sherman Ave.Pennsauken, NJ 08110856-910-7720www.ssdtops.com

Spaulding Fabricators Inc.1136 Industrial Pkwy.Brick, NJ 08724732-840-4433www.spauldingfabricators.com

NEW MEXICOAmerican Countertops8013 Edith N.E.Albuquerque, NM 87113505-897-3141Franken Construction Co.1201 Tilden Ave.Las Vegas, NM 87701www.frankenconstruction.com

Jaynes Structures2906 Broadway N.E.Albuquerque, NM 87107505-344-8589www.jaynescorp.com

OGB Architectural Millwork3711 Paseo del NorteAlbuquerque, NM 87113505-998-0000www.ogb-am.comRojo Enterprises LLCPO Box 429Roswell, NM 88202505-626-3553

NEW YORKBusch Products Inc.110 Baker St.Syracuse, NY 13206315-474-8422www.buschproducts.comDistinctive Granite331 Dante Ct. Ste. CHolbrook, NY 117411631-737-3337www.distinctivegraniteny.com

Evans & Paul LLC140 DuPont St.Plainview, NY 11803516-576-0800www.evansandpaul.comMarker Systems Inc.940 River Rd.North Tonawanda, NY 14120716-695-1102

Modern Home DistributingPO Box 395Nunda, NY 14517585-468-2523

Penn Fabricators Inc.100 Bellport Ave.Yaphank, NY 11980631-205-0282www.penn4corian.com

Unico Special Products Inc.25 Renwick St.Newburgh, NY 12550845-562-9255www.unicospecialproducts.com

Wilbedone Inc.1133 NYS Rte. 222Cortland, NY 13045800-734-8813www.wilbedone.com

NORTH CAROLINA Carolina Counters13570 Broadway Ave.Midland, NC 28107704-888-4010www.carolinacounters.com

Johnson Granite Inc.PO Box 511589 Hiatt Rd.Mount Airy, NC 27030336-719-2729

Merge Design Co.3001-103 Spring Forest Rd.Raleigh, NC 27616919-790-1749www.mergedesignco.com

Premier Plus Inc.165 Wildwood Ave.Hamlet, NC 28345910-995-5615www.premierplusinc.netSeven Stone8350-C Arrowridge Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28273704-598-1255www.sevenstone.comSeven Stone920 Old Winston Rd.Kernersville, NC 27284336-773-0714www.sevenstone.com

OHIOBertke Countertops9355 Amsterdam Rd.Anna, OH 45302937-538-7024

Cabinets 2 Countertops7142 Frank Ave. N.W.N. Canton, OH 44720330-244-0221www.cabinets2countertops.com

Cutting Edge Countertops Inc.1300 Flagship Dr.Perrysburg, OH 43551419-873-9500www.cectops.com

Earth Anatomy Fabrication4092 Greenwich Rd.Norton, OH 44203740-244-5316www.earthanatomy.comGranex Industries32400 Aurora Rd.Salon, OH 44139440-248-4915www.granexindustries.comKitchens by Rutenschroer950 Laidlaw Ave.Cincinnati, OH 45237513-251-8333www.kbrmfg.com

Korkan Granite4561 Crystal Pkwy.Kent, OH 44240330-677-1883www.korkangranite.comL. E. Smith Co.1030 E. Wilson St.Bryan, OH 43506888-537-6484www.lesmith.comLaminate Shop, Inc.PO Box 1218Marietta, OH 45750740-749-3536Solid Surfaces Plus4640 Manufacturing Rd.Cleveland, OH 44135216-267-7040www.solidsurfacesplus.comThe Countertop Shop LTD10406 Geiser Rd.Holland, OH 43528419-868-9101www.countertopshop.netTop Shelf Laminated Products400 Dietz Rd.Warren, OH 44483330-393-1289 Tower IndustriesPO Box 647Massillon, OH 44648330-837-2216www.towersurfaces.com

OKLAHOMA Hoffman Fixtures Co.6031 S. 129th St. Ste. BTulsa, OK 74134918-252-0451www.hfccountertops.com

OREGON Grifform Innovations Inc.PO Box 258Glide, OR 97443541-496-0313www.grifform.com

Precision Countertops Inc.PO Box 387Wilsonville, OR 97070503-692-6660www.precisioncountertops.com

PENNSYLVANIA A.S.S.T.805 W. Elm Ave.Hanover, PA 17331717-630-1251www.asst.com

Advanced Surfaces Inc.130 Plastics Rd.Corry, PA 16407814-663-0369

Capital City Counters Inc.760 N. Front St.PO Box 7616Steelton, PA 17113717-939-2878www.capitalcitycounters.com

Chuck Sawyer4802 Au Sable Dr.Gibsonia, PA 15044724-612-9768John Kramer’s Fabrications Inc.PO Box 41Bernville, PA 19506610-488-6213www.kramershowerbases.comMcGrory Inc.576 Rosedale Rd.Kennett Square, PA 19349610-444-1512www.mcgroryinc.comPence Countertops Inc.124 Ellis Woods Rd.Pottstown, PA 19465610-326-6609www.pencecountertops.com

RHODE ISLAND Allied Floor Covering, Inc.Tiverton, RI 02878401-624-4477www.alliedfloorcovveringinc.com

New England Counter TopPO Box FPawtucket, RI 02861508-761-7588

SOUTH CAROLINASeven Stone1900 Suber Mill Rd.Greer, SC 29650864-879-9378www.sevenstone.com

Solid Products109 Lazenby Dr.Ft. Mill, SC 29715704-236-9796www.solidproducts.biz

SOUTH DAKOTA Dakotaland Woodwork & Cabinets LLC 41181 179th St.Raymond, SD 57258605-532-4150


DFC-Dakota Fixture & Cabinet Co.45753 237th St.Madison, SD 57042605-256-3707www.soliddfc.comFormatop Co.101 S. FranklinSioux Falls, SD 57103605-332-3151www.formatopcompany.comTom Rush109 Lazenby Dr.Ft. Mill, SC 29715704-236-9796www.solidproducts.bizTENNESSEE Alexander Brothers Tile & Marble Inc.1446 S. Cooper St. Ste. 101Memphis, TN 38114901-278-9626www.alexandermarbleandgranite.comCreative Countertop Solutions Inc.300 Peabody St.Nashville, TN 37210615-915-0718www.creativecountersolutions.comTEXASAlejandro Contreras6418 Harbor Mist Dr.Missouri City, TX 77459970-471-4393Classic Counter Tops2325 Executive Dr.Garland, TX 75041972-840-1234www.classiccountertopsinc.comCounterscapes, Inc.P.O. Box 82087Houston, TX 77282 903-581-5676Countertop Solutions LLCP.O. Box 82087Houston, TX 77282713-204-0080Elite Granite & Marble 455 Commercial Dr. Buda, TX 78610 512-328-5111 www.elitegraniteandmarbleaustin.comGecko Solid Surface Solutions4630 Sinclair Rd.San Antonio, TX 78222210-227-3100www.geckosss.comSeven Stone740 Space Park Dr. S.Nashville, TN 37211615-386-0509www.sevenstone.comW.R. Watson Inc.12902 Mula Ln.Stafford, TX 77477281-495-3664www.wrwatson.com

UTAHUtah Kitchen and Bath2098 E. 2250 N.Layton, UT 84040801-814-8847www.utahkitchenandbath.comVIRGINIA Metro Stone Works LLC9115 Digital Dr. Unit 12Manassas Park, VA 20111703-396-866www.metrostoneworks.comSurface Link Corp.4200 Lafayette Center Dr. Ste. AChantilly, VA 20151301-482-1717 www.surfacelinkcorp.com

TRINDCO1004 Obici Industrial Blvd.Suffolk, VA 23434757-539-0262www.trindco.comWASHINGTONFloForm Countertops22445 76th Ave. S.Kent, WA 98032253-639-4567www.floform.comMt. Rainer Marble LLC2606 Jackson Hwy.Chehalisi, WA 98523360-520-1844www.mtrainiermarble.comRD Wing11809 N.E. 116th St.Kirkland, WA 98034425-821-7222www.blimages.comSynsor Corp.1920 Merrill Creek Pkwy. Everett, WA 98203 425-322-9604WISCONSIN Bisley Fabrication Inc.700 Industrial St.Gresham, WI 54128715-787-4410www.bisfab.com

McDermott Top Shop LLC200 A Main St.Sullivan, WI 53178262-593-2456

Spectrum Surfaces Inc.812 Marquis WayGreen Bay, WI 54304920-337-6575

WYOMING Wyoming Building Supply Inc.2104 Fairgrounds Rd.Casper, WY 82604307-265-7935www.wyomingbuildingsupply.com

BARBADOSIn-Counter, Inc.27 Lodge TerraceSt. Michaels BB12001Barbados246-253-3440

CANADAColonial Countertops Ltd.609 Alpha St.Victoria, BC V8Z 1B2Canada250-383-1926http://colonialcountertops.comConi-Marble Mfg. Inc. PO Box 40 99 Harrison St. Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0Canada519-461-0100 FloForm Countertops125 Hamelin St.Winnipeg, MB R3T 3Z1 Canada204-474-2334www.floform.comFloForm Countertops10-710 Cynthia St.Saskatoon, SK S7l 6A2Canada306-665-7733www.floform.comFloForm Countertops7630 Yellowhead TrailEdmonton, AB T5B 1G3Canada780-474-7999www.floform.comGranit Design77 IndustrielleStanstead, QC J0B 3E0Canada819-564-7111www.granitdesign.comShape Industries10 McPhillips St.Winnipeb, MB R3E2J7Canada204-947-0409www.shapeinc.comSummum Granit Inc.460 Principale St.Saint-Sebastien, QC G0Y 1M0819-625-2333www.summumgranit.comCHINAZhongdi Architecture & Art Solutions Co. Ltd.7 Qutangxia Road, Shinan DistrictQingdao, Shandong 266002China865-328-267-3659FRANCECREA DiffusionZA Le Cheval BlancSolgne F-57420France38-764-6923www.crea-diffusion.com

ITALYLegnopan SPA (Starkryl Solid Surface)Via Dell’Industria 13-15Piovene Rocchette, VI, 36013Italy39-0445-551500www.legnopan.comLEBANONRespond S.A.L.1st Floor Missirian Bldg. Beirut, Lebanon 90076 961-150-1414MEXICOINDEKOBoulevard de los Charros 1500Col. Belenes Ind. Nte.Zapopan, JaliscoMexico 45150 +52 3310287863www.indeko.com.mxVictor Coronado ServicesBoulevard Hacienda Galindo 116Villas del meson Juriquilla, 76230Mexico 52-4422342743RUSSIAAKRILIKA HOLDINGSvobody St., 29MoscowRussia 125362 +7(495)782-84-75http://akrilika.com/enARTCOR60th km. Ring Rd. Ste. 4AMoscowRussia+7-485-657-8578www.artcor.ruDECORA PROTuristskaya str., 23/1St.Petersburg, Russia+7(812)922-50-70www.decora.proSINGAPOREHarvest Building Products PTE LTD148 Tagore Ln.Singapore656-362-2608www.hbp.com.sgUNITED ARAB EMIRATESBond InteriorsP.O. Box 15758DubaiU.A.E.04 2711727, 06 5343222www.bondinteriors.comUNITED KINGDOMInterfab LTDUnit 9 Willersey Business ParkWillersey, Nr. Broadway Worcestershire WR12 7RRUnited Kingdom441-386-858100www.interfab.co.uk


Product News

Integra Adhesives Launches Surface Bonder ULTRAIntegra Adhesives launched Surface Bonder ULTRA, a new adhesive made for a wide range of surfaces and applications. The adhesive works in extreme weather conditions, indoors and outdoors and has a high UV resistance, so colors will not fade in the sun, according to the

company. It can be fabricated to provide a honed, gloss or textured finish during cure, helping to create invisible seams on any surface. With more than 4,000-psi bond strength, it will bond to multiple surfaces, including quartz, natural stone, ceramic, ultra-compact materials and glass. It won’t stain or yellow and and therefore is ideal for white material. Offered pre-colored in a 215ml 2:1 cartridge or as a tintable clear adhesive in a quart can, Surface Bonder Ultra is the newest addition to Integra’s line of adhesives and accessories. Color charts can be downloaded from the company’s website or app.


Samsung Introduces Staron Supreme Solid Surface Collection Samsung Surfaces introduced its Supreme Collection solid surface product inspired by nature. The collection features a subtle, free-

flowing directional pattern that is suitable for commercial and residential projects, reports the company. It’s available in 10 muted colors: Delphi, Cloudbank, Magnolia, Natural

Bridge, Dawn, Dandelion, Pastoral, Loam, Ocean View and Presto.Circle RS#61 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Vicostone adds Venatino to Its Marble-look Quartz CollectionVicostone’s Collection has been updated with new marble-look colors, available now from the company’s warehouses in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston. Venatino, the newest





addition, is a combination of the company’s existing bold Borghini and elegantly subtle

Statuario. The new colors boost the versatility of the existing collection and offer more choices for interior applications. Manufactured with Italy’s Breton technology, the new colors possess the essential characteristics that belong to quartz surfacing such as integral solidity and strength, color durability and lack of porosity. Circle RS#62 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Lackmond Stone Announces Exclusive North American Partnership with FIMAD Lackmond Stone is now the exclusive supplier of products produced by FIMAD, an Italian manufacturer of metal and resin bond diamond tooling for the stone and ceramic industries.

FIMAD has always focused on new technologies, R & D and customized products. FIMAD is well known in the stone industry for its tooling designed for auto-edge machines. Lackmond will also be offering FIMAD’s texturing and antique tooling as well as bridge saw blades. Lackmond Stone is committed to maintaining the current distribution model that FIMAD has created in the United States. Circle RS#63 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

MSI Expands Natural Stone Countertop Collection

M S International, Inc., introduced more than 30 new colors to its natural stone slabs and countertops collection. The expansion includes unique

granite slabs, quartzite and marble, increasing the inventory to over 350 natural stone colors and patterns. Spanning the color spectrum, these additions include dazzling whites, cool grays,

stylish blacks, subtle earth tones and dramatic, exotic stones. Because of their design popularity, 15 new exclusive white and gray, high-movement marble and granite slabs were included in the expansion.Circle RS#64 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

GranQuartz Offers Twist Shims for Countertop LevelingTwist Shims, carried by GranQuartz, are a new tool for leveling a countertop faster and more easily. This new leveling device allows fabricators to level countertops from below with simple adjustments. Once level, the innovative design allows adhesives to be applied through the twist shim, ensuring a tight hold. They operate on a three-step process: first is to drill ⅝-in. holes at desired shim locations and drive the Twist Shims through; then the countertop is placed on the cabinet and level is adjusted from the underside by rotating the Twist


Product News


Shims; lastly adhesive is injected through the shim to permanently lock the counter in place.Circle RS#65 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Countertopbid.com Offers Online Lead Generation and Website DesignCountertop Estimating Solutions (CES) provides custom online forms for fabricators that include a countertop calculator, printable project worksheets, and a granite visualizer that displays installed countertop colors with cabinet colors and design comparisons. Online forms include Spanish translation. CES offers free website templates, including a one-page format incorporating its entire suite of online forms. CES website templates provide users with an engaging experience that informs, collects project information, and educates potential clients on a variety of countertop surface and pricing options. Website services include e-commerce, design and SEO. Circle RS#66 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Gluewarehouse.com Offers Sand-It Sanding DiscsGlue Warehouse now offers Sand-it Sanding

Discs, made with high-quality, resin-bonded aluminum oxide backed by a strong latex-coated paper suitable for dry sanding applications. The discs are precision

cut for a uniform finish, and utilize a special clog-resistant and flex technology to improve the discs’ longevity and make them suitable for contoured surfaces. The discs come in 5-in. sticky back or 6-in. hook and loop back in 80 to 800 grit. According to the company, they go through rigorous quality control procedures to ensure optimal performance. Circle RS#67 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

GlueBoss Releases StoneBond Acrylic AdhesiveGlueBoss Adhesive Company released its new two-component acrylic adhesive for stone, granite, quartz and porcelain. Trademarked as StoneBond® Acrylic Adhesive, the product is available in standard 250ml and 500ml cartridges in all colors. With its dripless features, simple cartridge dispensing system and trimmability, it delivers what stone fabricators have been asking for, according to the company. With this new adhesive, the activator is pigmented instead of the resin, so fabricators can be confident when they see colored adhesive exit the tip of the gun as it is activated.Circle RS#68 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Aegis Commerce Solutions Offers BizOps ERPThe Aegis Commerce Solutions Business Optimization System (BizOps) is a browser-


based ERP system designed to provide business process automation for the countertop fabrication and

slab distribution industries. It is designed to address the full flow of business from the creation of a quote, conversion to an order, scheduling, inventory control, manufacturing control and delivery to end consumer. BizOps is currently integrated with the Sage 50 accounting system. Integration with QuickBooks Enterprise will be available shortly. Aegis also offers custom software programming services to address unique business needs. BizOps is also available with Slabsmith integration in which from the purchase order for slabs are synced to Slabsmith for photo/calibration. Thereafter, the details that are gathered from the Slabsmith photo technology are synced to the purchase order, including the actual length, width, lot number and unit number. It also offers a number of inventory features including,

tracking, reconciliation, bar code generation and remnant management. Circle RS#69 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

HanStone Quartz Launches Marble-like Cascina Collection

HanStone Quartz launched its new Cascina Collection, with four colors in a marble-inspired

design. The collection includes the colors Classic Statue, Italian Waves, Serenity and Tranquillity. “The new colors warmly recall the natural world with touches, veining and rich undertones that are irresistibly classic,” reported the company. The patterns and colors in this marble-like series are described as “glossy, wispy and sophisticated,” and are suitable for any work space, kitchen or bath. Circle RS#70 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

AG&M Expands New MetroQuartz Line to 21 ColorsArchitectural Granite & Marble (AG&M) has established itself in the market with its engineered quartz line, MetroQuartz. Initially launching with seven colors a few months ago, it has now expanded to 21 colors. The MetroQuartz color palette is contemporary with whites such as Luxe, Glacial and Titanium White; grays like Concrete, Graphite and Sage Honed; and veined marbles like Calacatta Metro, Toffee and Vogue. Circle RS#71 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#30 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info. Circle RS#31 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.


Product News

Outwater Plastics Introduces Brite-Lite Sheet System Outwater Plastics introduced the Brite-Lite Sheet, a self-adhering backing sheet that affixes to acrylic or glass surfaces. It is made for use with the company’s L-Task-149 Aluminum Channel and LED Ribbon Strip Lighting to diffuse consistent backlighting without any installation space required in between the system and the piece to be backlit. It can also be easily removed and repositioned as needed; cut to any size or shape; and is available in 4- by 100-ft. rolls or in 4-ft.-sq. sections.


CARVART Introduces C1 CollectionCARVART introduced the C1 Collection of 12 exclusive architectural glass-etched designs offering surfacing for walls, partitions, doors and work spaces. They have been named for Brooklyn neighborhoods near CARVART’S urban beginnings: Redhook, Bayridge, Bushwick, Seagate, Greenpoint, Midwood,

Flatbush, Kensington, Wingate, Williamsburg, Bedford and Canarsie. The collection’s carved patterns are designed by the Ferreira Design Company and incorporate squares and triangles created from organically hand-drawn lines and crisp geometric strokes. All patterns are available in two scales (small and large) and with single- or double-sided etched patterns plus positive and reverse designs. Standard thicknesses offered are ¼, ⅜ and ½ in., as well as other thicknesses up to 1 in. The maximum standard sheet size is 48 by 120 in., but larger sizes are available. Some translucent views are offered, and multiple colors, varying translucencies, reflective views and scalable patterns offer a variety of additional choices.Circle RS#73 on page 57 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.


ISFA Member since 2013



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Ad IndexClassifieds

Fabricators!ISFA Fabricators, do you have used equipment you would like to sell? Looking to fill a key position? Why not submit a FREE classified ad? That’s right, relevant classifieds in this publication are free to ISFA fabricator members! Just send us the text you’d like to run and we’ll do the rest.

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Quality Stone Fabricator NeededWe are currently accepting applications for individuals interested in joining a staff of highly motivated and quality oriented people for the stone fabrication sector of our company. The ideal individual would have at least five years of experience, be able to template, layout, cut, profile, install, as well as possibly manage employees, customers, and time. They must be professional, self-motivated, have leadership skills, and be unwavering in wanting to excel at their trade. These positions demand that the candidate be a detail oriented person that strives only for perfection. Please send your information with prior experience and references to:

Allied Floor Covering, Inc. 325 Main Road

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Referral # Page # 03 BACA 5 31 Beckart Environmental, Inc. 55 29 Betterley Industries, Inc. 54 30 Better Vacuum Cups 55 25 BLANCO 16 20 Chemcore 14 12 Chemical Concepts 18 04 Cosentino 7 33 CountertopResource.com 56 20 ETemplate Systems 34 34 GlueWarehouse.com 59 26 Hi Tech Fasteners 52 11 Houzer 17 35 Integra Adhesives 60 17 ISFA Training 27, 33 & 43 06 ISFA Membership 10 & 15 01 ITW Polymers Sealants North America 2 24 IWF 41 18 Karran USA 29 21 KRION 35 & 56 13 Laser Products 19 07 Matrix Stone 11 02 MSI 3 05 Park Industries 9 18 Performance Abrasives 52 11 QuartzSource 12 09 Regent Stone 13 21 Tenax 21 23 TISE 39 28 Water Treatment Solutions 53 22 WEHA 37

Circle RS#34 on the Reader Service Page or go to www.isfanow.org/info. ISFA Member since 2010


Documents

ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Vol. 8, Issue 4 - Q4 2015