Recently, StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas reached out to all fabricators and installers asking them to submit profiles of their best crew and one specific project. Finalists from these entries were then posted online for industry professionals to vote on their favorites. The final two crews were awarded a travel package to attend the StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012 recently held in Las Vegas, January 24 to 26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, co-located with Surfaces.

The first place winning crew was Lester Swick, Chris Purdy and Ronald Twentier of Custom Marble & Granite in Butler, PA (www.CustomMarbleGranite.com). Their winning entry was a high-end kitchen display for a television show on home design — featuring perimeter counters of Black Galaxy 3-cm with an ogee edge profile, and an island of 2-cm African Tobacco step stacked over ogee with an integrated apron front sink — with mitered walls for a seamless look. With stick templates and hand profiling, their small custom fabrication shop, led by husband and wife team, Lester Swick and Jean Marie Schneider, specialize in old-school processes to produce high-end results.

“We were extremely honored to be recognized as the winning Crews that Rock. Our crew is made up of proud artisans, maintaining Old World skills to complete projects. They are extremely talented with true passion for stone fabrication,” Schneider said.

The second place winning crew was Britishstoneworks of Lakewood, OH (www.britishstoneworks.com). Nick Blantern, Britishstone’s proprietor, specializes in providing the finest quality hand-carved stone and dimensional stonework, and has a deep understanding for the restoration and conservation of heritage. Their winning entry, the “Spirit of the Ocean” fountain, was a collaborative effort with Nathan Hunt of Hunt Studios in San Francisco along with Andrian Melka, Stephan Bouska and Blake Rankin of Britishstone. Hunt Studios produces handcrafted sculpture in stone, metal and cast materials. Each team member brought experience and knowledge, which is now reflected in this historical piece of artwork, standing outside of The Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

“I’m very proud of our accomplishments and happy the team won. This recognition, along with the benefits of attending StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, gives us the opportunity to demonstrate the high standard of stone carving talent available here in the U.S.” said Blantern.

To read more about the winning entries, crew profiles and project photos, visit www.StonExpo.com.