What Is Park Industries? Definition & Guide
Quick Definition
Park Industries is an American manufacturer of stone fabrication machinery headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Founded in 1953, the company designs and builds CNC saws, routers, edge polishers, and other equipment used by countertop fabrication shops to cut, shape, and finish granite, quartz, marble, and other slab materials. They are one of the few major fabrication equipment manufacturers based in the United States.
TL;DR
- Park Industries manufactures CNC stone fabrication equipment in St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Key products include bridge saws (Yukon, Titan), CNC routers (Fastback, Voyager), and edge polishers
- One of the few US-based manufacturers in a market dominated by Italian and European brands
- Equipment ranges from entry-level (shops doing 5-10 kitchens/month) to high-volume production lines
- Known for strong customer service and training programs, with a dedicated demo facility
- Equipment pricing typically ranges from $80,000 for basic saws to $400,000+ for full CNC systems
- Park Industries machines are widely used across the 8,000-10,000 US fabrication shops
Park Industries: America's Stone Equipment Manufacturer
From Quarry Tools to CNC Fabrication
Park Industries started in 1953 making quarry equipment for the Minnesota granite industry. Over the decades, as the countertop fabrication market exploded - especially during the granite boom of the 1990s and 2000s - Park Industries shifted focus to shop-floor equipment: bridge saws, CNC routers, and edge finishing machines.
This American manufacturing heritage matters to fabricators for a few reasons:
- Spare parts availability - When a spindle goes down on a Friday afternoon, having a domestic manufacturer that can ship parts overnight makes the difference between losing one day and losing a week of production.
- Training and support - Park Industries runs training programs at their Minnesota facility and offers field service across the US without the international coordination required by Italian manufacturers.
- Machine design philosophy - Park machines are designed with the American fabrication market in mind, where the typical shop runs 15-40 kitchens per month and needs reliable, lower-maintenance equipment rather than ultra-high-speed production lines.
Key Equipment Lines
Bridge Saws
| Model | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Titan CNC | 5-axis CNC bridge saw | High-volume shops (30+ kitchens/month) |
| Yukon II | CNC bridge saw | Mid-volume shops (15-30 kitchens/month) |
| Fusion | CNC sawjet | Combined saw and waterjet cutting |
| Hydrasplit | Block splitter | Thick stone processing |
The Yukon II is Park Industries' best-selling bridge saw and a common sight in mid-size fabrication shops. It handles straight cuts, miter cuts, and basic profiling, making it versatile enough for most residential countertop work.
The Titan steps up with 5-axis capability, allowing more complex cuts, sink cutouts, and edge profiling without moving the slab to a separate machine.
CNC Routers
| Model | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Fastback | Full CNC routing, edge profiling, sink cutouts |
| Voyager | CNC router/saw combination |
| Saberjet | CNC sawjet (saw + waterjet) |
The Fastback is a dedicated CNC router designed for edge profiling, sink cutouts, and detailed shaping work. For shops that already have a bridge saw for primary cuts, the Fastback handles all secondary fabrication.
Edge Polishers
Park Industries manufactures inline edge polishers that automate the process of polishing straight and shaped edges. Automating edge polishing cuts labor time by 50-70% compared to hand polishing and delivers more consistent results.
Choosing Park Industries vs. European Competitors
The countertop equipment market is dominated by a handful of manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Country | Typical Price Range | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Industries | USA | $80K-$400K+ | US-based support, training |
| Breton | Italy | $150K-$800K+ | Premium CNC, engineered quartz |
| Intermac (Biesse) | Italy | $100K-$500K+ | Wide product range |
| CMS | Italy | $100K-$400K+ | CNC routers |
| BACA Systems | USA | $200K-$400K+ | Robotic automation |
For the average US fabrication shop doing 15-30 kitchens per month with revenue between $1M-$5M, Park Industries equipment hits a practical sweet spot: capable enough for 95% of residential and light commercial work, priced below premium Italian lines, and backed by domestic support.
What Fabricators Should Consider Before Buying
Match equipment to your actual volume. A $350,000 5-axis CNC makes sense at 40+ kitchens per month. If you're running 15 kitchens per month, a Yukon II at roughly half that price handles the work with lower monthly payments.
Factor in installation and training. Park Industries equipment requires proper installation including electrical, water, and drainage infrastructure. Budget $15,000-$40,000 for site preparation depending on your shop's existing setup.
Calculate the labor savings. Moving from manual sawing and hand polishing to CNC fabrication typically allows a shop to increase output by 30-50% with the same crew size. For a shop paying $180,000-$250,000 in annual fabrication labor, that efficiency gain can pay for equipment within 2-3 years.
Connect your equipment to your workflow software. The most productive fabrication shops connect their CNC programming to their shop management system. When a template is verified and a job is approved, the CNC program should be ready to cut. SlabWise integrates template verification with production scheduling, so by the time your Park Industries saw is ready for the next slab, the cut file and material are already matched and queued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Park Industries located?
Park Industries is headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where they manufacture their equipment and operate a demonstration and training center.
How much does a Park Industries bridge saw cost?
Prices vary by model and configuration. Entry-level bridge saws start around $80,000-$120,000. Mid-range CNC saws like the Yukon II run $150,000-$250,000. Full 5-axis CNC systems like the Titan can exceed $350,000.
Is Park Industries equipment made in the USA?
Yes. Park Industries designs and manufactures their equipment at their facility in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
What is the Park Industries Fastback?
The Fastback is Park Industries' CNC router designed for edge profiling, sink cutouts, and detailed shaping work on stone slabs. It's commonly paired with a bridge saw in a two-machine fabrication setup.
Does Park Industries offer financing?
Yes. Park Industries works with equipment financing partners to offer lease and loan options for fabrication shops. Terms typically range from 3-7 years.
How long does it take to learn Park Industries equipment?
Park Industries offers training programs at their Minnesota facility and on-site at your shop. Most operators become proficient with basic CNC operation within 2-4 weeks. Advanced programming skills develop over 2-6 months.
What maintenance does Park Industries equipment need?
Regular maintenance includes blade/tool replacement, water system maintenance, calibration checks, and electrical inspections. Park Industries provides maintenance schedules with each machine and offers service contracts.
Can Park Industries machines cut porcelain slabs?
Yes. Modern Park Industries bridge saws and CNC routers can cut porcelain slabs with appropriate blade selection and feed rate adjustments. Porcelain requires different cutting parameters than natural stone or quartz.
Does Park Industries have a used equipment market?
Park Industries does not directly sell used equipment, but a secondary market exists through equipment dealers and fabrication shop closures. Used Park Industries machines are generally well-regarded for their durability.
How does Park Industries compare to Intermac?
Both are strong choices. Park Industries offers domestic manufacturing, faster parts delivery in the US, and typically lower pricing. Intermac (part of Biesse Group) offers a wider range of machine types and has a strong global presence. The best choice depends on your shop's specific needs, volume, and budget.
Connect Your Park Industries Equipment to SlabWise
Your CNC equipment is only as productive as the workflow feeding it. SlabWise ensures every job that reaches your Park Industries saw has a verified template, matched slab, and optimized cut layout - reducing waste by 10-15% and keeping your production line moving.
Start your 14-day free trial at SlabWise.com
Sources
- Park Industries - Company website and product specifications (parkindustries.com)
- Natural Stone Institute - Equipment and fabrication industry data
- Stone World Magazine - Equipment comparison articles
- Intermac/Biesse Group - Competitive product data
- Breton S.p.A. - Market context for fabrication equipment
- ISFA (International Surface Fabricators Association) - Shop equipment surveys