vt Countertops and undermount sinks are a stylish Combination

Vol. 5, Issue 2 • Spring 2009
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Green Scene
VT Industries Renews KCMA Environmental
Certification. Page 2
Service Update
VT Stone Surfaces Expands Operations. Page 2
Fabricator’s Forum
Leedo Manufacturing Celebrates 40 Years. Page 3
CounterTopics Trivia
Take this challenge for a chance to win a VT prize.
Page 4
VTonline User Tips
Helpful advice to enhance your VTonline
experience. Page 4
Teamwork Prevails Under Deadline Pressure
In Project for Lucas Oil Stadium Press Box
In August of 2008 Lucas Oil Stadium officially
opened to the public. Serving as the official
home of the Indianapolis Colts, the stadium will
also serve the city of Indianapolis as host of a
variety of entertainers, conventions, high school
athletic events, and various other sporting events
including the Super Bowl in 2012.
Press Box
Nearly 900 linear feet of VT Fine Laminate
Countertops were installed in the press box to
provide a durable work surface for members of
the media. VT’s Tempo edge profile was paired
with Wilsonart’s Graphite Nebula (4623-60) to
complement the blue and silver Indianapolis Colts
themed tones used throughout the space.
“This project was a great example of a distributor
and fabricator working together to seamlessly and
successfully complete a large task,” explains Rusty
Stevenson, Sales Manager at Distributor Services,
Inc. of Indianapolis. “We rely on VT’s ability to
deliver high-quality products on time which is
DESIGN TRENDS
The press box features 900 linear feet of VT countertops in
Wilsonart’s Graphite Nebula. VT’s Tempo edge profile was
selected for the press box countertops.
especially critical when working on jobs where
there is no flexibility with deadlines, like this one.”
Möbelwerks, a custom millwork design firm also
located in Indianapolis, provided the fabrication
services needed to transform the blanks of
continued on page 3
VT Countertops and Undermount Sinks
are a Stylish Combination
PERSPECTIVES
By Trisha Clausen-Schmitt
Marketing Communications Manager
In mid-May, VT Industries launched the new FTP
site, which provides our customers with access to
VT Fine Laminate Countertop photography, logos,
advertisements, and customizable marketing
materials. These materials include advertisements,
flyers, mailers, and business directory
advertisements that are easily personalized using
your company’s information. They represent
a value-added advertising tool that is both
effective and eye-catching.
In conjunction with the launch of the FTP site,
VT is sponsoring a marketing competition. We
are inviting our VT Fine Laminate Countertop
customers to submit the most creative and
Undermount sinks can easily be pegged as one
of the hottest kitchen trends in the industry.
For several years, excitement has been building
across the nation as homeowners realize
the functionality combined with the sleek
aesthetics of the undermount sink are a winning
combination. Undermount sinks are generally
paired with granite, quartz, and solid surface
countertops, however, many fabricators have been
successfully pairing undermount sinks with VT Fine
Laminate Countertops.
VSS Countertops, located in Sacramento, Calif.
has been successful in selling and installing
VT Fine Laminate Countertops paired with
®
Karran undermount sinks for four years. The
Karran Company has done extensive testing of
the undermount to laminate sink application and
introduced this application to the marketplace
seven years ago. “Before Karran sinks were
available for laminate uses, our customers’ only
choice was solid surface to get the functionality of
the undermount application,” according to Duane
Tucker, owner of VSS Countertops.
effective advertisement that highlights
Installation Process
your company as well as VT’s Fine Laminate
The installation process is pretty clear-cut and
requires that the particleboard substrate be
routed out almost completely down to the
laminate. Once all of the particleboard substrate
material is removed, the sink is adhered directly to
the bottom side of the laminate with a two-part
catalyst type of adhesive.
Countertops for judging by our advertising
partner, Bozell. All forms of advertisement
will be considered, with three winners chosen,
so be creative. Some examples of qualifying
advertisements include: magazine, trade
publication, radio, e-mail, Web site, and
tradeshow flyers. Be on the lookout for more
information about the VT marketing competition.
continued on page 2
When the sink adhesive has cured, silicone is then
piped into the gap between the sink and the
substrate to completely seal off the particleboard.
Support strips are then mounted to the substrate
material around all edges of the sink to ensure
An undermount to laminate sink application as shown in
VSS countertops’ showroom.
stabilization. Next, the countertop is turned
face-up and the sink hole is cut out and the excess
laminate is trimmed with an angled router. The
edge of the laminate and the upper edge of the
sink are then sanded to create a smooth transition
between the countertop and the sink. Finally, if
the location of the faucet fixture is known, the
opening is cut and the faucet is installed and
sealed with silicone sealant or a plastic protector is
inserted into the opening and sealed with silicone.
There is some skepticism about the potential
problems associated with delamination or
swelling of the substrate due to exposure to
water. “If the plumber who installs the faucet
fixture doesn’t properly seal the opening, the
result could potentially damage the countertop,”
Tucker acknowledged. He noted, however, that
his company has had no issues with the sink
application itself with swelling or water damage
in the past four years.
continued on page 2
DESIGN TRENDS
THE GREEN SCENE
VT Countertops and Undermount
Sinks are a Stylish Combination
VT Industries
Renews KCMA
Certification In
Environmental
Stewardship
Program
continued from page 1
“My customers love the look and durability
that both the Karran sink and VT Countertops
provide,” Tucker added. “Approximately half of
the undermount to laminate countertop jobs
we fabricate and install feature VT’s premium
edge profiles. It truly is a practical yet stylish
combination.”
About VSS Countertops
Founded in 2000, VSS Countertops is located
in Sacramento, California and fabricates and
distributes VT Fine Laminate Countertops as
well as quartz, engineered stone, and granite
products. Annually, VSS Countertops fabricate and
sell in excess of 4,000 kitchens in the Sacramento
metropolitan area, the Central Valley, the Bay
Area, and Northern California. VSS Countertops
has been a VT PRO Team member since 2005 and
serves a variety of markets including homebuilders,
multi-family, kitchen & bath dealers, commercial,
and home centers.
Since June 2007, VT Industries has participated in
the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
(KCMA) Environmental Stewardship Program
(ESP). The program, which started in 2006, is the
only environmental certification program that
specifically focuses on kitchen and bath cabinet
manufacturers and their suppliers.
Before Karran sinks were available, the only choice for
undermount sinks was solid surface.
SERVICE UPDATE
VT Stone Surfaces Expands Operations
With Second Production Facility
“Preparations are underway to open a second
VT Stone Surfaces production facility in California,”
according to Ryan Clausen, vice president of
VT’s Stone Surfaces division. The second facility
will be housed in the current postformed laminate
countertop production facility located in
La Mirada, Calif. Half of the 137,000 square foot
facility will be dedicated to the fabrication of
quartz and granite countertops.
Production is tentatively scheduled to begin
in September of 2009. The California stone
production facility will be equipped with the
same type of Breton equipment as the Rome, Ga.
facility and will have a similar set-up as well. This
new facility will have the capability to fabricate
as many as 20, 55-square-foot kitchens in an
eight-hour shift when operating at full capacity.
VT Stone Surfaces will serve the Residential,
Commercial, Hospitality, Builder, and Multi-Family
markets on the west coast. “VT Industries will
now be able to provide our valued customers with
state-of-the-art quartz and granite fabrication in
addition to the world-class customer service you
can expect from VT Industries,” Clausen added.
KCMA promotes environmental responsibility
and sustainability through five different areas
which impact consumers and the environment:
Air Quality, Resource Management of Product
and Process, Environmental Stewardship, and
Community Relations.
In order to maintain certification within the ESP
program, VT is required to meet the standards
set forth by the KCMA ESP program in all five
areas annually. Beginning in 2009, the KCMA
ESP program was updated to include California
Air Resources Board’s (CARB) composite wood
Air Toxics Control Measure (ACTM), which sets
formaldehyde emissions limits. VT had previously
incorporated compliant particleboard, MDF, and
plywood into all products, making the renewal
submittal process a straightforward progression.
Participants are encouraged to display the ESP
membership whenever possible, and VT proudly
exhibits the logo on countertop hand samples and
product literature. For more information contact
VT Industries or visit www.kcma.org.
PERSPECTIVES
continued from page 1
In May, VT Industries was an exhibitor at the
Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) in Atlanta,
Ga., which is the world’s largest international
trade event dedicated to the kitchen and bath
industry. The theme this year was Heart of the
Home. VT showcased Fine Laminate Countertops
and quartz countertops from VT Stone Surfaces,
two products that assist in transforming kitchens
and bath spaces that will cause your customers to
fall in love with their homes again. VT displayed
Formica’s new Golden Mascarello laminate from
the not-yet released FX 180 Collection paired with
the Geneva edge profile. All of VT’s edge profiles
were displayed in a variety of laminate colors.
The Silestone ® quartz products offered
through VT Stone Surfaces were also displayed.
All 22 stock colors were featured in a variety of
edge profiles including the ogee, top bevel, and
demi bullnose edge profiles. A special kiosk with
large slabs of Silestone’s Black Canyon and Blanco
Maple quartz samples in four popular edge
VT Industries’ current postformed laminate countertop production facility located in La Mirada, Calif.
profiles were also featured.
2
Teamwork Prevails Under Deadline Pressure In Project for
Lucas Oil Stadium Press Box
continued from page 1
countertops into the work surfaces for the
members of the media who will cover the countless
events to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The press box is located above the third deck
on the west side of the stadium which can
accommodate up to 352 people and is nearly twice
as large as the former press box. At the previous
stadium, writers occasionally had to leave the
crowded press box and move into seats next to fans
to work. At Lucas Oil Stadium the press box was
designed to accommodate additional members of
the press whom attend large events like the 2012
Super Bowl game.
About Distributor Services, Inc.
Distributor Services, Inc. (DSI) was founded in 1968
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and began as a
distributor of decorative paneling. Today, DSI has
grown into a regional powerhouse with locations
in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis,
and Nashville with the corporate headquarters
being based in Pittsburgh. DSI currently distributes
over 150 unique product lines from the finest
manufacturers, including VT Industries Fine
Laminate Countertops and have been a VT PRO
Team member since March of 2007.
Lucas Oil Stadium features seating for 70,000 fans.
About the Stadium
The 1.8 million square foot complex is a
seven-layer stadium that replaces the former
RCA dome. The stadium includes such first-class
amenities as a state-of-the-art retractable roof
that opens from sideline to sideline and a fully
operable window that showcases the spectacular
view of downtown Indianapolis.
With seating for up to 70,000 fans, 137 suites,
spacious concourses, meeting rooms, and a
press box that spans the length of the football
field, Lucas Oil Stadium is truly an asset for the
city of Indianapolis.
The stadium press box can accommodate 352 people.
Environmentally conscious
FABRICATOR’S FORUM
Leedo Manufacturing Marks 40th Anniversary with Record Sales
Leedo Manufacturing of East Bernard, Texas is
coasting into their 40th year in business on a
high note. Last year, Leedo had record sales that
exceeded $2 million and manufactured 115 miles
of VT Fine Laminate Countertops. Founded in
1969, the Texas company now has approximately
250 employees and continues to thrive.
Leedo manufacturing has been fabricating and
distributing VT Fine Laminate Countertops since
A few of Leedo Manufacturing’s employees celebrate their 40 year anniversary.
3
1981 after a fire destroyed 70 percent of their
production facility in 1980. Since then Leedo has
been serving the multi-family housing market
throughout the United States.
VT Industries Realigns Sales Territories
Names Two Territory Sales Managers
In April, VT Industries realigned its sales territories,
resulting in the addition of two new territory sales
managers, according to Chris Schlabach, national
sales manager.
Scott Hile joins VT Industries Inc. as the eastern
Tennessee and northern Georgia territory sales
manager. Hile brings extensive knowledge of
the countertop industry from his management
experiences over the past 20 years. Hile
represented VT Industries in the past as a
VT Fine Laminate Countertops southern territory
sales manager.
VT Industries Inc. also welcomes Jeff Nash as
its new territory sales manager for the MidAtlantic region. Jeff has 12 years experience in
the countertop industry and brings a wealth of
knowledge to his position. Nash previously served
as a territory sales manager for VT Industries.
”Scott and Jeff’s experience combined with their
extensive knowledge of VT’s quality countertops
VT Industries
Introduces Online
FTP Site Featuring
Marketing Materials,
Image Gallery
“VT Industries has launched an FTP site making
exclusive marketing materials readily available to
our fabricator and distributor customers,” explains
Trisha Schmitt, vice president corporate marketing.
The FTP site allows our customers to access large
files that would be difficult to e-mail, such as high
Scott Hile
Jeff Nash
products will prove to be a win-win situation
for VT Industries and the valued fabricators
and distributors in their territories,” Schlabach
acknowledged. “We welcome them both back to
the VT Team.”
resolution artwork, and eliminates the lead time
for shipping files on CD/DVD.
The FTP site will feature a downloadable image
gallery and customizable marketing materials. VT’s
image gallery will include beauty-shot style photos
of VT Fine Laminate Countertops in both Formica
and Wilsonart laminates, application photography,
Eco-Friendly Getaway Winner Announced
Congratulations to Richard Rinaldi, owner of
Cutting Edge Countertops of Springfield, Mo.,
who is the winner of the eco-friendly getaway
from VT Fine Laminate Countertops that includes
four days and three nights at the Thousand Hills
Golf Resort in Branson, Mo. In addition, he will
receive $500 in spending money.
Branson offers beautiful scenery and firstclass accommodations. Outdoor activities are
plentiful and include hiking, fishing, and golfing.
Additionally, there are a wide variety of nightly
entertainment options.
VT Industries would like to thank all VT PRO Team
members who participated in the eco-friendly
getaway competition. Your dedication and
participation are appreciated.
CounterTopics Trivia Question
logos, and VT advertisements which appear in
industry publications such as Kitchen & Bath
Design News, Builder, and Multi-Family Executive.
Unique marketing tools available on the FTP site
are customizable ads, flyers, mailers, and yellow
pages ads. “Our customizable marketing materials
are easily accessed and are a snap to personalize,”
Schmitt added. “Just add your company’s
information to the eye-catching advertisement.
The finished product is a highly visible and
attractive advertisement promoting your business
as well as VT Fine Laminate Countertops.”
The FTP site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week at http://vtftp.vtindustries.com. Please
contact your VT Territory Sales Manager for details
on how to gain access to the FTP site.
VTonline®
User Tip
Congratulations to Kimberly Bryant of Tacoma Counter Tops Inc. in Tacoma, Wash., who
knew that VT Industries has been a member of The North American Building Material
Distribution Association for 25 years. Kimberly won a VT prize for the correct answer.
Question: Where will the second VT Stone Surfaces
production facility be located?
Answer this question based on this issue of CounterTopics for a chance to win a VT prize.
View the newsletter on VT’s Web site at www.vtindustries.com/trivia and submit the correct
answer by filling in your contact information electronically by July 3, 2009. Limit one entry per
person, and one winning per year.
VT employees and sales representatives are excluded from this promotion.
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