Stone Fabricators in Olivette, MO, has evolved into a high-quality custom fabrication shop by pairing Old World craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The company, which was established more than two decades ago, has an array of state-of-the-art fabrication machinery to produce top-notch work for both the luxury residential and commercial markets. Glenda Henneboehle, Stone Fabricators president, recently shared insight into the company’s business strategies, best practices, challenges and more. Read what she had to say:

SW: Tell us a little about the history of Stone Fabricators.

GH: Stone Fabricators was founded in 2002 with the goal of providing high-quality custom stone fabrication and installation to the St. Louis, MO, area and beyond, while also maintaining a strong focus on craftsmanship and customer service. Over the years, the company has grown steadily by building long-term relationships with builders, designers and homeowners. As demand for natural and engineered stone increased, we expanded our capabilities, equipment and team to keep up with industry advancements. Today, we fabricate and install a wide range of materials, including granite, marble, quartz, quartzite, porcelain and other natural stones for both residential and commercial projects.

SW: What is the company’s primary market?

GH: The majority of our work consists of residential projects such as kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, fireplaces and shower surrounds. We work with homeowners, builders, contractors and designers on both new construction and renovation projects. In addition to residential work, we also complete luxury commercial projects where custom stone fabrication is required.

SW: What processes do you have in place to ensure that you meet your customer demands?

GH: Meeting customer expectations requires clear communication and organization. We follow a structured process that includes detailed quoting, precise digital templating, careful scheduling and quality checks through production. Our production and scheduling teams work together to ensure projects move efficiently from template to fabrication to installation. Maintaining constant and open communication with our customers, contractors and designers helps us keep projects on track and address potential issues early.

SW: Do you find you need to educate customers about their material choices — regarding durability, maintenance, etc.?

GH: Absolutely. Most of our clients are not familiar with the differences between material options up front, so one of the most important parts of our job is helping them understand the differences between materials. Natural stones and engineered surfaces each have unique characteristics when it comes to durability, maintenance and appearance. We take the time to explain things such as heat resistance, sealing requirements, scratch resistance and long-term care so customers can choose a material that fits both their lifestyle and expectations.

SW: What would you say is your biggest challenge as a fabricator today?

GH: One of the biggest challenges as a fabricator today is the pace at which the industry continues to evolve. New materials, changing design trends and advances in fabrication technology require constant adaptation. In addition, maintaining skilled labor in a specialized trade like stone fabrication can be challenging while keeping up with production demands and customer timelines.

SW: What strategy do you have for overcoming these challenges?

GH: Our strategy is to invest in both people and technology. We focus on training and developing our team so they understand the technical aspects of fabrication as well as the importance of quality workmanship. At the same time, we continually evaluate new equipment and processes that improve efficiency and accuracy. This combination of experienced craftsmanship and modern technology allows us to maintain high standards while meeting production demands.

SW: What are some best business practices that are in place that you believe help your business succeed?

GH: Clear communication, accountability and consistency are key to our success. Internally, we maintain structured processes for quoting, scheduling, production and installation to help minimize mistakes and delays. Externally, we focus on building strong relationships with our customers and industry partners. Reliability and reputation are extremely important in this industry, and we work hard to maintain both.

SW: What machinery/shop software do you have?

GH: Our shop utilizes a variety of advanced fabrication equipment to maintain precision and efficiency in our production process. We have equipment from Northwood, Comandulli, Park Industries, Turrini and our newest piece of equipment from Biesse. These machines allow us to fabricate a wide range of materials with accuracy and consistency.

For shop management, we use Stone App software, which helps us coordinate templating, fabrication, scheduling and production to keep projects organized and moving efficiently.

SW: What are some ways you learn about new technology and keep up with industry happenings?

GH: We stay actively involved in the stone industry through supplier partnerships, manufacturer training, factory tours, trade events and industry associations. We are proud members of the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI), which provide valuable opportunities for networking, education and collaboration with other fabricators and industry professionals. Engagement with these organizations helps us stay informed about new technology, materials and best practices within the industry.

SW: Is there anything else you would like to share?

GH: At the end of the day, our focus is simple: deliver quality work and stand behind what we do. Every project represents someone’s home, business or design vision, and we take that responsibility seriously. We have worked hard to build a reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability and strong relationships with our customers and industry partners. By combining craftsmanship, modern technology and a commitment to continuous improvement, we strive to consistently deliver results our customers can trust and enjoy for years to come.