MIA Gives Initial Accreditation

CLEVELAND – NBC Solid Surfaces of Springfield, Vt., became the first Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator under the a program from the Marble Institute of America (MIA).
“After two and a half years of planning and hard work by a number of industry leaders and the MIA staff, we are very pleased to announce our first fully accredited company,” said Gary Distelhorst, MIA executive vice president, in a July announcement. “This is a milestone event for both our association and the industry as a whole.
“Within the next several years we expect to accredit hundreds of companies. In fact, more than 100 firms have already requested applications and more are coming in every week.”
NBC Solid Surfaces, which originally started as a home builder in 1984, completed the third phase of the accreditation process by successfully passing a facility inspection, with additional inspections of several completed projects in the Springfield area. Company owner Don Hinckley, completed the first two phases, which consisted of filling out a detailed application and passing a 200-question examination covering all facets of the stone fabrication and installation business.
“I couldn’t be more-excited,” said Hinckley. “It’s a long process and I am proud that we are the first to achieve accreditation. Vermont has a rich stone heritage and it’s nice to see a Vermont company on the cutting edge.”
Hinckley said his firm hopes to take advantage of accreditation in its future promotional. “It’s going to help differentiate us in the marketplace,” he said. “It will show our customers that we are a leader in the industry and that we are committed to the quality of the product.”
Originally called Northeast Building Corporation, the company left the home building business in 1995, when it changed its name to NBC Solid Surfaces. The company markets natural stone and other surface materials on a wholesale basis to kitchen and bath dealers and commercial users throughout New England.
“We congratulate NBC Solid Surfaces on this singular achievement,” Distelhorst added.