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This unique vanity was created with a matching top for the bathroom sinks shown in the background.
Solid surface projects (top) make up about 10 percent of the overall work in the shop. That’s alot of work when taking in to account the shop has annual sales of more than $2 million. The remaining work is in mostly high-end residential stone and quartz kitchens like the ones pictured above.
Park Industries has supplied Preferred Surfaces with the majority of its equipment that has allowed for a quick production schedule. Inventory of natural stone slabs is another way to save time in production.
The Park Odyssey CNC machine was added to the shop in 2006 and increased the shop’s output nearly 200 sq. ft. per week. At this time the shop went from six employees to five, saving even more money on labor.
STILL GROWING
With first quarter 2009 sales exceeding related 2008 numbers, Houze is considering the purchase of a second CNC machine to aid in eliminating overtime, which averages about seven hours per week, per employee. Machinery discounts and tax incentives are helping him make that decision.
“Right now, in 2009, we can depreciate 57 percent of the cost of a machine,” explained Houze about the tax benefits.
“It really helps at the end of the year,” he said. “There are a lot of great deals on used equipment, too, so we may look at that route or we may look at what’s new with Park, too, since they’ve taken care of us.”
While some shops are just hoping to stay in business during the current economic condition, Houze believes there will be growth in the housing market by the end of the year.
“I see an end to this at the later part of this year,” he explained. “I think people are putting value back into their homes, and it is going to turn around more quickly than the economy as a whole. That being said, my goal is to get our sales up to $3 million by taking on some new territory.”
Houze would also like to hire a shop manager so he can spend more time at home, where he and his wife raise horses. He would also like to focus on other personal goals.
“Getting back to a 40 hour work week leaves me with more time,” Houze said. “With every decision I have made, I have looked at the long term affects. Do I want to make $20 today or $200 in a year from now? That’s what we do and why our growth is the way it is.”
Timeline of Automation
2004
Machines: None
Employees: 6
Average work week: 50 hours
Weekly sq. ft. fabricated: 200
Sq. ft. per man-hour: 0.65
Early 2005
Machines:
Park Bridge saw
Wizzard Radial machine
Employees: 6
Average work week: 40 hours
Weekly sq. ft. fabricated: 240
Sq. ft. per man-hour: 1.00
Late 2005
Machines:
Park Bridge saw
Wizzard Radial machine
ProEdge 111 Straightedger
Employees: 6
Average work week: 40 hours
Weekly sq. ft. fabricated: 360
Sq. ft. per man-hour: 1.50
2006
Machines:
Park Bridge saw
Wizzard Radial machine
ProEdge 111 Straightedger
Park CNC Machine
Employees: 5
Average work week: 40 hours
Weekly sq. ft. fabricated: 550
Sq. ft. per man-hour: 2.75
2007
Machines:
Park Bridge saw
Wizzard Radial machine
ProEdge 111 Straightedger
Park CNC Machine
Fastback Straightline Flat Polisher
Employees: 5
Average work week: 40 hours
Weekly sq. ft. fabricated: 600
Sq. ft. per man-hour: 3.00
Preferred Surfaces LLC can be reached at noel@presurface.com or www.presurface.com.
Associate Editor Marci Presser can be reached at marci@surfacefabrication.com.
