Stone Veneer Countertops
Bordener seeks new markets, applications for surface
by Rachel Protasiewicz
 When it comes to decorative surfaces for countertops and vanities, commercial consumers had little to choose from between less-expensive, lower-quality laminate coverings and high-dollar, durable granite surfacing.
After examining market needs, Bordener Engineered Surfaces took its technologies and developed a mid-priced, high-quality solution: Korlux Flexible Stone Veneer.
"Essentially, we introduced a new product with a different appearance and performance within an existing market," said Stacy Pastein, business development manager.
The company advertises Korlux as the world's first thin, flexible, renewable, decorative sheet with true three-dimensional granite appearance. The material is as thin as traditional laminate coverings, yet consists of several layers of stone pigmented by a machine, and then combined with clear resin. It replicates the look and feel of solid surface material such as granite.
"The most innovative thing about our company is the product we produce," said Chris Surbrook, chief technology officer. He explained that his company has taken the durability of a substance like granite and reduced it to the size of laminate.
Laminate coverings tend to shatter with sharp impacts, but Korlux will refrain from chipping, cracking or breaking, the company says. It's also more stain and chemical resistant and hinders the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. It's available in a variety of colors.
If the Korlux happens to suffer an impurity, such as a scratch or scuff, it simply can be sanded back to its original state and its layers resist the appearance of heavy use, the company said.
"It's a highly developed, engineered process," said Greg Mesler, sales and customer service manager. Mesler explained that the combination of the stone with the resin, and then the methodology of adhering the Korlux to a surface, is part of what makes the process so complex.
Korlux is already installed at some Midland businesses. The Holiday Inn uses the surface material with its continental breakfast counter, media room bench seat and phone booth shelves. Mark Bone's Farm Bureau Insurance office utilizes two work stations containing Korlux with curved edges and a wave inlay, and Ace Hardware's check-out counter contains the material. Legend Valve in Shelby Township has a plumbing laboratory counter comprised of the substance, as do various homes.
Bordener Engineered Surfaces grew from the MidMichigan Innovation Center in Midland. The MidMichigan Innovation Center was started in July 2005 as a private, non-profit organization created to provide entrepreneurs and start-up companies a supportive and collaborative environment.
Itself launched in early 2005, Bordener has moved from the Innovation Center into its own space in Midland.
Because the business is so new, the effects of current economic conditions, such as the rise in price of raw materials, cannot be measured adequately, executives said. Surbrook sees some aspects of the deflating economy as a positive for the company.
"It can be a benefit," he said. "We offer the same appearance as higher priced products, which may add value to the struggling building market. The economy can help to establish a need for a product like ours."
According to Pastein, Korlux is also lighter than other products and can be rolled up tightly to allow for easier shipping, hence transporting up to five times more of the product and saving fuel costs.
Bordener retains 12 full-time employees, but utilizes local third-party contractors, suppliers and resources, and works with local universities to provide internship programs.
Bordener now is working to expand the market for Korlux from countertops and vanity coverings. It is experimenting with using Korlux as a furniture covering and already has used the material as a combined top and sink bathroom countertop.
|
