Countertop Fabrication
04.26.08 (7:08 pm) [edit]
Many shops automate to reduce employees, but sometimes that same technology creates a need for more.
Concrete Interior Designs Inc. invested in a CNC router and ETemplate measuring software to replace two production employees and soon discovered the technology is creating more work and skill requirements than the shop's staff can process.
Since automating six months ago, the Scottsdale, Ariz., custom concrete manufacturer has tripled the amount of kitchens it can do in a month. "On average we now do about 15 to 20 jobs per month," says co-owner Jody Crawford.
The manufacturer maintains a showroom with several kitchens and constantly updates them to showcase concrete's limitless applications. Cutting production time is imperative to keeping wait times at a competitive four to six weeks. "Most people don't understand how long concrete takes," says Crawford. "It's a process and requires curing time unlike materials, such as granite."
Concrete is the ultimate chameleon and Szczech estimates the shop has only scratched the surface of its market. "Kitchen countertops are our most popular product right now," says Szczech. "We take out a lot of natural stone or solid surface countertops and replace them with concrete."
Crawford estimates approximately 40 percent of customers want a more modern look with a 90-degree turn down edge and 60 percent prefer an old world look with fancier edges.
Earth tones are the most-requested countertop colors, but many customers have been opting for modern colors, such as white, gray, blues or black.
The manufacturer offers more than 2,500 color choices and combined with acid stains, colors can be layered to produce thousands of patterns and colors. "With a layered acid stain, concrete can mimic natural stone or wood," says Crawford. "We also can add decorative elements, such as glass, rocks or shells."
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Looking for more information on countertops? Click one of these links: Countertop Trends, Laminate Countertops, Recycled Countertops, Concrete Countertops, Metal Countertops, Glass Countertops, Engineered Stone Countertops, Countertop Fabrication, Countertop Guide
Concrete Interior Designs Inc. invested in a CNC router and ETemplate measuring software to replace two production employees and soon discovered the technology is creating more work and skill requirements than the shop's staff can process.
Since automating six months ago, the Scottsdale, Ariz., custom concrete manufacturer has tripled the amount of kitchens it can do in a month. "On average we now do about 15 to 20 jobs per month," says co-owner Jody Crawford.
The manufacturer maintains a showroom with several kitchens and constantly updates them to showcase concrete's limitless applications. Cutting production time is imperative to keeping wait times at a competitive four to six weeks. "Most people don't understand how long concrete takes," says Crawford. "It's a process and requires curing time unlike materials, such as granite."
Concrete is the ultimate chameleon and Szczech estimates the shop has only scratched the surface of its market. "Kitchen countertops are our most popular product right now," says Szczech. "We take out a lot of natural stone or solid surface countertops and replace them with concrete."
Crawford estimates approximately 40 percent of customers want a more modern look with a 90-degree turn down edge and 60 percent prefer an old world look with fancier edges.
Earth tones are the most-requested countertop colors, but many customers have been opting for modern colors, such as white, gray, blues or black.
The manufacturer offers more than 2,500 color choices and combined with acid stains, colors can be layered to produce thousands of patterns and colors. "With a layered acid stain, concrete can mimic natural stone or wood," says Crawford. "We also can add decorative elements, such as glass, rocks or shells."
----------
Looking for more information on countertops? Click one of these links: Countertop Trends, Laminate Countertops, Recycled Countertops, Concrete Countertops, Metal Countertops, Glass Countertops, Engineered Stone Countertops, Countertop Fabrication, Countertop Guide