Samuel Prince of Zion Consulting has worked in the stone business for 25 years. A geologist by education as well as a certified stone and marble inspector, Prince has imported granite blocks for resale for more than eight years and brokers blocks to many granite businesses in Elberton, one of north Georgia’s commercial hubs, which is known as the “Granite Capital of the World.” His established roster of customers includes Everlasting Granite and Star Granite, two of the largest such companies in the industry.
Earlier this year, Prince sought to expand his business to include a fully automated CNC granite and marble sculpting operation. This state-of-the-art, computerized equipment uses robotic technology to carve and reproduce any objects, images, or script that clients desire on their monuments. Until recently, this level of craftsmanship could only be done by hand, which proved time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. Without this addition, Prince would have been forced to consider commissioning the work overseas, in China, India, or Italy, which also would add to costs while limiting the colors of the stone to the site of their manufacture. Granite retailers have expressed widespread enthusiasm about adding these services to their sales catalogs.
To purchase this equipment and complete the renovations necessary to accommodate it, Prince sought a loan from ACE and is now well on his way to reaching that next level in his business.Add New