More counter space: Material maker is growing

Cosentino Group, a Spanish-based producer of natural and manufactured countertop material, has seen its product used in such high-profile projects as the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins football stadiums, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the "Extreme Home Makeover" television show.

The family owned company, which employs 200 people at its North American headquarters in the Houston area, expects to reach a broader group this year. U.S. sales were up 8 percent last year and the latest effort is projected to boost those sales as high as 18 percent a year, to $365 million in 2013.

"We're under big expansion," said Lorenzo Marquez, vice president of marketing for Cosentino North America.

Last year, Cosentino established the Port of Houston as its first North American logistical hub to handle the expected sales increase. North American sales already account for nearly half of the company's revenues.

Cosentino also plans this year to almost double the number of display centers nationwide, at a cost of $31 million. The company already has 12 of these showrooms for builders, trade professionals and other commercial customers in place. Ten more, including one expected to open in Houston in October, are planned this year.

Company officials say these centers are more than distribution facilities. They also feature classrooms and exhibition areas, including fully functioning kitchens that give designers a place to bring in clients for real-world demonstrations.

"We hope to see people doing business in our centers like they do at Starbucks," Marquez said. "More U.S. shops give customers quicker access to product."

He said geography was a primary factor in the company's decision to make Houston home to its logistics office.

"We selected Houston as the location for our first hub because geographically we can coordinate our shipments to fill several locations directly from here and plan our delivery routes better," Marquez said.

In addition to its natural stone products, Cosentino manufactures Silestone and newer products such as Silestone Natural Quartz, with antimicrobial protection, and the Eco line made from 75 percent recycled ceramic, glass and mirror.

Read more:
More counter space: Material maker is growing