StoneDimensions

CLEVELAND, OH., January 12, 2012 - The Marble Institute of America (MIA) recently completed its fourth Performance Analysis Report for U.S. and Canadian natural stone fabricators. The survey was conducted in 2011 and contains an evaluation and interpretation of financial data solicited from fabricators.

The survey was made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of Laser Products Industries and Moraware.

Harry Hollander, Moraware's president, stated, "I'm excited about being a sponsor of the 2011 fabricator performance report. Small differences in how you run your company can make huge differences in profitability - this survey helps you learn best practices."

Dan Louis, president of Laser Products agreed, "When you can confidentially compare your data against your peers, it uncovers opportunities to improve efficiencies."

New for 2011 were analyses of some key production metrics:

• Average square feet of granite and quartz fabricated weekly
• Yearly total production (square feet)
• Templating method identification
• Bridge saw vs. CNC use
• Production tracking methods

Like its predecessors in 2007, 2009 and 2010, the report provides one of the most comprehensive set of benchmarks available on financial performance in the natural stone fabrication industry to date. The report is designed to provide fabrication shops with a tool to evaluate existing financial performance and to identify new ways to create improvement.

The 24-page report is organized in the following sections, each designed to assist managers in specific areas of inquiry:

Executive Summary - An overview of study results including a graphical presentation of key results.

Detailed Results - An in-depth analysis of return on investment, the income statement, the balance sheet, and financial and productivity ratios.

Customer Emphasis - Firms were analyzed by concentration of sales to selected customer groups.

Trends - An examination of changes in performance over time for key results and ratios.

Ratio Calculation - A summary of ratio calculations and supporting commentary.

As in previous years, MIA contracted with Profit Planning Group, the well regarded association profitability and compensation analysis firm. Participants' proprietary financial data was kept strictly confidential.

The survey results and final reports were provided at no additional cost to those firms that participated in the study. The Performance Analysis Report is now available to firms that did not participate in the survey through the MIA bookstore at www.marble-institute.com/store/ (click on the "Business Management & Industry Resources" tab). MIA members' price is $199.00 US (non-members $349.00)

About the Marble Institute of America
For over 65 years the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been the world's leading information resource and advocate for the natural dimension stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world.