Slippery Rock Gazette

Malave: A Centuries Old Name Synonymous with Stone and Contemporary Quality

Born into a family with deep roots in stonework dating back to Roman times, owner Len Malave and his craftsmen at Malave Granite and Marble in Greensboro, NC have been pushing the limits of natural stone fabrication by blending old world craftsmanship with cutting-edge designs.

Definitely not your basic countertop company, Malave Granite and Marble’s strict adherence to detail and perfection have gained it the reputation as a “state-of-the-art company” in the residential and hospitality market since 1996.

Len Malave’s three decades of accreditations began at age 10 while working at his grandfather’s stone shop in Paterson, NJ. Then, in his later teens, Len continued adding to his portfolio by working elbow to elbow with some of the best of the best old world craftsmen in NYC, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Italy, eventually signing on with D’Ambrosio Ecclesiastical Art Studios in New York.

Now years later, Len’s company is known for producing the finest slab and dimensional stone products for the most demanding residential and hospitality clients in the nation. With three CNC routers and two bridge saws steadily running a variety of job types, twenty employees keep the 2,200 sq. ft. showroom and 12,000 sq. ft. shop running like clockwork.

“Malave Granite and Marble employs some of the finest stone craftsman in the country!” exclaimed Len. “Most of my people have been with me for years. They are all professionals and all highly valued. My master cutter alone has 17 years of experience and is an expert at visualizing the possibilities and then patiently putting it altogether, producing perfectly matched kitchens, showers, sinks or furniture. I am very proud of all our people and products.”

Len then spoke about the latest upscale bathroom his company had just completed. While citing the expert vein matching on the shower and tub, Len said, “After working closely with the homeowner to determine the correct colors, we then brought in ten slabs of three centimeter Yellow River granite and several crates of 18 inch by 18 inch Jerusalem Gold marble tiles.

“It was such a large job that we wanted to be sure that the colors and movement were all that she expected, so we placed a few book matched slabs out for her approval. We then suggested a plan that would bring the most desirable areas of the slabs to the forefront while still allowing us to book match the seams for the shower and tub.

“As far as the other areas such as vanity and desk, she was familiar with our work and didn’t need to see anything else. She then approved the layout and the job went into production, and as you can see, the end results are spectacular.”

Len then explained in part about the future of his company. “The current market has forced us to rethink our business plan and become a more efficient, scaled-down operation serving a more defined market.

“A few years ago we used to occasionally do kitchens for thirty-five dollars per square foot. After looking at the time and margins of this type of work, we decided to get out of that market and get into more of where we belong.

“Our company now mostly serves the upper demographic anywhere in the country, and we will go anywhere and do any type of work in that market. That being said, our work consists mainly of an ever-changing fifty-fifty mix of new and remodel residential.”

Len then closed by saying, “Ultimately my goal is to get the company back to working twenty-four hours a day and produce a minimum of twenty kitchens per day. At that time, I would then like to partner with other companies in other locations.”

For more information on Malave Granite and Marble, please visit www.malavegranite.com.

Peter J. Marcucci has over 25 years of fabrication experience in the stone industry. Send any comments to pjmgsxr@aol.com.