Fabricator Profile: Pinnacle Stone & Tile Improves Communication

ram8Scott Cheeseman, president and CEO of Pinnacle Stone & Tile, understands that there is only so much a fabrication business can do to stand out from the competition through craftsmanship, so he and his team chose to improve communication in conjunction with delivering quality products. Cheeseman believes that communicating with both customers and employees can differentiate a company and lead it to success.

One of the ways Pinnacle Stone & Tile, located in Fairfield, Calif., has improved communications with clients is through the use of 3-D visual-layout software, which is used as a marketing tool for both residential and commercial customers. This software allows Cheeseman and his staff to bring clients into the process of designing and installing a new kitchen.

Another level of the mission is to improve communication are the employees of Pinnacle. Cheeseman keeps them informed on new developments with projects as they occur, which empowers them to “assume ownership” in all of their work. This communication is made possible through job-tracking software, which is displayed on a large screen inside the shop.

The stone-division manager enters changes into a project file from his smartphone as they occur, and they are instantly displayed on the shop screen. Rather than having to explain the changes to everyone individually, all they have to do is look up at the screen. Not only is this efficient, but it helps the employees become part of the process.

Pinnacle Stone & Tile was established in 1992 to install tile, but stone fabrication was added in 2001. The company was purchased by a group of investors that included Cheeseman in 2006, and he came on as CEO to use his experience and contacts to get the company through the recession.

Cheeseman says that he gathered the best practices from different industries and converted them for use in the fabrication industry. In addition, he uses the industry standards that had already been developed by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).

Read more of this Fabricator Profile here: Pinnacle Stone & Tile