For more information:
Erika Schmidt, APR or Laura Gese
Frause
206-352-6402
eschmidt@frause.com , lgese@frause. com
Pental Granite & Marble Thriving in a Challenging Housing Market
The Pacific Northwest's leading natural stone and tile distributor provides innovative solutions for
architects and designers
SEATTLE, Wash. (March 12, 2008) - Home improvement enthusiasts and commercial
architects and designers have a valuable resource at the state-of-the-art Pental Granite & Marble
showroom and warehouse in Seattle, or at any of the natural stone and tile wholesaler's three
locations throughout the region. Pental Granite & Marble ( www.pentalonline. com ) is the largest
wholesale distributor of natural stones and tiles in the Pacific Northwest with more than $22
million in inventory, and its showrooms are open to the public. Pental offers a vast array of
natural stone slabs, unique porcelain tiles and decorative ceramic tiles, all of which are displayed
with inspiration and vision at the showroom.
The innovation of the showroom is representative of Pental Granite & Marble's pioneering spirit,
which has stimulated remarkable growth and evolution for the company since opening its doors in
1999. Founded by two brothers, Peter and Ravi Pental, the company began with just four
employees—the brothers and their wives—and $500,000 in inventory at their Seattle warehouse
at 713 S Fidalgo Street. In the past nine years, Pental has expanded to more than 100
employees and millions of dollars in inventory across its three locations.
The company opened with a 10,000 square foot location, dealing exclusively in natural stone
slabs. Today, it boasts 110,000 square foot covered warehouse/showroom in Seattle, a 60,000
square foot showroom and slab warehouse in Portland, Ore., and a 35,000 square foot
warehouse in Fife, Wash.
Due to tremendous growth and success in the stone business, in 2003, porcelain, ceramic, glass
and other decorative tiles were added to the product offerings.
The company serves trade partners, such as architects, designers and installers, as well as
homeowners in the market for building a new home or remodeling an existing home. From
natural stone slabs, such as granite, marble and soapstone, to unique slabs made of eco-friendly
products, to a porcelain series available exclusively at Pental, the options for building or
remodeling seem limitless. However, remarks Peter Pental, president of Pental Granite &
Marble, "The showroom is designed to allow customers to browse their options without feeling
overwhelmed with their choices."
Monday through Saturday the showroom and warehouse floors host clientele perusing their
options and consulting with Pental staff on natural stone slabs for kitchen countertops, bathroom
vanities or fireplaces; or unique tiles for flooring or backsplash. Customers are able to view the
inventory and choose their own unique slabs.
"Since day one, exceptional service has been priority number one," says Pental. This strong
customer service ethic is widespread throughout the company—from top level management to
entry level positions in all locations. In addition to customer consultants, every Saturday you can
find either Pental brother—Peter or Ravi—at company headquarters, personally making sure
customers are well taken care of.
Peter Pental credits the value placed on customer service to the realization of the Pental brothers'
original vision: to develop a company that would grow in size and become less vulnerable to
economic conditions. Indeed, while most companies in the building materials industry are
experiencing a nationwide slow down, the Pental brother's strategy and planning of product lines
has paid off; the company ended 2007 with over 15 percent sales growth, and 2008 has started
strong.
As the company has grown, Pental has learned to delegate many duties. One thing he has not
given up, however, is hand selecting the natural stone slab product lines. Every slab purchase
made by the company is approved by him. Each year, he personally travels around the world,—
to Brazil, India, Italy, and China— along with an experienced and trusted team of buyers, in
search of the most unique, high quality products for Pental's stone and tile lines.
At the same time, however, Peter understands well that one person does not make the company.
"My job is to take care of my employees—who in turn take care of the company and its
customers," a sentiment that rounds out the company's vision and value of service. The
company prides itself on offering competitive health benefits and 401K to employees, and the
Pental brothers and employees alike consider the Pental team as a family. Case in point is Don
Goulet, the company's first staff member nine years ago, and currently a happy employee and
member of the Pental Granite & Marble family.
Pental Granite & Marble was founded in 1999 by brothers Peter and Ravi Pental and has since
grown to become the Pacific Northwest's largest importer and wholesale distributor of natural
stone and tile. Pental provides architects, designers and fabricators with unique, innovative and
luxurious custom solutions to their commercial and residential projects. Pental has three
showroom and warehouse locations open to the public in Seattle, Wash., Fife, Wash., and
Portland, Ore., showcasing a vast array of unique natural stone, porcelain, ceramic and eco-
friendly tiles and slabs. For more information, visit www.pentalonline.com , or visit one of the
company's three showrooms, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Fife and Portland and 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Seattle.
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