Sims-Lohman’s Pittsburgh, PA location marks the 100th MIA accredited fabrication shop.

Sims-Lohman’s Pittsburgh, PA location marks the 100th MIA accredited fabrication shop.

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) accreditation program has reached the milestone of 100 accredited locations in North America. Sims-Lohman in Zionsville, Indiana and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were the 99th and 100th member locations to earn MIA Accreditation. Several companies are nearing completion of the accreditation process, meaning that MIA will have over 100 accredited locations by the end of 2015. 

MIA Accreditation Commission chair, Rodney Harvey (Curtain Wall Design & Consulting), looks forward to what this milestone means for the program: “The future of the MIA Accreditation program is very bright, as the number of accredited companies in each category (Natural Stone Fabricator, Commercial “A” Contractor, and Commercial “B” Contractor) are expected to experience continued growth to meet the needs of the consumers, the construction market, and the design community. Our accredited members exemplify the industry’s highest standards for business activities, product knowledge, fabrication, and installation.” Accreditation Commission member, Rob Barnes (Dee Brown), agrees: “It is exciting to see MIA Accreditation taking hold. It is the gold standard for qualified, competent fabricators and installers, and MIA Accredited members will see benefits over time as the program continues to grow.” 

Steve Steinman, owner of Sims-Lohman, said: “At Sims-Lohman, we are focused on continuously improving our capabilities to serve our customers. As such, we look to independent advisors and organizations to objectively review our facilities and procedures. We view MIA as the gold standard in the stone industry, so it was important for us to earn MIA Accreditation.” Sims-Lohman also has MIA Accredited locations in Cincinnati, Ohio (featured shop in the February 2014 Slippery Rock) and Columbus, Ohio. 

Since 1971, Sims-Lohman has provided products and services for professionals and their clients, including custom / production builders, remodelers, designers, architects, home centers and commercial contractors. Sims-Lohman has showrooms in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Erlanger, Lafayette, Lexington, Louisville, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Huntsville and Nashville. They fabricate more than 5,000 granite countertops while providing the cabinetry for more than 20,000 new kitchens annually. To become an Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator by the MIA, a company must have successfully completed three phases of a rigorous application process. 

Phase one was the completion of a lengthy application that required the applicant company to provide various documents and references which ensure that the company is in compliance with the 10 standards of accreditation as laid out by the MIA Accreditation Commission. 

Phase two required the company’s qualifying agent to pass a 200-question exam, online or an immersion onsite course. 

The exam tested the applicant’s knowledge and application of material usage, installation, fabrication, restoration, care and maintenance, administration, legal/contracts, and jobsite and shop safety. Phase three was a comprehensive site visit, which included a facility review, document review, and one or more installation site visits.

James A. (Jim) Hieb, CAE, Executive Vice President/CEO at the MIA said, Sims-Lohman is now able to proudly display the accreditation seal, symbolizing that they are among the finest in the natural stone industry with respect to craftsmanship, safety, and business practices.”

Sims-Lohman in Zionsville, Indiana is the 99th location in North American to achieve the MIA Natural Stone Fabricator accreditation. For more information on the company, visit www.sims-lohman.com.

To learn more about the MIA Accreditation program, and to see a full list of MIA Accredited companies, please visit
www.marble-institute.com/gettheseal.