The May/June edition of the MIA Journal The Cutting Edge has an article by Peter T. de Kok, former owner of GranQuartz.  In the article, Mr. de Kok states that he believes “the most important function that an association can provide to its membership is the ability to produce good statistics.” Mr. de Kok makes a good point about the lack of viable statistics in the industry, but…  

Mr. de Kok spends a significant portion of his two page article presenting statistics that seem to indicate what he thinks is important; primarily measurements of labor efficiency such as sales/employee or countertops/employee. As a tool salesman, I can understand Mr. de Kok’s unstated bias. Automation requires tools, tool salesmen sell tools, all is good with the world, bring on automation.  

The logical problem of his argument is that reduced labor costs does not guarantee increased profit. If that formula worked, robots would be much more common place.  

Mr. de Kok does not address the risk and cost of capital investment that should be addressed when considering automation, nor does he address alternative uses of cash such as innovations in materials utilization and installation methods. It seems to me that Mr. de Kok is a little shortsighted in his understanding of what information might in fact help the fabricator become more profitable.  

One of the most significant innovations of the last couple years is the Stone Pro Seam Vise.  This device will allow the fabricator to install a seam over a dishwasher with zero possibility of seam failure. The potential to improve slab utilization and even save a slab is greatly increased by this inexpensive, simple to use product. I would argue that one of the things that would benefit members is for the MIA to test the device and modify their good practice recommendations so that the Stone Pro Seam Vice could be used for a seam placed over a dishwasher.

Another product that can save a great deal of money for the fabricator is the EZ-Dishwasher Bracket. If you use this device, you won’t have to make a second trip to install the dishwasher. The MIA could perhaps conduct a study to show the savings potential of the product as well as the reduction of greenhouse gas.

Statistics and bench marking can be very valuable, but it is important to make sure that your bias does not determine what data you collect and which statistics you analyze.  

As to the “most important function…,”  my vote would be to promote natural stone. Perhaps pointing out the inaccurate advertising of the producers of Quartz products would be a start.

Have a good read,

Rich Hassert

Email responses to: publisher@slipperyrockgazette.net