Adirondack Precision Cut Stone has transformed how they manage time, volume, and quality by embracing digital fabrication with Park Industries® machines. What started as a hands-on operation has evolved into a highly efficient shop known for fast lead times and premium craftsmanship.
Founded in 1990, Adirondack Precision Cut Stone has steadily grown by adapting its processes to meet changing demands.
Owner Kris Johnston has guided the shop from fully manual cutting to a digital workflow that supports both high-end residential and commercial projects throughout upstate New York.
“We started out cutting everything with a five-inch saw by hand,” Kris says. “Then we had a homemade bridge saw. All the movements were done by hand, and the table didn’t even tilt.”
That early experience shaped how Kris evaluates efficiency, accuracy, and long-term investment decisions today.
Quick Facts
LOCATION
Queensbury, New York, USA
TYPE OF FABRICATION
High-End Residential and Commercial Projects
PARK EQUIPMENT
VOYAGER™ XP CNC Saw x2
YUKON® Bridge Saw
PARK PARTNERSHIP
Began in 2004 with a YUKON® Bridge Saw
A Foundation Built with the YUKON
Adirondack Precision Cut Stone’s first Park Industries® machine was a YUKON Bridge Saw, purchased in 2004. That investment marked a turning point in both accuracy and output.
“It was just a more accurate and more efficient way to cut stone than we had been cutting,” Kris explains. “The tilt table and rotation made a big difference in volume and efficiency.”
Even today, the YUKON remains in use, a testament to its durability and long-term value within the shop.
Going Digital with the VOYAGER XP
The decision to move from manual bridge saws to digital cutting with the VOYAGER XP CNC Saw did not come easily. Kris admits he was initially skeptical.
“I couldn’t get my head around how it was going to increase production,” he says. “I thought the machine just let the employee stand there.”
That perception quickly changed once lead times began shrinking.
“Our lead times were six weeks,” Kris recalls. “They dropped to about a week and a half. Customers that I had lost over the years started coming back because we could meet lead times.”
With growing demand, Adirondack added a second VOYAGER XP CNC Saw to avoid falling behind.
“We went from maybe ten kitchens a week to a solid thirty to thirty-five kitchens a week with two VOYAGER XPs,” Kris says. “For us, managing time is everything, and the VOYAGER XP allows us to manage time better.”
Precision, Programming, and Real Efficiency
Beyond speed, the VOYAGER XP changed how work moved through the shop. “When our stuff comes off the VOYAGER XP, there’s almost no handwork at all to be done,” Kris explains. “That was huge.” He also credits the programming flexibility for unlocking efficiency.
“The intimidating part was the programming,” he says. “But once I sat and thought about it, I realized I could figure most of it out on my own.” Kris now programs workflows that fit his shop rather than forcing the shop to fit the machine.
Built for High-End Work
Adirondack Precision Cut Stone applies a residential level of detail to commercial projects. “We take a high-end residential approach to commercial work,” Kris says. “Our quality is different than most commercial guys.”
From multi-million-dollar homes to specialty retail projects, the VOYAGER XP supports precise miters, vein matching, and complex geometry. “The mitering envelope was bigger than anything else we looked at,” Kris explains. “It made a huge difference for us, especially on vein-matched miters.”
A Partnership That Delivers Peace of Mind
For Kris, the value of Park Industries® extends well beyond the machines. “The guys at Park understand the sense of urgency,” he says. “When your machine is down, they are really interested in making it work.”
When asked what ultimately sets Park apart, Kris keeps it simple. “Customer service. Straight up.”
That reliability has given Kris confidence to continue investing and planning for the future. “You can’t afford not to do it,” he says. “Your life gets easier, your volume goes up, and you’re prepared for what’s next.”