solid surface. As for the potential of Visioneer, the company is planning to buy additional land next to the existiong Visioneer plant to provide for future expansion.

We'll have about 10 to 11 acres of land to expand on at the Pardeeville plant location," says Aldridge. "At this point in time , it seems logical to keep the solid surface manufacturing over in Pardeeville, and the laminate work in Portage."

A different product
In 1983 Sta-Care moved into its main Portage building where the company manufactures laminate countertops. Since 1983 the company has expanded three times, and right now it has 56,000 sq. ft. of space in Portage. Sta-Care employs 140 people - 105 in Portage, 15 in Pardeeville, and 20 at the Pana plant.

With a strong presence in the retail laminate countertop market Sta-Care has dealersin Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, norther Michigan and in the Minneapolis/Twin Cities area, working with home center, lumberyards and other outlets with showrooms. The company sells strictly wholesale.

About 80 percent of the company's sales right now come from laminate countertops, and the remaining 20 percent from Visioneer solid surface sales.

When the company decided to befin offering 1/4-in. laminate solid surface countertops, the marketing decision was to emphasize its price and ease of installation (certified fabricator not required).

"There is a common feeling in the industry that solid surface has to have a certified installer and a 10 year installed warranty; otherwise, people aren't going to buy it," says Aldridge. "A certified fabricator is not required for installation of Visioneer; it actually installs much like a laminate countertop, allowing a finish carpenter or a do-it-yourselfer to perform the installation."

Aldridge points out that unlike traditional 1/2-iin. solid surface, Visioneer corner seams are visible, but are much less conspicous than a laminate seam.

"This is a separate product from the other solid surfaces out there, but it is a viable alternative," says Aldridge. "You'll never hear me say 'it's as good as traditional 1/2-in. solid surface."

Manufactured at home
Visioneer is offered in 26 distinctive aggregate colors and is manufactured within a three-week order-to-ship schedule.

Visioneer is a modified acrylic material poured in 1/4 in sheets. The solid surface sheet is laminated to a 3/4-in. industrial grade particleboard substrate backed with a .027" laminate backer sheet to seal out moisture (see chart above).

After the solid surface is poured the sheets are placed in an over for curing.

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