Customer story
Distinctive Kitchen: Crafting the Future of Stone Fabrication
Jon Rupert's story is a powerful example of how the right technological partner can unlock a company's true potential.
By embracing innovation and partnering with Breton, Distinctive Kitchen has not only overcome the challenges of the stone fabrication industry but has set a new standard for excellence, efficiency and growth.
Doubling Growth with Breton's CNC Technology
In the competitive world of stone fabrication, evolution isn't just an option; it's the bedrock of success.
This is the story of Distinctive Kitchen, a Columbus, Ohio-based company, and how its visionary owner, Jon Rupert, transformed a traditional workshop into a powerhouse of efficiency and quality by partnering with Breton.
We had to find an easier way to make countertops.
Jon Rupert, Owner, Distinctive KitchenThe Challenge
When Jon Rupert acquired Distinctive Kitchen in 2013, he inherited a business with a solid reputation but constrained by its own processes.
With just 8 employees, the company was struggling to keep up with the growing demand for custom countertops.
The existing setup was labor-intensive, and the path to growth was blocked by the limitations of their manual stone fabrication process.
Jon envisioned a future beyond the traditional workshop. He saw the potential of a factory-like operation, streamlined for efficient movement and powered by digital technology.
"The goal was to increase our capacity," he explains, a common challenge for many in the stone fabrication business.
The Search For A Solution
Jon embarked on an exhaustive search for the right technology. He knew that to achieve his vision, he needed to invest in automation.
"I visited 50 different shops and evaluated various machines," he says . While aware of Breton's reputation as an industry leader, he initially thought their advanced technology might be out of reach.
However, after careful consideration and seeing the performance of Breton machines firsthand, the choice became clear.
The precision, reliability, and innovative features of Breton's CNC technology were exactly what Distinctive Kitchen needed to make the leap into the future of fabrication.
The Partnership
The partnership began in 2015 with the acquisition of their first Breton machine.
The impact was immediate and profound. The transition to a digital workflow, including digital templating, was seamless.
Breton's intuitive software and comprehensive training allowed the Distinctive Kitchen team to get up to speed quickly.
This initial investment was just the beginning. Over the years, Distinctive Kitchen has acquired a total of 6 Breton machines.
The relationship has grown so strong that Distinctive Kitchen's state-of-the-art facility in Columbus now serves as a one of the Breton showrooms in North America, allowing other fabricators to witness the power and efficiency of Breton machines in a real-world production environment.
Measurable Success and a Future-Proof Business
The Results
The results of this partnership speak for themselves.
Massively Increased Capacity
The company can now process approximately 50 slabs a day, a significant increase that has allowed them to take on more projects and serve a larger customer base.