November 15, 2024

See RCG in Saint Louis Magazine

See RCG in Saint Louis Magazine

Read the full article here.

See how this company is changing the stone industry with a ‘modern customer’ approach

Rock Creek makes creating your space less stressful by getting innovative about better customer service and sustainability

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Rock Creek is often referred to as the hidden gem of the stone industry and has built a reputation as a premier provider of high-quality granite and stone finishes. Over the years, Rock Creek has expanded its product lines and strengthened its market position through strategic partnerships and by embracing challenging projects.

Thanks to their partnership with Cosentino, a Spanish family-owned company widely recognized for creating high-quality, innovative and sustainable surfaces, St. Louis residents can now find Rock Creek services through their local Costco. While Rock Creek does mostly business-to-business transactions, it has recently transitioned into the consumer market with collaborations like these, and strong relationships with independent accounts.

Progressive customers means taking a progressive approaches

Owners Ryan and Audrey Brown saw an opportunity to fix what they believed was a broken model in the industry by simplifying the services companies like theirs provide.

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Rock Creek began with the modern customer in mind, aware that in order to grow as a business, they would need to grow with their commercial & retail customers. They saw the need for more responsiveness and accountability all-around, and an expectation to use self-directed tools for shopping and project management. With a tech-forward philosophy, the founders have integrated modern tools into their approach, like calendar automation, A.I.-assisted quoting and virtual consultations to help streamline processes while maintaining the quality upheld by their skilled artisans. Collectively, this combination has resulted in an attractive advantage for clients expecting more for less.

From its inception, Rock Creek has been dedicated to excellence in stone craftsmanship, offering a comprehensive range of services and products tailored for both residential and commercial spaces. Their offering has since evolved beyond just countertops, to bespoke fabrications and installations that include cladding, flooring and custom furniture and showcase a commitment to blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. This dedication has attracted a core customer base of homeowners, architects, builders, property owners and designers who value quality and timeless design.

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To cater to the wide range of customers, Rock Creek employs transparent and innovative pricing models, supporting both professional contractors and DIY enthusiasts.

“With highly custom projects the rest of the industry often shrouds their pricing in mystery margins and mark-ups. We know modern customers expect transparency and don’t want to haggle so we offer a cost-plus fair deal upfront.” shares Ryan.

Their customer-centric approach is complemented by a strong commitment to employee well-being, exemplified by fair pay initiatives and the adoption of a four-day workweek.

Making a commitment to sustainability and industry safety

Rock Creek’s commitment to sustainability and safety is evident through the use of sustainable materials and practices, alongside advanced technologies like AI-assisted LiDAR for effective material management.

“We're launching a product called Novaclad. That's the app that we hope will be a material management solution for other fabricators…[and it] is currently in alpha [phase, so] we're still listening to fabricators and our customers to help solve inefficiencies.” Ryan says.

Novaclad is being created to help lessen waste when it comes to material waste from projects. According to the website, “Roughly 5% [of material] was lost to the fabrication process. The remaining 10-12% is usually withheld on the hope a buyer might find it before it eventually is chalked up as waste. And that's where the problem gets bigger: 30% of landfill use is material waste from construction.” Novaclad is being created to connect buyers with this material to keep it out of landfills.

“We've gone on a sustainability campaign by working with our predominant supplier, which is Cosentino, on making sure that all the products that we buy are on a sustainable track.” Audrey says.

By combining tradition with innovation, Rock Creek continues to inspire and lead within the construction industry. Their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction sets them apart, making them the go-to choice for anyone seeking unparalleled value in stone finishes.

Originally published at stlmag.com on November 14, 2024

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