NOMINATION FOR SANDYA

After growing up in the stone business, Sandya Dandamudi became the second-generation owner of GI Stone, a Chicago-based commercial stone provider specializing in sourcing, fabricating and installing interior and exterior custom stone for clients nationwide. Sandya’s experience with stone started at a young age when she used to accompany her mother, Rani, on interior design projects. In 1995, her mother founded GI Stone; Sandya joined the company, eventually taking the helm when her mother retired. As a stone expert, Sandya generously gives designers and architects cost-saving suggestions, design advice and help in specifying the right stone for their commercial or residential projects. And her message remains constant: “Stone is the boss.”

Based in Chicago’s Hubbard Street industrial district, with clients in markets throughout the country, the company sustains strong relationships with local and international stone providers to source the highest quality raw materials available. GI Stone provides fabricated stone products to developers and contractors for upscale commercial developments, consulting with architects, engineers and interior designers to shape the stone into elegant finishes and execute the owner’s vision.

Always striving to be at the forefront in technology, GI Stone started its company’s workshop with a CMS Brembana Idea 625, an automatic bridge sawing machine; a Commandulli Omega 60 stone polishing machine; and a Park Industries Jaguar machine for precision cutting of stone. In 2008, the company upgraded to a Northwood SW-138EDS that allowed operators to process an entire slab worth of countertops in one setup and added a Northwood SJ-127R Jetsaw cutting saw. In 2019, GI Stone upgraded their machinery again to a Prussiani Cut & Jet 5 that combines diamond-blade cutting and waterjet to produce unique pieces.

In nearly all areas of her business, Sandya uses the latest technology to overcome challenges. Using innovative new technology on large commercial projects is an essential part of meeting extremely high client standards while also reducing costs and minimizing material and labor waste. Following are a few examples of how GI Stone has applied its pioneering use of new technology on high-end commercial projects.

Dandamudi has been very involved in the stone industry though the years, including being a Natural Stone Institute (NSI) ambassador at trade shows such as Marmomac in Verona, Italy, which provided the opportunity for her to visit factories and quarries in the region.

High-end hotel lobby and amenity space renovation

GI Stone was charged with creating a connection between the lobby and the original building exterior by applying stone panels to columns. However, using traditional 2-cm stone wall material would have added considerable weight to the columns, requiring additional support that would have reduced usable space and added significantly higher installation costs. GI Stone’s solution was to install Polycor Carbon Fiber-backed 1-cm panels, which met the client’s expectations while keeping costs low. GI Stone also provided feedback to Polycor on their panels.

High-rise, ultra high-end, fully customized condominiums

For one project, the client wanted large-format tiles to be part of the standard finishes in the residences. Sandya suggested porcelain-reinforced marble tiles from the Akdo Akdolam product line – meeting the client’s desire for large format, while also creating a cost savings on the material.

For another condominium project that required full wall porcelain panels, GI Stone used the SmartLift 400 Sky Lifter, which is designed for large glass panes, to transport and install the panels. This machine saved on the cost of hiring additional labor to install the panels by hand.

Of course, in the stone business, material is heavy. For the installation of 80 carved marble fireplace hearts and 400-pound mantles, Sandya used a Vestil Hydraulic Lift Cart CART-PN-600-D.

In other cases, material can be too weak. To prevent breakage in the field or during transportation of tub decks, Sandya applied epoxying aluminum angles to the edges of the material with Integra Component Bonder. This relatively simple and cost-effective solution increases efficiency in both the shop and field.

High-rise mixed-use development

Multiple lots of natural stone were specified for the lobbies, amenity areas and 250+ high-end condominiums of a luxury high-rise. At GI Stone, all veined/natural stone materials are mapped digitally. These digital mappings create a reference for production. Everyone from the quality and production managers, to the machinist, to the polisher, to the driver, to the installer, reviews and confirms that the final product matches what was approved by the client.

The client receives a visual rendering for review and can adjust how the material should be used, such as directing GI Stone to use the bottom of the slab for islands and the top third for perimeters. This process gives clients more control and demonstrates how changes may affect other units. It also creates strict remnant control. Because slab remnants are already assigned to another item, greater care is taken when cutting, labeling and storing the material since it will be used in the future. All items are shown on the slab renderings and minimum sizes for all the pieces must be known before any fabrication. Thus, an early understanding for how the material will be used prevents possible waste later.

Also, when bidding on multi-family high-rise projects, stone subcontractors must accurately estimate material needed, determine how to minimize waste and budget accordingly. Sandya found a software solution in the woodworking industry -- CutList Plus fx – that has streamlined time on the Prussiani machine and minimized waste by understanding the remnant size before cutting.

While serving as a NSI ambassador in Brazil, Dandamudi checked out a local quarry.

Sandya also promotes technological progress in her community and associations. She works with the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing and the Saint Paul Church of God in Christ Community Development Ministries (SPCDM) pre-apprenticeship training program. As a member of the River North Residence Association Land Use & Development Center, she has also advocated for developers in the area to help support the SPCDM. And, by working with the SPCDM, Sandya hopes to create a sustainable pipeline for training new stone workers, to provide opportunities to those who otherwise would not be have them, as well as to help improve representation within the trade.

As an active member of the Natural Stone Institute, Sandya has participated in panel discussions, including: “Managing a Successful Family Business Forum” at Coverings 2016, as well as being an NSI ambassador at industry trade shows in Verona, Italy, and Vitoria, Brazil. Also, she has contributed to the Natural Stone Council’s Sustainable Production for Natural Dimension Stone (ANSI/NSC 373).

Stone World Fabricator of the Year award winners

2020 – Sandya Dandamudi, GI Stone
2019 – James Donaire, Perfection Connection
2018 – Joey Marcella, Mario & Son
2017 – Dave Scott, Slabworks of Montana
2016 -- Scott Hanes, Majestic Granite and Marble
2015 -- Eric Tryon, Premier Surfaces
2014 -- Marco Duran, Atlas Marble and Granite
2013 -- Jon Lancto, Surface Products
2012 -- Mike Yates, Counter Solutions
2011 -- Stuart Young, The Granite Shop
2010 -- Matt Lansing, Stone Innovations
2009 -- Scott McGourley, Kasco Stone
2008 -- Paul Menninger, Capitol Granite & Marble
2007 -- Ron Hannah, Cadenza Granite & Marble
2006 -- Dick Laliberte, Ripano Stoneworks
2005 -- GK Naquin, Stone Interiors
2004 -- Tim and Scott Buechel, Buechel Stone Corp.
2003 -- Kip Cameron, Granite-Tops
2002 -- George Fox, Luck Stone Corp.
2001 -- Fred Becker, Becker & Becker Stone Co.
2000 -- Connie and Brenda Edwards, TexaStone Quarries
1999 -- Walter Dusenbery, Johnson-Atelier School, Sculpture
1998 -- Harold Stobbe, Owen Sound Ledgerock
1996 -- Willard Vetter, Vetter Stone Co.
1995 -- Chuck Monson, Dakota Granite Co.
1994 -- Linus Dingman, Cold Spring Granite Co.
1993 -- David Teitelbaum, Cathedral Stoneworks
1991 -- Wilbur Bybee, Bybee Stone Co.
1989 -- Tony Ramos, New England Stone Industries
1988 -- Jim Stengel, Dakota Granite Co.