What Is MSI Surfaces? Definition & Guide
Quick Definition
MSI Surfaces (M S International, Inc.) is one of the largest natural stone, quartz, porcelain, and tile distributors in North America. Founded in 1975, MSI supplies countertop materials - including granite, quartz, marble, and quartzite - to fabricators, builders, and retailers through a network of over 40 distribution centers across the United States and Canada.
TL;DR
- MSI Surfaces is a major North American distributor of countertop slabs, tile, and flooring materials
- They offer quartz lines (Q Premium Natural Quartz), granite, marble, quartzite, and porcelain
- MSI operates 40+ distribution centers, making material pickup fast for most fabricators
- Their product catalog includes over 500 colors across stone categories
- MSI provides digital tools including a slab visualizer for customer-facing sales
- Pricing is competitive, typically positioned between budget imports and premium domestic brands
- Fabricators working with MSI should track slab inventory carefully to match customer selections
MSI Surfaces: A Closer Look at North America's Largest Stone Distributor
Company Background and Scale
MSI Surfaces started as a small import business in Orange, California in 1975. Over nearly five decades, the company grew into one of the biggest hard surface distributors on the continent. Their reach matters to fabricators because material availability directly affects project timelines and customer satisfaction.
The company distributes materials across several categories:
| Product Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Q Premium Natural Quartz | MSI's branded engineered quartz line; 100+ colors |
| Granite | 200+ colors sourced from Brazil, India, and other origins |
| Marble | Classic whites, grays, and specialty marbles |
| Quartzite | Growing selection of natural quartzite slabs |
| Porcelain Slabs | Large-format porcelain for countertop applications |
| LVT & Tile | Flooring and wall tile products |
Why MSI Matters to Countertop Fabricators
For the 8,000-10,000 fabrication shops operating in the United States, the distributor you work with shapes your business in three ways: material cost, delivery speed, and color consistency.
Material Cost: MSI generally prices below premium brands like Cambria or Caesarstone. For a fabricator running 20-40 jobs per month, even a $5-$10/sq ft difference on quartz can mean thousands in margin improvement - or competitive pricing advantage when bidding against other shops.
Delivery Speed: With 40+ distribution centers, most fabricators in metro areas can pick up slabs same-day or next-day. This matters when a homeowner changes their mind after templating, or when a slab arrives with a defect that requires a replacement.
Color Consistency: MSI's engineered quartz (Q Premium) offers good lot-to-lot consistency. Natural stone varies by definition, but MSI's large purchasing volume means they typically keep popular colors in stock across multiple locations.
MSI's Product Lines for Fabrication
Q Premium Natural Quartz
MSI's quartz line competes directly with Caesarstone, Silestone, and Cambria. Popular series include:
- Calacatta Laza - marble-look quartz with bold veining
- Carrara Marmi - subtle gray veining on a white base
- Midnight Majesty - solid black with subtle texture
- Sparkling White - entry-level white quartz
Fabricators should note that MSI quartz slabs typically come in 126" x 63" jumbo format, which provides better yield on large kitchen layouts compared to smaller slab sizes.
Natural Stone
MSI sources granite, marble, and quartzite from quarries worldwide. Their granite selection is particularly broad, with colors ranging from budget-friendly options like White Dallas and Giallo Ornamental to premium selections like Blue Bahia and Patagonia.
Working with MSI as a Fabricator
Ordering and Inventory
MSI uses a dealer portal for ordering, checking inventory, and viewing slab images. Fabricators with an active account can:
- View real-time inventory at nearby distribution centers
- See individual slab photos (for natural stone)
- Place holds on specific slabs
- Track shipment status
Common Pain Points
Even with MSI's scale, fabricators encounter recurring challenges:
- Slab matching across lots: Natural stone colors shift between shipments. When a job requires multiple slabs, fabricators need to inspect and match veining in person.
- Lead times on specialty colors: While popular colors stay in stock, less common selections can take 4-8 weeks to arrive.
- Damage claims: Like any distributor, processing claims for cracked or defective slabs takes time. Documenting damage at pickup saves weeks of back-and-forth.
MSI vs. Other Major Distributors
| Distributor | Strengths | Typical Price Range (Quartz/SF) |
|---|---|---|
| MSI Surfaces | Largest selection, 40+ locations | $45-$85 installed |
| Arizona Tile | Strong in western US, curated selection | $50-$90 installed |
| Daltile (Mohawk) | One Quartz line, strong tile selection | $50-$95 installed |
| Cambria | Premium domestic brand, direct distribution | $70-$120 installed |
Prices reflect typical retail installed ranges and vary by region.
How Fabricators Can Maximize Their MSI Relationship
Track inventory digitally. When a customer selects Calacatta Laza at your showroom, you need to know instantly whether slabs are available at your closest MSI center. Manually calling the warehouse adds 15-20 minutes per inquiry. A system like SlabWise that connects slab inventory to your quoting workflow means you can confirm availability and generate a quote in under 3 minutes instead of 20.
Photograph every slab at pickup. Before loading slabs onto your truck, photograph all six edges and both faces. This protects you on damage claims and gives you a reference for customer approvals.
Negotiate volume pricing. MSI offers tiered pricing for fabricators moving consistent volume. If you're running 30+ jobs per month, ask your MSI rep about program pricing on your top 10 colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MSI stand for?
MSI stands for M S International, Inc. The company rebranded to "MSI Surfaces" for marketing purposes but the legal entity retains the original name.
Is MSI quartz good quality?
MSI's Q Premium Natural Quartz is a mid-range to upper-mid-range product. It carries a limited lifetime warranty for residential use and performs comparably to Caesarstone and Silestone in independent testing. Most fabricators consider it a reliable, cost-effective option.
Where does MSI source their stone?
MSI sources natural stone from quarries in Brazil, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey, China, and other countries. Their quartz slabs are manufactured in facilities across Asia and increasingly in other regions.
How many distribution centers does MSI have?
MSI operates over 40 distribution centers across the United States and Canada, with major hubs in California, Texas, New Jersey, Georgia, and Illinois.
Does MSI sell directly to consumers?
MSI does not sell directly to homeowners. They distribute through authorized dealers, fabricators, builders, and retailers. Consumers can browse the MSI website to select materials and then find a local dealer.
What is MSI's warranty on quartz?
MSI offers a limited lifetime residential warranty and a 10-year commercial warranty on Q Premium Natural Quartz. The warranty covers manufacturing defects but not damage from misuse, improper installation, or normal wear.
How does MSI pricing compare to Cambria?
MSI quartz is generally 20-35% less expensive than Cambria at the wholesale level. For fabricators, this translates to better margins or more competitive retail pricing, depending on your strategy.
Can I view MSI slab inventory online?
Yes. Registered MSI dealers can access the MSI dealer portal to view real-time inventory, individual slab photos, and pricing at nearby distribution centers.
Does MSI offer porcelain countertop slabs?
Yes. MSI carries large-format porcelain slabs suitable for countertop fabrication. These are gaining traction for outdoor kitchens and commercial applications due to UV resistance and heat tolerance.
What slab sizes does MSI offer?
MSI quartz slabs are typically 126" x 63" (jumbo format). Natural stone sizes vary by material and origin but commonly range from 110" x 65" to 130" x 76".
Manage Your MSI Inventory with SlabWise
Tracking MSI slab availability, matching slabs to customer quotes, and managing remnants across jobs is easier with the right software. SlabWise connects your inventory to your quoting and scheduling workflow - so you can confirm material, price the job, and schedule fabrication without switching between five different tools.
Start your 14-day free trial at SlabWise.com
Sources
- MSI Surfaces - Company website and product catalog (msisurfaces.com)
- Natural Stone Institute - Distributor and fabricator industry data
- Cambria USA - Comparative product and warranty information
- Kitchen & Bath Business - Industry pricing benchmarks
- National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) - Market size and trends
- Freedonia Group - U.S. countertop market analysis ($22.1B market)