of scope needed to meet demand, but it also cuts down on some of our costs,” Johnson explains. This in-house processing ensures a consistent supply chain, allowing CMI to precisely monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels. Additionally, the benefit of vertical integration also yields the benefit of greater foresight and capability regarding CMI’s growth strategies. By controlling the processing of its raw materials, CMI can proactively plan and forecast its preblended product output, directly contributing to its competitive advantage and industry leadership. The ability to manage this entire process from raw material sourcing and processing to final product is a distinction that CMI prides itself on. “It’s been invaluable to our growth and where we are in the industry,” Johnson says. Another perk of this higher degree of control, and one propelling CLI and, ultimately, CMI to an undeniable leadership position within the industry. THE POWER OF VERTICAL INTEGRATION AND MULTI-STAGE CONTROL One thing that UAS’s presence allowed for was strategic vertical integration, which has proven invaluable to CMI’s operational agility and scalability. UAS began by processing its sands, a base material for CMI’s pre-blended quartz finishes. This process involves drying the sand in kilns, screening it to precise sizes, and packaging it for finished goods production in CMI’s facilities in Texas and Orlando. UAS also processes and crushes marble aggregates for polished pool finishes. “So, the vertical integration that happens by processing our raw materials is that it allows us to take care of what we use for materials and know where it is within our pipeline, and then project and forecast accordingly. It not only gives us that kind 6 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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