Our History | Built To Lead in Natural Stone
June 2006 – Humble Beginnings
Austin Granite Direct was founded by Jose Berbel with an initial investment of just $1,000.
For the first three months, the company operated out of the back of a pickup truck. Granite slabs were transported to other fabrication shops that cut the material for a fee before installation.
As demand grew, operations moved to the backyard of a mobile home in Southeast Austin. With limited resources, granite was cut manually using handheld saws, and heavy slabs were moved with a rented bulldozer. Despite these challenges, Jose and a team of five employees installed more than 18,000 square feet of granite during the company’s first year, generating nearly $1 million in revenue.
January 2010
Building an Inventory
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Austin Granite Direct became the first retail-focused stone fabricator in Austin to stock its own inventory of granite slabs. The initial selection consisted of five of the industry’s most popular and affordable granite colors, giving customers the convenience of viewing and selecting materials in one location.
October 2013
A New Home
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After several years of rapid growth, the original facility could no longer support the company’s expanding operations. Inventory had outgrown the available space, with slabs extending into the parking lot. Austin Granite Direct relocated to its current headquarters at 6600 Burleson Road, providing the space needed for continued growth.
October 2014
Fastest Growing Company
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Austin Granite Direct was recognized by the Austin Business Journal as one of the Fastest 50 Growing Companies in Central Texas for the first time.
2015 – A Year of Growth and Investment
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In 2015, Austin Granite Direct made several strategic investments that laid the foundation for its continued expansion. The company remodeled its facility to include a dedicated retail showroom, providing customers with a convenient space to view and select natural stone and quartz materials. Later that year, Austin Granite Direct purchased its facility at 6600 Burleson Road, securing a permanent home for its growing operations. The company’s continued success was also recognized by the Austin Business Journal, which named Austin Granite Direct one of the Fastest 50 Growing Companies in Central Texas for the second consecutive year.
2016 – Expanding Global Sourcing & Materials
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In 2016, Austin Granite Direct became a direct importer with its first overseas container of natural stone. This milestone launched a global sourcing program, building strong relationships with quarries and manufacturers worldwide. As a result, AGD expanded its inventory to over 30 premium materials, including granite, marble, quartzite, calcite, and engineered quartz. This growth gave customers a wider selection of high-quality surfaces than ever before.
October 2017 – Automation Begins
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Austin Granite Direct invested in its first fully automated cutting system, the Robo SawJet, while also implementing digital laser templating technology. From this point forward, measurements, shop drawings, and fabrication processes became fully digital, improving precision, efficiency, and consistency.
July 2019 – Advanced Edge Finishing
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The addition of the Comandulli Penta inline edge polisher further increased production capacity while delivering more consistent, high-quality finished edges.
July 2023 – Fully Automated Manufacturing
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Austin Granite Direct installed its first CNC fabrication router, completing the transformation into a fully automated, computerized manufacturing facility capable of handling every stage of natural stone and quartz fabrication with exceptional precision and efficiency.
2025 & Beyond – Investing in the Future
In 2025, Austin Granite Direct launched a company-wide initiative to modernize every aspect of the business, investing in advanced manufacturing technology, automation, inventory systems, and marketing. These strategic upgrades positioned AGD as Austin’s largest natural stone and quartz fabricator by inventory and selection.
In 2026, the company celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of craftsmanship, innovation, and growth from a one-man operation into a Central Texas industry leader.
With thousands of completed projects and continued investment in technology and customer experience, Austin Granite Direct remains committed to delivering exceptional quality and service. Looking ahead, the company continues to build on its legacy while setting new standards for the future of stone fabrication.
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM!
6600 BURLESON RD
AUSTIN, TX 78744
Our Hours:
MON-FRI: 8AM- 5PM
SATURDAY: 9AM-1PM
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