HAVERHILL, MA -- Boston Granite Exchange recently completed a 50,000-square-foot distribution facility that was specially designed for optimum slab sourcing. The facility houses 250 varieties of granite and 35 types of marble, as well as Compact quartz surfacing, for which the company is an exclusive distributor in New England.

The facility was designed with an open layout, featuring high ceilings and bright lighting so customers have an optimum view of the company's inventory. According to the company, when they drew up the plans for the facility, they wanted a state-of-the-art warehouse where homeowners and kitchen and bath dealers could come with their fabricators to peruse the inventory.

The warehouse facility was laid out with the majority of the stock in the middle, allowing workers to pull orders, while the sides of the warehouse showcase slabs for visitors to view.

The company imports 40 to 45 containers of material each month, including stone varieties from Brazil, India and Italy. Almost all of the material is treated with resin, and Boston Granite Exchange reports that materials from India are among some of the most popular varieties. In addition to selling traditional materials, the company maintains a solid inventory of exotic materials, which it feels gives them a unique option for customers.

The warehouse has five overhead cranes, including three 5,000-ton models, one 8,000-ton model and one 17,600-ton model. Additionally, there are two Sard lifters to unload containers, and there are a total of six doors that can be used to receive containers.

Boston Granite Exchange has eight trucks for delivery, and the territory includes all of New England as well as Upstate New York and some customers as far away as Quebec and New Jersey.

The company runs three overlapping shifts six days per week, including Saturdays. The facility also includes 5,600 square feet of office/showroom space, and the second floor includes architecture/designer suites for presentations as well as a viewing area that showcases a panoramic view of the entire facility.