• Slab yard
• CNC mill
• Fabrication Processes
• And more to come

Hope you take a few minutes to check them out.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Following are a few photo’s:

Prep work

Prep work

Prep work for edge lamination

Seaming the sink area in the island

Installed island

Installed island

If you are looking for a fabricator to fabricate and  install your kitchen, or other project,  including those with intricate curves, angles, or mitered edges, please give us a call. Rest assured—we can handle the job.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

In fact, according to, “Stay the course; don’t compete with the hacks,” an article found in the August 10, issue of Stone World eNews, by Michael Reis, “As it turned out, the hacks started to thrive in most markets. When homeowners would re-do their kitchen or bathroom, they did so with one eye on their dwindling back account, and sensible people started buying solely based on price. As a result, some amazingly bad granite work was being done.” Yikes! We know first-hand, as we’ve taken numerous calls from customers who decided to go with some cheaper fabricator, but ended up getting burned.

While we always do our best to try and educate our potential customers, as to what makes PGC different from other fabricators, unfortunately—in some instances, it is not still not enough. If you are looking for a granite fabricator for your project, you may want to check out the Hall of Shame, that shows some really poor work. Then—perhaps, you can decide for yourself, if spending a little more is worth it to you, or not.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Send me a Tweet and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading and happy Tweeting!

Barb

Following are a few photos I wanted to share:

To view more photos, check out the PGC facebook page.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

I recently read, “ABN: Always Be Networking,” an article found in the March/April 2010 issue of Selling Power magazine, that I found interesting. According to the article, “informal networking can happen almost any time, anywhere, and savvy business professionals should put themselves in position to meet influential individuals whenever possible.”

Following are 10 Ways to maximize networking efforts I wanted to share from the article:

1. Practice the art of the speedy turnaround. After meeting someone, it is a good practice to follow up with them (24 hours is ideal) with an e-mail, or hand written note, expressing how you enjoyed you conversation, etc.
2. Open the lines of communication. Keep new contacts informed about your activities, promotions, sales, etc.
3. Prop yourself up. Establish yourself as a person of integrity, and a professional. Share your accomplishments, and those of your company.
4. Become a networking catalyst. Create opportunities for contacts to get together, whether on-line or otherwise.
5. Be yourself. People are more likely to be drawn to you for who you are than someone you might pretend to be. Let your personality shine through.
6. Stay attuned. Let people talk about themselves. Get to know them.
7. Getting to know you Focus on the person, not just a potential customer. Relationships are huge when it comes to sales.
8. You have 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak. Ask questions to learn more about a person.
9. What’s a next step? Exchange business cards, and possibily set up a lunch meeting, etc.
10. Stay upbeat. Always smile and let your positivity show. Positive breeds positive!

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Well lately, I feel like the remodeling industry, and countertop business in general, has turned into somewhat of a haggling business, and boy am I turned off by it! What is it with people who try and nickel and dime you to death? These days, it is almost an everyday occurence. Some customers feel it is necessary to mention that they can get their granite countertops from “so and so” for “such and such” a price.  Some customers also threaten that,  ”if you can’t match the price we’ll use the other competitor,” even though the whole time they really aren’t interested. Again…”What’s wrong with selling something for a fair price?”

When is the last time you walked in to your local Cub Foods, or other grocery store, and started haggling about the cost of milk, or bread?  How about walking into your local Wal-Mart to negotiate a price on a stereo? Give me a break. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with comparison shopping, but look around please. How is Competitor A, different from Competitor B, or C? Could it be that Competitor A has better Customer Service, a better website, employee’s that are willing to help and go the extra mile, people that answer the phones, a shop full of running equipment, installers and measuring technicians, etc. ? Now let’s look at the price? Is it worth it to you to pay more for Competitor A? If so, why not pay what they are asking, as long as it is within reason, and leave the price haggling for those car dealerships!

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Coverings is always a fun show to attend, since there is so much to take in and see. Whether you are interested in fabrication equipment, sinks, tile, granite slabs, fountains, etc., it is always exciting to see the latest technology and trends.

Following are some pictures to enjoy from the show:

 Entrance to Coverings

Chris Rodgers of PGC looking at some cool slabs.

That’s me in front of a cool-looking onyx slab.

Jeff Handley of the MIA, and Barb & Chris Rodgers from PGC at MIA Booth

Granite Fountains

A neat-looking vessel sink

Inside the Coverings show

Inside the Coverings show

Cosmuz granite

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Granite is one of the hardest materials available today for countertops. It is composed of a variety of different minerals, each having their own hardness. Granite is made of an assortment of minerals including quartz, feldspar, biotite, titanium oxides, as well as some other mineral combinations, depending on the color. According to “A Homeowner’s Guide to Natural Stone Countertop Installation,” a publication  by the MIA, “On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, diamonds are the hardest mineral, with a rating of 10. Quartz and feldspar have a hardness of 6.5 to 7 and are very durable. Biotite (also known as mica) on the other hand is very soft (2.5) and flakes easily. All true granites have biotite in their composition, and because biotite is relatively soft and flaky, the first few layers are removed during the polishing process, causing pits throughout the slab.” Some granites contain more pitting than others, depending on the amount of biotite, or mica throughout the slab.

Although pits are common in all granites and occur naturally, it does not make the stone inferior. Over the years, pitting has become less noticeable for consumers because of the availability of resin-impregnated slabs. Many suppliers today, apply resin to their slabs in an effort to help fill pits, cracks, or fissures. “The procedure involves applying a resin over a sawn slab, usually in an automated process. The resin is allowed to cure, which may or may not be accelerated with a heat application. Once the resin is cured, the slab is then polished.” The polishing process removes most of the resin, leaving resin only in areas of pits, fissures, etc.

If you have questions pertaining to pitting when selecting granite for your countertops, please ask. We are glad to answer your questions.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

The Minneapolis Home and Garden show was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center and ran February 24th through February 28th.

Following are a few photos I wanted to share from the show:

Thanks for reading!

Barb