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A NEW ISSUE OF COUNTERTOPS & ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES IS OUT NOW! |
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In the fast-paced world of surface fabrication, where machines hum rhythmically and precision is paramount, it's easy to become entranced by the sheer efficiency and power of technology and machinery — one cornerstone of this issue of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces. Yet, amidst the whir of automated processes, it's imperative not to overlook the importance of nurturing the human element within our industry. As much as machines drive productivity, the ingenuity, skill and well-being of our people ultimately determine success.
Humans are the heartbeat of innovation; without them, none of the products or the tools we use would exist. From designing more efficient production processes to innovating sustainable materials, it’s human ingenuity that leads to these breakthroughs. And even though there are tools and programs to monitor your machines' performance, a person stands at the controls.
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In this issue of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces, we cover:
- Do You Have Unused Production Capacity? Ed Young of Fabricator’s Business Coach explains how you can gain control of the reigns (page 14).
- Troubleshooting Machinery Made Easy: Follow These Four Steps to Improve Production Efficiency (page 16).
- The Next Generation of Sharp Machinery: Innovations in heavy machinery that can keep your shop on the cutting edge (page 18).
- ISFA Fabricator Profile: Eastern Surfaces: With a remarkable legacy spanning more than four decades in the surfacing industry, Eastern Surfaces has left an indelible mark on the hearts of thousands of satisfied customers in and around Allentown, Pennsylvania. Their commitment to excellence shines through each project, elevating spaces and enhancing the lives of those they serve (page 28).
- How to Turn ‘Kids These Days’ into Top-Performing Teams: Employee underperformance may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility (page 34).
Discover how you can innovate, integrate and inspire your way to new levels of success in this issue of Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine.
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Do You Have Unused Production Capacity?
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Fab shops are in either one of two conditions.
Sales are very strong; lead times are getting longer; the shop can’t keep up with all the orders coming in.
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There are not enough orders to completely fill the shop. If sales volume increased, the shop could easily produce those orders and lead times would remain short.
The latter is where we’ll focus — not enough orders to fill the shop. If you have production capacity that isn’t being used, then you aren’t making all the money you should.
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Troubleshooting Machinery Made Easy: Follow These Four Steps to Improve Production Efficiency
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By Tim Saddoris, Grand Onyx
Have you ever felt like everything is going wrong and you’re unsure where to start? When your production isn’t running at full speed, or your machinery keeps breaking down, it can be frustrating – and expensive.
Guess what? You’re not alone. Many of the world’s top manufacturers struggle with these same issues.
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Been there.
Done that.
Before I decided to focus exclusively on surface fabricators, I built a software company that focused on troubleshooting and improving production and machinery efficiency. Here are four steps I learned along the way that can help to diagnose problems and maintain consistent, high-quality production.
READ ON ...
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Revolutionizing Fabrication: The Next Generation of Sharp Machinery
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By Sarah Peiper
When it comes to cutting stone, porcelain, solid surface or quartz, having the right tools can make all the difference in terms of accuracy and productivity. Faster cutting rates, reduced downtime and improved accuracy all contribute to smoother workflows while reducing remakes. Here are some of the best innovations in heavy machinery and accessories that can keep your shop on the cutting edge.
CHECK OUT THESE SHARP SOLUTIONS ...
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Porcelain Countertops & Slabs: The Style of Natural Stone With the Performance of Porcelain Tile
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By Roy Viana, Director of Natural Stone & Slab for Daltile
Porcelain slabs can be used on a multitude of surfaces, including countertops, floors, walls, fireplaces, vanities, backsplashes, shower walls, tub surrounds and even exterior cladding.
They bring the stunning on-trend colors and patterns of marble, slate and other natural stones, as well as modern concrete looks to a space while still standing up to real-life activity. Because these slabs are made of authentic porcelain, they are heat-, stain-, scratch- and chemical-resistant, as well as durable and easy to maintain.
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The longevity of a porcelain countertop ranges from a decade to a lifetime, contingent upon the level of wear and tear it endures.
KEEP READING ...
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In this episode of Behind the Surface podcast, ISFA’s executive director, Marissa Bankert, sits down with Todd Hibbs, a fabrication specialist from Caesarstone, to explore the burgeoning interest in porcelain slabs. From its rise as a marble alternative to its status as a staple in home design, Todd and Marissa discuss the factors driving porcelain’s popularity. They delve into how technological advancements have transformed porcelain fabrication, making it more durable and versatile than ever before. Todd shares invaluable insights on fabrication techniques and the importance of adapting to new machinery, as well as identifies emerging markets for porcelain. Transportation concerns and practical tips for exploring this material round out the conversation, including a powerful message: Evolve with the times or risk falling behind.
Tune in to learn how to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to porcelain!
Pro Tip: Got questions about working with porcelain? Todd’s got answers.
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Call for Entries: The International Surface Fabricators Association’s 2024 ISFA Awards |
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ISFA opened its annual awards program, the ISFA Awards, on June 1, 2024.
The program honors excellence in application design, fabrication and installation of projects using surfacing materials across seven categories.
The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2024.
“Fabricators founded our association to provide growth opportunities for surfacing industry professionals,” said Marissa Bankert, executive director of ISFA. “The ISFA Awards program is designed to create awareness around the wide array of innovative surfacing materials on the market today, but above all, it’s a platform for our fabricator members to gain recognition and elevate their businesses by showcasing the outstanding work they do every day."
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Previously, the ISFA Award categories were based on applications using specific materials, but the program has been iterated this year to broaden the categories to create additional opportunities for project submissions.
LEARN MORE ...
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California Bill Aims To Require Licensure for Fabricators |
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Lawmakers in California are seeking to clamp down on which businesses can legally operate as surface fabricators, amid growing concerns about the rise in silicosis cases among workers.
Health officials have correlated silicosis to engineered stone because of its higher silica content compared to natural stone. Silicosis is caused by respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which occurs when the materials are cut, ground or polished. More than a dozen fabricators in California have died of silicosis.
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According to the LA Times, "In the San Fernando Valley, outreach workers have found immigrant workers cutting the artificial material in dusty shops with scant protections. When Cal/OSHA took a closer look at the industry in 2019 and 2020, it found that 72% of shops where it conducted air sampling were in violation of silica rules. It recently estimated that out of nearly 5,000 such workers statewide, as many as 200 could die of the disease."
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That will change if lawmakers pass AB 3043, a state bill that establishes a licensing system for businesses that fabricate engineered or natural stone. The bill would prohibit businesses from legally operating as fabricators in California without a license. To obtain a license, shops will need to prove they follow state safety requirements and ensure employees are trained in all protective measures. The bill would also prohibit manufacturers and suppliers from providing slabs to unlicensed fabricators.
KEEP READING ...
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Looking for discontinued designs before they are gone for good? SolidSurface.com has recently added over 1000 items to its Bulk Clearance Sale, and this material is priced to sell. Buy more, save more: explore deals on multi-sheet packs!
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SolidSurface.com is an online marketplace with the largest selection of discontinued solid surface material, both full and partial sheets available. Find materials from Corian, Wilsonart, Avonite Surfaces, and new in 2024, now featuring HIMACS solid surface and Viatera quartz.
Find significant cost savings in the often-hard-to-find discontinued sheet material. Powerful search tools allow filtering by brand, color, pattern, size and price.
In addition to sheet material, you'll find a selection of accessories including color-matched adhesives, tooling and sinks.
As an additional offer, SolidSurface.com is extending a Warehouse Special Price List to ISFA Fabricators only. Contact paul@solidsurface.com for your price list today.
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Coverings Reports Uptick in Young Attendees at This Year's Show |
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Nearly 25,000 industry professionals from all applicable business sectors converged at Coverings 2024, which was held April 22-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event drew a remarkable influx of first-time attendees, young professionals and other key audiences from around the world.
One of the most significant takeaways from Coverings 2024 is the increase in attendance by young professionals, with 24% of eventgoers belonging to this category.
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The uptick reflects Coverings’ ongoing dedication to supporting the next generation of tile and stone professionals, fostering emerging talent and driving innovation within the industry.
Coverings’ commitment to nurturing next-generation industry talent was prominently showcased on Tuesday, April 23, when over 150 students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Georgia’s technical colleges, including Dalton Academy, Atlanta Technical College and Georgia Building Trades Academy, were in attendance.
"Coverings has always been a show by the community and for the community and, as such, we are especially proud of the consistent rise in our young professionals audience,” stated Jenn Heinold, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the show management company for Coverings.
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“Coverings has become the hub for the tile and stone industry, with more ‘next-gen’ professionals seeking Coverings as an annual destination for product sourcing, networking, learning and enhancing their respective skillsets," she continued.
Those interested in attending Coverings 2025, slated for April 29-May 2, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, can sign up to be notified when event registration opens at www.coverings.com.
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National Safety Council Leads 28th Observance of National Safety Month |
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Each June, the National Safety Council (NSC) leads National Safety Month, an annual observance to raise awareness of the leading causes of preventable injury and death. According to the latest data available, preventable injuries are the third leading cause of death in the United States and took more than 227,000 lives in 2022.
“First launched in 1996 to educate and encourage safe behaviors at work, on the roads and in communities, National Safety Month is also a time to remember that keeping each other safe is one of the most
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important things we can ever do,” said Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of NSC. “At NSC, we know employers and individuals who encourage others to be safe at work, at home, and everywhere in between are preventing injuries and saving lives. Thank you for being a safety role model; the impact you have on others is immeasurable.”
As part of the month-long observance, each week of June is focused on a specific safety issue. This year the topics include:
- Week 1: Safety Engagement
- Week 2: Roadway Safety
- Week 3: Risk Reduction
- Week 4: Slips, Trips and Falls
For more information on National Safety Month and to access free workplace safety resources such as graphics, videos, games, articles and more, visit nsc.org/nsm.
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BACA Systems kicks off its Digital Fabrication Seminar series on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, at All Granite & Marble in Charlton, Massachusetts. The seminar series is designed to provide attendees with more than just theoretical knowledge. It promises hands-on experience, actionable insights, and live machine demonstrations aimed at transforming businesses within the stone industry. With a focus on enhancing profitability and staying ahead of the curve, this event is a must-attend for fabricators at all levels of expertise.
Additional seminar dates:
- June 20, 2024: Trademark Universal Stone, Louisville, Kentucky
- August 15, 2024: Accent Countertops, Murray, Utah
- August 22, 2024: Zsolt Granite Corp., Longwood, Florida
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Park Industries invites fabricators to join them in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 27, for their Digital Stoneworking Expo.
Attendees will tour a fully digital shop, watch live CNC machine demos, hear from guest fabricators speakers and learn about growing their business on a variety of topics. Event Highlights:
- Tour Richstone Surfaces and see their JAVELIN in production.
- Educational talks by experienced fabricators.
- Interactive breakout sessions.
- NSI Silica & Slab Safety Certification.
- Engaging roundtable Q&As.
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Next event: August 6-7, 2024 | San Antonio, Texas
ISFA's Professional Solid Surface Fabrication Training program is the gold standard course for fabricating solid surface. The program is recognized by all major manufacturers and their network of certified fabricator partners.
This hands-on, two-day session provides attendees with the skills and knowledge in all facets of the fabrication process, including layout, templating, seaming, support, sanding, edges, cutouts, backsplashes, thermoforming, finishing and installation. Participants will complete a vanity application which includes an integral bowl sink, built-up edge profile, edge inlay and examples of coved as well as set-on style backsplash.
If you're in millwork looking to diversify your offerings or an existing fabrication shop that needs to train new hires, ISFA has you covered.
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Planning your next industry event or fundraiser? Let us know and we'll help you get the word out! |
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