Who is the USAGFA? - Page 2

Huligar · 08-10-2006, 03:59 AM

Hey buddy, we can not make that claim anymore.

Rupas · 08-10-2006, 04:09 AM

Hi Brian,
The United States of America Granite Fabricators Association ( usagfa.org ) hasn't optimize for search engines yet, thatâ€™s why googleing isn't picking it out. We want to come out of the gate strong, we are connecting a few loose ends. If you have the chance to view our site let me know what you think about the quality of the content. We appreciate all feed back; I'm eastern standard, so I'll catch you in the A.M.
Steve Hardesty GM
USAGFA

Huligar · 08-10-2006, 04:12 AM

Rupas, thank you stop in.

Eric W · 08-10-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Briggs

No respect, no respect I tell ya.

Guys Restoration contractors get more respect than you think. I speak to at least one homeowner a day, that has what they think is a huge problem. They just spent thousands of dollars on a floor, and then the dog pea's on it, homeowner cleans it with ammonia. What once was a little spot know has become a bigger spot. I always recommend a contractor for them to call. Contractor repairs the spot. Done everyone is happy.

Restoration contractors have never had a voice out there. Restoration contractor have all ways kept to themselves and done their own thing. Where fabrication has all ways had groups like the MIA speaking out while the fabricator could spend his or her time working. The NSRA is making a bold leap and is being noticed.

You want respect or feel you need respect support the NSRA like most of you are doing.

Rupas · 08-10-2006, 02:26 PM

Restoration contractors or as I call them the "specialist", deserve plenty of respect. I equate the restoration specialist as the person that has chosen to become a master in his/her trade. Usually they are the only thing standing between a tear out and redo. A true restoration specialist has reached the pinnacle of the trade. I would like to extend my gratitude to the restoration specialist that has made my days a little easier.
Steve Hardesty GM
USAGFA

Fred Hueston · 08-10-2006, 03:11 PM

MIA is going to love this.

Brian Briggs · 08-10-2006, 10:19 PM

I checked out your website (nice site). But what does the USAGFA (pretty long name) have to offer fabricators that the MIA and the SFA does not already. Do not take this as me doubting your ability or intentions. However, the MIA has great resources and educational tools already in place. How will you be able to compete with what they have?

Huligar · 08-10-2006, 10:36 PM

Brian, Rupas is not in compotation with the MIA or any other group. From my understanding his approach is some what the same as the NSRA. It is not a good old boys club, is more like the trenches. As far as his name been so long, he could have chosen GFA but than againâ€¦. A name is just a name; it is what you do with it. The MIA do have great resources and educational tools already in place, But so does the BSI and many others. If the USAGFA could reach the guys that the MIA and the BSI could not, so be it.

Brian Briggs · 08-11-2006, 01:48 AM

My question is still not answered. I am NOT putting down the efforts. The way I see it, the more organizations, the more people reached. Just curious as to what is offered that is different from what I already get.

Rupas · 08-11-2006, 05:41 PM

I would like to address every question raised on the board especially what role will the USAGFA attempt to play. The other organizations (associations) mentioned perform invaluable services, services that take great efforts with great resources, we commend there efforts and accomplishments. These organizations often move mountains solving monumental issues. Our belief is let the organizations that are already in place serving the natural stone industry continue to do the good work there doing and when it makes sense support them.
The USAGFA wants to be excellent at solving some smaller issues. The type of issues that small business people run into on the daily basis, we are not prepared to define these issues today. The current focus of the USAGFA is fact finding; we want to be sure we are working on smaller issues that still have an impact on a large percentage of fabricators. The operative word is fabricators. We will always do what is in the best interest of the fabricator. There will be times an individual fabricator believes our thoughts or actions are contrary to there best interest on a specific issue. There are some who have very strong feeling about the man made slab quartz industry. We have experience with this industry and have a position. We will post an article on our site with-in the next 72 hours, address the particulars of our position.
There are many positions to be determined and these positions will come from the fabricators not from the industry. We have experience at solving national and local issues that confront small business people every day. We view our site usagfa.org as an information management system. As the system grows there will recognize the intelligent design built into it. We believe one of the most important functions the USAGFA will perform is providing accurate, timely information in a form that is most useful to each member. That means delivering this information in many formats and intimately understanding what each member needs to fill the gaps that are missed by other sources. I didnâ€™t want to have such a long post; I will address further concerns shortly.

Steve Hardesty GM
USAGFA
steve@usagfa.org