On February 2, 2018, at The International Surface Event in Las Vegas, NV, Dave Scott and Slabworks of Montana were honored as the 2017 Stone World Fabricator of the Year.
2017 was a very good year for Dave and Slabworks of Montana. Earlier that year, Slabworks was accredited by the Natural Stone Institute. Slabworks of Montana is the only stone fabricator in southwestern Montana to hold that designation.
The 2016 Fabricator of the Year, Scott Hanes – Majestic Marble & Granite, who recommended Dave for this 2017 award, put it this way:
“It is my pleasure to recommend Dave Scott, owner of Slabworks Montana, for the “Fabricator of the Year”. Dave Scott has done an outstanding job collaborating with fellow fabricators to share information that will help advance the industry. I am honored to nominate a fabricator that strives to continually improve himself and his peers through educational programs and technology advances.
Beginnings
Slabworks of Montana began as a two-employee tile installation business in 1992. In 1993, they fabricated their first slab countertop at the request of a contractor. Using a worm-drive skill saw fitted with a diamond blade and a garden hose. As the demand for slab stone countertops continued to rise, they discontinued tile installation and focused solely on slab fabrication.
Adversity and Growth
Dave navigated Slabworks of Montana through a journey from manual fabrication to opening a small, dedicated shop, and finally to converting the shop into a greatly expanded, fully digital operation. Along the journey additional employees were hired and Dave fought a two-year battle with cancer. The company currently employs 20 people in a 10,000-square-foot fabrications shop with showroom. The digitally-automated shop produces 1,000 to 1,200 square feet of finished product weekly. That includes custom countertops, stone sinks, slab showers, Roman soaking tubs, as well as interior and exterior wall cladding.
Technology Pioneer
Dave seeks to continually improve and implement new technologies. Slabworks of Montana began operating an abrasive water jet in 2003 and moved into digital templating in 2004 when they added CNC milling and polishing. Dave’s shop was the first fabricator in Montana to recycle 100% of the water used in its operations. 100% of the stone and stone waste from operations, and 100% of its corrugated materials waste.
Slabworks of Montana continues to be an industry pioneer. In July 2017 Slabworks of Montana became the first, and only, Accredited Natural Stone Institute Fabricator in Southwest Montana. Dave Scott has a particular focus on natural stone, and his shop was the first in their market to offer engineered stone (quartz) and sintered materials (Lapitec, Dekton, and Geoluxe).
Industry Activism
Dave Scott has been an active member of the Stone Fabricators Alliance since 2014. Dave has hosted a Park Industries’ Digital Stoneworking Expo at Slabworks of Montana, and has been a presenter a couple times as well. In addition, Dave has participated and hosted Park Industries Business Group Meetings. At these meetings members come together to discuss best business practices and strategies for shop improvements. In 2018, Slabworks of Montana will host a Stone Fabricators Alliance Workshop for industry members to share and learn about new techniques and products in the stone fabrication industry.
Dave Scott was interviewed by Moraware on Stone Talk, the podcast for countertop fabricators in 2015. The interview discussion focused on taking full advantage of new technology and strategies for growing business in the stone fabrication industry. Slabworks of Montana has been a member of the US Green Building Council since 2008 and works with architects and designers on the green utilization of products in their projects.
Leadership
Dave Scott has emerged as a true leader of the stone industry over the 25 plus years he has been in the stone business. Dave is dedicated to continuous improvement and utilizing new technology to provide his customers with the best possible experience. Slabworks of Montana exceeds customer expectations which is evident by the numerous customer testimonials on their website.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this nomination for the 2017 Fabricator of the Year Award. Dave Scott is an exemplary fabricator who demonstrates a strong initiative to instill open communication between fabricators and encourages discussions of new technology and innovative business strategies.”
We would like to thank Scott for his recommendation, and also to congratulate him for being selected as Fabricator of the Year in 2016.
See the article published here: https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90020-dave-scott-named-2017-stone-world-fabricator-of-the-year