Please enable JavaScript
Email Marketing by Benchmark
Member Login
Search
2024 ISFA Annual ConferenceCaesarstone Platinum SponsorJoin ISFA Now
     Solid Surface Fabrication Training

Craft Your Success at the ISFA Annual Conference: View the Agenda & Register Now!

Come one, come all to this year's Annual Conference, happening November 6-8 in sunny Miami! This year's event is packed with insightful educational sessions, networking opportunities and an expo featuring leading suppliers and manufacturers showcasing the latest tools, materials and equipment tailored for fabricators in the surfacing industry.

“We are thrilled to present an exciting and dynamic program that addresses the key challenges and opportunities facing our industry today,” said Marissa Bankert, executive director of ISFA. “Our goal is to provide fabricators with actionable insights, practical skills and valuable connections to help them thrive in this ever-evolving market. We want everyone — all kinds of fabricators from the shop floor to the leadership team — to walk away with something tangible. This event will enable attendees to focus on multiple ways to impact their businesses so that they can hit the ground running in 2025.”

Register before September 20 to take advantage of early bird discounts! 

VIEW THE DETAILED AGENDA & REGISTER

Fabricators Gain Powerful Insights, Success Strategies at Recent Forum in St. Louis

Fabricators from across the country gathered for a two-day ISFA Fabricator Forum in St. Louis, packed with knowledge-sharing and industry insights. The first day kicked off at Vicostone with product experts discussing best practices for caring for quartz, followed by insightful discussions on marketing and search engine optimization specifically for fabricators, led by Lorenzo Marquez, president of Marqet Group.

After lunch, the focus shifted to fleet management, a topic that piqued interest from attendees. Jay Grosman, CEO of iAutoAgent, shared valuable insights on gaining and maintaining a fleet and offered attendees a free analysis. The day concluded with an engaging session on employment law presented by James N. Foster, Jr., during which attendees could ask questions specific to their location. 

On the second day, the event moved to Custom Marble in Millstadt, Illinois, where Karl Armstrong, assistant area director of OSHA, along with Harry (Hap) Hillman and Sarah North, presented essential information on fabricator health and safety. They guided attendees on available OSHA resources, including the consultation programs in Illinois and Missouri, which help businesses identify hazards, build safety programs, and offer training and education.

“I appreciate these kinds of events because they let me learn not just from the presenters — who were great — but from other shops that have made changes in the past that I may want to make in the future,”  said Ted Liebig of StoneTrends.

A big thank you goes out to our sponsors, including Big Dog Adhesives, BB Industries, Durasein, LPI and Vicostone, who made these two days of learning and networking possible.   

New Silica Guidance Documents Now Available

In partnership with the Natural Stone Institute, the International Surface Fabricators Association is proud to introduce two guidance documents for workplace silica exposure assessment assembled by the Yale School of Medicine. A recent survey and data collection project with Yale researchers revealed that there is little consistency of information gathered in professional sampling reports.

These two new documents, available in both English and Spanish, define best practices in air monitoring for respirable crystalline silica and give a better understanding of expectations to those companies who haven’t started air monitoring. 

DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENTS

Got an issue in your business that's weighing you down? Tell us about it and we'll consider adding your topic to an upcoming event, virtual or in-person.

ISFA aims to provide the tools and resources you need to break down barriers in your business. If you've got a problem, we've got answers!

SUBMIT AN IDEA

 

 

ISFA Fabricator Profile:
GMD Surfaces

Since 2007, GMD Surfaces has become one of Chicago’s premier surface fabricators. The company has a vast inventory, including more than 80 colors, and a quick turnaround program that serves its primary markets of builders and remodelers. The GMD Surfaces team employs cutting-edge technology and strict quality control measures to ensure meticulous craftsmanship.

GMD Surfaces Fabrication

A Wide Perspective
Owner Omar Chahin immigrated from Syria as a teenager. He comes from a long line of engineers and follows family tradition. He got his undergraduate degree in engineering and layered in a master’s in architecture. “I learned a lot as an architect and established connections with builders and contractors.” But after more than ten years as an architect and builder, he needed to make a change. “I sensed the housing market was not headed in the right direction,” he recalled.

“I decided to sell my remaining inventory of housing lots and reinvest the money in a countertop shop.” He started with three employees, two of whom are still with the company today. “We had a simple bridge saw and one truck.”

READ THE PROFILE

ISFA, Worktop Fabricators Federation Partner to Enhance Resources, Advocacy for Fabricators Worldwide

ISFA and the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) are excited to announce a partnership aimed at expanding resources, education and advocacy for surface fabricators across the globe. This strategic alliance will empower fabricators with the tools and support needed to excel in an increasingly competitive industry.

The collaboration between ISFA and WFF will bring a wealth of new opportunities to surface fabricators, including access to cutting-edge training programs, enhanced advocacy efforts and a broader network of resources. By combining the strengths of both organizations, the partnership will create a unified voice to address the challenges fabricators face in today’s rapidly evolving market.

LEARN MORE

Read the Latest Issue of ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Magazine 

Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Magazine Q3 2024 Cover

The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) releases a quarterly magazine supporting the surfacing industry. Find out all the latest news, educational opportunities, material trends and business developments that elevate and perpetuate the industry.

This issue is an ultimate guide to harnessing the power of software and technology to revolutionize your workflow. We dive deep into the ways you can use artificial intelligence on the shop floor, in sales and marketing campaigns, and more. This issue offers practical insights and strategies to supercharge your operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive unprecedented growth. Plus, get inspired by a trailblazing Fabricator in Chicagoland who is coding his own way to success by developing machine tracking software that monitors usage and efficiency.

READ THE MAGAZINE