Set in Stone
Konkus Marble & Granite, Inc. builds success on rock-solid foundation
Konkus Marble & Granite, Inc. started in 1997 as a small marble and granite shop in Dublin, Ohio. With a background in the marble and granite industry, Owner Marc Konkus based the business primarily on the installation of marble windowsills, while installing a few kitchen countertop jobs a week. The company began to grow by word of mouth and has developed over time to be a leader in the natural stone and quartz industry in Central Ohio.
Rock to the Top
By 2002, Marc’s wife, Annie Konkus, was inspired to leave corporate America and join forces with her husband as the Vice President of Konkus Marble & Granite. Annie has had a hands-on approach to the business from sales and marketing to accounting. The creative duo has provided a family atmosphere that has influenced the business’ ability to efficiently flourish.
The Columbus, Ohio, company swiftly outgrew its original location in Dublin and moved to roomier facilities, only to move again when it outgrew those.
“Our first building was 1,800 square feet with a couple offices attached to the front of a warehouse building,” Marc says. “In 2003, we built a new 12,000-square-foot building on a five-acre site in Hilliard. In 2013, we had another 35,000-square-foot building that was for commercial production only. By 2015, we sold both of those and purchased a 100,000-square-foot building on six acres, which is our current location. We consolidated all the work there.
“The new showroom with more than 2,400 slabs indoors is the perfect storefront for our business,” Marc says.
From his beginnings selling marble windowsills, Marc has found his business expanding as consumers’ taste for marble, granite and quartz has increased. His business was founded mostly in residential work, but has grown to include commercial work, as well as a great deal of multifamily developments, partnering with some of the best developers in the city.
“We’re doing a lot of work right now at Bridge Park in Dublin,” Marc says. “It’s a large development that includes bars and restaurants as well as high-end condos, bringing new life to the area. We are grateful to have been involved in many parts of this area, ranging from the AC Hotel by Marriott, their rooftop bar VASO, to apartments, condos, offices, and a number of bars and restaurants.”
Other recent work by Konkus Marble & Granite includes the Recreation and Physical Activity Center at The Ohio State University and the cafeteria for the Boyd Hall residence hall at Ohio University. When the historic LeVeque Tower, a landmark of downtown Columbus, was converted to a mixed-used development, Konkus Marble & Granite provided the countertops for the building’s new apartments, condominiums and penthouses.
An Even Split
“Our business is about 50% commercial and 50% residential,” Marc says. “Multifamily homes are a big part of our business. We produce a lot of countertops for apartment complexes and clubhouses. We also do a lot of work for universities, including facilities like dorm rooms, cafeterias and locker rooms. Restaurant work is another major factor in our business. It’s nice to recognize all levels of hard work that we have completed, from small bars to large restaurants across town.” “As you can see, there’s plenty of work in our footprint here in Columbus, but we’ll travel,” Marc says. “We just finished a 350-unit apartment complex in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, right outside Pittsburgh. We’ve also done a lot of work in Dayton, Ohio.”
These are only a few of the company’s recent projects. A project can be anything from a massive multifamily remodel, encompassing hundreds of units, to installation of new kitchen counters in a single-family home. It’s not unusual for Konkus Marble & Granite to juggle as many as 50 projects at any one time. It’s a scope of work made possible by Marc’s expansion of the business and his commitment to finding the best possible employees.
“I’ve always been very active in the company. One key to our success is that we work together as a team. I believe our company has the best people in the industry providing the highest quality products.” Marc says.
"Multifamily homes are a big part of our business. We produce a lot of countertops for apartments. We also do a lot of work for universities, including facilities like dorm rooms, cafeterias and locker rooms. Restaurant work is another major factor in our business.” Marc Konkus, Owner, Konkus Marble & Granite, Inc.
Stone-Cold Success
That combination has paid off well, as Konkus Marble & Granite is experiencing growth on average of more than 20% year over year. It has also allowed Konkus to remain nimble enough to keep up with the changes in the industry and invest in the newest tools to provide the best services to his customers.
“Konkus Marble & Granite is always committed to technology and efficiency,” Marc says. “We’re leading the industry with some of the most sophisticated machinery in the business. We use LT-55 laser templating systems during the measuring process and combine AutoCAD drawings with CNC machines and water jet technology for a more consistent and more accurate finished product. We’re able to facilitate countertops faster than ever with that technology. This is especially important with the recent tariffs on Chinese imports. We find ourselves in a great position as we are able to facilitate high-volume projects at extremely competitive prices.”
However, machines cannot do it all so the company has a large area dedicated to hand fabrication.
“Our experienced craftsmen are specialists at sawing, polishing and the overall fabrication of stone and quartz,” Marc says. Konkus Marble & Granite started out as a small company, and it’s been a point of pride with Marc to keep that small, family feel no matter how large the operation becomes.
“We literally have the best people in the business, and we’re like one big family,” Marc says. “I try to make this a place where people enjoy coming to work. When you have happy employees, they’re going to perform better and take better care of the customers. That’s why we’re here every day. It’s that combination—from front to back. When you work with people who care about what they’re doing, everything fits into place. We’re taking care of the customers every step of the way.”
Konkus Marble & Granite continues to grow by adding new technology, products and team members, creating a customer-focused experience.
“Our growth over the years shows our dedication to our expanding customer base; that commitment is why Konkus is a leader in the industry,” he adds.