OUR STORY

Ismail Anderson owned and operated a granite fabrication shop for 25 years. He loved the craft and the industry, but one recurring issue always frustrated him—remnant pieces. No matter how efficiently he managed production, leftover materials were an unavoidable and costly challenge.

He faced two main problems. First, when customers came in searching for small pieces—perhaps for a vanity top or a fireplace surround—they often asked to see the remnants. Unfortunately, every remnant rack on the market was designed horizontally, which made it nearly impossible to display the pieces properly. As a result, many slabs sat unsold and unnoticed.

The second problem was even more expensive. To save on costs, Ismail often imported full containers of slabs from overseas, typically receiving seven to ten slabs of the same color, batch, and serial number. When a job only required one and a half slabs, the cutting person would use two full slabs and then place the leftover half somewhere among thousands of other remnants. Later, when another customer requested that same color, no one could locate the matching piece. The team would end up cutting two more full slabs, wasting perfectly usable material.

Determined to find a better solution, Ismail reached out to a childhood friend who was a mechanical engineer. Together, they spent a week brainstorming and experimenting in the workshop. Out of that collaboration, Anderson’s Racks were born—a vertical remnant rack system designed to organize, display, and protect granite remnants. He quickly applied for a patent for the design.

Today, Ismail has fully transitioned into the metal fabrication business, focusing on designing and manufacturing Anderson’s Racks. His former competitors have now become his customers, and his innovative rack systems are being used by fabricators across the country. Anderson’s Racks represent more than just a practical solution—they stand for respecting the material, reducing waste, and supporting the hardworking fabricators who keep the industry moving forward.