ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Vol. 6, Issue 2 - Q2 2013

Volume 6 • Issue 2 • Single Issue $14.95

Using Showrooms to Sell Page 26 Building a Safety Plan Page 28

Simplifying Concrete Countertop Mixes Page 30

Commerical Solid Surface

Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel gets unique surface upgrade in a big way Page 20

Circle RS#01 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

CREDITS Letters to the Editor

Photography

Please send letters to editor@isfanow.org or to Letters, ISFA, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 or fax to (412) 487-3269 attention: Editor. Include a telephone number and address (preferably an email address). Letters may be edited for clarity or space. Because of the high volume of mail we receive, we cannot respond to all letters. Send queries about Countertops & Architectural Surfaces to editor@isfanow.org or mail to ISFA, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 or fax to (801) 341-7361 attention: Editor.

Photography/graphics provided by: R.D. Wing Co., Mark Celebuski, The Countertop Shop, TechneTrain and Showcase Kitchens & Baths.

Countertops & Architectural Surfaces welcomes Letters to the Editor.

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

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

Magazine Credits

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

Contacting ISFA

ISFA Officers of the Board

About this Magazine

ISFA Directors

Phone: (412) 487-3207 Toll Free: (877) 464-7732 Fax: (412) 487-3269 editor@isfanow.org www.isfanow.org

Countertops & Architectural Surfaces 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 (877) 464-7732. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright © International Surface Fabricators Association 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without publisher’s written permission.

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

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

Mike Langenderfer, President Dave Paxton, Vice President Michael Astill, Secretary Mellisa Hill, Treasurer Russ Berry, Immediate Past President

Adam Albee, Director Erica Hussey, Director Mark Anderson, Associate Member Representative

ISFA Staff

Chuck Sawyer, Executive Director Kevin Cole, Magazine/Website Publisher & Editor Mike Nolan, Education Director Paul Wisnefski, Account Representative Jennifer Plante, Administrative Assistant & Registrar

Cover Photo

Fabricator R.D. Wing Co., working with several other fabricators, took on a huge solid surface project at the Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Portland, Ore. Managed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF) Architects, the project included the thermoformed bench seating shown here, along with a multitude of other complex fabrications. Read the full story on Page 20.

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

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 3

CONTENTS

Features 16 Management Matters

Social media is here to stay

20 Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Multiple complex solid surface projects

encompassed in this commercial job

26 Using Showrooms to Boost Countertop Sales

20

28 Building a Safety Program for Your Business

What you need to know to deal with the GHS changes to OSHA rules

30 Concrete Countertop Mix Designs Simplified

26

Sometimes simpler is better

Departments 6 From the Editor 8 Executive Director’s Letter 10 President’s Letter 11 Calendar of Events 12 Industry News 16 Management Matters 17 Education Connection

28

30

32 ISFA News 38 ISFA Fabricator Directory 43 Product News 49 Reader Service Form 50 Classifieds/Ad Index

34 4 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Grass Roots

Gatherings The Classic ISFA Events for Participation & Networking The heartbeat of ISFA is the energy of our members. Mark your calendars—2013 will be a year to remember! ISFA is planning a series of gatherings filled with fellowship, education, networking and fun.

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. – August CINCINNATI – September 19 SEATTLE – October 17 ORLANDO, Fla. – November 7 Get Involved!

We need your help to make these events the best that they can be.

For more information or to volunteer for the Grass Roots Gathering Committee in your area, please contact ISFA at gatherings@isfanow.org.

If you are an associate member interested in sponsoring or displaying at these events, please contact ISFA at support@isfanow.org.

Thanks to these sponsors:

Circle RS#02 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

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

The $10-a-square-foot Gimmick (or the Downhill Sprint) If the headline here caught your attention (and it may just have done so), please take a minute to look at the photo below, and I think you will really see something that is going to make you stop and think.

This sign at the recent KBIS expo certainly caught my attention as I walked the aisles in search of the latest and greatest the show had to offer the world of surfacing. At first I couldn’t believe my eyes. Sure, I’ve seen the signs touting “Granite, $25.99 per sq. ft. installed” in different locations I’ve been, and maybe even lower than that, but 10 bucks? It had to be a misprint, right? So I approached the booth and asked about the product and asked if they minded if I photographed their sign/booth. The folks populating the booth had no problem with it and so I snapped a few photos from my smart phone (sorry about the quality) and then asked them to explain to me how they could offer granite for $10/sq. ft.

First off, they explained to me that it was $15/sq. ft. installed and only $10 if you installed it yourself. As if… But it certainly got me thinking about the idea of do-it-yourself granite. That’s a concept that I find troublesome, to say the least.

Anyway, the gentleman at the booth walked me through the concept and how they could sell granite countertops at such a price. To make a long story short, the edge treatment is limited to a flat polish on the visible edges, the sections of slab are not seamed at all, and there are no sink cutouts. A special sink is offered that makes it look like the straight countertop run is all one piece, but really there is a gap where the sink goes and the sink extends to the front edge and back to the splash to hide the gap. If you look at the photo above, you can see the display with the sink included, which illustrates how it is done. If there is an “L” in the top, there is no seam between the two pieces of granite and the back of the piece jutting out is not finished; so where two pieces of granite meet, there is a pretty rough gap. While it is a granite countertop, it is a no-frills version that lacks the type of quality that most shops would be put out.

I happened to mention the booth to a friend of mine with years of countertop experience that was at the show, and he said he was quite familiar with the

company. He also said it was his opinion that many of the “franchise dealers” for the company didn’t really make much money on the tops, but more that it was something to get people into their showrooms to sell them on cabinetry, for which they did make a decent profit.

Now, I believe in capitalism as much as the next guy, and if this is a product that people actually buy, I suppose it is their right to do so. And I’m not one

to go bad-mouthing anyone, but I do see some problems with this type of an operation.

For many, many years granite has been considered a luxury product and has

held a regal quality that made homeowners proud to have it in their residence.

With this sort of a product, that goes out the window. If someone sees a

top-knotch, professionally done granite countertop install, it stands to reason that it evokes positive emotions that are then associated with the product

category. When someone sees a less-than-professional granite countertop install, what feeling do they associate with it? Does that feeling then get transferred to the product itself?

But, of course, when someone sees the price tag, they may expect that

kind of a low-ball price from any countertop shop. And once that kind of

expectation is set, it can be a difficult thing to overcome, even if your work is of a much higher quality.

This may be a drastic example, but we’ve all seen the signs advertising prices so low it makes your stomach churn. So how do you compete with a product like that?

Well, first of all, I think it is key that professionals remind potential customers

that the old adage “you get what you pay for” still holds true to most respects today, and that their kitchen countertop, which will be a big part of their life for a long time, is no place to take a chance on cutting corners or doing it yourself. Gimmicks don’t make repeat customers or referral business.

But whatever you do, I would urge you not to be tempted to try to play the pricing game. It really is just a downhill sprint to loss of profitability. Sell on

quality. Let people know why they should choose your craftsmanship. And

After my host explained the process, he also was clear to explain this type of a countertop would more likely to appear in a house that would be “flipped.”

He also said somewhat apologetically that “fabricators don’t care for my product.”

continue to hold yourself to high standards. In the long run, I think you will be

I also noticed from the company’s literature they offered a sort of franchise business where they would provide dealers with a “starter kit” to set up their own business, which includes a sample book, literature, banners, displays, an inexpensive wet saw to cut the slabs, and blades and polishing tools for the edge work.

Sincerely,

6 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

more prosperous and happier, and I think your customers will be also. Give your customers luxury, not just the “look” of it.

As always, I look forward to your feedback.

Kevin Cole Editor & Publisher kevin@isfanow.org

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From the Executive Director From the desk of Chuck Sawyer, Executive Director

ISFA is on the Move!

As we go to press, I’m pleased to announce

Hosts for our Grass Roots Gatherings

that ISFA has relocated our main office to the Pittsburgh area. Among other things, the consolidation of our Utah and Pennsylvania locations will result in more efficient communications and operations within the

Sponsor for the CEO Roundtable

association. We have a full plate of regional gatherings, standards development, training initiatives and other projects to help promote, protect and educate the industry. This move will help make these efforts possible.

Vendors for our Gatherings (3-time)

Another factor that helps make these things possible is the support that we get from our associate members, who with their financial support and through participation in events and project teams help provide the

Vendors for our Gatherings (2-time)

foundation for the work that ISFA does.

I would like to sincerely thank our supporters for their sponsorships of our Grass Roots Gatherings, CEO Roundtable and other events so far this year.

Chuck Sawyer ISFA Executive Director cksawyer@isfanow.org

8 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Vendors for our Gatherings (1-time)

Preview of Coming Attractions Coming soon to your neighborhood…

Isfa is currently engaged in the development of a program to revolutionize our Total Fabrication Training!

Under the leadership of ISFA Education Director Mike Nolan, a team of experienced educators is creating a new program that will result in a group of ISFA-approved trainers that will be able to provide fabrication training on a regional or local basis.

With course modules developed by the ISFA team, we will be able to offer customized training at your shop.

To participate in the development of this program or for questions about this program please contact: Mike Nolan, Education Director, mike@isfanow.org or INTERN ATION AL SURFACE FABRIC AT ORS ASSOCIATION

Chuck Sawyer, Executive Director, cksawyer@isfanow.org.

Circle RS#04 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 5 / Issue 4 • 9

From the President From the desk of Mike Langenderfer, ISFA 2012-2013 President

Wow, What?

I started my first letter in this magazine as ISFA

it is easiest to share ideas. I attended the two-

you will say, “Wow, what a year.” That was almost

information we could have stayed another day.

president by saying I hope at the end of my term six months ago. About three months ago I wrote

my second letter and said, “Wow it’s really hard to believe the time is going by so fast.”

at that time and I listened to every word they said.

day CEO Roundtable, and it was so full of great

I came home and tried both ways and came to my

I have said it so many times and the roundtable

use because the two guys I am referring to read

own conclusion. I won’t tell you which method I

was no exception — I have never been to an

this magazine and I don’t want to tell either one of

has made my company and me more successful

to share the two methods, discuss the pros and

ISFA event in which I didn’t learn something that

them they are wrong. However, I’ll be very happy

(and yes, these learning opportunities make my

cons, and tell you what method I use if you to

business more money).

come to an ISFA event and ask me in person.

I have been very fortunate so far this year to have

What I’m trying to say is that you need to come

and speak to many of you. What I have found is

and learn how the other guy is doing it and

the country are having a good year. Of course,

Roundtable whose business employs just him,

Calif. We’ve conducted Total Fabrication

stories where people are struggling or had to

attendance that has six locations and more than

in Cincinnati. We were at the Kitchen and Bath

really positive. Now is the time when you really

in between. Now if you can’t learn something from

you a taste of what’s coming, we will be starting

Or, you can stay home in Somewhere USA and

Buffet or Donald Trump, or you just didn’t try.

many more Grass Roots Gathering events taking

and wonder what to do next.

The title to this letter is, “Wow, What?” There are so many things you can tack on to that

statement. Wow, where has the year gone?

Wow, in two more years we get to go through the national election process again. Wow, I’m sorry I

been able to travel to many of the ISFA events

to an ISFA event or two. You need to get out

that the majority of the people I talk to around

get motivated. There was a guy at the CEO

Gatherings in both Tampa, Fla., and Anaheim,

I’m sorry to say, there are a few unfortunate

his wife and their son, but there was also a guy in

Training classes. We hosted a CEO Roundtable

close up the shop. But overall the attitude is

300 employees. Then there were all the rest of us

Industry Show in New Orleans. And just to give

need to get out and rub elbows with your peers.

a group like that, you must be related to Warren

the Million Dollar Mentor Program and there are

worry, read all the bad press about the economy,

Thanks for reading my ramblings. If you haven’t

place all around the country this year. I won’t

We all have access to the Internet and we can

ISFA and our industry or you haven’t decided

unless I missed it somewhere along the way, your

there isn’t much more I can do but leave you with

a good handshake when you meet a new friend.

months when you’re reading my last letter in this

missed that ISFA event. (And you should be sorry about that last one.)

ISFA was at StonExpo. We had Grass Roots

give you all the details because you can find that

realized by now that I am very excited about

Google anything we want to know about, but

that you need to attend the next ISFA event, then

computer doesn’t allow you to feel the warmth of

one last thing to think about. I hope in about six

ISFA has had great leadership in the past,

Your computer doesn’t allow you to see the

magazine as ISFA president you don’t have to ask

be especially outstanding. After hiring Chuck

his business. Your computer doesn’t send you the

they have laid out a plan for this year that has

your peers, without even knowing that you were

I listed above are only the tip of the proverbial

spam, but that’s not really useful.)

information in the following pages, but it has

already been a busy year, with a lot more planned for the future.

but this year the Board of Directors seems to

passion in a guy’s face when he is talking about

Sawyer as Executive Director last November,

random bits of useful information you learn from

kept everyone feeling very hopeful. The events

missing it. (Well, it does send you a multitude of

iceberg. Not only is there much more to come this year, but also on into 2014 when we will

continue to add value for the members by being an even larger part of IWF in Atlanta.

I’m not ashamed to say I have eavesdropped on a few conversations at these events, or should I say “overheard,” so as not to be rude. I started

doing this about 10 years ago in Houston when

I don’t want to sound overly enthusiastic, but you

I was sitting at a table at an ISFA event and

association is all about the members. We learn so

a friendly argument about how to measure

really need to attend some of these events. The

much from each other, and when we meet is when 10 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

“overheard” two past presidents of ISFA having production in the shop. I was new to the business

yourself, “Wow, what did I miss?”

Mike Langenderfer ISFA President

mike@countertopshop.net

Calendar of Events Park Industries Digital Expo

ISFA Training Event & Gathering

Buddy Rhodes Basic Workshop

SFA Workshop

June 7 St. Cloud, Minn.

(800) 328-2309

August Westchester, N.Y. (877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org

Marmomacc 2013 Sept. 25 - 28 Verona, Italy (202) 783-7000

ISFA Regional Gathering

Aug. 15 - 16 Thousand Palms, Calif.

(706) 341-7525

Oct. 17 Seattle, Wash.

(877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org

SFA Workshop

ISFA CEO Roundtable

MIA Stone Industry Seminar

ISFA Total Fabricator Training Stone/Quartz

ISFA CEO Roundtable

June 11 Chattanooga, Tenn.

(877) 706-5303 June 13 - 14 Shawnee, Okla.

(405) 275-8453

June 17 - 19 Oakland, N.J. (877) 464-7732 Mike@isfanow.org

MIA Stone Industry Seminar June 19 Salt Lake City, Utah (888) 530-6714

AIA National Convention June 20 - 22 Denver, Colo.

(202) 626-7300

Cheng Concrete Countertops Training June 22 Berkeley, Calif.

(510) 849-3272

ISFA Business Bootcamp

Aug. 21 - 22 Chicago, Ill. (877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org September Boston, Mass.

(877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org

Building Stone Institute Fall Study Tour Sept. 9 Minneapolis, Minn.

(866) 786-6313

ISFA Grass Roots Regional Gathering Sept. 19 Cincinnati, Ohio (877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org

MIA Stone Industry Seminar Sept. 19 Dallas, Texas (888) 530-6714

(kickoff for Million Dollar Mentor Program) June 26 - 27 Lexington, Ky. (877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org

Cheng Concrete Countertops Training

MIA Stone Industry Seminar

Cheng Advanced Concrete Design

July 18 Seattle, Wash.

(888) 530-6714

AWFS

July 24 - 27 Las Vegas, Nev.

Sept. 20 Berkeley, Calif.

(510) 849-3272

Sept. 23 - 27 Berkeley, Calif.

(510) 849-3272

IWF Restart Conference

Oct. 17 Atlanta, Ga. (888) 530-6714

MIA Stone Industry Seminar Nov. 7 Pompano Beach, Fla. (888) 530-6714

ISFA Annual Members Meeting Nov. 7 Orlando, Fla. (877) 464-7732 gatherings@isfanow.org

KBIS/IBS 2014 Feb. 4 - 6, 2014 Las Vegas, Nev. (800) 933-8735

Coverings 2014

April 29 - May 2, 2014 Las Vegas, Nev. (703) 683-8500

Carrara Marmotec 2014 May 21 - 24, 2014 Merina di Carrara, Italy +39 0585-787-6022

IWF 2014

Aug. 20 - 23, 2014 Atlanta, Ga. (404) 693-8333

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

Sept. 24 - 25 Smyrna, Ga. (404) 693-8333

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 11

In the Industry KBIS Under New Ownership Nielsen Holdings, the corporate owners of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS),

announced that its expositions and events

division is being sold to Onex Corporation for

$950 million. Nielsen Expositions, based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., produces more than 65 trade shows and events in nine markets.

In 2012, it had a revenue of $183 million,

with four offices and 240 employees. Nielsen representatives stated that the company will

work closely with Onex to ensure that events

such as KBIS are free of problems during the

transition. Onex is a multinational, private equity firm with offices in New York, London and

Toronto. It now manages $15 billion in assets, with annual revenues of $37 billion and more than 200,000 employees.

DuPont Corian Hires Jon Olson Jon Olson, longtime

representative of the

solid surface industry, has taken a job with

DuPont Corian as regional account representative in Connecticut and

western Massachusetts.

Blume’s Solid Surface Products Celebrates 25th Anniversary Blume’s Solid Surface Products in Pittsburgh celebrates 25 years of business. Gus Blume and his wife, Dorothy, started a laminate countertop fabrication shop in 1972 (Topcraft), sold that business in 1988 and started Blume’s Solid Surface Products. Blume’s added its current stone operation in 2004 and since have been a full-service solid surface, granite and quartz fabrication shop located just outside Pittsburgh and servicing western Pennsylvania, and eastern Ohio. Blume’s offers Artisan Stone Collection granite and marble, Heritage Wood and Saratoga Soapstone, as well as solid surface and quartz countertop products.

Blume’s was the first stone fabricator in Pennsylvania and the 18th in the world to achieve accreditation from the Marble Institute of America (MIA). MIA Accreditation for natural stone fabricators recognizes those companies that meet the industry’s highest standards for business activities, product knowledge, fabrication and installation. Gus Blume served six years on the ISFA Board of Directors and has served on the Artisan Group (association of countertop fabricators) board of directors for a two-year term. Blume’s is a wholesale only company selling to kitchen dealers, contractors, millwork houses and builders.

Olson served in a variety of roles with Sterling

is located in Irving, Texas. ITW Polymers

tenure there, most recently as online marketing,

sealants solutions to various industries and its

Surfaces in Sterling, Mass., over his 30-year sales and communications manager. He is

well known for his advocacy of solid surface

in the surfacing industry and for his columns in multiple trade publications, including this magazine, Surface Fabrication and Solid

Surface Magazine. His new role with DuPont officially began at the end of January.

ITW TACC Now ITW Polymers Sealants North America As part of ITW’s efforts to better compete

globally, the following repositioning has been

made to allow a larger scale operating format.

The ER Systems, Schnee-Morehead, and

Sealants North America, Inc. offers expanded key markets including construction (roofing, surfacing, metal building and fenestration), aerospace composites and wind energy. Brands include: Acryl-R, Elastek, ER Systems, Miracle, Pacific Polymers, Permathane, STA’-PUT, and Tacky Tape. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 diversified industrial manufacturer with $18 billion in revenue, operating in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Marble of the World Named Authorized Samsung Radianz Distributor

TACC (formerly Plexus) business units are

Samsung expanded its market reach in the

North America, Inc. Effective April 1, the

an authorized distributor of Radianz Quartz in

entity. ITW Polymers Sealants North America,

Radianz Quartz now has distribution in more

Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Arizona

years in business, Marble of the World is an

combined to form ITW Polymers Sealants

United States by adding Marble of the World as

aforementioned business units are one legal

southeastern Florida. With the new partnership,

Inc. has six facilities operating in Texas,

than 30 states plus Canada. Celebrating 25

and California. The division headquarters

importer of stone products.

12 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Saint-Gobain Issues Environmental Product Declaration for Grenite Engineered Stone Saint-Gobain has issued an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its Grenite

Engineered Stone Series. Compliant with ISO 14025, EPDs are internationally recognized,

standardized tools that detail the environmental impact of a product. “We commend Saint-

Gobain for demonstrating their commitment

toward transparency by completing and third-

party certifying an EPD for their Grenite product,” said Paul Firth, EPD product manager at UL

Environment. “UL Environment is championing disclosure of environmental impacts with the

building industry to help manufacturers meet

evolving green building requirements and to help architects and designers make more responsible purchasing decisions.”

To determine the product’s eligibility for an EPD, UL Environment tested one square meter of the Grenite Recycled Refractory (Birch Prada) and

the Grenite Recycled Slag (Anaconda Black) line

in accordance with EPD product category rules (PCRs). UL Environment develops EPDs in five steps, including verifying the product lifecycle assessment (LCA) meets requirements defined in the PCRs. The EPD presents the results of the LCA along with additional information about the product’s performance and other sustainability attributes.

AHI Stoneworks Joins Artisan Group AHI Stoneworks has been selected as a member of the Artisan Group, a national organization of 36 independent countertop fabricators who have joined together to offer their own brands of premium countertops including Artisan Stone Collection granite and marble and Saratoga Soapstone.

AHI founder Nick Chaich began fabricating countertops nearly three decades ago, while attending high school. Realizing that the fabrication business had potential to become much more than a beloved craft, Chaich undertook studies in business to gain the fundamental knowledge necessary to run AHI Stoneworks, which officially started in 1998. Billy Shaw, co-owner, has a countertop background that began in 1970. He started Highland Systems in Memphis, Tenn., in 1987 and sold the company in 2006. He became involved with AHI in 2010, becoming a shareholder in 2013.

“We are very glad to a part of an organization with likeminded businesspeople and a consistent quality product line,” said Shaw. “There are many good fabricators out there, but we really focus on marketing to consumers, and a strict business model. Being a part of the Artisan Group provides us with an entire support system of marketing, sharing of best practices and a sample program so we don’t have to recreate the wheel and can focus on our business.” AHI serves retail consumers, dealers, builders and commercial projects. The company fabricates all brands of solid surface, as well as natural stone and quartz.

Rockler Helps Fund Planting of More Than 16,000 Trees for Earth Day Rockler Woodworking and Hardware continued its Earth Day partnership with the Hardwood Forestry Fund (HFF) by contributing proceeds to help fund the planting of 16,600 seedlings in two separate tree planting projects for 2013. The first is the Riverdale School Forest located in southwestern Wisconsin and the second is the Raystown Army Corp of Engineers Project in the Raystown Lake region of Pennsylvania. The ongoing partnership between the two organizations helps sustain and renew hardwood forests throughout the United States.

iStone App Now Available for iPhone The Marble Institute of America (MIA), and studiomarmo, an Italian expert on natural stone graphic and Web design, have announced the release of iStone, a natural stone swatch application originally designed for the iPad, for iPhone and iPod. The app is available in the Apple App Store. The app presents images and technical information on over 1,000 natural stones from around the world, including a search function

Circle RS#05 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 13

In the Industry that allows the user to filter by stone type, color,

expand the presence of Epmar Corp.’s Kemiko

designed to provide

ability to view stones in 3-D and bookmatch

Landscape Co., and has been a driving force in

product and event

country of origin and more. Also included is the

stains and coatings during her tenure at Lambert

format, as well as email capability to share

the idea that decorative concrete had a place in

images with clients, colleagues or friends.

residential applications.

Concrete Décor Show Announces 2013 Decorative Concrete Hall of Fame Inductees

Bill Stegmeier, who is the founder of the

The Concrete Decor Show inducted the newest members of the Decorative Concrete Hall of

Fame in March. This year’s four inductees are: Ralph Gasser, who developed the Shasta

Seamless Texture Mat, one of the first large-scale texture mats in the industry.

Byron Klemaske II, who is the vice president of operations for T.B. Penick and Sons Inc. and recently helped T.B. Penick secure a federal

patent for a pervious concrete system called Pervious Concrete Elements.

Barbara Sargent, who has worked tirelessly to

Stegmeier Corp. and developed the first cantilever deck form made of expanded

polystyrene (Styrofoam) as a replacement for the traditional precast coping stones.

Established in 2010, the Decorative Concrete Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and

companies whose contributions have impacted the decorative concrete industry, both as a business and an art form.

CountertopResource.com Launches Newsletter CountertopResource.com, a website designed for professionals in the countertop industry,

has launched a free monthly e-newsletter. The

newsletter, dubbed “The Countertop Insider” is

Circle RS#06 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

14 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

a variety of news,

information to the

countertop industry in an easy-to-read

digital format that is

emailed once a month.

The newsletter will

also contain articles, editorials and other

useful information for the industry. “This

newsletter is a great companion piece to the

website,” said Brian Jones, the editor for the site.

“It is a roundup of key information for the month, based on the variety of content published on the

website itself. We feel it will be of great use to the industry, and the response from our first several issues has already been very positive.”

Interested parties can sign up for the newsletter at www.countertopresource.com.

Commando Select Mortar Vehicle line

expert on this key product line, he’s overseeing

Each Commando vehicle will now feature

support, training and ongoing product

for Textron Marine and Land Systems.

a counterbalance torsion spring system, engineered precisely to lift the 200-lb.

mortar door straight up. Located on the roof of the vehicle, the mortar door operates like a hatch and allows soldiers inside

door deployment system for the armored

product manager dealing with Kongsberg

mortar door virtually weightless and provides

and applications specialist at MGE, also

engagement.

computer cut graphics administrator at Color

He also served as software product manager

soldiers quick response time during enemy

in Lake Geneva. Previously, Wilson was

Global CNC cutting

an exclusive contract to manufacture the

senior applications manager and software

targets. The counterbalance makes the

CounterBalance Corp., manufacturer of a

devices for countertops, was awarded

Wilson gained a wealth of experience as

cutting tables at Esko in Lake Geneva, Wis.

CounterBalance Corp. Awarded Contract For Military Vehicles

known in the surfacing industry for its lift

development.

the vehicle to fire mortars that hit outside

MultiCam Names New Product Manager

modular torsion spring system and best

its advancement through sales and application

Arts of Racine, Wis. He earned a B.A. at the

University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha.

Concrete Poetry Featured on ‘Ask This Old House’

system manufacturer

Peter Somers of Concrete Poetry in Braintree,

John Wilson digital

This Old House in March. Airing on PBS,

manager. As the in-house

concrete countertop kitchen project.

MultiCam Inc. appointed

Mass., was featured on an episode of Ask

finishing product

the episode features Somers completing a

Circle RS#07 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 15

Management Matters From the desk of Jon Olson

Social Media is here to Stay Yes, I said it. Social

to use your services, it’s best to tag your boards

So what should you produce? Let’s use a kitchen

stay. I know for

area, you could use the tag “Boise countertops.”

shots of a completed kitchen with your smart-

media is here to

some of you that’s not good news. And you may not like this even more, but it really does work.

There could be many reasons for your lack of

enthusiasm for social media. Maybe you didn’t start a program because you thought it was a

fad, you did make one and it just collected dust, or you felt like it was just a waste of time. That’s

OK. There’s still time to get into the game. But you have to get off the bench and get started.

Let’s pretend you haven’t done anything with

social media. What’s a good place to start? Well, before you get involved in social media, it’s my

belief a business needs a website first. I think a

website should be the anchor of all social media.

It adds credibility to your company. In a world

where most people have tossed out their yellow

pages and gotten a laptop, it doesn’t make sense not to have an online presence for your company.

So if you are one of the companies that doesn’t have even a basic website, before you worry

about social media, you should put this at the top of your “to do” list, and then get to work!

So you’ve built a great website. What’s next? Two

of the best places to start to get the biggest reach are YouTube and Pinterest. I would urge you to

focus on these two sites first. Doing too much at

once will just frustrate you. It’s best to start small.

Let’s take a look at Pinterest first. Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo-sharing website that

allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests and hobbies. Users can browse other pinboards for

images, “re-pin” images to their own pinboards or “like” photos they come across. It allows

users to save images and categorize them on

different boards, and they can follow other users’ boards if they have similar tastes.

You, as an owner of a Pinterest page, can create boards and give them names, “Countertops” or “Kitchens,” for example. You can then begin to populate them with pictures of your own work.

Because you are trying to find people in your area 16 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

accordingly. For example, if you’re from the Boise Also, when you load a picture you can add your

company’s information to the description. Using your Web address is very important. A potential client can just click it and view your website.

Another important feature of Pinterest is called “pinning.” Pinning pictures from your website to your Pinterest boards is suggested. Why?

If someone pins a picture on your board, your

website will get the credit thus increasing action

remodel as an example. You could take 10 or 12

phone, and then upload them to your inexpensive movie app. I like iMovie because you have the

option of setting your video to music, but I’m sure

there are others that will work just as well. So, pick some appropriate music to play while your photos are running as the first step. To complete the

project you should make opening credits, explain

what the video is about and add a good conclusion that includes your company contact info.

on your website. This makes Google happy

Now, for the most important part: Before you

searches. Pictures drive social media, so the more

audience you’re trying to reach. For example,

and your website will become more visible in

pictures you post, the greater your online visibility will be. It’s pretty easy to get started and doesn’t cost you anything, but the potential upside is

more people seeing your work and more business coming your way.

Now, let’s go a step further and look at YouTube.

YouTube is a video-sharing website on which

users can upload, view and share videos. The site displays a wide variety of user-generated

video content, including movie clips, TV clips,

and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging, short original videos and educational videos. Most of the content

on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals,

launch the video on YouTube, think about the

suppose you’re a kitchen remodeler and you’re trying to reach out for customers in Boston.

I would suggest you title the video “Boston

Kitchen Remodeling.” Why? Because you want Google to like you so you will be found, and

Google loves YouTube videos. You’ll find in a very short time that when you search “Boston kitchen

remodeling” your video will show up on or near the first page. It’s a quick way to move up the ranks.

Sometimes it takes years to get to the front page

of a search and a lot of effort with key words doing it the conventional way. So this can move you

quickly up the ladder. The best part is people love to watch videos so they can’t resist clicking.

although media corporations including CBS, the

Building a website, joining Pinterest and making

some of their material via the site. Unregistered

difficult ways to greatly increase your social

BBC, Vevo, Hulu, and other organizations offer users can watch videos, while registered users can upload an unlimited number of videos.

How can you use YouTube to increase business?

I talked about Pinterest first for a reason. What I am about to explain involves using pictures you

a simple YouTube video are three not-so-

media presence and increase business. I also encourage you to join groups or forums that

discuss social media and learn more. A great

place to start is LinkedIn to look for groups … but that is another story.

have gathered to make small YouTube videos. If

If you dive into the social media scene, I know

now have a reservoir of pictures to use. Years ago,

rewards.

you have created a few Pinterest boards, then you you needed all kinds of fancy equipment to make a video, but technology is just moving at light

speed. Now high-quality video can be created

on your iPad or even on your smartphone. I have apps that cost less than $10 that can be used to make a pretty good production.

you will find it well worth the effort as you reap the About the Author: Jon Olson has more than 30 years’ involvement in the solid surface industry, with experience in all aspects of fabrication and sales. He is the past recipient of ISFA’s Fabricator of the Year and ISFA’s Innovator of the Year awards and can be reached at jonolso@gmail.com.

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

Education Connection Putting

Shop Safety First

New compliance tools available for fabricators When it comes to the shop, safety is everyone’s responsibility. Obviously no one wants to be injured or see an

In 1999, ISSFA in cooperation with Fountainhead and TechneTrain,

in creating and maintaining a safe and productive environment. However,

updated to comply with various changes and to align with the Globally

employee or co-worker hurt on the job. As such, everyone must be vested if employees are not following the safety rules, or aren’t even aware of the

proper safety rules, when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) comes knocking and finds a problem, the business owner is the one who is going to be hit with the fines.

With all of the safety rules businesses must be aware of and comply with

today, it can be a daunting task to even know where to begin. That’s why

ISFA is now offering several new safety manuals that can take the confusion out of the process and get your shop on track for the proper compliance.

developed the first Federal OSHA Compliance Manual for the Solid Surfacing Industry. The original version of the manual has been Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

GHS is an internationally agreed upon system that will replace the various chemical classification and labeling standards used in different countries. In addition, content relevant to segments of the industry other than solid surface were added so that the manual is now applicable to the industry as a whole. The result is ISFA’s new Federal OSHA Compliance Manual for the Surfacing Industry.

Federal OSHA Compliance Manual for the Surfacing Industry Every surface fabricating business in the

Structure, inspections and record-keeping requirements, as well as regulations on

United States is subject to OSHA

relevant topics such as air tools; extension

regulations. Here is the definitive manual, updated for the new GHS rules, that “cracks the Federal OSHA code” and enables you to be current and in compliance. Learn which regulations apply to our industry and how to conform effectively in 2013.

This reference manual includes detailed information about OSHA Penalty

cords and construction electrical; materials handling and safe lifting; delivery and

bucket trucks; thermoforming; noise; silica; formaldehyde; asbestos; and bloodborne

pathogens. It also contains the information you need to learn about the new Hazard

Communication Standard and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 17

OR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR June 1, 2016, elements of both the old and new systems may be used and employees should understand both.

This training module is a four-disk set that includes Basic Hazard

Communication training DVD (26 min.); Global Harmonization System training DVD (13 min.); GHS Labels and Safety Data Sheets training DVD (13 min.); and important documents to help you with compliance. It also includes an 800 number with free support for transitioning to this new standard.

ISFA Hazard Communication and the Global Harmonization System Any business that uses even a single hazardous chemical must have a

All of the following are covered: ■■ The elements of a Hazard Communication (Right-to-Know) program ■■ Recent changes to conform to the Global Harmonization System

Hazard Communication program; this includes virtually every surface

■■ How chemicals can affect you

fabrication shop. In 2012, OSHA revised its Hazard Communication Standard

■■ The new chemical classification system

to conform to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). GHS is an internationally agreed upon system that will replace the various classification and labeling standards used in different

■■ How to read the new GHS Safety Data Sheets (SDS) ■■ New label elements: pictograms, signal words, hazard and

countries. The deadline for training employees on new labels and safety

precautionary statements

data sheet format is Dec. 1, 2013. Until the full compliance deadline of

■■ How to protect yourself at your job

Other Safety Training Programs GET THE POINT CD Packages GET THE POINT of OSHA regulations with

■■ Student quizzes to ensure the information was understood

this Employee Safety Training Series for the

■■ A certificate of completion to document

business owners to present a consistent

■■ An instruction guide that lists additional

satisfy their OSHA training requirements. GET

to be in compliance with the applicable

Surface Industry. This Training Series enables

your training efforts

message on important safety topics and to

steps you must take to complete training

THE POINT Employee Training Programs are

OSHA regulations

unique in several important ways. They are:

The GET THE POINT series covers electrical

■■ Industry specific – employees can better

safety, blood-borne pathogens, ergonomics

protect themselves.

tagout, forklift safety, noise exposure, personal

relate to their specific hazards and how to

awareness, flammable liquids, lockout/

■■ Time and cost-effective – you save many

protective equipment and OSHA record keeping.

presentation yourself. You also reduce the

Electrical Safety Employee Training Program

each time training is needed.

Working with electricity can be dangerous.

hours that it would take to prepare a training

resources required to present the information ■■ Complete and turnkey – each employee

safety training program includes: ■■ Employee training DVDs ■■ Student handout ■■ Instructor notes

■■ A copy of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

■■ Related handouts, documents and checklists

18 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Electricians work with electricity directly,

including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses and circuit assemblies. Most

professionals in the surface fabrication industry

■■ Electrical protective devices ■■ How to recognize electrical hazards in the workplace ■■ Extension cords and grounding ■■ Example solutions to help control electrical hazards

Bloodborne Pathogens Employee Training Program Employees who may be called upon to administer first aid, or who may be exposed to hazardous waste must understand their risks and how to protect themselves. This program offers an overview of bloodborne pathogens with important information on: ■■ Who must be included in your program ■■ The elements of a Written Exposure Control Plan ■■ “Housekeeping” precautions to help

work with electricity indirectly and may also be

prevent exposure

POINT package covers:

■■ Vaccinations

exposed to electrical hazards. This GET THE

■■ How electricity works and how it can

hurt you

■■ Personal protective equipment ■■ Post-exposure procedures ■■ Universal precautions

OR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR Ergonomics Awareness Employee Training Program Good ergonomics match the physical

requirements of the job to the physical

capacity of the workers by adjusting the work environment and work practices to prevent

injuries before they occur. This training offers an overview of ergonomic issues including: ■■ Understanding what ergonomics is all

about

■■ Training

With all of the safety rules businesses must be

aware of and comply

with today, it can be a

daunting task to even know where to begin.

■■ How to identify conditions that may

problems

■■ Safe lifting ■■ Methods to prevent overreaching or

twisting injuries

Flammable Liquids Employee Training Program Many products commonly used in the surface fabrication industry are flammable. This

module explains the hazards of flammable

liquids in the workplace and the precautions that employees must take. This GET THE

POINT training package was updated in 2013 to conform to the GHS and covers:

■■ Important definitions related to

flammable liquids

■■ Storage requirements and why they are

so important

■■ Fire protection

Lockout/Tagout Employee Training Program

lockout/tagout — everyone is involved!

Fork Truck Safety Training Program Forklifts are an essential tool in many surface fabrication shops. This program provides an overview of important information for both operators and non-operators, including:

■■ Risks inherent in using fork trucks to

operators and other personnel

■■ Requirements for operators ■■ Safe operating procedures

Occupational Noise Exposure Employee Training Program Much of the equipment used in the surface fabrication industry generates significant noise levels, posing risks to employees’

exposed to excessive noise at their job, they

program informs your employees about

program. This module includes information

understand their role in it. This training

must be included in a hearing conservation

critical information on this topic, including:

on the health effects of noise and how the

■■ Requirements for locking/tagging

the use of personal protective equipment

(PPE) to minimize employee exposure. This

program includes important information on: ■■ What OSHA standards apply ■■ What PPE is appropriate and where to

use it

■■ Maintaining PPE ■■ What PPE can and can’t do to protect

you

Learn how to comply with OSHA record

percent preventable. When employees are

devices

When job hazards cannot be eliminated

■■ Typical causes of accidents

tagout program and your employees must

procedures

Personal Protective Equipment Employee Training Program

■■ Fork truck maintenance

at your facility, you must have a lockout/

■■ The steps involved in lockout/tagout

■■ Record keeping

OSHA Record keeping Training Program

hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is 100

necessary

equipment

administrative controls, OSHA requires ■■ The various roles employees have in

If any equipment maintenance is performed

■■ What lockout/tagout is and why it is

■■ Noise controls and personal protective

through the use of engineering and

cause ergonomic problems

■■ Effective solutions for ergonomic

■■ Audiometric testing of employees

OSHA Hearing Conservation Program can

prevent injury. Information covered includes:

keeping requirements and understand the

exemptions available to certain employers.

The module offers insights into the following: ■■ Who must maintain OSHA injury and

illness records

■■ Definition of recordable injury or illness ■■ What records must be kept and who

may access them

■■ How long records must be maintained Safety in the shop and on the jobsite is

everyone’s responsibility. If you do not have a safety program in your facility, the time is

now. If you do have a good safety program, make sure it is up to date with the current requirements.

■■ The components of the OSHA Hearing

For more information on these safety programs, contact ISFA at (877) 464-7732 or go to the ISFA Storefront by clicking the ISFA Store banner at its website at www.isfanow.org.

■■ Noise monitoring

Editor’s Note: You can find other useful safety information on Pages 28-29 of this magazine.

■■ How noise exposure can affect you Conservation Program

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 19

Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel 20 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Figure 1 – One aspect of this massive project was to create a focal point of the hospital lobby in the form of a 240-ft.long by 5-ft.-tall Art Frieze Ribbon suspended 14 ft. in the air.

Figure 2 – Artek, an architectural millwork company, partnered with R.D. Wing Co. to design the Art Frieze Ribbon and fabricated the steel support structure to hold it in place.

R.D. Wing Co., Inc., a premier solid surface fabricator in Kirkland, Wash., was contacted by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF) Architects LLP in Portland, Ore., to create some complex Corian submittal samples for an upcoming expansion to the Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, also located in Portland. The design ZGF had come up with would utilize Corian in some of the most unique ways possible.

They wanted to create an environment for children that eliminated the sterile confines of a traditional hospital by eliminating any straight walls, ceiling and sterile surfaces. Their ambitious plan was to maximize the solid surface within the hospital for all its healthcare benefits, while creating warm inviting surfaces with artwork, colors, textures and depth. Most of the hospital

Figure 3 (below) – The ribbon was etched with animals and text that, when backlit, would allow more light to shine through.

Multiple complex solid surface projects encompassed in this commercial job International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 21

Figure 4 – The ribbon was lit with hidden LED lighting, which changed colors, creating a rainbow effect.

Figure 6 – Numerous 8-ft-high hourglass shaped cylindrical way-finding pillars were created from solid surface for the project.

Figure 5 – The panels for the nurses’ stations were etched with animal shapes and text, and lighting was installed so that at night the shapes were illuminated.

transaction surfaces were to be Corian, but

had designed. R.D. Wing provided submittal

Art Frieze Ribbon suspended 14 ft. in the air

nurses’ stations panels; cylindrical way-finding

ways to fabricate and install the desired

company based in Portland, Ore., partnered

they also wanted thermoformed vertical

pillars; a large thermoformed lobby bench;

glass-fronted solid surface shadow boxes;

and the main lobby feature of a 240-ft.-long

thermoformed Art Frieze Ribbon suspended 14 ft. in the air with illuminated animals and text etched into the surface.

ZGF had reached out to a few companies in

the Portland area, but the samples produced did not capture their intent nor did they feel

that on a grand scale they would receive the desired products. After speaking with Willis

samples and gave expert advice on the best products.

(see Figure 1). Artek, an architectural millwork with R.D. Wing Co. to design the Art Frieze

The majority of the highly visible and complex

Ribbon and a steel support structure. Artek

Wing Co. within the Randall Children’s Hospital

site (see Figure 2).

solid surface projects were fabricated by R.D. at Legacy Emanuel. This highly complex

project included an LED-lit ribbon panel,

nurses’ stations, cylindrical way-finding pillars, a formed bench for the main lobby and glassfronted shadow boxes.

Art Frieze Ribbon

fabricated the steel structure and installed it on Once the metal structure was complete, R.D. Wing Co. used a laser locating system to map the on-site geometry of the structure. From that, the correct radii were determined for mold productions. The first step in the fabrication process was to create blanks that were 5 by

Supply, the local DuPont distributor, ZGF was

The main feature of the hospital is an

5 ft. at ½ in. thick in Glacier White Corian. The

the skills and ability to fabricate what ZGF

the focal point is a 240-ft.-long by 5-ft.-tall

the front (see Figure 3).

connected with R.D. Wing Co. Inc. who had

22 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

expansive two story lobby. Within the lobby,

blanks were etched with animals and text on

The design of the ribbon took it throughout the

lobby, around some corners and into the eating area. Of the 240-ft. length, only five blanks

were flat. The rest had to be thermoformed to their specific radii. On the back of the

completed panels, a French cleat was formed

and attached that corresponded to hangers on

the metal structure. R.D. Wing Co. installed the panels on-site, field seaming them into 20-ft.-

long lengths. Every 20 ft. a silicone expansion

joint was included to allow for movement within the completed ribbon. Within the hollow metal structure, large LED light arrays were installed that changed colors, giving the illuminated

ribbon a rainbow effect (see Figure 4). The

areas that were etched with animals or text

allowed more light to travel through the solid surface, making them even more bright and

illuminated than the surrounding full thickness areas. The result is a stunning monolithic

appearing ribbon that undulates in and out of

the main lobby with lights, colors and shapes.

Nurses’ Stations R.D. Wing Co. partnered with Morales

Vanblokland Inc. (a fabricator in Bend, Ore.) to fabricate the thermoformed nurses’ stations’ corner rounds. The Corian corner rounds

averaged 30 in. tall by 60 in. long and were ½

in. thick in the color Glacier White. The surface was relieved with text and animal shapes (see Figure 5). The backside was masked and

painted with an auto-grade paint everywhere except for where the animal shapes were

etched. The panels were then heated and

formed to the correct radii. The final step was to trim the panels to size and finish sand the

surfaces. The panels were installed by Morales Vanblokland Inc. into the corners of each of the nurses’ stations. At night the panels are

illuminated allowing light to only come through the etched shapes.

Cylindrical Way-finding pillars An artistic design/build company, Pathway

Design of Portland, Ore., worked in tandem

with ZGF Architects to create three 8-ft-high hourglass shaped cylindrical way-finding

pillars (see Figure 6). R.D. Wing Co., Inc.

was contacted to fabricate the solid surface

pillars. First, clamshell thermoforming molds were made for each half of the pillars. The

½-in.-thick Glacier White Corian was heated and pressed into the two-part clamshell

molds (see Figure 7). Once cured, the solid

surface was trimmed to size and holes drilled in their proper locations. Solid acrylic rods, 4 in. in diameter, were glued into the holes at

odd angles. In the center of the acrylic rods,

Figure 7 – The pillars were thermoformed in two pieces and then joined on site.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 23

Figure 8 – Creating a set of thermoformed solid surface benches was another aspect to the project. The wooden support structure was used to mold the material. colored velum was attached. As kids look into the acrylic rods, the velum creates a

kaleidoscope effect. The two halves of each

pillar were glued together locking in the rods.

The tops were glued into position and all the units were finish sanded.

R.D. Wing Co. designed, built and installed

the invisible hardware mounting bracket that was used onsite. Additional vinyl graphics

were added to the outside of the pillars for way-finding.

Main Lobby Formed Bench Another part of Artek’s scope of work was to create a snaking bench placed in the

main lobby made from Glacier White Corian.

Artek fabricated the wood substructure of

the bench. It was divided into four sections

for transportation and installation. R.D. Wing Co., Inc. was contracted with fabricating the Corian skin surrounding the substructure.

Using the bench itself as the mold, the solid surface was heated to forming temperature

Figure 9 – These unique solid surface benches were created to adorn the lobby to the hospital.

Once cured, the formed panels were placed

Glass-fronted Shadow Boxes

Glacier White Corian shadow boxes.

Soelzer Contracting, Inc., based in Portland,

To construct the pentagon-shaped shadow

and laid against the substructure for curing.

next to each other and scribed to a perfect fit.

The Corian was permanently adhered to the

substructure sections and pre-fit for installation (see Figure 8). R.D. Wing Co., Inc. delivered

Ore., working with designers at ZGF Architects, came up with a plan to incorporate solid surface

boxes, five individual panels were cut to size.

The inside was machined down to ⅜ in. thick

the bench on-site, field seamed the sections,

shadow boxes down the main corridor leading

mounted the full unit to the floor and sanded

off the entrance lobby. Each shadow box was

A small window was machined in the center of

the entire surface to the desired finish. The final

filled with an alphabet letter and corresponding

the top two panels which was then filled with

step was to install the custom-made green

items that started with that letter. R.D. Wing

a corresponding piece of clear acrylic. These

seat cushions onto the bench (see Figure 9).

Co., Inc. was asked to fabricate the ½-in.-thick

acted as skylights to illuminate the contents of

24 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

leaving a lip on the outside of each.

the shadow boxes. An angle was cut onto two sides of each panel to allow the five panels to fit together properly. The panels were located, corrected and glued together by using a glue fixture. All the surfaces were sanded to a matte finish. A piece of glass was siliconed inside the remaining solid surface lip, and a laser cut piece of wood paneling was placed behind the glass. Soelzer Contracting added the contents behind the wood paneling and installed the boxes onto the wall throughout the main corridor (see Figure 10).

According to Willis Supply, the Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel is the largest installation of DuPont Corian in the state of Oregon to date.

For more information, contact: R.D. Wing Co., Inc., 11809 NE 116th St., Kirkland, WA 98034, (877) 988-8400

Figure 10 – Numerous glass-fronted solid surface shadow boxes were created and hung on the wall in one section of the hospital.

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF) Architects LLP, 1223 S.W. Washington St., Suite 200, Portland, OR 97205, (503) 224-3860

Morales Vanblokland Inc., 20732 High Desert Ct., Bend, OR 97701, (541) 389-4280

Artek, 9790 S.W. Sunshine Ct., Beaverton, OR 97005, (503) 641-6877

Pathway Design, 8890 S.W. Laurel Leaf Ter., Portland, OR 97225, (503) 740-2456

Soelzer Contracting, Inc., 933 S.E. River Forest Ct., Portland, OR 97267, (503) 659-5718

Circle RS#08 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 25

USING Photo courtesy of Showcase Kitchens & Baths.

By Kirk Heiner One of the best ways to

TO BOOST COUNTERTOP SALES

increase both sales and

profits is through showrooms. Whether you

own and operate your own showroom, or sell

through an ally’s showroom, how you show can dramatically affect your sales volume. If you do

it right, a showroom can maximize your reach to potential buyers.

So how do you increase the bang for your bucks

The first obvious answer is with vignettes.

the game. Play to win.

developing good relationships with the sales

the Internet today. If you’re not there, you’re not in If you’re not quite clear about how to get found

on the Web, invest some time or a little money to learn about it. It doesn’t have to cost a lot.

to keep in mind.

city),” where do you rank?

Traffic

If you’re not on the first page, you don’t exist. Do

money every month whether your sales are low

or high. Make the best use of your showroom by driving more customers through your doors.

other people’s showrooms?

where they keep the money!” The same is true for

If you do a Google search for “countertops (your

can make or break a business. They will cost you

Showrooms

How do you display in

why he robbed banks. He replied, “Because it’s

in any showroom? What follows are some things

Showroom space isn’t cheap, and showrooms

Displaying in Allied

whatever it takes to get there.

Selling Through Other People’s Showrooms What if you don’t have your own showroom?

Making allies with noncompeting, but related

However, don’t downplay the importance of

staff at the showroom. I know a lot of countertop company owners that have incurred huge costs

doing vignettes for showrooms and then end up

losing the bulk of the sales to another countertop provider. Your relationship with the showroom

sales staff is a critical factor in making this type of setup work well.

When developing your display, set up a win-win-

win situation. You want to display in the way that

is best for you, the consumer and your showroom ally. Anything less is, well, less.

trades can send you a ton of business. It can be a

I realize some showrooms want to command

location, location. It’s the No. 1 factor of a

anything that is shopped for at the same time as

can influence the showroom manager if you have

find? Does it have fairly heavy drive-by traffic? Is

not just a countertop.

Remember the real estate motto: location,

kitchen/bath design center, an appliance store or

showroom’s success. Is your showroom easy to

countertops. Remember, they’re creating a space,

it easy to get in to and out of? These factors all

If a showroom brings in a lot of customers looking

affect sales.

to make decisions about their countertops, you

I’ve had great showrooms in poor locations and

want to be there. A few good allies with strategic

you, I’ll take the great location any day. I had to

business than you can handle.

so-so showrooms in great locations. Let me tell

showrooms in good locations can give you more

learn this reality the hard way.

Many showrooms have 10 to 20 (or more)

Another important way to drive traffic to your

potential customers every day. If you’re not

nearly all buyers begin their search. When

think about using other people’s showrooms to

business is with the Internet because it’s where

getting enough business, it may be time to

captured, bank robber Willie Sutton was asked

enhance your sales.

26 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

how you display; however, if you do it right you everyone’s best interest in mind.

Believe me, showing just like every other company doing countertops is not in anyone’s best interest.

In sales, a me-too approach is the kiss of death.

When products or services look pretty much the same, most buyers choose on price.

Wow them! You need something that creates

a wow factor. You want to differentiate, so do

something memorable that sets you apart from your competition. I know one company where

I live that does what they call a “fused sink” in granite. This is not just another undermount,

but rather a solid surface sink that is integrated in to the slab. That’s different.

Visit competitors, or have someone do it for you. Know how they

display and what they are saying to potential buyers. You want to show better, and differentiate clearly.

Finally, when working with other

companies’ showrooms, you want

to build your brand if at all possible.

Some showrooms will not let you

You don’t absolutely need it, but you do want it.

In a recent article in this publication,

I mentioned that the No. 1 attribute

to own in the countertop business

you can build trust. A showroom

product offering and your message.

ultimate craftsman, a consummate

DVD player or computer.

while creating a feeling of trust.

interest. Give them a new, fresh way

can make you look like the

Set up a continuous loop video on a

professional or an industry leader, all

■■ Anything interactive keeps their

to, place your name on every single

You want to create the right

sample in the building.

emotions and avoid the two sale-

Opening a Showroom

overwhelmed.

the correct showroom environment to drive sales and maximize their

return on investment. After building

and operating five showrooms in as many cities, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to get it right.

Look for a location that customers will feel good about coming to.

Being near other kitchen product showrooms with a built-in traffic

count can help. We moved next to

a Lowe’s in a ruddy old building and our sales volume doubled. That’s a nice problem to have.

Few of your competitors seem to understand the second Golden

Rule — He who has the gold makes the rules. Customers are the

ones who decide who wins and

loses in business. What they think

matters. Just having a showroom is not the answer. A me-too approach gets very little of the customer’s

hard-earned dollars. But those who seek to give customers what they want, do well.

to buy.

customer can connect with you, your

creating emotions that sell.

give enough thought to creating

showroom, the more likely they are

the most powerful tools in which

their sources. If they will allow you

This is critical. Most people don’t

the longer a customer stays in a

is “trust.” A showroom is one of

Good showrooms are about

showroom; take time to plan.

keep ’em there. Studies show that

■■ Create engaging ways the

do this, because they want to hide

If it’s time to open a new

selling through showrooms is just to

killer emotions: confused and

How you show matters. A recent Harvard Business Review study

showed that customers want one

thing more than anything else, and that’s “simplicity.” They want you to help them find what’s called

“Decision Simplicity.” Anything you

can do to make their job of selection easier is good. Help them visualize.

of thinking about your products. Ask

great questions that make them stop, think and lean toward you in their decision.

■■ Speak in ways your competitors

■■ Put on seminars for consumers.

A Saturday seminar that helps them “Choose the Right Countertop” can engage and endear them and creates huge credibility.

■■ Buyers are looking for anything that will make their decision process easier.

■■ Profitable showrooms will be marked by three main factors. They will be: innovative, interactive and customer centered.

And if you take these considerations into account, you will be much more likely to have a showroom that sells.

don’t — either through handouts or video.

■■ Customers are begging for

engagement, something that draws them in and is interesting. Let them

know about a process you use that is different or better. Make it clear why this should be important to them.

Will it make for less maintenance or better performance?

About the Author Kirk Heiner is an author, speaker and sales coach with more than 30 years in the kitchen, bath and construction industries.

He helps companies accelerate their sales. He is founder of KB Interactive Showrooms (KBInteractiveShowrooms. com) and can be contacted at kheiner007@gmail.com.

Clutter will kill your sale. Nothing frustrates a client more than too

many chips, chunks and samples shown haphazardly. Create a

well laid out space that allows the customer to visualize their countertop choices with their cabinets.

Showrooms of the Future I recently spoke at KBIS 2013 in New Orleans, offering a

presentation, “What will the

showrooms of the future look like?”

In a nutshell, here’s the conclusion after all of the data and studies.

■■ You want to create a positive

customer experience that helps the customer make decisions without

overwhelming them with too many choices.

Try to think like a shopper.

■■ You want to create what I call

are women.) They want a clean

them not too much that they

they are shopping alone. They want

few that they feel they need to

want their business. Let them know

competitors to see more.

(91 percent of these decision makers

“The Goldilocks Effect.” Showing

location in a safe area, especially if

are overwhelmed, yet not too

to feel important; to feel like you

keep searching and go to your

you’d really like to do their job.

■■ One of the biggest secrets to

Circle RS#09 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 27

Building a

Safety Program for Your Business

By Shannon DeCamp

Surface Fabricators need safety programs to protect their workers and to satisfy OSHA requirements. Any accident or citation can cost your business in fines, workers’ compensation, damaged equipment and materials, medical costs, morale and negative press. Review these 10 tips to see if your fabrication shop is OSHA compliant.

1. Perform a Hazard Assessment

Compliance Manuals

TechneTrain has partnered with ISFA to offer OSHA compliance and employee training programs specifically for the Surface Fabrication Industry. A great starting point to see what safety programs are needed for your business, and what each entails, is included in the Federal OSHA Compliance Manual for the Surface Fabrication Industry. This manual includes the duties and obligations of employers; how OSHA conducts a workplace inspection; a guide for your own self‑inspection; requirements for fire prevention and extinguishers; emergency plans; sanitation and housekeeping; the use of ladders; guarding stairways and floor openings; ventilation; illumination; electrical safety; machinery and machine guarding; materials handling and storage; the hazard communication standard; personal protective equipment (PPE); hazardous materials at your facility; lockout/tagout; confined spaces; air tools; delivery and bucket trucks; bloodborne pathogens; thermoforming; formaldehyde; asbestos; noise; silica; and other important topics for surface fabrication shops.

This book also lists various resources and contacts to aid in your compliance efforts, including OSHA Area Offices, State Agencies with OSHA Approved Plans, OSHA Regional Offices, Approved Sources of OSHAFunded Consultation, Resource Groups and Associations.

More information on this manual and others can be found on Page 17 of this magazine.

28 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Every safety program begins with hazard assessment. A workplace hazard is any condition or procedure that has the potential to hurt someone. A hazard evaluation looks for the hazards that may exist at your facility so that they can be managed before accidents occur. Even if there is no specific OSHA standard, OSHA can still fine you under the “General Duty Clause” whether or not the hazard results in an accident or illness.

2. Eliminate Unsafe Conditions and Procedures The goal of a safety program is to have zero injuries or illnesses caused by exposures in the workplace. OSHA has a specific hierarchy that should be followed as a “filter down” technique to manage occupational hazards. After thoroughly assessing your shop for hazards, eliminate all unsafe conditions or procedures that are not essential to the work to be performed. Next try to substitute systems with less hazardous materials/ procedures whenever possible.

3. Implement Engineering Controls After eliminating as many unsafe conditions as possible, implement engineering controls to eliminate or reduce remaining hazards. Examples of engineering controls include the redesign of work areas, enclosing dangerous machine parts and adding ventilation and dust management systems.

4. Establish Safe Work Practices Work practices are the methods and procedures used to perform tasks. Develop safe work practices for all tasks that involve hazards. The more complicated the task, the greater the need for established safe procedures. Procedures should include any administrative controls, such as job rotation, to reduce ergonomic issues. OSHA requires that certain types of

procedures, such as lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance, be in writing.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) When exposure to hazards cannot be completely eliminated through engineering controls and

safe work practices, you must provide adequate protective clothing and equipment to each employee. Typical PPE needed for surface fabrication includes steel toe boots, work

gloves, safety glasses, dust masks and hearing protection.

6. Emergency and First Aid Plan You must have an emergency and first aid plan in

case an accident or exposure to corrosive or other chemicals occurs. This may include CPR training, quick drench showers and eyewash stations.

7. Develop and Maintain Needed Safety Programs

Injury risk factors present in the surface

fabrication industry include manual lifting, use of hand tools and machinery, noise exposure, heat and sharp edge exposure, working in awkward postures, exposure to vibration and chemical and dust exposure. These factors will vary in

each business. Almost every surface fabrication

shop will require safety programs for safe usage and storage of chemicals; equipment safety,

including machine guarding; air tools; safe usage and storage of flammable liquids; lockout/tagout

procedures for equipment maintenance; electrical safety and electrical cords at construction sites;

noise exposure; thermoforming; silica; bloodborne pathogens; programs for slips, trips and falls; safe storage of heavy raw materials; and ergonomics.

8. Train Employees Training is the backbone of any safety program.

Each employee must be trained on what hazards exist, and your plan to protect them at their

job. OSHA has specific requirements about the

content and frequency of training that is required for each type of hazard.

Flame

Flame Over Circle

Exclamation Mark

Exploding Bomb

9. Cultivate a Safety Culture Establish a safety culture for your business, where employees understand that safety is

dangerous and who to talk to about safety

Flammables Self-Reactives Pyrophorics Self-Heating Emits Flammable Gas Organic Peroxides

10. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Corrosion Gas Cylinder Health Hazard

everyone’s job. Each employee needs to

understand how to prevent accidents in his or her work area, what to do if something seems concerns.

Oxidizers

Irritant Dermal Sensitizer Acute Toxicity (Harmful) Narcotic Effects Repiratory Tract Irritation

Explosives Self Reactives Organic Peroxides

Skull and Crossbones

Remember that safety programs not only protect your employees, but are also key to a successful business.

Keeping current with any changes in OSHA regulations is essential for effective safety

Corrosives

Gases Under Pressure

programs. For example, OSHA recently revised

the Hazard Communication Standard to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This requires

you to train your employees by December 1 of this year.

Hazard Communication and the Global Harmonization System

On March 26, 2012, OSHA revised the Hazard

Communication Standard to align with the GHS.

GHS is an internationally agreed upon system that will replace the various classification and labeling standards used in different countries. The old

Hazard Communication Standard allowed chemical manufacturers and importers to convey hazard information on labels and material safety data

sheets in whatever format they chose. The new

Carcinogen Respiratory Sensitizer Reproductive Toxicity Target Organ Toxicity Mutagenicity Aspiration Toxicity

Acute Toxicity (Severe)

Figure 1 – A new system of labels that include pictograms has been specified by OSHA. Employers must teach their employees to recognize these pictograms and what they mean.

Effective Completion Date Requirement(s)

Who

December 1, 2013

Employers

Train employees on the new label elements and SDS format.

June 1, 2015 Comply with all modified provisions of this final rule.

Distributors may ship products labeled by manufacturers under

the old system until December 1, 2015.

June 1, 2016

Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, employers

Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication Employers program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards.

standard specifies hazard communication rules for both labeling and safety data sheets (SDS).

Figure 2 – OSHA has set deadlines for the changes to the required safety systems, the first of which is Dec. 31, 2013.

How Hazard Communication Works

presentation of important protection information.

Chemical Manufacturers and Importers ■■ Classify the hazards of chemicals they produce or import.

■■ Prepare labels and safety data sheets based on the classifications.

Employers ■■ Receive labeled containers and safety data sheets.

■■ Implement the Hazard Communication Program.

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard include:

Employees must be trained on the new

standardized format and the type of information they will find in each section.

Labels: New labels will include a signal word,

pictogram, hazard statement and precautionary

what they mean (see Figure 1).

Until the compliance deadlines, both the current format for labels and for material safety data sheets and the new SDS format may be provided by manufacturers that provide

statements for each hazard class. Employees

chemicals used in your workplace. It is important

they will see on the new labels and how this

that it includes both previous and new label and

must be trained on the type of information information applies to them.

Pictograms

The new Hazard Communication Standard

requires pictograms on all labels. Pictograms alert users to the chemical hazards to which

Safety Data Sheets: Material Safety Data

they may be exposed. The pictogram on the

are strictly formatted. The new format requires

classification. Employers must teach their

sheets are now called Safety Data Sheets and

label is determined by the chemical hazard

16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in

employees to recognize these pictograms and

to begin transitioning your employee training so SDS formats by December 1 of this year (see Figure 2).

About the Author Shannon DeCamp is client services manager with TechneTrain Inc., a provider of information on OSHA and the surface fabrication industry. More information is available by calling TechneTrain at (800) 852-8314 or visiting www.technetrainonline.com.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 29

Concrete Countertop Mix Designs

Simplified

By Mark Celebuski I’m as guilty as anyone in making concrete countertop mixes far more complicated than they need to be.

Part of it is my background— I’ve spent the better part of 30 years in the concrete and

cement industries. Part of it is my personal

percent of the cementitious material

tougher to work with, oftentimes causing

material.” Are they? Should they be?

bug holes or other blemishes.

2.

would you want to do that?

to concrete. I’ve gotten to the point where a

up to 8 lbs. of a pozzolanic material such as slag. Either option will work.

half hour in person or on the phone is enough 4.

blending four different ingredients. How hard

Water 11 lbs. maximum — If you stay

under 11 lbs. of water total (accounting for any water in the sand) for this mix,

could that be?

you will be making about 8,000-psi wet cast concrete. This is strong enough to

So here are some formulas you can use to

handle just about any situation. This will

simply the process:

not be enough water to make a nice fluid

Wet Cast 50-50-38-11 Mix

mix without the help of admixtures (see below).

This formula for wet cast makes about 1 cu. ft.

30 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

concrete by using it at 4 percent of the

cementitious material weight and backing

5.

your water way down. You would also need to pay careful attention to your

Cementitious material, 38 lbs. — You can gray) or 30 lbs. Portland combined with

working with fabricators, many of them new

concrete sand. It is a blend of different

Admix, you can make 13,000 psi

50 lbs./cu. ft. and adjust from there.

3.

Plasticizer (water reducing agent) — This

If you want to make higher strength

material, use more of the plasticize and less water. With the System 1 Wetcast

3/8-in. pea gravel from a local ready-mix

use straight Portland cement (white or

“concrete sand.” That’s right it’s called

6.

Stone, 50 lbs. — Here again find stone

I’ve been spending a lot more time lately

producer or quarry and purchase some

admix, not more water.

sound aggregate will also work. Start with

How about the wonderfully artistic looks that

Sand, 50 lbs. – Go to a local ready-mix

with it! If you want it more fluid, add more

guy or quarry. Glass, granite or any other

Some say, “GFRC is better than wet cast.”

1.

your mix fluid enough to cast, great! Run

particles being the same size will be

Some say, “Cracks are an inherent part of the

mix design; after all we’re only talking about

weight (38 x 0.02=0.76 lbs.). If this makes

test batches first. Sand with all the

I believe in solutions rather than compromise.

to get fabricators started with a serviceable

Admix. Using this admix, start with 2

20-70 or so gradation will work; make

the test of time.

can be achieved using wet cast?

It’s ubiquitous, and you’ll make good

concrete with it. Any other sand with a

products to make countertops, that will stand

in the mold for multiple days.” You do? Why

I recommend Trinic’s System 1 Wetcast

ASTM specification for concrete sand.

commitment to make countertops, and now

Some say, “You need to keep your countertops

sized particles combined to meet the

aggregate gradation to achieve this.

7.

8.

You can add fiber if you like or go old

school with ladder wire reinforcement.

Add heat — If you’re not heating your

tops, you should be. An electric blanket from any department or discount store

works fine. Lay plastic on the tops, then the heating blanket, then an insulating

blanket. Put them to bed before you leave the shop and get them more than 110 F

at night, and you’ll be fine to strip after 12 to 24 hours.

GFRC 60-60-18 Mix

admix is used to increase the fluidity

This formula for glass fiber reinforced concrete

strength. When adding this, make sure to

whether you are spraying it or making a self-

of the material without lowering the

(GFRC) makes about 1 cu. ft. Depending on

follow the manufacturer’s specification.

consolidating mix, the formula will differ a bit.

1.

2.

Sand, 60 lbs. — Spray up: You can buy

plasticizer than if you are making a self-

also buy mason’s sand in bulk from

1 GFRC Admixture. If using System 1 and

screen the mason’s sand for the face

of the cementitious material weight. If you

just about any sand including coarser

you should start with 3 percent of the

sand, which contains a range of particle

more as required. You don’t need any

fine sand.

psi concrete, dose the System 1 GFRC

Cementitious material, 60 lbs. — You

way down. You’ll have to play with your

fine sand from a big box store. You can a brick supply yard. You may need to

spraying, you should start with 1 percent

coat. Self-consolidating mix: You can use

are making self-consolidating material,

concrete sand. In fact, courser concrete

cementitious material weight and use

sizes, will give you higher strength than

additional additives. To make 15,000-

Admix at 4 percent and back the water

can use white or gray cement or a

aggregates a bit to hit this mark — silica

combination of cement and pozzolan.

3.

be a good starting point for super high performance GFRC.

pounds of water for this mix, you will be range.

4.

sand in a blended range of sizes would

Water, 18 lbs. — If you stay under 18 total making GFRC in the 8,000- to 10,000-psi

5.

will want to use a lower percentage of

Fiber — About 3 to 4 percent of the total

6.

blanket, then an insulating blanket. Just as with the wet cast, you can put them to bed before you leave the shop, and as long as they reach more than 110 F overnight, you can strip them after just 12 to 14 hours.

And for a sealer, I recommend a silicon-based penetrating concrete sealer. It’s a game changer for fabricators, allowing them to offer concrete with excellent stain, etch and scratch resistance.

There are hundreds of fabricators using these mixes with great success. Sometimes simpler is better.

batch weight should be alkaline-resistant

About the Author

Add heat — Once again, if you’re not

Mark Celebuski has decades of experience in the concrete and cement industries and currently is with Trinic (www.trinic.us). He can be reached at mark@trinic.us or at (800) 475-1875.

(AR) fiber.

Plasticizer — Follow the manufacturer’s directions, but if you are spraying, you

plastic on the tops, then a heating

consolidating mix. I recommend System

heating your tops you should be. Lay

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.

Toll Free: (877) 464-7732 www.ISFAnow.org Circle RS#45 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 31

Here.Now.News.

Upcoming ISFA Training & Events For more information or to sign up to attend any of these events, call (877) 464-7732 or email gatherings@isfanow.org.

Total Fabricator Training Stone/Quartz Hosted by Alpha Tools June 17-19 • Oakland, N.J.

ISFA Office Relocates to Pennsylvania As part of the five-year plan for the growth of ISFA, the board of directors is pleased to announce that the headquarters of the organization is moving to a new location in Pittsburgh. The relocation is aligned with ISFA’s increased efforts in the areas of training and education as well as its enhanced programs for providing value for all its members.

The Pittsburgh office will be fully operational by June 15, 2013.

In parallel with the office move, ISFA is streamlining the Total Fabrication Training program by developing a new process that incorporates the development of Regional ISFA Accredited Training Professionals capable of bringing the superior level of ISFA handson training to the field. A renowned group of experienced trainers has been engaged in the development of a modernized Train the Trainer (TTT) program. This creates a variety of subject matter modules and procedures that will allow ISFA members to have training conducted at their shops and at regional locations across the country. This process will result in better focused training programs that meet the proven high level of ISFA instruction while reducing the overall

CEO Roundtable Session in Cincinnati

costs to the end user. Two charter TTT classes will be conducted in the fall of this year in Las Vegas and Pittsburgh.

Additionally, our upgraded training programs will be integrated with the new ISFA Fabrication Standards for quartz and solid surfacing currently under development.

“We anticipate that our relocation to Pittsburgh will help us to be positioned to continue providing programs and initiatives that are focused on helping our members to be efficient, effective, profitable and high-quality providers of surfacing products,” said Chuck Sawyer, executive director of ISFA. A bonus benefit of the move is that the new headquarters location is situated in a building that has been certified as a Gold level LEED building by the US Green Building Council.

New Office Location:

ISFA 2400 Wildwood Road Gibsonia, PA 15044 Toll Free: (877) 464-7732 Direct: (412) 487-3207 (Main Office Phone) Fax: (412) 487-3269 On April 3 to 5, ISFA conducted the first

CEO Roundtable of the season at the Hilton in Florence, Ky., a suburb of Cincinnati.

The event was sponsored by Kohler Co.

(www.kohlercom) and was attended by an

outstanding group of CEOs assembled for two days, ready to share experiences and solutions to issues that affect the way we

successfully run small businesses. This event

was an opportunity for participants to enhance the level of management tools that they have 32 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Business Boot Camp June 26-27 • Lexington, Ky Training Event & Gathering Hosted by Cosentino August • Westchester, N.Y. CEO Roundtable Sponsored by Kohler August 21-22 • Chicago, IL Regional Grass Roots Gathering Hosted by Cosentino September 19 • Cincinnati, Ohio CEO Roundtable Sponsored by Kohler Hosted by Cosentino September • Boston, Mass.

Regional Grass Roots Gathering Hosted by Cosentino October 17 • Seattle, Wash.

Annual Member Meeting Hosted by Cosentino November 7 • Orlando, Fla.

developed over the years of running their business.

ISFA would like to recognize Kohler’s

sponsorship of this event and their commitment to support the educational efforts of ISFA.

Kohler and companies like them help ISFA to

continue to maintain a high level of quality in our training and educational efforts.

Over the two-day period, attendees exchanged viewpoints and methods on topics relating

CEO Roundtable (Continued) to human resources, accounting techniques,

manufacturing processes, advertising concepts and other pertinent subjects. In addition to

the general discussions, several special guest

The ISFA CEO Roundtable is a new opportunity for the executive management of our fabricator companies to share experiences, common concerns and best practices regarding the process of running small businesses. Throughout the

companies can perform with world-class results.

Based on the success and popularity of this event, ISFA has plans to conduct other similar meetings in Boston, Chicago and Seattle.

For more information about the ISFA CEO

speakers provided insight into the topics of

year we will also have opportunities to provide programs, information and courses specifically

Roundtables, contact Chuck Sawyer at

planning and safety. The guest speakers were:

aimed at increasing the skill set of company senior

cksawyer@isfanow.org or by phone at

management in order to ensure that ISFA member

(724) 612-9768.

product design and development, succession

• Gerri Chmiel, Senior Design Manager, Formica Corporation

• Robert Buechner, Buechner, Haffer, Meyers & Koenig Co., LPA

• Bill Berger, Sales Executive, Kohler Company • Shannon DeCamp, TechneTrain, Inc. Attendee companies included: Advanced Surfaces, Inc., Corry, Pa.; Countertops &

Cabinetry by Design, Mason, Ohio; Cardinal

ISFA Million Dollar Mentor Program

Returning this year is the popular Million Dollar Mentor Program. This program is geared to those members whose goal is to develop a profitable $1 million-plus fabrication business, or who wish to take their business to the next $1 million level. This is a business development think tank and incubation program providing the networking, business development lessons and the successful role models necessary to make successful growth happen.

Here’s a summary of the program:

Laminating Inc., Lincoln, Neb.; Stone Center

■■ We provide a nine-month structured program, complete with guidelines, examples of successful fabricator operations and monthly lessons that are designed to put companies on the fast-track to growing their businesses.

& Bath; Medina, Ohio; Bisley Fabrication, Inc.,

■■ Fabrication companies will be matched with a mentor for one-on-one advice and coaching via face-to-face meetings, shop tour, telephone and email discussions.

Kitchens, Louisville, Ky.; Creative Countertop Solutions, Inc., Nashville, Tenn.; Lincoln

of Dayton, Moraine, Ohio; All Surfaces Kitchen Gresham, Wis; Countertop Shop Ltd., Holland,

Ohio; KBR Manufacturing, Cincinnati; Oldcastle Surfaces, Inc., Atlanta; and Tower Industries, Massillon, Ohio.

Countertop Trends Presentation at KBIS

ISFA Communications Director Kevin Cole was part of the Voices of the Industry Program at KBIS in New Orleans, in which various members of the kitchen and bath industry present on a variety of topics. Cole offered a presentation titled “Countertop Trends: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” The one-hour session covered several areas: countertop trends, consumer preferences, industry conditions and statistics, and where the industry might be headed in the coming years.

■■ The kickoff event, Business Boot Camp, is a two-day program offering business management education, networking, peer group discussions and directions in what is required to grow a business. This year’s event will begin with the Business Boot Camp in Lexington, Ky., on June 26 – 27. A tour of the Toyota production facility in Georgetown, Ky., will be a featured event followed by presentations on applying Lean Manufacturing to the fabrication shop. We will also have presentations on branding a fabrication business, business and financial topics, and manufacturing safe practices.

■■ New information to increase business management skills and business development focus.

■■ Peer group discussions by webinar and conference calls that review the lessons; share the mentor’s wisdom; and present new ideas, software and business processes (some with an expert authority leading the discussion on the subject of the month) all designed to provide the professional knowledge, processes and mind-set needed to grow from fabrication specialist to business developer extraordinaire.

Space in the program is limited, so interested parties should contact Jennifer@isfanow.org or call Chuck Sawyer at (724) 612-9768 for more information as soon as possible.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 33

ISFANews ISFA Grass Roots Gatherings

In March, Dixie plywood & Lumber Company hosted an ISFA Grass Roots Gathering at the Dixie Plywood location in Tampa, Fla. The vendors present at the event were Karran, Glue Warehouse, GEM Industries, Specialtytools.com, Laser Products, InPro and Samsung.

In April, Cosentino hosted a Grass Roots Gathering at the Cosentino Design Center in Anaheim, Calif. The vendors at this event were Glue Warehouse, Park Industries, Laser Products, Integra and GranQuartz.

In May, Oldcastle Surfaces hosted a gathering at its facility in Atlanta. The vendors at this event were Silestone, Dixieply, MR Direct, Glue Warehouse, Laser Products, Integra Adhesives and GranQuartz.

The Grass Roots Gatherings are regional events focused on the social, educational and networking benefits that have embodied the spirit of ISFA since its inception. The Gathering events feature: ■■ A three- to four-hour weekday “open house” environment with lunch

■■ Supplier tabletop displays for product display and networking ■■ Special events such as shop tours and/or regional attractions ■■ Updates on current ISFA initiatives ■■ Networking opportunities for fabricators The gatherings are open to existing and prospective ISFA members and will embody elements that connect our members, promote the industry and provide education opportunities.

Future gatherings are scheduled for Cincinnati in September and Seattle in October.

For more information call the ISFA office at (877) 464-7732 or email gatherings@isfa now.org.

34 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

ISFA CEU Development Group Meets at KBIS

An important function of the International

As part of ISFA’s mission to promote the

provide stakeholders in the surfacing

industry and to educate various stakeholders associated with the decorative surfacing industry, we have begun the process to develop educational programs that can be used by our members. One goal of this program is to develop continuing education training that is compatible with the AIA Continuing Education System and CEU programs for NKBA, NAHB, NARI and other similar organizations.

Kicking off the program will be the development of a CEU training presentation on ADA topics for the surfacing industry. This particular CEU is championed by Aetna Plywood and is the brain child of industry veteran, Steve Hollinshead. The concept of this offering is to review the Americans with Disabilities Act with a focus on those applications and requirements that apply to the decorative surfacing industry. Using the ADA presentation from ICE 2010 as a foundation, the ISFA ADA presentation will be augmented by research and clarifications provided by Jeff Smith of Gemstone. Smith has spent considerable time in communicating with representatives of the

ISFA Standards Surface Fabricators Association is to

industry with education and information about the products and methods

that we use. With the collaboration of our manufacturing members, teams of experienced ISFA members are

designers and other industry professionals. Contents

reviewing and updating the

of the ISFA Architectural

ISSFA-2-01 (2002)

Reference (late 2013):

Classification

and Standards for

ISFA-2-01 (2013)

Solid Surfacing

Classification and

with the intent

Standards for Solid

to republish this

Surfacing Material

standard as ISFA-2-

01 (2013). To parallel

ISFA-2-02 (2013)

this standard we have

Fabrication Standards

completed the first step

for Solid Surfacing

in creating ISFA-3-01

Material

(2013) Classification and Standards for Quartz Surfacing Material.

The draft versions of these two standards will be presented to the industry over the next several months for public comment

and input. Following the public comment phase, the documents will undergo an

ISFA-3-01 (2013) Classification and Standards for Quartz Surfacing Material ISFA-3-02 (2013) Fabrication Standards for Quartz Materials

additional stage of review, based on the

ISFA Specification for Solid Surfacing

that both standards will be presented

ISFA Specification for Quartz Surfacing

input from interested parties. We expect to the ISFA Board of Directors for their

Justice Department regarding the specific

approval this fall.

details and interpretations of the parts of the

A major goal is to incorporate these

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

reference” for fabricators, architects,

ISFA CAD Drawing Library ISFA Architectural Reference Disc

standards into the ISFA Architectural

(Contains all of the above)

accessible showers.

collection of standards and other

To participate in the standards process,

The core team working on this CEU will be

industry. It will be a useful “desk

cksawyer@isfanow.org.

that apply to countertops, vanity tops and

Reference, a hard copy and online

information pertaining to the surfacing

please contact Chuck Sawyer at

Steve Hollinshead and Jennifer Friedland, from Aetna Plywood, and Jeff Smith, sales manager with Gemstone. Our first organizational meeting for this group was held recently at KBIS in New Orleans.

If you are interested in helping us develop this or other CEU courses, please contact Chuck Sawyer at cksawyer@isfanow.org.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 35

ISFANews Looking to Make a Difference in the Industry?

We still have a few openings on the committees working on the both the Solid Surface and Quartz Surfacing Fabrication Standards. If you are interested in being a part of one of these teams, please contact Chuck Sawyer at cksawyer@isfanow.org.

NSF — Product Category Rules for Countertops — Update ISFA is part of a committee working on the Product Category Rules for Residential Countertops. The project is led by NSF International’s National Center for Sustainability Standards and the work is being done by a committee of countertop industry experts. The PCR document has undergone rigorous review and is now ready for the public review.

The PCR document defines the “boundaries” of the Life Cycle Analysis, which for this particular PCR includes countertop materials, construction, transportation, installation, the use phase and end-of-life. Additionally, there are product descriptions and product characteristics which relate to the solid surface and quartz surfacing standards currently being revised and developed

by ISFA. The new ISFA standards that are currently being developed have been included as referenced standards for the PCR document.

For more information on this process contact Chuck Sawyer at cksawyer@ isfanow.org or the National Center for Sustainability Standards at ncss@nsf.org.

36 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Board of Directors

Mike Langenderfer

Mellisa Hill

Russ Berry

Erica Hussey

Dave Paxton

Adam Albee

President The Countertop Shop 10406 Geiser Rd. Holland, OH 43528 Phone: (419) 868-9101 mike@countertopshop.net www.countertopshop.net Immediate Past President A.S.S.T. 350 South St. McSherrystown, PA 17344 Phone: (717) 630-1251 russberry@asst.com www.asst.com Vice President Paxton Countertops PO Box 174 Grand Ledge, MI 48837 Phone: (517) 719-0146 paxtoncountertops@yahoo.com

Michael Astill

Secretary R. S. Hughes 3455 W. 1820 S. #1 Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4906 Phone: (801) 973-4211 mastill@rshughes.com www.rshughes.com

ISFA Contacts Main Office

2400 Wildwood Rd. Gibsonia, PA 15044 Toll Free: (877) 464-7732 Direct: (412) 487-3207 Fax: (412) 487-3269 www.isfanow.org

Executive Director Chuck Sawyer

(724) 612-9768 cksawyer@isfanow.org

Communications Director Kevin Cole

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

Treasurer Oldcastle Surfaces 1400 W. Marietta St. Atlanta, GA 30318 Phone: (404) 355-3108 Mell.Hill@oldcastle.com www.oldcastlesurfaces.com Director JCW Countertops 3 Aberjona Dr. Woburn, MA 01801 Phone: (781) 935-1907 ericamaria@jcwcountertops.com www.jcwcountertops.com Director Lincoln Laminating 5010 Rentworth Dr. Lincoln, NE 68516 Phone: (402) 434-6009 adam@lincolnlaminating.com www.lincolnlaminating.com

Mark Anderson

Director, Associate Member Representative Cosentino USA 13124 Trinity Dr. Stafford, TX 77477 Phone: (866) 268-6837 marka@cosentinousa.com www.cosentinousa.com

Education Director Mike Nolan (828) 403-7386 mike@isfanow.org

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

Administrative Assistant & Registrar Jennifer Plante (877) 464-7732 jennifer@isfanow.org

Specialty Surfaces Fabricators, Manufacturers and Experts

Membership Application Main: (877) 464-7732 • Fax: (412) 487-3269 • www.ISFANow.org

Renewal Instructions: To renew your membership with ISFA, simply fill out the Personal Information section, and Payment Method and that’s it! Fax it back to (412) 487-3269 and we’ll do the rest. Please allow 2-4 weeks for your membership renewal packet to be delivered.

New Member Instructions: For Surfacing Experts wanting to become a new member, please fill out the entire form. Membership in ISFA is the industry endorsement of high quality.

This endorsement cannot be purchased for the price of membership, but must be established by the company and upheld by each member of the organization.

Fax this form back to (412) 487-3269 and we’ll do the rest.Your new membership packet will be in the mail shortly. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

Personal Information Name: Title: Company: Address: City: State/Province: Zip/Postal Code: Country: Phone: Fax: By providing your fax number, you are giving ISFA permission to send you information via fax. q Check here if you do not wish to receive education event information via fax.

Email: q Check here if you do not wish to receive Product and Service information from ISFA and our industry partners via email.

I Am: q Renewing My ISFA Membership

q Applying to Become a New Member

Method of Payment q I am faxing a copy of the check along with this form. (required if paying by check) Card Type:

q Visa

q Mastercard

q American Express

q Discover

Card Number: Print Name on Card: Expiration Date: Official Signature:

If paying by check, fax copy along with this order form. You can also mail this form to: ISFA, 2400 Wildwood Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044.

New Member Information Type of Membership: (please select one) q ISFA Membership: $400 — Any Specialty Surfaces

company that has been in business at least two years and carries appropriate liability insurance.

q Subscriber Membership: $400 — Applicant companies which meet all other qualifications, but have been in business for less than two years shall be eligible for Subscriber Membership in the Association.

q Branch Membership: $200 — Branch Membership is

available to companies having more than one location.

Each location must fill out seperate membership applications. Branch Membership annual dues are one-half that of the headquarters location. Each location wlll be treated as a separate member in all respects, except only headquarter locations may vote in general elections.

q Monthly Membership: $35/Monthly Code of Ethics

Sponsorship Information: In order to become a member of ISFA, you need to provide information regarding an ISFA member or company willing to sponsor you. If you do not know what to put in this section, just leave it blank. We will help you with this.

Sponsor Company: Contact Person: Telephone: Trade Reference: (Please provide a trade reference, generally your distributor of solid surface.)

Trade Reference: Contact Person: Telephone: Proof of Insurance: A copy of your certificate of liability insurance must be attached to or faxed with this form to process this application.

(please sign below)

Each member of the International Surface Fabricators Association agrees to observe high standards of honesty, integrity and responsibility in the conduct of their business.

By adhering strictly to the highest quality standards of fabrication, manufacturing and installation. By promoting only those products and services that are proven quality and value. By writing contracts and warranties that are clear, honest and fair to all parties involved. By honoring all contractual obligations in a reasonably prompt manner. By quickly acting on and attempting to resolve all customer complaints, and in situations where complaints appear unreasonable and persistent, by encouraging the customer to initiate and approach third-party dispute settlement mechanisms. By being fiscally responsible and honoring all legitimate financial obligations, By maintaining all required licenses and insurances.

I,_______________________________, do hereby certify that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and do agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the International Surface Fabricators Association for as long as I hold an active membership therein.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 37

Fabricator Directory Companies in blue are Certified Professionals alabama

Oldcastle Surfaces Inc.

112 David Green Rd. Birmingham, AL 35244-1648 205-988-3246 www.oldcastlesurfaces.com

Surface One

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

Alaska

Alaskan Counter Fitters 607 Old Steese Hwy. Ste. B PMB 354 Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-455-0247

Bicknell Inc.

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

Cook Inlet Housing Authority

3510 Spenard Rd. Anchorage, AK 99503 907-793-3047 www.cookinlethousing.org

G2 Construction

PO Box 10690 Fairbanks, AK 99710 907-458-1087 www.g2const.com

Mountain Tops LTD

6605 Arctic Spur Rd. Anchorage, AK 99518 907-272-8107 www.mountaintops.net

North Coast Countertops

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

Panco Inc.

PO Box 210 Talkeetna, AK 99676 907-733-6600

Arizona

Kirk’s Cabinets & Countertops (Kirk Construction)

4807 Hwy. 95 Parker, AZ 85344 928-667-7306 www.kirk-construction.com

Kitchen Bath & Beyond

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

California

Block Tops Inc.

1560 Harris Ct. Anaheim, CA 92806 714-978-5080 www.blocktops.com

Buck, Jason (Superior Surface) 3609 Crow Ct. Antelope, CA 95843 916-344-3022

Duracite

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

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

Integra Cabinets & Millwork

249 W. Baywood #B Orange, CA 92865 714-283-2890 www.integracmw.com

Lytle Construction Inc.

145 Otto Circle Sacramento, CA 95822 916-422-6639 www.lytleconstruction.com

Mio Metals

400 Western Ave. Petaluma, CA 94952 888-530-7630 www.miometals.com

RR Laminates

1403 Nichols Dr. Rocklin, CA 95765 805-582-7497

Scantibodies

9336 Abraham Way Santee, CA 92071 619-258-9300 www.scantibodies.com

Southwest Carpenters Training Fund 533 S. Fremont Ave. #401 Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-739-9335

38 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

The Countertop Factory

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

Colorado

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

Arlun Inc.

Reall Cabinetry

1985 Cattlemen Rd. Unit D Sarasota, FL 34232 941-377-2837

Surface Crafters

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

Georgia

Atlanta Kitchen Inc.

6250 Corporate Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80919 719-599-4175

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

DMS

Countersync

CoNNECTICUT

Lovell Construction, Inc.

6 Tosun Rd. Wolcott, CT 06716 203-879-2835

Oldcastle Surfaces Inc.

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

Distinctive Countertops LLC

DELAWARE Keith Haight

Wilmington, DE 19803 484-354-5909

Troy Granite Inc.

711 Interchange Blvd.

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

Florida

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

Carbide Industries

314 Crittenden St. Groveland, FL 34736 352-429-8840 www.carbideindustries.net

Distinctive Surfaces of Florida Inc.

8272 Vico Ct. Sarasota, FL 34240 941-377-7747 www.distinctivesurfaces offlorida.com

Natural Stone Motif Inc.

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

1296 Jones St. Augusta, GA 30901 706-828-7544 www.countersync.net 21880 Bradbury Rd. Grantville, GA 30220 770-253-0383

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

Top South

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

Hawaii AMR llc

PO Box 1542 Aiea, HI 96701 808-652-0609

Gary’s Woodworking 60 Kaunaloa St. Hilo, HI 96720 808-936-4259

Hawaii Kitchen & Bath Inc.

PO Box 1857 Kailua, HI 96734 808-261-0357 www.hawaiikitchenandbath.com

Honolulu Tile & Marble Inc.

1602-B Auiki St. Honolulu, HI 96819 808-845-3775

Jaco Builders Inc. 99-129B Waiua Way Aiea, HI 96701 808-486-6008

Pohaku Fabrication 1757 Haleukana St. Lihue, HI 96766 808-246-9480

Solid Surface Technologies

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

Superior Solid Surface

1620 Hau St. Honolulu, HI 96817 808-842-5556 www.hidanoconstruction.com

Idaho

Bledsoe Cabinets

2990 Wise Way Boise, ID 83716 208-433-0033 www.thebledsoegroup.net

Candela Construction

Precision Stone Design

981 Lunt Ave. Schaumburg, IL 60193 www.precisionstonedesigns.com 847-301-7171

Solid Surface Creations Inc. 403 S. Sycamore Villa Grove, IL 61956 217-832-8207 www.ssctops.com

Sprovieris Custom Cabinets 55 Laura Dr. Addison, IL 60101 630-917-4690 www.sprovieris.com

Stalwart Systems

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

Stevens Industries Inc.

4126 Couples Dr. Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815 208-661-1398

704 W. Main St. Teutopolis, IL 62427 217-540-3100 www.stevensinc.com

Ketchum Kustom Woodworks

A. I. A. Countertops LLC

114 Lewis St. #3 & #4 Ketchum, ID 83340 208-726-1905 www.ketchumkustom woodworks.com

Illinois

Custom Marble Inc.

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

Dirk Foster

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

F-W-S Solid Surface Specialist Inc. 610 N. Illinois Ave. Carbondale, IL 62901 618-457-2326 www.f-w-s.net

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

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

Pierce Laminated Products Inc.

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

Indiana

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

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

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

Laminated Tops of Central Indiana Inc.

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

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

Michiana Laminated Products Inc.

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

Stone Tops

426 Forestwood Dr. Valpairiso, IN 46385 219-669-7037

Iowa

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

Granite Custom Design

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

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

Shad’s Custom Countertops Inc.

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

Tasty Food

232 Main St. PO Box 140 Van Buren, ME 04785 207-868-3011

Maryland

SolidTops LLC

Kansas

Countertop Shoppe

5855 S.W. 21st St. Topeka, KS 66604 785-271-8675 www.mycountertopshoppe.com

Fisher Lumber Co., Inc. P.O. Box 355 Garden Plain, KS 67050 316-531-2295

Kitchens Inc.

2301 W. Frontview Dodge City, KS 67801 620-225-0208

Mid-America Kitchens & Baths 1105 N. Industrial Marion, KS 66861 620-382-3390 www.midamericamarble products.com/

Parman Brothers LTD

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

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

Massachusetts

Black Beauty Granite & Marble Inc. 74 Devon Rd. Norwood, MA 02062 781-762-5885

Jack’s Custom Woodworking/JCW Countertop

3 Aberjona Dr. Woburn, MA 01801 781-935-1907 www.jcwcountertops.com

PADCO Countertop Co.

5 Springdale Ave. Canton, MA 02021 781-828-1177 www.padcocountertop.com

Sterling Surfaces

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

Top Master Inc.

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

Kentucky

Surfaces Unlimited Inc.

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

Louisiana

Dan Solid Surfaces

2020 Dallas Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225-216-3900 www.dansolidsurface.com

Top Distributors LLC 412 Post Oak Rd. Sulphur, LA 70663 337-625-5751

Maine

Sterling-Miller Designs Inc.

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

TWD Surfaces

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

Michigan Blasius Inc.

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

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 1 • 39

Fabricator Directory (continued) Companies in blue are Certified Professionals JC Tops Inc.

3156 Parker Dr. Royal Oak, MI 48073 248-733-8677 www.jctopsinc.com

Marbelite Corp.

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

Paxton Countertops PO Box 174 Grand Ledge, MI 48837 517-719-0146

Solid Surfaces Unlimited Inc.

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

Minnesota Innovative Surfaces Inc.

515 Spiral Blvd.

Hastings, MN 55033 651-437-1004

The Pinske Edge

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

The Top Shop of Rochester Inc.

235 Woodlake Dr. S.E. Rochester, MN 55904 507-282-9129 www.topshoprochester.com

MissISSIPPI

Countertop Creations of the Gulf Coast

1302 Live Oak Pascagoula, MS 39567 228-938-6484

Missouri Genistone

137 E. State Hwy. CC Nixa, MO 65714 417-725-0909 www.genistone.com

Montana Bevco

1627 Dickie Rd. Billings, MT 59101 406-248-2670

BMC

3200 Hwy. 12 E. PO Box 5780 Helena, MT 59404 www.buildwithbmc.com

Jim Shreve

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

Pyramid Cabinet Shop 1201 Fourth Ave. N. Billings, MT 59101 406-671-8329 www.pyramid-cabinet.com

Solid Surface Designs 233 Lambeth Rd. Billings, MT 417-258-2787 www.ssdionline.com

VanSetten Walker Construction Co.

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

WoodCo LLC

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

Nebraska

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

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

Martin’s Counter Tops Inc. 9101 Military Rd. Omaha, NE 68134 402-572-4044 www.martinscountertops.com

Nevada

B & C Cabinets & Millwork Inc.

5241 Metric Way Carson City, NV 89706 775-322-6000

Carpenters Int’l Training Fund

New Hampshire Maui Solid Surface 182 E. Dunstable Rd. Nashua, NH 03062 603-718-0014

New Jersey

Innovative Concrete Solutions 28 Olympia Ln. Sicklerville, NJ 08081 215-983-9792

J. Dougherty & Son/ JDS Supply 337 N. Main St. Glassboro, NJ 08028 856-881-5444 www.JDSsupply.com

J&M Lifestyles

215 Rte. 10 Building 3 Randolph, NJ 07869 973-668-5057 www.jmlifestyles.com

Marvic Corp.

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

Solid Surface Designs Inc. 1651 Sherman Ave. Pennsauken, NJ 08110 856-910-7720 www.ssdtops.com

Spaulding Fabricators Inc. 1136 Industrial Pkwy.

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

New Mexico

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

Jaynes Structures

6801 Placid St. Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-938-1111

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

Creative Surface Solutions

OGB Architectural Millwork

K-C Maintenance

Pieper Construction

2855 Coleman St. N. Las Vegas, NV 89032 702-365-6444 www.creativesurface.com 4710 W. Post Rd. #145 Las Vegas, NV 89118 702-228-5552

The Countertop Shop, LLC 301B Sunpac Ct. Henderson, NV 702-839-2224 www.thecountertopshopllc.biz

40 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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

2420 N. White Sands Blvd.

Alamogordo, NM 88310 575-437-2262 www.pieperconstruction.com

Rojo Enterprises LLC PO Box 429 Roswell, NM 88202 505-626-3553

New York

Dimensional Stone & Tile Designs, Inc

146 E. Third St. Mount Vernon, NY 10550 914-664-1200 www.dimensionalstone.net

Evans & Paul LLC

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

Marker Systems Inc.

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

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

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

Unico Special Products Inc. 25 Renwick St. Newburgh, NY 12550 845-562-9255 www.unicospecialproducts.com

Wilbedone Inc.

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

North Carolina

Carolina Custom Surfaces

100 Landmark Dr. Greensboro, NC 27409 336-299-3030 www.carolinacustomsurfaces.com

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

Meld USA Inc.

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

Premier Plus Inc.

165 Wildwood Ave. Hamlet, NC 28345 910-995-5615 www.premierplusinc.net

Surface Matters

108 Forest Brook Dr. Cary, NC 27519 919-801-8021 www.surfacematters.net

Windbound Co.

PO Box 817 Glen Alpine, NC 28628 828-438-0892 www.windboundsurfaces.com

Ohio

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

Cabinets 2 Countertops

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

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

Cutting Edge Countertops Inc. 1300 Flagship Dr. Perrysburg, OH 43551 419-873-9500 www.cectops.com

Granex Industries

32400 Aurora Rd. Salon, OH 44139 440-248-4915 www.granexindustries.com

Helmart Co., Inc.

4960 Hillside Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45233 www.helmart.net 513-941-3095

Heritage Marble Inc. 7086 Huntley Rd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-436-7465

Innovative Builders

6909 Engle Rd. Ste. 19 Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 800-936-4799

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

Korkan Granite

4561 Crystal Pkwy.

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

L. E. Smith Co.

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

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

Mark Dietz

7513 Bartholomew Dr. Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 440-476-9905

Solid Surfaces Plus

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

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

Tower Industries

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

Oklahoma

Hoffman Fixtures Co.

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

Oregon

Douglas High School 1381 Douglas Blvd.

Winston, OR 97496 541-643-9344

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

South Umpqa School District 501 N.W. Chadwick Ln. Myrtle Creek, OR 97457 541-580-3750

Pennsylvania A.S.S.T.

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

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

Blume’s Solid Surface Products 904 Freeport Rd. Freeport, PA 16229 724-294-3190 www.blumes.net

Chuck Sawyer

4802 Au Sable Dr. Gibsonia, PA 15044 412-213-0370

J.A. Kohlhepp Sons Inc.

Texas

Jon Hirt

2325 Executive Dr. Garland, TX 75041 972-840-1234 www.classiccountertopsinc.com

PO Box 423 640 DuBois St. Dubois, PA 15801 814-371-5060 258 Nichols St. Leesport, PA 19533 484-794-8263

Classic Counter Tops

Counterscapes, Inc.

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

Pence Countertops Inc.

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

Rhode Island

New England Counter Top PO Box F Pawtucket, RI 2861 508-761-7588

South Carolina

Creative Counter Tops

2228 Deerbrook Dr. Tyler, TX 75703 903-581-5676

Countertop Solutions LLC PO Box 820847 Houston, TX 77077 713-204-0080 www.ineedcountertops.com

R.L. Stephens Inc.

8916 Pepper Rock Dr. Austin, TX 78717 512-801-7105

Southwestern Counter Tops & Millwork 4100 Frankfort Ave. El Paso, TX 79903 915-562-1116 www.swcelpaso@elp.rr.co

Walter Crum Construction PO Box 12359 Lubbock, TX 79452 806-748-1899

1056 Hunley Sullivan Rd. Awendaw, SC 29429 843-881-8315

W R Watson Inc.

South Dakota

Utah

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

12902 Mula Ln. Stafford, TX 77477 281-495-2800

Alternative Surface 250 E. 400 S. Vernal, UT 84078 801-414-3512

Associated Fixture Mfg.

DFC-Dakota Fixture & Cabinet Co.

8975 W. 3500 S. Magna, Utah 84044 801-250-7620 www.associatedfixture.com

45753 237th St. Madison, SD 57042 605-256-3707 www.soliddfc.com

Bedrock Quartz

Formatop Co.

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

Tennessee

5996 Dannon Way West Jordan, UT 84081 801-282-3322 www.bedrockquartz.com

Quality Craft Wood Works HC 60 Box 703 Rocky Ridge, UT 84645 435-623-1707

SLC Corp

Alexander Brothers Tile & Marble Inc.

1446 S. Cooper St. Ste. 101 Memphis, TN 38114 901-278-9626 www.alexandermarbleandgranite.com

Creative Countertop Solutions Inc.

300 Peabody St. Nashville, TN 37210 615-915-0718 www.creativecountersolutions.com

248 E. 600 S. Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ty’s Cabinets

PO Box 295 Cleveland, UT 84518 435-749-2467

Utah Kitchen and Bath

2098 E. 2250 N. Layton, UT 84040 801-814-8847 www.utahkitchenandbath.com

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 41

Fabricator Directory (continued) Companies in blue are Certified ISFA Professionals Virginia

Boeing Service Co. 14675 Lee Rd. Chantilly, VA 20151 703-808-2717

Five Star Fab & Fixture PO Box 1726 Salem, VA 24153 540-444-0456 www.fivestarfab.com

Metro Stone Works LLC 9115 Digital Dr. Unit 12 Manassas Park, VA 20111 703-396-866 www.metrostoneworks.com

Surface Link Corp.

4200 Lafayette Center Dr. Ste. A Chantilly, VA 20151 301-482-1717 www.surfacelinkcorp.com

The Wood Palace

4825 W. Norfolk Rd. Portsmouth, VA 23703 757-647-8130

TRINDCO

1004 Obici Industrial Blvd.

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

Washington

Absolute ConcreteWorks 5795 N.E. Minder Rd. Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-297-5055

Fine Line Pacific Inc. 22445 76th Ave. S. Kent, WA 98032 425-251-6177 www.finelinepacific.com

Founder’s Choice Cabinetry & Countertops PO Box 1576 Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253-857-2726 www.founderschoice.com

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

RD Wing

11809 N.E. 116th St. Kirkland, WA 98034 425-821-7222 www.blimages.com

Sheridan Woodworking LLC 2175 Frog Hollow Rd. Walla Walla, WA 99362 509-540-7799

Synsor Corp.

1920 Merrill Creek Pkwy.

Everett, WA 98203 425-322-9604

Tommy T Cook

8202 St. Hwy. 104 Ste. 102 PMB 135 Kingston, WA 98346 206-349-6403 www.tommytcook.com

West Virginia

Alternative Building Concepts, Inc. 4341 Rt. 60 E. Ste. 187 Huntington, WV 25705 304-736-0494

Wisconsin

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

McDermott Top Shop LLC

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

Spectrum Surfaces Inc. 812 Marquis Way Green Bay, WI 54304 920-337-6575

Wyoming

Heritage Woods Inc. 1806 Pacific Ave. Ste. 4 Cheyenne, WY 82007 307-640-2445

J Booth Specialties PO Box 1152 Casper, WY 82602 307-258-2992

Bermuda

Fabrications

10 Rosshire Ord Rd. Warwick, WK08 Bermuda 441-332-0042

Kitchen Installations Ltd. PO Box HM1876 Hamilton, HMHX Bermuda 441-292-1556

Canada

Abet Laminati

50 Paxman Rd. Unit 10-11 Toronto, ON M9C 1B7 Canada 416-620-6556

42 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Colonial Countertops Ltd.

Mexico

Coni-Marble Mfg. Inc.

Boulevard Hacienda Galindo 116 Villas del meson Juriquilla, 76230 Mexico 52-4422342743

609 Alpha St. Victoria, BC V8Z 1B2 Canada 250-383-1926 http://colonialcountertops.com PO Box 40 99 Harrison St. Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0 Canada 519-461-0100

Executive Millwork #5 1212 38 Ave N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 6N2 Canada 403-291-0400

Victor Coronado Services

Nigeria

Trioteknix Limited-Member NITP 19 Sule Abuka Crescent off Opebi Rd. Ikeja, Lagos 10011 Nigeria 234-7039707383

RUSSIA

FloForm Countertops

ARTCOR

Granit Design

Saint MaRTIN

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

77 Industrielle Stanstead, QC J0B 3E0 Canada 819-564-7111 www.granitdesign.com

Paragon Surfacing Ltd.

6720 Graybar Rd. Unit 110 Richmond, BC V6W 1J1 Canada 604-278-2225 www.paragonsurfacing.com

SSC Countertops Ltd. 1253 W. 76 Ave. Vancouver, BC V6P 6M3 Canada 604-294-4071 www.ssccountertops.com

France

CREA Diffusion

ZA Le Cheval Blanc Solgne F-57420 France 38-764-6923 www.crea-diffusion.com

Germany

Rosskopf & Partner AG Bahnhofstrasse 16 D 09573 Augustusburg – Hennersdorf Germany www.rosskopf-partner.com 493-729-12524

Lebanon

Respond S.A.L.

1st Floor Missirian Bldg.

Beirut, Lebanon 90076 961-150-1414

60th km. Ring Road Ste. 4A Moscow Russia +7-485-657-8578 www.artcor.ru

Venio Woodwork N.V. Guana Bay Rd. #1 Philipsburg Saint Martin 599-580-6348

SINGAPORE

Global-Allied Pte Ltd.

No. 18C Kranji Loop Singapore 739554 Singapore 65-63658781 www.global-group.com.sg

SOUTH AFRICA Techno Surfaces

Unit 2, 18 Losack Ave. Epping 2 Cape Town, Western Province 7806 South Africa 27-215340154 www.technosurfaces.co.za

Thailand

Tiffany Decor Co., Ltd. 6/2 m. 8 Klonghartawanook 29 Rd. Klonghar, Klongruang Patumtanee 12120 Thailand 66298-6446

United Kiingdom Interfab LTD

Unit 9 Willersey Business Park Willersey, Nr. Broadway Worcestershire WR12 7RR United Kingdom 441-386-858100 www.interfab.co.uk

Product News Wilsonart Introduces 6 New Laminate Patterns

Fishstone Offers New Flex Shop Vac Concrete Countertop Supply by Fishstone offers the Flex VC12 Wet/Dry Vacuum. Features include: On-demand power — plug your tool into the unit and the vacuum turns on/off with tool switch; a 12-gal. stainless steel tank with drain port and 12-ft. drain hose included; 6-hp peak power; a grounding static strap that eliminates static buildup in hose; a cartridge filter with easy-tochange replaceable bag; two 12-ft. by 1¼-in. hoses; two 1¼-in. extension wands; a 10-in. dual surface nozzle; a round brush nozzle; and a disposable collection bag.

Circle RS#41 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Karran Offers Edge E-350 Sinks Karran has just received the first shipment of its new Edge E-350 sinks and has started shipping them to all of its distributors. The new 300 Series Edge sinks have a more refined, smoother European brushed finish. The company also has new flap wheels in stock that suit this particular finish.

This flap wheel has a 180-grit finish as opposed to the company’s previous ones that were 80 and 100 grit.

Circle RS#23 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Glass Recycled Provides Galaxy Collection Line of Surfacing Material The Galaxy Collection is Glass Recycled’s effort to cater toward multi-use development properties. The company has taken its boutique

quality recycled glass surfaces and made them available for large-scale multi-unit properties at near granite prices. Featuring 100 percent recycled clear glass and porcelain, the Galaxy Collection offers depth and visual appeal.

Circle RS#24 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info

Vicostone Launches New Translucent Quartz Material

Wilsonart unveiled six new HD Laminate designs at the recent Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Celebrating the beauty of natural stone, the new designs resemble the colors and flowing movement of exotic granite. The designs include Golden Romano, Cosmos Granite, Bianco Romano, Florence Gold, Summer Carnival and Winter Carnival.

The company refined its design, performance and optical surface finishes to create the tones, color gradations, fissures and formations that give depth and dimension. The Wilsonart HD collection now contains 57 designs with three surface textures (Mirage, Facet and new honed Glaze), three decorative edge options and eight integrated sink configurations.

Circle RS#27 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info

Vicostone now offers a new line of translucent quartz surfacing material. The material was first shown at the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The material has an appearance similar to natural onyx, and its translucency allows for backlighting the material for unique effects in a variety of applications.

Circle RS#25 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Caesarstone Adds New Colors to Classico Line Caesarstone has added five new colors to its Classico line of quartz surfacing. These colors are based on a combination of earth tones and veining that are usually found only in natural marble. The five colors are Emperadoro — shades of dark brown infused with maple veins; Dreamy Marfil — a soft beige with light, brown veining; Piatra Grey — a slatecolored grey with chalky veins; Frosty Carrina — snowy ivory with barely noticeable, powder-grey veins; and London Grey — creamy gray with charcoal veining.

Circle RS#26 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Kohler Offers Apron-front Sink with Double-basin Design

Kohler Co. added a double-basin to its line of Whitehaven apron-front, farmhouse style sinks.

The half-saddle design allows users to fit and move large pots and pans around, and still fill a basin with soapy water. By designing the divider to be lower than traditional basin dividers, the sink is better suited to accommodate larger pots and pans with extended handles. The Whitehaven self-trimming apron-front Smart Divide kitchen sink is offered with a 7-in. apron, which is suitable for homeowners who want to achieve a farmhouse look without replacing their cabinetry, along with a conventional 9-in. apron.

The sink basin is 9 in. deep on both versions.It comes in 18 colors and is made from at least 80 percent recycled materials.

Circle RS#28 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 43

Product News Laser Products Introduces GS-40 Saw Laser Laser Products introduced the new GS-40 Saw Laser, which provides a visible laser line for precise cuts. This product eliminates the guesswork by giving the exact location of cuts every time. The GS-40’s laser takes advantage of the strongest powered lasers on the market for incredibly bright lines. Primarily designed for bridge saws and CNC equipment, it can also be used for band saws and permanently mounted table or panel saws. The unit is a green laser and is supplied with 110v AC to 240v AC input and is vibration- and water resistant — IP 65 rated (NEMA 4). It will project a fine green line at a 75-degree fan angle that enables users to position the work piece, slabs or wood and know exactly where the blade is going to cut. The entire laser is hardcoat anodized to make it rugged enough for

any application. A mounting bracket is included that allows it to be clamped on any pipe that has an outside diameter of 0.75 to 1.75 in.

Circle RS#29 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Freedonia Offers New ‘Decorative Tile’ Study The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm, has released a new report titled Decorative Tile. It is 297 pages and includes a multitude of information on such topics as trends, demand and market share, as well as charts and graphs.

Circle RS#31 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Chemcore Offers Patriot Sinks Chemcore Industries introduced the new Patriot line of stainless steel sinks made in the United States. Patriot Sinks offer a complete selection of both undermount and top-mount models and come individually boxed. With three warehouse locations and a new one opening in California, orders are shipped quickly, and sent out the same day as they are placed.

Circle RS#30 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

ETemplate ELaser System Upgraded ETemplate Systems has released a new upgrade to its Measure Manager software for the ELaser system. The system takes measurements onsite and produces a detailed drawing in dxf file as it measures. It uses the Leica 3-D Disto for data collection. New features include a new CAD-based graphic environment; the ability to measure more than one top in one file; the ability to drop a dxf cutout file into drawing; the ability to manually draw lines, arcs, circles,

Are You OSHA Compliant?

Make Sure with the

2013 ISFA Federal OSHA Compliance Manual for the Surface Fabrication Industry

It includes detailed information about OSHA Penalty Structure, inspections and recordkeeping requirements, as well as regulations on relevant topics such as air tools; extension cords and construction electrical; materials handling and safe lifting; delivery and bucket trucks; thermoforming; noise; silica; formaldehyde; asbestos; and bloodborne pathogens.

It also contains the information about the new Hazard Communication Standard and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Or check out the one of the other GET THE POINT Safety Packages on disc!

For more information visit the ISFA Storefront at www.isfanow.org or call the ISFA office at (877) 464-7732.

Circle RS#10 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

44 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Circle RS#22 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

the feet are inserted into the base of the existing A-Frame and are secured with safety chains.

A tamper-resistant key prevents unauthorized removal of the safety arms. It is sold in packages of two uprights with locking arms with two bases and safety chains, it secures one side of an existing A-Frame.

rectangles and

polylines; the ability to manually add

linear, angular and

radius dimensions; full CAD trimming

capability; the ability

Circle RS#33 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

to break up the top

for layout; an unlimited Undo/Redo feature; the ability to save a file and recall a file to continue

to greatly reduce personal injuries from falling

and arcs; the ability to verify distances and

post-and-arm system made of heavy-duty 3

dynamic edit; the ability to manually offset lines

slabs, the Secure A-Frame features a lockable

angles; single and group delete; 64 system

mm thick-walled tubular steel. It replaces nylon

colors; unlimited layers; and the ability to

convert free form spline into lines and arcs for fabrication.

Circle RS#32 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

straps, wood clamps and other unconventional methods of securing slabs to existing A-Frame units. The Secure A-Frame was designed for ease to use to increase worker compliance.

New Secure A-Frame from Groves Incorporated

Users would simply load the A-Frame as

Groves Incorporated introduced the new

the slab and lock it in place. The upright arms

Secure A-Frame safety accessory. Designed

normal, place an upright post into the steel foot, and slide the arm and pad down until it touches are held in place with hardened steel pins, while

GranQuartz Offers E-Z Sink Brackets GranQuartz now offers E-Z sink brackets, suitable for any sink installation. Designed to fit standard 24-in. cabinet depth with no modification, the wood support rails can be easily trimmed for smaller vanity cabinets.

This bracket simply mounts to the front and back edge of the cabinet. The adjustable support rails are then placed in the brackets

Circle RS#12 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 45

Product News and adjusted to tighten the sink to the stone.

interfaces with trim routers for precise circle

the countertops are installed, reducing the time

adjustable range of 6- to 36-in. circle cutting

This product can be installed before or after

needed for installation. Included in the bracket kit is a support strap used for multi-bowl sink

installations. It is attached to the predrilled holes on the underside of the support rail. There are several holes on the rail to accommodate any

style of sink. This strap provides support at the center of the sink to keep the sink from flexing under load. The kit contains the sink bracket and hardware and a multi-bowl strap.

Circle RS#34 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

routing applications. The jig allows an infinitely diameters and is compact enough to fit in

most toolboxes. It is also lightweight, making it

portable for use on jobsites. It is predrilled to fit

many popular router models from Porter Cable, DeWalt and Bosch and can easily be drilled

to fit other less common routers. It is made of

¼-in. phenolic, which provides durability during use. The center pivot pin is tightened with a

fourstar knob and T-bolt to ensure that the jig

stays in place throughout the routing process.

Circle RS#35 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Rockler Launches Trim Router Circle Cutting Jig

Teragren Introduces 0.6mm Xcora Strand Veneer

Rockler Woodworking

Strand bamboo veneer. This new product

the Trim Router Circle

bamboo flooring and panels and is suitable

Teragren introduced the new 0.6mm Xcora

and Hardware introduces

matches Teragren’s existing Xcora Strand

Cutting Jig, a device that

for custom cabinetry, furniture construction,

Circle RS#13 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

46 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

countertops and table tops. Xcora products are 160 percent harder than oak, 1.5 times more stable than maple and are made from Optimum 5.5 Moso Bamboo, harvested at maturity for peak density. These furniture-grade veneers come unfinished with a 28gram fiber backing. Standard AWI woodworking guidelines apply.

Circle RS#36 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

GlueBoss Offers New 1:1 SeamBoss Surfacing Adhesives GlueBoss Adhesive Company introduces its new line of SeamBoss Surfacing Adhesives. It bonds to all solid surface, quartz, stone, steel, plastic laminate, fiberglass, and much more.

With consistent curing temperatures, whether in hot or cold climates, it is designed to safe fabrication and installation time. With its newly

Circle RS#14 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

formulated 1:1 acrylic adhesive, it will stop uncured wet spots with a strong bond and improved flexural properties. It is available in 400 ml cartridges, 250 ml caulk gun dispensable cartridges, 50 ml cartridges and 25 ml syringes.

Circle RS#37 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Roger Shollmier offers Galley Sink with Built-in Accessories Roger Shollmier, the owner of Kitchen Ideas in Tulsa, developed the Galley sink, a sink-based, functional workstation. The sink offers cutting boards, colanders, a drain rack and stainless steel bowls to slide above and below each other

on two tiers inside the sink to accommodate food preparation, cleanup and serving in one convenient place. Available in 7-, 5 ½- and 4-ft. lengths, the sink can be installed indoors or out.

The Galley is available as an undermount or as an apron front sink.

Circle RS#42 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#38 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

MóZ Expands Aluminum Panel Line

clé Carries New Origins Collection Ceramic Tiles clé introduces the new Origins Collection of ceramic tile by Forrest Lesch-Middelton. A potter in Petaluma, Calif., Lesch-Middelton brings together a number of firing, forming and silk-screening techniques to create the complex designs and surfaces of his tiles. Inspiration for the Origins Collection comes from the sacred geometry and arabesque designs found in the Middle East, North

Circle RS#15 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Africa and Europe. Each tile is hand-made individually, and can be installed indoors and out on floors and walls.

There are seven tile designs and they each come in three sizes: 3-, 4- and 6-in. square.

Available also is unadorned field tile to complement the patterned tiles.

Flare is the latest addition to the Móz Designs Graphix Collection, a new series of graphically enhanced aluminum panels for retail and commercial interiors. Sporting vibrant vertical striping, each Flare panel features a spectrum of lively, complementary colors that enhance an interior setting or branding environment. Flare can be installed as a wall covering, ceiling panel,

Circle RS#16 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • 47

Product News column cover, within a reception counter, bar die or other decorative element. Nine Flare colorways are offered in a range of tones from electric to subtle. Colorway spectrum options include Twilight, Dusk, Moonlight, Supernova and five other cosmically inspired variations.

The new Móz panels are available in 48- by 96in. and 48- by 120-in. aluminum or corrugated aluminum sheets with (solid core) thicknesses that range from 0.04 to 0.125 in. Flare can be installed vertically or horizontally, depending on the desired effect. Móz metal panels are fabricated from recycled aluminum and contribute to LEED 2.0 MR Credit 4, recycled content.

Armstrong Cabinets Launches New Door Styles, Accessories

the cabinets’ distressed, rustic

Armstrong Cabinet Products is

added options when building or

complexion. Plus, Armstrong offers eco-friendly, low-VOC

emitting materials to provide

debuting more than 380 new

remodeling a home or buying

cabinet styles and accessories

cabinetry. Origins Premier No

to offer more decorative and

Added Urea Formaldehyde

functional cabinet options,

(NAUF) particleboard construction

including a low-VOC emitting

maple veneer door style; dozens of installed accessories; and door styles in a new wood species.

This wide-ranging product launch ensures a

Mocha, Natural and Toffee — offers sleek styling

for the new home and remodeling markets.

formaldehyde-free, soy-based adhesive called

Wood door style that comes in shaker, arch and

decorative molding SKUs, medallions, valances,

colors, from Double Espresso to Mocha Brown

more decorative enhancements that align with

selection of products at a variety of price levels

and green features. This line utilizes a urea-

Among the new products is a Rustic Alder

PureBond for the door’s core. In addition, 35 new

raised panel formats. Eleven stain and glaze

Crystal, highlight the wood’s grain, and enhance

Circle RS#17 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

48 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

Plus, Novara, a new maple veneer door style

with five stain options — Bordeaux, Espresso,

Glaze, and from Cinnamon to a clear, natural

Circle RS#39 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

is a cost-competitive option,

whether for multi-family or single-family projects.

posts and legs, as well as 94 columns, provide

current design trends.

Circle RS#40 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#18 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

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C01 Abrasives

C12 Sealers/Polishes

C02 Adhesives

C13 Seaming Equipment

C03 Air Quality Equipment

C14 Sinks

C04 CNC Machinery C05 Concrete Materials & Supplies C06 Hand/Power Tools C07 Laminate C08 Material Handling Equipment C09 Prefabricated Accessories C10 Quartz Surfacing C11 Saws

C15 Software

C16 Solid Surface

C17 Stone

C18 Templating Equipment C19 Tooling

What surfacing materials do you work with?

____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Free Product Information Please circle below all of the referral numbers found in the magazine, or the category numbers found on this page that you would like more information on. Your request will be immediately forwarded to the proper manufacturer.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

C20 Training

65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

C22 Other Materials

73

C21 Waterjet Equipment

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

Classifieds Attention Fabricators

ISFA Fabricators, do you have used equipment taking up space in your shop that you would like to sell?

Are you looking to fill a key position in your operations?

Our readers might be interested. 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.

Email us today at editor@ isfanow.org.

Circle RS#21 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Ad Index

To place a paid classified ad, for those of you who are not fabricator members, email kevin@isfanow.org or call (815) 721-1507.

Referral Page Number Number

13 15 12 19 18 06 02 03 04 45 22 20 01

17 05 21 07 10 14 16 08 09

Axiom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Beckart Environmental, Inc.. . . . . 47 Betterly Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . 45 Cosentino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 CountertopResource.com. . . . . . 48 Glueboss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ISFA Grassroots Gatherings . . . . . 5 ISFA Fabrication Training. . . . . . . . 7 ISFA Regional Training. . . . . . . . . . 9 ISFA Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . 31 ISFA Compliance Manual . . . . . . 44 Integra Adhesives . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 ITW Polymers Sealants North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Jerong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Karran. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Kormax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Laser Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Oneida Air Systems. . . . . . . . . . . 44 Performance Abrasives. . . . . . . . 46 SATA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Systempool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Vicostone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

50 • Vol. 6 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association

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Share this copy with a colleague or friend.

Better yet, have them subscribe at isfanow.org/magazine.

Circle RS#19 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.

Circle RS#20 on page 49 or visit www.isfanow.org/info.