Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Sutich
Hi Mark, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2005 I returned to my home town of Biwabik to undertake the demolition of Erie Mining Co/LTV’s pellet plant. This project was definitely the largest Demo project in Northern Minnesota and perhaps the largest in the State. I was very eager to address this project, as I worked in this building as a young man. Now retired and planned to spend my retirement in Northern Minn., at least for the summer months! As more and more projects were added to this demo so was more and more time required to complete it, it went on until 2011.
During this time I offered to help a small company which was shipping barrier stones to a project on Lake Superior. The stones were extremely large and their equipment was not heavy enough to load them. We supplied them with a large excavator to load their trucks. As this loading was going on I started paying the attention to all the different color and minerals contained in the various stone piled high on the waste rock stock piles.
Envisioning all the uses this stone could be processed into made me research it’s possibilities further. There was no history of any successful attempt to cut or slab and polish this material . So it was up to me, my wife and our crew to create and set the rules of processing.
We purchased Range Monument in Virginia, Minnesota to help out with our research. This company had served the Northland for 100 years, it’s employees had without doubt the most knowledge and experience working with rock available. It also had new state of the art processing equipment. Although the equipment was not nearly large enough for our intentions, it would help determine our needs.
After determining our goals could be achieved we purchased the Mary Ellen Mine and renovated a group of ancient mine buildings for our processing facility. Our next step to purchases state of the art machinery for slabbing, polishing, splitting,
and sawing veneer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was far from smooth and the row was indeed tough to hoe. After our experiences my recommendation to any one trying to start a new business in our area is to put together a very basic business plan, read over it once and throw it away! Keep as far away as possible from any government help or involvement at any level or of any kind. Unfortunately government does not move at a speed conducive to business. The issues are discussed publicly if your fortunate at monthly meetings, however the discussions between monthly meetings tend to set the stage. Our plan was put into action in 2009 hoping we would be producing within 3 years. Our plan included a staff to test the waters and explore the market, we were amazed at the interest and potential sales. We actually put a sale together for the 1250′ Moma Tower in New York City. The architects patiently waited another 3 years for us to explain to them,” we cannot fulfill your requirements”.
Because of the direction we took to start our business, 10 very expensive years passed before our doors were opened and our machinery was turned on!
Funding that was discussed and promised never materialized Our personal share of the financing of this business was over 60% of the total cost. The money we earmarked for specific expenses were redirected to cover exorbitant costs required by a lending agency. We were not pleased with these requirements but it appeared to be the only way to move our project forward. We were told that any personnel investment into this portion of the project would be reimbursed through their loan. With this said, we invested more personnel funding, only to have this agency back out at the last minute, leaving us with an additi0nal $600,000 of debt and created a lack of finances for their intended purposes
The last 4 to 5 years have been extremely difficult to make up for this lack of funding and additional expenses. Covid wreaked havoc with our attempt to start up and continues to create serious issues due to a weakened market, inflated costs and lack of qualified employees and staff.
We’ve been impressed with Biwabik Mary Ellen Stone Co LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our business harvests numerous types of reject (waste) rock from the local natural ore and taconite mining companies. This waste rock was rejected from the mining industry due to the lack of magnetite or hematite in its content. The mining operations extract magnetite from the taconite stone to process steel. The stone contains numerous minerals that are full of color and have a unique structure which created some of the most beautiful stone in the world. We harvest this material which is used as landscape stone, hardscape stone, decorative stone, wall stone, building stone, counter tops, as well as monuments and markers and any application the imagination can create.
We are capable of slabbing stone for counter tops. bar tops, table tops, fireplace surrounds etc. We can calibrate and polish the surfaces to a mirror like finish, We split stones to meet dimensional requirements or to create natural stone edging and surfaces. Our capabilities allow us to cut veneer stone to any thickness for interior or exterior applications to construct an 100% natural stone wall with out the need for extra structural support or engineering.
We can shape and engrave stones for unique signage, monumental markers and art work, Our artisans are capable of constructing amazing stone fabrications and have had their workmanship compared to the finest in the world. They have spent their life time in the stone industry and their craftsmanship can attest to their attention to detail. This is why we are known for perfection and quality.
We are the only stone business that processes Taconite and Mary Ellen Jasper, we have spent countless hours in learning how to process this remarkable stone. Our company owns the Mary Ellen Mine the only source of true Mary Ellen Jasper containing 2 billion year old fossils of stromatolites. This stone is sought after by Geological Departments of institutes of higher learning and museums world wide. This stone when polished is breathtaking!
OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE OUR CUSTOMERS WITH THE FINEST OF NATURAL STONE PRODUCTS, CRAFTED BY ARTISANS WITH UNEQUALLED SKILLS AND TALENTS. TO CREATE QUALITY FABRICATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS UNPARRELED BY ANY IN THE INDUSTRY. WE SET THE STANDARDS FOR QUALITY EXPECTATIONS.
QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY AND GUARENTEED FOR LIFE!
How do you think about luck?
Throughout my life and career I have usually had luck on my side. Small issues have us all saying “Of All THE LOUSY LUCK!” from time to time but they don.t last long. We learn to live with it by by saying, “HANG ON BETTER DAYS ARE COMING”.
This project was not small issues, it was fight tooth and nail for a decade to make things happen, only to be declined on every step forward by three steps backward. After a decade long battle about the time we thought things were finally moving forward at a respectable speed………..along came COVID! Our forward movement again was detained. Although despite numerous unfortunate situations resulting in unfavorable outcomes, we continue to move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maryellenstone.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryEllenStoneCompany
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/61GDL9f-0wg?si=oxZHtsY8QqqxpAWO – Podcast
