I started working with solid surface in 1982. I’m not sure if we were even called fabricators back then but life seemed pretty simple. Color choices were limited and joint adhesive was in its infancy. It was kind of like living in the Wild West. There were few fabricating rules to follow. There weren’t many tools just for the fabricator.
My first tools consisted of an old 3 hp Rockwell, a half pad orbital sander and a cabinet scraper. We used to use the scraper to take out sanding marks and level seams. When we got the joint adhesive kit I thought, “WOW! What an achievement! Could things get any better?
In the beginning years, you could survive offering just one product, but as we leap forward over 25 years, a stand-alone solid surface fabricator is a very unique. The answer is simple. Other products became the preferred choice of many homeowners. Granite exploded on the scene followed closely by Quartz. For many shops it is a matter of survival. Either conform to market conditions or shutter the business. Many not only saw the potential, they took the bull by the horns and dominated the natural stone industry, making huge profits along the way.
So that was then, what is now? With the green movement and the beginning of many emerging surfaces (concrete, glass, 3Form, etc.), today’s fabricators will have more choices than the food offerings at this year’s family reunion. Today we have over 30 manufacturers creating anything and everything from precast concrete to paper composites.
How you handle all the choices will be quite a juggling act. Unless you’re a large company it’s probably unlikely you can handle all surfaces under one roof. You could go the route of some and form alliances and partnerships with shops that are equipped in areas yours isn’t. For example, those that specialize in natural stone, can easily adapt to include precast concrete, and quartz. Solid surface specialist can add paper composites, wood and laminate.
Another angle, find your niche. Do you have dealers offering some of the new surfaces? Find out why. What do they liked about the new surfaces? Can you as a shop fabricate these surfaces?
Most dealers have a solid surface guy. Most dealers have a granite guy. And most dealers have a tile setter. But most dealers are in dire need of qualified fabricators that can provide quality fabrication and installation of these emerging products. As fabricators we need to actively pursue these leads. Let them know who you are and what you do.
But more importantly, be sure you are knowledgable. Brush up on your millwork, reading plans and overall understanding of the products available. Green certification is also a must for these emerging eco friendly surfaces.
You CAN do it! Never stop learning. The transformation of fabricators is going to keep moving forward. The advancement of tooling, software and surfaces has only just begun.
It’s not 1982 anymore. Where are you as a fabricator?
About the author: Jon Olson is the production and operations manager for Sterling Surfaces in Sterling, Mass. He has been a solid surface fabricator since 1982 and can be reached at jon@sterlingsurfaces.com