Appleridge Stone has a revolutionary new concept in the manufactured stone industry called the “Mason Blend Program.” The Mason Blend Program offers individual boxes of special color-accented stones to be blended on the job with Appleridge standard color blends and laying patterns. These special “blend boxes” of stone will be produced in standard Appleridge Stone color blends and laying patterns, however, each stone in a blend box will have one added accent color. Blend boxes can be ordered in any of three choices of added colors – Burgundy, Emerald or Royal.
The Mason Blend Program is designed to benefit the entire Appleridge Stone customer base, including Distributors, Installer companies, Builders, Remodelers, and Homeowners. Appleridge and its network of Distributors offer more color-blend choices with smaller and more efficient inventories. Users experience greater creativity, better availability, greater efficiency and better cost-effectiveness.
Color Choices: By blending any combination of one to three special accent colors into the standard Appleridge color-blends and laying patterns, the Installer can create dramatically different looks. Also, by choosing the ratio of blend stones to standard color-blend stones, an even greater variety of literally hundreds of looks can be achieved.
Creativity: The Appleridge Mason Blend Program is user-friendly. On-the-job blending is not a new concept. After all, that’s what natural-stone masons have been doing for years. In an ideal situation, the exterior accent stone becomes the “catalyst” that ties the colors and architectural shapes together for a pleasing, warm, and inviting look. Color-coordinating paint and interior furnishings becomes easier when the stone color-blend can be “tweaked” a little for the desired effect.
Appleridge offers literature containing “helpful hints” for the Installers using the Mason Blend Program. Examples include:
• Tips for making the blend stone supply come out right at the end of the job
• Adjusting the look for a happier customer
• What to do if you run short of blend stones
• What to do if you have extra blend stones and many more.
Availability: For some reason, the manufactured stone industry has seen fit to take “creativity” out of the picture by offering various blends of stone that are blended “in the boxes.” While this is convenient, it creates massive inventory requirements for Distributors and Stocking Dealers. Even the Manufacturers themselves find it difficult to keep ahead sufficiently to provide timely service to their customers. With the Mason Blend Program, Appleridge Distributors and Stocking Dealers are able to stock the entire Appleridge product line. Our goal is timely service.
Efficiency: Delays are costly and frustrating for any Builder or Remodeler. The Mason Blend Program virtually eliminates product delays for the manufactured stone product. It can also deal with another primary source of delay which is the customer who “just can’t make up their mind.” The sales aids that accompany the Mason Blend Program allow excellent visual presentations of the color blends and laying patterns achievable with the program. Color-blend choices and laying pattern choices are more easily finalized in the contractor office. Siding, roof and accent colors become an easier and quicker choice for the customer. Also, when properly presented at an initial presentation by the contractor, the professionalism and efficiencies of the Mason Blend presentation tend to enhance the contractor’s image.
Cost Effectiveness: Providing lots of choices while still keeping inventories under control has tremendous cost advantages. By not having to support the elevated costs of manufacturing, inventorying and shipping exceptionally large quantities of “blended-in-the-box” stone choices, Appleridge Stone is able to maintain its standards of Quality and Service. It does this while remaining price-competitive with major manufacturers and distributors.
The Appleridge Stone Mason Blend Program is a “Win-Win situation” for everyone involved.