"'What is this?' is the number one question that our customers ask," says Drew Bleeker, sales and marketing manager for Hard Topix. "They never thought concrete could look like this."
Hard Topix is a locally owned and operated manufacturing firm that creates handcrafted, custom made countertops, sinks, fireplaces and furniture out of concrete.
The company has been on a very impressive sales pace, 30-40 percent, for the last several years, according to Bleeker. The company also recently added two new positions to keep up with the workload brought on by the heavy demand for their services. "We are the pioneer in this market. There has never been something like this in West Michigan."
Bleeker outlines several benefits of using concrete versus other alternatives like granite. "There is total design flexibility as it can be customized with any color and any shape. It is very durable, twice as strong as drive way concrete." A unique custom feature is the use of recycled materials such as recycled glass and tiles in the concrete to expose the color and shapes of the items. "We have had customers that brought in wine and beer bottles to be incorporated to help differentiate and customize the design."
Although kitchen countertops remain the mainstay for Hard Topix, Bleeker says a trend in outdoor living has created a demand for outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, cooking stations and custom fire pits.
The Hard Topix website, which features several pictures of their custom work and contact information, can be viewed here.
Source: Drew Bleeker, Hard Topix
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Job News Editor
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