MIA Repeats Free Fabricator Benchmarking Survey

Contact:
Marble Institute of America
(440) 250-9222
networking@marble-institute.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(MIA0087)

CLEVELAND, OH, OCTOBER 8, 2014 — The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has released the 6th annual MIA Fabricator Benchmarking Survey. The free survey is made possible by grants received from Cosentino USA, KOHLER CO., and Tenax USA.

Participation in the survey is available to all fabricators in North America — MIA membership is not required. The survey is confidential and every participating company receives a customized report comparing their firm with firms of similar size.

Peter de Kok of Granite Mountain Enterprises, who assisted in the survey creation, said, "A benchmarking survey is the modern way to get the stone industry out of the stone ages. If you want to know where you fit in the North American natural stone industry, and particularly your geographical area, there is no better way to do so than benchmarking. The TISE East tradeshow in Miami is a convenient way to participate. Stop by the MIA booth to fill out the survey. If you won't be in Miami this year, go to www.marble-institute.com/2014survey."

Mike Loflin, MIA Industry Research and Information Manager, said, "The survey questions are straightforward. They're about the daily operations an owner will know without having to check with an accountant. For example, we want to know the average number of tops produced per week, the number of full time employees currently employed, the percent of business sold to new residential, remodel residential and commercial, and so on. The answers will be held in the strictest confidence."

The free study is confidential (no individual company responses will be shared or sold) and MIA membership is not required. The survey will cover the fabrication segment of the stone industry including natural and engineered stone. Companies will be asked to answer several simple questions; in return, they will receive 30+ facts about their fabrication business as compared to similar sized fabricators. The data provided will give them leverage when working with banks and creditors.

Participants will be entered into a drawing for these giveaways:

  • One of 6 Moxie® Showerhead+Wireless Speakers by Kohler
  • Hand grinder and set of pads from Granite City Tool
  • $250 MIA bookstore credit
  • TENAX Variety Pack
  • WEHA Variety Pack
  • $100 Visa Gift Card

For additional information about the survey, go to www.marble-institute.com/2014survey.

About the Marble Institute of America

Headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has served as the authoritative source of information on standards of natural stone workmanship and practice and the application of natural stone products for over 70 years.

Membership in the association is worldwide and includes over 1,600 natural stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics.

MIA offers an industry accreditation program for fabricators and installers, markets a range of technical publications and consumer pamphlets on natural stone, sponsors business and technical meetings and seminars on industry-related topics, provides educational programming for architects and construction specification professionals, and conducts the annual Pinnacle Awards competitions recognizing outstanding natural stone projects worldwide.

MIA is also a leading promoter of stone usage in the commercial and residential marketplaces, producing consumer education materials on the use of natural stone and its proper care and maintenance. More information can be found on the association's website: http://www.marble-institute.com.

About the Cosentino Group
The Cosentino Group currently has 6 factories, 15 kitchen and bathroom surface production centers in the US, more than 70 distribution points or Centers worldwide, and a staff of over 2,200 spread across the globe (700 in the U.S.). From its headquarters in Almeria, Spain, the Group distributes its products and brands in more than 60 countries, and directly manages and controls its own facilities and infrastructures in 17 countries: the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Norway, Italy and Portugal. Currently, almost 80 percent of its turnover comes from international markets. For more information, visit http://www.cosentino.com.

About KOHLER CO.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in the United States. KOHLER is a recognized global leader in kitchen and bath design, craftsmanship and technology, offering a diverse line-up of plumbing fixtures, faucets, cabinetry and accessories. To learn more, visit KOHLER.com.

About Tenax USA
Tenax has been in business over 50 years. They are an Italian manufacturer of products dedicated to the natural and engineered stone (quartz) industry. The Tenax USA branch was established in 2000 catering to the granite and marble distributors and fabricators in North and South America. In the stone industry, Tenax is a solid, well known company with the reputation of producing premium products. Tenax IS the problem solving company.

WEBSITE SPONSORS

Use Natural Stone

Genuine. Versatile. Unique. Durable. Sustainable. Easy to Maintain.