Charlie Thiede

Rock Tops Granite Reports: Undermount Sinks for Hygiene and Appeal

Professionals who specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodeling recommend installing under-mount sinks. Under mount sinks have become very popular because of their modern, sleek appeal and their clean look. Because they fit under the countertops, one can easily wipe crumbs and debris from the countertop right into the sink, without it becoming caught under the lip of the sink. The older style sink that requires a bead of caulk around it to provide a seal between the sink and countertop accumulates crumbs and debris and just looks bad over time.

The undermount sink does not work with all countertops. The ideal countertop for this type of sink is granite, marble or any other natural stone or solid material. Countertops of laminate or formica can eventually delaminate and bubble up over time, so an under mount sink is not recommended for this type of surface.

There are many styles of kitchen sinks to choose from, including single and double bowl. Bathroom sinks offer many options with a variety of sizes, shapes and colors to choose from. Kitchen and bath remodeling projects are the most expensive to do, so whatever choice you make for your sink and countertop, you will want to be sure it will remain functional and beautiful for many years. The undermount sink is one worth considering.

This article was written by Charlie Thiede, owner of Rock Tops Granite, the leading experts in granite and marble countertops fabrication and installation. With their use of the latest technology for cutting, shaping and finishing the stone to perfection, they produce the highest quality custom countertops at the lowest price of their competitors. Visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom where you can learn more.

In spite of a weak economy, this company has opened over ½ a dozen new stores this year, creating hundreds of new jobs

Macomb, MI - Rock Tops, Inc. a company who specializes in fabricating and installing granite and marble countertops, is celebrating the grand opening of 7 new stores across the US this year. President, Charlie Thiede said in a recent interview, "I'm proud and happy to provide new jobs for the many people who are suffering from unemployment due to our economic conditions. Because of the unfortunate situation so many people are facing, we are easily able to staff our new stores. Of course, we still adhere to our rigid quality control standards with detailed background checks of anyone we hire."

When asked how they are able to grow so quickly in today's troubled economy, Charlie explained, "We are able to fabricate our granite and marble countertops more quickly than most companies, due to advanced technology and equipment, thus saving thousands on labor. We pass this savings onto our customers to provide quality custom countertops for a lower cost.

The advanced technology is the use of CNC (computer numerically controlled) stone processing equipment. Each CNC machine cost $200,000 to $350,000, which is why a lot of companies are still using hand routers and grinders to shape the edges of their countertops. They literally walk down the edge of the stone with a hand tool applying pressure for hours on end while slowly grinding away at the stone. This process creates imperfections, wavy edges, bad seams and a poor finish, no matter how hard they work and no matter how good their intentions are. This greatly increases labor hours which must be reflected in the price of their product and service."

Rock Tops Granite, a fast growing company, is creating hundreds of new jobs, which is just what our economy needs. Rock Tops was recently acknowledged for being one of the best companies to work for, offering great pay and a nice employee benefit package. For more information or to inquire about employment, visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com

Contact:

Charlie Thiede

17411 23 Mile Road

Macomb, MI 48042

586-263-6621

Toll Free: 1-877-ROCKTOP

info@rocktopsgranite.com

This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC

Listening to workers' concerns, ideas and suggestions coupled with an extensive benefit package makes Rock Tops a great place to work

Holly, MI - Rock Tops Granite has been recognized as the fastest growing company in southeast Michigan and one of the leading companies to work for. During a recent interview, president, Charlie Thiede said, "Listening to workers is the key to employee motivation. They are out in the field, talking to customers and making sales. They know what the customer's concerns are and they are the ones who can pass this on to management. Rock Tops has an open-door policy; we encourage employees to share their issues and opinions freely."

Rock Tops has been acknowledged as a company who attracts a skilled, diverse workforce with their extensive benefit package. Charlie said, "We have very rigid policies and we perform detailed background checks before anyone is employed with our company. When we determine that an applicant is right for the job, we give them what they rightfully deserve; good pay and a nice benefit package. Quality employees, such as what we require, are hard to find; we want to give them good incentive to remain with us. High employee turnover can kill the success of a company and cost thousands in hiring and training new help."

Rock Tops employs over 150 people in the state of Michigan alone. They have opened stores in 10 more locations throughout the US and they plan to open several more stores in 2009. Rock Tops has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies, nationwide, and one of the best to be employed by. Charlie said, "We encourage our employees to relay customer feedback to us as well as offer suggestions as to how we can improve. Listening to our employees, with an open mind, and acknowledging them for their ideas and input is great for their morale and motivation. We take pride in paying our employees well, offering a good benefit package, and treating them like the important people that they are."

Rock Tops Granite has 15 locations in 7 states, with showrooms in Saline, Holly, Wixom, Grand Rapids and Macomb, Michigan. They have already installed over 10,000 countertops in 2008 alone, and they plan to open more stores in the next year. This fast growing company, offering hundreds of new jobs, is what our economy needs right now. Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to learn more or to contact them about possible employment.

Contact:

Charlie Thiede

17411 23 Mile Road

Macomb, MI 48042

Phone: 586-263-6621

Toll Free: 1-877-ROCKTOP

info@rocktopsgranite.com

This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC

Rock Tops Granite has been awarded the fastest growing company in Michigan with over 15 locations nationwide

Macomb, MI - Charlie Thiede, president of Rock Tops Granite, was recently interviewed. When asked about how his company was able to grow so rapidly in today's economy, Charlie explained, "Talent plus technology equals growth. We use the latest in high-tech equipment for cutting and shaping the natural stone products like granite and marble to fabricate a custom countertop with a perfectly finished edge. Due to the high cost of this technology, other companies are still using hand routers and grinders to work the edge of the stone. This procedure of slowly grinding the stone by applying pressure with a hand tool can take days. Even the most experienced, diligent of workers cannot achieve perfection; this process often creates imperfect and wavy edges, bad seams and a poor final finish."

Charlie went on to explain, "The cost of each CNC machine is $200,000 to $350,000; however, the investment pays for itself by quickly fabricating the perfectly finished natural stone product and eliminating the many hours of labor expended with the use of hand tools. CNC stands for computer numerically controlled. This advanced technology allows us to keep our cost of labor down and pass the savings on to our customers. We have the ability to produce granite and marble custom countertops at the highest quality and the lowest price of most of our competitors."

Though technology was one of the major contributors to the growing success of Rock Tops, they can also credit their growth to a new marketing plan which was implemented in 2003. Originally a supplier to large home-improvement stores, Rock Tops shifted its focus to the retail market. Robert Gasiorowski joined Rock Tops as a partner in 2002, when he began crafting the plan to shift the marketing focus from retailers to homeowners. In addition to investing in the advanced stone-processing and measuring equipment, referrals to Rock Tops, from over 10,000 customers, have made the company an industry leader in production and quality.

The interview was concluded with Charlie explaining the rigid background checks performed on all applicants. "We do very detailed background checks to be sure we hire only the very best. We invest a lot of time and effort into the interview process and checking their references. We also take great pride in our training program and quality control policies to ensure top-notch customer service and professional installation of our product. We strive for 100% customer satisfaction with every job we do."

Rock Tops has been awarded the fastest growing company in Michigan, with an average increase in annual revenue of nearly 40 percent. With over 150 employees and a multi-year expansion plan, Rock Tops has already installed over 10,000 kitchen countertops in southeast Michigan. Rock Tops has duplicated its business model by opening 10 more stores nationwide. They plan to open several more by the end of 2009. Visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom to learn more about this fast growing company.

Contact:

Charlie Thiede

17411 23 Mile Road

Macomb, MI 48042

586-263-6621

Toll Free: 1-877-ROCKTOP

info@rocktopsgranite.com

This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC

Talent Plus Technology Equals Growth - President, Robert Thiede, credits the company's growth to a new marketing plan and high-tech equipment

Macomb, MI - Rock Tops, Inc, a granite and marble fabrication and installation company, was founded in 2000. Originally a supplier to large home-improvement stores, they shifted their focus to the retail market in 2003. Since then, the company has seen an average increase in annual revenue of nearly 40 percent. President, Robert "Charlie" Thiede and his partner, Robert Gasiorowski, were recently interviewed.

According to president, Robert Thiede, their new marketing plan, in addition to their high-tech equipment, is the major contributor to the company's success. Robert Gasiorowski joined Rock Tops as a partner in 2002 and crafted the plan to shift the marketing focus from retailers to homeowners. Their investment in the latest CNC Technology for advanced stone processing and measuring has made Rock Tops an industry leader in production and quality. CNC stands for computer numerically controlled. "This stone processing equipment delivers an unmatched polished edge quality which is perfect every time," said Robert Thiede. "Out of over 100 stone fabricators in the state of Michigan, most are not using this equipment; each CNC machine costs between $200,000 and $350,000. Therefore, most of these fabricators are still using hand routers and grinders to work the edge of the stone."

With more than 150 employees and a multi-year expansion plan, Rock Tops has already installed nearly 10,000 kitchen countertops in southeast Michigan. With frequent advertising and referrals from nearly 10,000 customers, Rock Tops has gained visibility and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the US. Rock Tops opened a second location in Macomb, a retail showroom, in 2006, several more in Southeast Michigan in early 2007, and then more in 2008. Rock Tops now has 7 locations in the state of Michigan and 10 more across the US. "We are very confident that we can duplicate this business model in other parts of the country, although we look to be very busy in our home state for a long time to come," said Thiede.

Rock Tops Granite specializes in fabricating and installing granite and marble countertops. They have installed over 10,000 countertops in 2008 and are expanding their business and plan to open several new locations in the US during the next couple years. Their use of modern technology combined with old world stone craftsmanship is what sets them apart from other granite and marble fabricating companies. Charlie encourages people to visit a showroom to see over 400 full slabs of granite and other products available and to learn more about the technology of cutting and polishing the stone to perfection. Visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to learn more and to locate a showroom in your area.

Contact:

Charlie Thiede

17411 23 Mile Road

Macomb, MI 48042

586-263-6621

Toll Free: 1-877-ROCKTOP

info@rocktopsgranite.com

This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC