As many of you already know, the polls are currently open for the 2018 Stone World Fabricator of the Year Award. This is a long-time tradition which began when we presented Jim Stengel of Dakota Granite Co. with the award in 1988. Forward 30 years later, and we have a lineup of outstanding industry members who have demonstrated leadership, dedication and innovation.
Those who have received the award, as well as the other worthy candidates who were nominated, have all set an example by having a willingness to either educate by sitting on educational panels at various trade shows and other events or have opened their shops up to their peers to share ideas and experiences – all for the better of our industry.
I, as well as our staff, have been asked on more than one occasion how one is nominated for Stone World Fabricator of the Year. Nominations come from machinery and tooling manufacturers. The stone industry is relatively small, and most of the equipment suppliers are familiar with dedicated industry members who not only take pride in providing quality customer service and products, but also are involved and willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others for the overall good of the stone industry. We ask nominators to consider the following criteria when nominating a fabricator for the award:
- cooperativeness in sharing technology with the industry
- willingness to pioneer in the use of new technology
- fostering educational programs for the training of stoneworkers in industry methods
- promoting technological progress through association work
If you believe you are a contender for the Stone World Fabricator of the Year Award, then don't hesitate to mention this to one of your suppliers in the coming year. They are all sent nomination forms. Prove to them you are deserving of a nomination and encourage them to submit their form.
In the meantime, take the time to vote for one of our current candidates at https://www.stoneworld.com/Fabricator-of-the-year-voting-2018. Each one has caught the attention of someone in our industry who had to nominate them. We had quite a turnout of voters last year and we would like to see again that the stone industry is supporting each other and recognizing those that should be commended for all their hard work.
