Pacific Marble and Granite, Middletown, Conn.
A CNC will be a step up for a shop that’s still relying mainly on its bridge saw and a Park Industries Wizard for sink cutouts. The company currently employs a pair of installers and four people in the shop, including the owner.
“I’m always here,” says the senior Bramato. “I pretty much run the shop, and my son is involved on the fabrication. I used to do my own tile installation years ago, but now I’m almost always here.”
Even consolidating everything in one space to make room for the restaurant, Pacific Marble and Granite has about 10,000 ft², with about 4,500 ft² dedicated to the fabrication shop.
Given the economy – although perhaps not given Bramato’s luck in business – it’s a bit of a surprise that Pacific Marble and Granite continues to do a brisk business in new construction
“That’s a lot of what we do,” he says. “We do some remodeling work, but it’s a lot of new construction. And, we do a little of the commercial work – things like bars and restaurants.”
And, Bramato confesses the economy hurt the company some. An average of 12-14 kitchens a week has fallen in the last couple years down to 10-12 kitchens.
A big reason that the company remains strong with new construction is it’s always had good relationships with developers and designers. And, Carmelo Bramato says a lot of those date back to the early days of the tile shop.
“A lot of our customers come to us because of builders and designers,” he says. “Of course, we do get the everyday walk-in clients, too.”
Today, he estimates about 80 percent of his business is in residential work, and when the company goes in to do a job, the preference is for a complete package.
“When we get called in, it’s usually to do the kitchen,” Bramato says. “But, we like do to the bathrooms and the fireplaces, too. And, we do a lot of tabletops.”
A fairly new addition to Pacific Marble and Granite’s product mix: outdoor kitchens, which he describes as a “growing market.”
The other reason that the business has remained strong: Bramato’s insistence on customer service.
“If we told the customer it’s going to be ready on Friday, I want to make sure it’s ready on Friday – or the day before,” he says. “Before the job goes out, I want to make sure it’s inspected, so it’s perfect. I don’t want any call-backs.
“And, if something happens, I make sure that someone goes back and fixes it. That’s that.”