Ron Hannah didn’t just buy a CNC. He rewrote the playbook. President of Cadenza Granite & Marble and one of the longest-running fabricators in the U.S., Ron is Northwood’s longest-standing customer—and one of its fiercest advocates. Here’s why.
From Polystyrene Templates to Precision Automation
Back in 1996, granite countertops were a luxury reserved for million-dollar homes. Ron started by templating in Charlotte, NC, and fabricating in Montreal. “It worked because the stars aligned,” he says—but when fuel prices spiked and cross-border shipping got complicated, he pivoted.
He built a facility. He bet big on automation. And he bought a Northwood 138 EDS router.
Why Northwood?
Ron had options. But the more he listened to other experienced fabricators, the more he saw a clear pattern: those who cared about long-term performance were buying Northwood.
“I saw fabricators I respected running Northwood routers—and winning with them. I knew if I ever needed help, I’d have more than just a tech number to call.”
Add in U.S.-based service, American-made reliability, and consistently forward-leaning innovation—and it became a no-brainer.
Precision That Pays
“We brought aerospace precision to the stone business. Well… Northwood did. I just use the tool.”
Ron’s team fabricates with thousandths-of-an-inch accuracy. That means installs are faster. Mistakes are rare. Labor costs drop. And customers walk away impressed.
“Our installers went from doing two houses a day to three. I didn’t expect that—but it made a massive difference in margin.”
Ron Hannah, President Cadenza Granite & Marble
Built to Run. Still Running.
Ron’s machine is now 15 years old—and it still runs like day one. With regular maintenance and calibration, it’s far outlived the typical 10-year CNC lifecycle.
“I asked Robbie Tidwell when I should replace it. He said, ‘If it’s still running perfectly, why change anything?’”
And if he did need a new one?
“I wouldn’t shop around. I wouldn’t compare. I’d just call Robbie and say, ‘Send me another machine.’”
Real Service. Real Results.
The only major issue Ron had? A snapped belt during week one. At first, he was told it might take a week for a tech to arrive—but he happened to be visiting Northwood HQ that same day. One conversation later, a tech was in a car. Six hours later, the machine was back up and running.
“That was 15 years ago. The machine’s only gone down once since. Northwood doesn’t just build machines. They stand behind them. That’s what matters.”
Final Word
Ron’s shop doesn’t focus on high-volume production. He specializes in custom, artistic, high-margin jobs—the kind that require precision, not shortcuts. His Northwood makes that possible.
“Northwood is for the fabricator who refuses to compromise—on quality, on precision, or on reputation.”
Thinking about buying a CNC?
“You’re not just buying a machine. You’re building a business. And you want Northwood on your side when you do.”