NBC Solid Surfaces in the News

Springfield Business Owner Recognized for His Service on Artisan Group Board Of Directors

SPRINGFIELD, VT– Feb. 28, 2011– Don Hinckley, owner of NBC Solid Surface in Springfield, recently was recognized for his service on the Artisan Group board of directors. Artisan Group is a North American association of premium stone fabricators that own their own brands. Hinckley was a founding member of Artisan Group and was instrumental in growth over his four-year service term. Hinckley played a vital role in writing the Artisan Stone Collection’s Lifetime Warranty, which was the first comprehensive lifetime warranty for granite countertops. Having been the first fabricator in the nation to achieve M.I.A. accreditation, Don championed this certification program and helped make it a requirement for all Artisan fabricators to achieve M.I.A. accreditation. Hinckley was an early trailblazer for the Artisan Stone Collection, gaining much brand exposure for the first fabricator-owned branded granite in his markets.

About Artisan Group

Artisan Group is an association of premium countertop fabricators that covers most major markets in the U.S. and Canada. Its members average more than 20 years of fabrication experience in the countertop industry, and all Artisan Group members have achieved, or have begun the process to achieve, full accreditation with the Marble Institute of America--a first among granite fabricators. Brands of the Artisan Stone Collection include Exotic & Classic Granite, Modesto Granite (starting at $35/square foot) and Saratoga Soapstone. It also offers a marble collection as well as Heritage Wood surfacing products. Apart from countertops, the Artisan Group supplies the Firstline collection of granite care products as well as Kohler sinks and faucets through an exclusive specialty dealer program with the Kohler Company.  For more information, visit www.artisan-counters.com.

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Artisan Group™ Member to Acheive MIA Accreditation

Artisan Group™ - Fabricator Capitalizes on Branding (IFSA Article)

Artisan Group™ Members Riding to Raise Funds for the Vermont Foodbank

Vermont August 4, 2009--Two Artisan Group (premier network of stone fabricators) members Don Hinckley, owner of NBC Solid Surfaces and Jon Lancto, owner of Surface Products, are riding in the Harpoon Point to Point bike ride to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. Team NBC Solid Surfaces/Black River Produce includes (l to r) JerryBremer, Mark Curran, co-owner Black River produce, Don Hinckley and Jon Lancto.

The 8th Annual Harpoon Point to Point, Saturday, August 15th, 2009, is a day of bicycle rides across the state of Vermont to benefit the Vermont Foodbank."I am proud to help the less fortunate in Vermont and happy to have one of my fellow Artisan Group members join me in this challenging endeavor," says Hinckley.

A collaborative effort by the Vermont Foodbank, the Harpoon Brewery, and The Point Radio Network, this ride was established to raise awareness and funds for the Vermont Foodbank and its efforts to end hunger in Vermont.

Last year's event raised over $47,000- making it the largest one day fundraising event to date. This enabled the Vermont Foodbank to provide over 141,000 pounds of food, or approximately 108,461 meals to Vermonters in need. Anyone interested in donating to this team can visit www.firstgiving.com/donaldhinckley1.

Vermont Foodbank

The Vermont Foodbank is an affiliate of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships that will end hunger in Vermont. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank served 66,200 people suffering from or at risk for hunger by distributing nearly 6.5 million pounds of food. Our central activites are food collection and distribution to 270 member agencies (food shelves, soup kitchens, and feeding sites). This distribution is a proactive and labor-intensive process using the time and talent of 30 full-time workers as well as thousands of volunteers. Food is collected from various sources, including grocers, farmers, restaurants, cafeterias and other resources. All of this food must be sorted, stored, and channeled to our member agencies.

Artisan Group

Artisan Group™ is the premier network of stone fabricators in North America. Its extensive network allows the organization to offer the world’s best granite from the best sources around the globe. Utilizing the most technically advanced, automated shops in the industry, highly skilled craftsmen ensure that each and every installation meets exacting standards. From classic to exotic, it offers the most extensive array of color choices in the industry, and with short lead times and competitive pricing, Artisan Group granite countertops are closer than one might expect. For more information, visit www.artisan-counters.com.

Vermont Business Owner Captures "Fabricator of the Year" Award

ISSFA Award Honors Countertop Industry Pioneer Don Hinckley

SPRINGFIELD, VT – March 21, 2008 – Donald Hinckley has been named"2008 Fabricator of the Year" by the International Solid Surface Fabricators’ Association (ISSFA). Hinckley, founder and owner of NBC Solid Surfaces in Springfield, Vermont, was presented the award at the conclusion of the recent 2008 Surface Fabrication & Design Expo, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A fabrication industry pioneer who has been instrumental in helping to shape and guide the industry as a whole, Hinckley is highly regarded for his numerous contributions and unwavering dedication to his profession. He began his stone and solid surface countertop business in the early 1990s, working out of his garage in southern Vermont. Today, he has grown NBC Solid Surfaces to become one of the most successful fabricating firms in the country. At present, he operates out of a 50,000 square-foot facility and employs 75 stone and solid surface artisans, craftsmen and support personnel.

Upon receiving the award, Hinckley commented,"It’s truly an honor to be recognized by my peers and fellow fabricators. I love this industry and try to show my appreciation for it by giving back in any way I can." Founded in February of 1997, the ISSFA is a not-for-profit trade association established to further the personal and professional interests of solid surface and quartz fabricators. The association is all-inclusive, industry wide, and open to all who sell, fabricate, manufacture, distribute and supply tools, materials, support, and services to the solid surface industry. The"Fabricator of the Year" is awarded to a person within an ISSFA member company who, in the past year, has best exemplified the organization’s ideals of quality, innovation, character, service to ISSFA and/or the solid surface industry, with overall excellence.

At the awards ceremony, Hinckley was cited for his tireless support of the ISSFA, particularly its"mentor/mentee" program, in which veteran fabricators help to guide and develop the professional careers of newer fabricators working in the industry. Mike Langenderfer, a Toledo, Ohio-based fabricator mentored by Hinckley, commented,"We are truly motivated by just knowing Don and all the other legends of ISSFA. He has been generous and supportive beyond anyone’s expectation. It was a privilege to nominate him as Fabricator of the Year."

ISSFA Executive Director Robert Oxley was equally praiseworthy of Hinckley."Don is a very special member of ISSFA," Oxley noted."He is one of the few true leaders in the industry, a significant role model. He’s done so much for this organization that his peers elected him to the board of directors and eventually president – where he kept giving and doing more."

March of Dimes Awards Grant to Improve the Health of Mothers and Babies in Springfield

ISSFA Award Honors Countertop Industry Pioneer Don Hinckley

SPRINGFIELD, VT – The March of Dimes Vermont State Chapter has awarded a community grant to the Springfield Area Parent Child Center to support Healthy Babies Educational Prenatal and Parenting Groups aimed at responding to the serious risks faced by pregnant teens and low-income women. The programs focus on improving access to community and support services, health care and education. 

This grant is one of many that the March of Dimes awards in pursuit of its mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

“Pregnant teens are more likely to have a baby born too soon or too small and death among newborns are higher among teen mothers," said Michelle Wallace, Program Director of the March of Dimes Vermont Chapter."Pregnant teens face a broad array of risks that can be harmful to their unborn children including stress, smoking, alcohol and drug use, poor nutrition, domestic violence and lack of social support."

Teen pregnancies are high in the Springfield area with a rate of 40.3 teen pregnancies per 1,000 teens compared to the state rate of 31.2. In addition, women in the Springfield area are less likely to access prenatal care in the first trimester. Only 63% of women receive first trimester care while the state average is 84%.

“We are grateful to those volunteers and organizations who support the March of Dimes by participation in events like March for Babies.  That participation and those donations make this grant possible," she said.  For more information about the Parent Child Center’s programs, visit www.sapcc-vt.org.

The March of Dimes has named NBC Solid Surfaces the designated local sponsor of the 2009 grant award, in appreciation of their leadership in the March for Babies event and other efforts to strengthen local partnerships aimed at helping more babies be born healthy in the Springfield area.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies SM, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

Independent Granite Fabricators Launch Granite Brand with Lifetime Warranty

ISSFA Award Honors Countertop Industry Pioneer Don Hinckley

SPRINGFIELD, VT – Customers seeking granite countertops want a material that is not only beautiful and functional, but also stands the test of time. With that philosophy in mind, a new organization has created its own brand that offers the granite industry’s first lifetime warranty.

The Artisan Group™, an independent organization of the country’s premier granite fabricators, has launched Artisan Stone Collection™, which carries the industry’s first comprehensive lifetime warranty. The Artisan Stone Collection is offered exclusively by Artisan Group and is now available in the United States and Canada.

Every Artisan countertop is sealed with Firstline™ Sealer which is exclusive to the Artisan Group and provides the very best stain protection technology.

“We are confident that homeowners will embrace our lifetime warranty and will appreciate the superior fabrication and service Artisan Group provides," said Sid Mackay, Artisan Group board member."This new warranty offers customers perpetual peace of mind about a major purchase that’s generally a focal point inside their home."

Artisan Group members represent a select group of national fabricators who share a singular vision: to set a new standard for quality and craftsmanship in the granite countertop industry."We combine decades of experience with the world’s best granite, the latest technologies and unsurpassed customer service to ensure that our customers have confidence in their granite countertops," said Don Hinckley, Artisan Group board member.

Artisan Group membership is selective and all members must meet specific criteria, including:

• Have solid, verifiable, industry experience and expertise
• Apply for and become accredited by the Marble Institute of America, the industry’s preeminent trade organization
• Have a solid reputation for quality and service in their market area
• Exhibit and follow sound and ethical business practices
• Utilize the latest technologies for fabrication and project scheduling
• Share a commitment to improve the granite countertop industry

Artisan Group has partnered with one of the country’s largest granite importers to ensure a long-term, consistent supply of high-quality granite from the world's best quarries. The group’s powerful purchasing block allows them to offer the widest variety of colors from the basics to the most stunning exotic granites, all at affordable prices. Artisan Group’s inspectors are located around the globe to insure quality by inspecting slabs before they leave the quarry.

Customers can view the full Artisan Stone color palette and find their local Artisan Fabricator at www.artisanstonecollection.com. They can also visit their local Artisan fabricator to view the Artisan Stone Collection in person.

ISSFA Member Profile - Success from Hard Work

NBC Solid Surfaces Earns First Marble Institute Accreditation

SPRINGFIELD, VT —The Marble Institute of America announced that NBC Solid Surfaces has completed an exhaustive process to become the first Accredited Member of the prestigious industry association. After months of review and a lengthy exam, the Springfield, Vermont, countertop manufacturer was advised that the company met every requirement for accreditation.

“NBC Solid Surfaces is now able to proudly display the accreditation logo, which symbolizes that they are among the finest in the natural stone industry with respect to craftsmanship, safety, and business practices,” said Garen Distelhorst, Accreditation Manager for the MIA.

For over 60 years, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has served as the authoritative source of information on standards of natural stone workmanship, practice and the suitable application of natural stone products. In 2004, they initiated the development of an accreditation program to ensure excellence in the industry and established strict guidelines for accreditation to recognize companies that meet or exceed those standards.

“The MIA is proud to see our three plus years of hard work creating the accreditation finally resulting in our first fully Accredited Member,” said Distelhorst."Don Hinckley of NBC Solid Surfaces was the first person to request an accreditation application, the first to take and pass the rigorous, 200-question exam, and the first to schedule and pass the site inspection."

Hinckley says he aggressively pursued the accreditation to assure customers that his company lives by the highest standards. The MIA accreditation examines the applicant’s performance on many levels, including business and trade practices, financial, human resources, employee safety, communication, integrity, and manufacturing practices. The arduous task of earning this recognition required Hinckley and key members of NBC’s management staff to pass an exam that tested their knowledge of materials, fabrication, product assessment and care, job site safety, installation, and legal and contractual issues.

"The test is like the bar exam of the natural stone industry. You have to be prepared to answer questions on even the most remote areas of working with natural stone," says Hinckley.

Founded in 1994, NBC Solid Surfaces crafts customer countertops from a wide variety of natural stone, including, granite, marble, soapstone and such man-made materials as Corian® and Quartz surfaces. With 80 employees, the company has consistently expanded and added new products. More than size, Hinckley adds,"our focus is to have the highest quality in the industry, not only in the products we offer but also the experience, we have built one of the finest customer care teams in the industry."

“We succeeded by finding a way to deliver more than what our customers expect, in terms of quality, beauty, installation, and personal service. We look for solutions and our customers have come to rely on us for that," says Hinckley, who was honored with the 2003 Award of Excellence from the International Solid Surface Fabricators Association. The recognition came from his industry peers who chose him as best exemplifying outstanding character and overall innovation and excellence.

"I am delighted that NBC is once again on the cutting edge. By being the first to reach this level in the process, NBC Solid Surfaces continues to affirm its leadership in this industry." Hinckley said.

Hinckley hopes that other fabricators will follow NBC’s lead. Everyone benefits, he believes, by the commitment to maintaining high standards. "Yes, it’s a demanding process to gain the accreditation, but it’s an excellent way to show your customers that you will go to any lengths to assure quality and satisfaction."