ISFA Board Approves Strategic Framework

ISFA Board Approves Strategic Framework Advancing Unified Industry Voice, National Standards & Shop Accreditation

Phoenix, AZ, November 7, 2025 — The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), a member-owned 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association, announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved the 2026 Budget and Strategic Framework. This decision marks a major step forward in fulfilling one of the ten purposes outlined in ISFA’s Articles of Incorporation: to serve as the voice of the countertop and surface fabrication industry.

The approval was delivered at the 2025 ISFA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, which celebrated the highest attendance in recent years at both the full conference and the official membership business meeting. This turnout highlights the strength of the fabrication community and sets the tone for the next era of ISFA’s growth.

➡ View the plan: ISFA 2026-2028 Strategic Framework 

ISFA: Supporting the Entire Trade

ISFA exists to create a stronger countertop and surface fabrication community. We support the whole trade — fabricators, installers, shops owners, contractors, distributors, suppliers, and partners — by:

• Championing quality craftsmanship
• Growing a skilled workforce
• Elevating consumer awareness
• Sharing real-world know-how
• Promoting safety and professional standards

Together, we are shaping a better future for everyone who creates with surface materials.

To help tell that story, ISFA released a new video illustrating the real people, real shops, and real craftsmanship that define our trade.

➡ Watch the video: The ISFA Difference 

Advancing Safety, Standards & Accreditation

Entering its second year of the Fabricator Safety Initiative, supported by Cambria, Cosentino, Daltile, MSI, Park Industries, Vicostone USA, Wilsonart, ISFA continues to lead work that protects workers, strengthens shop operations, and ensures the industry proactively drives policy that impacts our business – we must lead policy making rather than react to regulatory intervention.

A central element of the strategic plan is the development of a national, consensus-built standard for:

Countertop & Surface Fabrication Contractors and Shop Licensing

This new standard will:

• Outline safe and professional shop practices
• Give shops clarity on responsibilities
• Build confidence among manufacturers, distributors, and consumers
• Provide the countertop and surface fabricator industry a seat at the table with government agencies

To support this work, ISFA is launching the American Countertop Manufacturers Council (ACMC) — a national body of fabrication shops focused on gathering input, building consensus, and shaping shared positions. The ACMC is expected to open for participation in late December.

ISFA will serve only as Secretariat, ensuring fair process, documentation, and compliance with ANSI expectations, while the ACMC — made up of fabrication businesses — drives decision-making.

Once the standard is completed, ISFA will finalize a shop accreditation program through their nonprofit structure, following all ANSI/ISO standards for accreditation. This will allow fabrication shops to be independently evaluated to verify that their operations meet the new national standard — helping raise the bar for safety, workforce training, and overall professionalism.

This structure ensures that the industry — not outside regulators — defines responsible expectations for countertop and surface fabrication contractors and shop owners.

A Seat at the Table

Through the ACMC and future accreditation program, fabrication shops will gain a stronger voice when engaging with government agencies on:

• Safety rules
• Regulatory gaps
• Tariffs
• Workforce needs
• Issues impacting day-to-day shop operations

This is how the industry protects itself: by leading the conversation before others define it for us.

The Next Era Begins

The 2025 Annual Conference laid the foundation for a stronger, safer, unified industry future:

One Voice. One Standard. One Future.

To support this work, ISFA has launched a fundraising effort to secure $1 million in support of standards development, consensus administration, shop accreditation, and expanded safety and workforce programming that protect and strengthen the U.S. fabrication trade.

About ISFA

The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) is a member-owned 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade organization dedicated to serving and advancing the countertop and surface fabrication industry. ISFA exists to create a stronger countertop and surface fabrication community by connecting people, sharing practical knowledge, protecting quality craftsmanship, developing a skilled workforce and raising consumer understanding. We serve the entire trade — fabricators, installers, suppliers, and partners. Together, we’re shaping a better future for everyone who creates with surface materials. Learn more at ISFAnow.org