Brad Cady buys marble business
Staff reporter
It was the right time to change careers.
Brad Cady began his career in the insurance business after being laid off from Boeing of Wichita. And now it was again time to consider his options — particularly owning his own business.
Cady's father, Jerry Cady of Marion, informed his son that Mid-America Marble Products, Inc. of Marion was for sale. Six months later, the younger Cady is in Marion and learning the trade of his business.
"I decided this was a good time for me to own my own business," Cady said, "because I'm single and don't have children or other responsibilities."
Changing the name to Mid-America Marble, Cady plans to continue to produce the same quality of cultured marble and granite products as previous owners David and Laura Yates.
With some knowledge of residential construction and experience with manufacturing, the former Kansas City, Mo., insurance salesman will use his strongest assets of promotion and marketing to sell his products.
Cultured marble products are made of high quality marble dust and resins that are chemically bonded. Cultured granite is made of resin and granite particles.
Those products are popular as bathroom vanities.
The countertops that generally are used in kitchens come as sheets that are then fabricated into the desired configuration.
"These products are durable and easy to maintain," Cady said.
If a scratch should occur, the cultured marble and granite can be repaired.
By making the products in-house, the customer receives a quality product, typically at a comparable or reduced cost.
"There is the myth that these types of products are cheaper elsewhere," Cady said, and it simply is not true.
Quick turn-around time also is important for customer satisfaction.
Standard orders typically are available in just a couple of days; custom orders and fabricated countertops within a couple of weeks. Cady and his full-time employee Henry Slifer, also can produce bathroom bowls (sinks), showers, and window sills and seats from the cultured materials. Cultured marble tubs also can be ordered.
The cultured products are less expensive than regular marble, granite, and come with guarantees of 10 and 15 years, depending on the brand.
Working with people is nothing new for Cady.
The Beloit native graduated from high school in Beloit, earned a degree in human resources management at Friends University, Wichita, and for the past five years has sold insurance to Missouri pharmacies.
Moving to Marion seemed like the natural thing to do. After all, two of his three siblings have done the same thing. Jeff Cady is in the insurance business with his father and sister Laurie Secrest is an aide at Marion Elementary School. Brother Brian Cady lives in Derby.
Future plans include the construction of a showroom at the same location as the manufacturing/retail store.
At some point, he would like to add another employee or two which would free him to go to home shows and other venues to promote his business.
"I plan to make a few changes in the current showroom and am eager to meet Marion residents and serve my customers," Cady said.
Mid-America Marble is located at 1105 N. Industrial in Marion Business Park.
