Park Customer Named ‘2017 Fabricator of the Year’

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Each year Stone World recognizes a Fabricator of the Year with industry members nominating the candidate they believe has shown dedication to growing their business and a willingness to share their knowledge to help other stone industry members. This year at TISE 2018, Dave Scott, owner of Slabworks Montana (a digital, all Park shop), was awarded 2017 Fabricator of the Year.

Dave has been a great partner and customer to Park Industries®. In an effort to continually improve himself and his peers, he encourages discussions of new technology and innovative business strategies between fabricators, and he has presented his story/knowledge at numerous Digital Stoneworking Expos.

Dave navigated Slabworks of Montana through a journey from manual fabrication, to opening a small, dedicated shop, and finally to converting the shop into a greatly expanded, fully-digital operation. Slabworks of Montana continues to be an industry pioneer.

In July 2017, Slabworks of Montana became the first, and only, Accredited Marble Institute of America Fabricator in Southwest Montana. Dave’s shop was the first fabricator in Montana to recycle 100% of the water used in its operations, 100% of the stone and stone waste from operations, and 100% of its corrugated materials waste.

Dave has done an outstanding job in helping to advance the stone industry. From everyone at Park Industries, a big congratulations to Dave and Slabworks of Montana!


 

Criteria for the Fabricator of the Year award includes:

  • Willingness to pioneer in the use of new technology.
  • Fostering educational programs for the training of stoneworkers in industry methods.
  • Cooperation in sharing technology with the industry.
  • Promoting technological progress through association work.

 

The official nomination of Dave Scott for 2017 Fabricator of the Year:

“It is my pleasure to recommend Dave Scott, owner of Slabworks Montana, for the “Fabricator of the Year”. Dave Scott has done an outstanding job collaborating with fellow fabricators to share information that will help advance the industry. I am honored to nominate a fabricator that strives to continually improve himself and his peers through educational programs and technology advances.

Slabworks of Montana began as a two-employee tile installation business in 1992. In 1993, they fabricated their first slab countertop at the request of a contractor—using a worm-drive skill saw fitted with a diamond blade and a garden hose. As the demand for slab stone countertops continued to rise, they discontinued tile installation and focused solely on slab fabrication.

Dave navigated Slabworks of Montana through a journey from manual fabrication, to opening a small, dedicated shop, and finally to converting the shop into a greatly expanded, fully-digital operation. Along the journey additional employees were hired and Dave fought a two-year battle with cancer. The company currently employs 20 people in a 10,000-square-foot showroom. The digitally-automated shop produces 1,000 to 1,200 square feet of finished product weekly, including: custom countertops, stone sinks, slab showers, Roman soaking tubs, as well as interior and exterior wall cladding.

Dave seeks to continually improve and implement new technologies. Slabworks of Montana began operating an abrasive waterjet in 2003 and moved into digital templating in 2004 when they added CNC milling and polishing. Dave’s shop was the first fabricator in Montana to recycle 100% of the water used in its operations, 100% of the stone and stone waste from operations, and 100% of its corrugated materials waste.

Slabworks of Montana continues to be an industry pioneer. In July 2017, Slabworks of Montana became the first, and only, Accredited Marble Institute of America Fabricator in Southwest Montana. Dave Scott has a particular focus on natural stone, and his shop was the first in their market to offer engineered stone (quartz) and sintered materials (Lapitec, Dekton, and Geoluxe).

Dave Scott has been an active member of the Stone Fabricators Alliance since 2014. Dave has hosted a Park Industries’ Digital Stoneworking Expo at Slabworks of Montana, and has been a presenter a couple times as well. In addition, Dave has participated and hosted Park Industries Business Group Meetings. At these meetings members come together to discuss best business practices and strategies for shop improvements. In 2018, Slabworks of Montana will host a Stone Fabricators Alliance Workshop for industry members to share and learn about new techniques and products in the stone fabrication industry.

Dave Scott was interviewed by Moraware on Stone Talk, the podcast for countertop fabricators, in 2015. The interview discussion focused on taking full advantage of new technology and strategies for growing business in the stone fabrication industry. Slabworks of Montana has been a member of the US Green Building Council since 2008 and works with architects and designers on the green utilization of products in their projects.

Dave Scott has emerged as a true leader of the stone industry over the 25 plus years he has been in the stone business. Dave is dedicated to continuous improvement and utilizing new technology to provide his customers with the best possible experience. Slabworks of Montana exceeds customer expectations which is evident by the numerous customer testimonials on their website.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this nomination for the 2017 Fabricator of the Year Award. Dave Scott is an exemplary fabricator who demonstrates a strong initiative to instill open communication between fabricators and encourages discussions of new technology and innovative business strategies.”