Slippery Rock Gazette

The Portland, Maine, educational event focused on the digital aspects of stoneworking, including a shop tour and discussions on the past and future of stoneworking trends.

Park Industries’ Digital Stoneworking Expo™ in Portland, Maine, attracted countertop fabricators and professionals from across North America. This event provided education through a shop tour, real stories from fabricators, and dynamic discussion on the digital fabrication process. Fabricators soaked up the wealth of information on maximizing profitability and increasing efficiency.

Welcome Reception

Attendees were welcomed with a networking reception to kick off the DSE with hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and lively conversation.

Hear, Share, Learn: DSE Highlights

The morning of the Digital Stoneworking Expo™ opened with a warm welcome from Co-President Mike Schlough. He introduced the history of Park Industries®, laid out the objectives of the day, and he encouraged attendees to participate in discussions to get the most out of their DSE experience.

The Countertop Industry: Past. Present. Future. 

Park Industries^® National Sales Manager Tony Herbst presented on countertop industry trends. He shared the evolution of the countertop industry and how countertop fabrication shops can take advantage of the change for the betterment of their shop.

Evaluating Your Shop’s Performance

Mark Lindell, Park Sales Representative, opened up the discussion on shop metrics. He engaged attendees in the activity of anonymously measuring their shop productivity and processes. The assessment begins the conversation on areas of improvement.

Digital Fabrication – From Start to Finish: Moraware, Laser Products, Slabsmith

Attendees were walked through the digital fabrication process from start to finish. This included a hands-on demonstration with Moraware and Laser Products. Hypertherm, leader in waterjet technology while offering lowest-cost solutions, brought fabricators up to speed with a waterjet 101 presentation.

Value of Digital Fabrication. The Miter Difference: Blake Wamstad, Hatton Granite Countertops

Blake Wamstad, fifth generation owner of Hatton Granite Countertops, shared how running a fully digital operation has allowed his shop to operate with only four shop employees. Blake shared specifically how mitering has made a difference on their business.

Paul White Company Tour

The tour began with a welcome from Jonathon White in the showroom and wound its way through the shop area. Fabricators gathered around various Park Industries^® machinery and observed the massive equipment carve through stone with precision. The tour spurred eager questions and excited conversation on maximizing productivity and
bottom-line profitability.

Embrace Technology to Advance Your Business 

Geoffrey Gran, owner of The Countertop Factory Midwest, shared his personal story and how embracing technology has helped his business thrive. If your business evolves with the changes in technology and equipment, you are leading in efficiency.

Growth with Digital Technology  Stuart Young, Stoneworks LTD.

CEO and President of Stoneworks LTD, Stuart Young, presented about the transformation digital technology is capable of producing. With four fabrication facility locations, Stuart is responsible for one million square feet of manufactured countertops per year. Stuart encourages fabricators to utilize technology to its full potential in order to grow production.

Panel Discussion and Closing Reception

During the closing reception, attendees had the chance to ask questions to the DSE presenter panel. Geoffrey Gran, Stuart Young, Blake Wamstad, and Jonathon White drew from their experiences to answer the questions. After attendees have toured a shop, heard real fabricator stories, and assessed their shop processes, the closing panel discussion is valuable for reflecting and beginning to think about future plans.

Learn more about Park Industries’ Digital Stoneworking expos at www.parkindustries.com/events/news/digital-stone working-expo-recap-maine-event/ .