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MGT Stone’s custom countertops and technology have earned them the reputation as an industry leader By Louise Treeny | Photo provided by MGT Stone
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t is realistic to say that if you walked into an MGT Stone showroom today, you could have new countertops or a new vanity within 30 days.
The process, starting with hand-selecting materials and ending with installation, takes about four weeks total, says Tom Cimino, who works in marketing and sales. The only corners cut in this process are the physical ones, and even those are done with a high-tech robot. “We’re authentic stone people,” he says. MGT Stone — Marble & Granite Tech — has been a staple for all things stone fabrication since its 1987 founding. With a headquarters in Barrington (on the southwest corner of Lake County, near Kane) and 175 different quartz options and thousands of natural stone looks, clients can customize exactly what they want. Specializing in kitchens, vanities, fireplace hearths and more, “it’s all custom,” says Cimino. One thing that separates MGT Stone is its use — and invention of — vein matching software, which gives clients the “ability to put their thumb in the pie” when it comes to design, Cimino says.
With the software, clients can customize exactly where the seams and veins are, giving them greater control over the new surfaces that will transform their kitchens and bathrooms. Owner Tom Gust is the one who came up with the software, says Cimino, adding he’s a very innovative, “dynamic guy who’s created a legacy.” “He’s got a vision,” Cimino says. In terms of trends, MGT Stone points to granite patterns that look more like a landscape than dots. To achieve this look, search for slabs that are created out of sedimentary rock instead of metamorphic rock. “Graupe,” or a color combination of gray and taupe, is also becoming increasingly popular. Last, consider quartzite for a timeless, linear look that sometimes appears “like solid ice.” As many companies move toward an eco-friendlier approach, MGT Stone points to a long history of doing just that. When the team removes old granite to make way for new ones, they donate the material to a local facility that crushes it to be used to build roads. The company is not into putting resources into landfills, says Cimino, quipping that
as a result Kane County residents are “driving over old countertops.” Much of the application process can be done online, but the most important — material selection — always happens in person. You avoid surprises that way. Don’t forget a drawing of your space with dimensions, which will give you the best cost estimate. Once you’ve signed an agreement for work to be done, MGT Stone employees will schedule what they call a “laser-precision field measure” to get exact measurements. Cimino himself has had MGT Stone countertops for 25 years — and they still look new, he says. Long-lasting quality adds to the company’s stellar reputation as an industry leader in Chicagoland. “This is our livelihood,” he says. “We’re proud of what we do.” MGT STONE 817 W. Northwest Highway, Barrington (Headquarters) 1749 S. Randall Road, Geneva 847-713-8023 www.marbleandgranitetech.com HOME & LIFESTYLE MARCH 2022
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