Marbrerie of the East in France. More than 30 years of existence
For 31 years, the Marbrerie de l'Est has provided tiling, sandstone, granite, etc., individuals and professionals of Moselle-Sud. The company makes the screed, the laying sometimes. Between big and small building sites, and the retail sale, the company knew to pass between the drops of the crises. To become a reference
Denis Bents founded the Marbrerie de l'Est in 1988. The former member of the local music group Evasion has earned a reputation for choice in the flooring industry.
In 31 years, how many individuals and businesses have crossed the doors of this large store specializing in flooring, located behind large drying towers in Lorquin? If the number is not listed, the durability of the Marbrerie de l'Est testifies to the quality of its know-how. "We have never really advertised," smiled the manager, Denis Bentz, installed behind his desk of course consisting of a slice of marble.
In the walls that house some 4,000 m² of storage and sales space, there are thousands of references, "for all prices," says the boss. "But I only sell tiles with a good rating Upec (wear, punching, water, chemical agents)," he says. With great speeches, he prefers the satisfaction of the customers and a tiling which will pass the pangs of the time. This is his best communication plan.
Founded in 1988, the Marbrerie de l'Est is housed in the former premises of the Weiler kitchens in Lorquin. Originally from Walscheid, Denis Bentz was looking for a large, moderately priced building, so as not to pose financial problems in the accounts of his fledgling business.
"I had a partner for the first two years. We created everything from scratch, "says the entrepreneur. Then he continued alone. The adventure was intense and the nights were short. "At the time, between the time we decided to start and the opening of the store, barely three months have passed," he recalls. His years as foreman at the marble mill Niderviller had allowed him to acquire legitimacy in the middle. It remained to create the structure, to find the machines.
"I knew how to surround myself with employees who I could trust, it's really important."
During the short preparation phase, Denis Bentz and his partner left for the Vosges. They had a phenomenal stroke of luck. "We came across a second-hand debtor for 45,000 francs." The machine is still there. "She never broke down," the boss marvels. Others, more recent, have joined since.
Two employees were hired at startup. It was necessary to find the building sites: outside the town hall of Réding, it was them. What to carve a reputation. More recently, they took care of the grounds of the Sarrebourg funeral home, the Walscheid retirement home, and so on. Without rejecting smaller projects or advice and sales to individuals.
Today, looking at the years in the mirror of the time, Denis Bentz still wonders how he was able to do all this. The unconsciousness of youth certainly has its share of responsibility. "I do not count the hours either. And he knew how to surround himself with "employees whom I could trust, it's really important".
After 31 years of existence, his company is adapting to the passage of time: customers who are keen on environmental protection will even be able to discover a range of tiles made of recycled metal, solar panels, etc. We are not stopping progress at the Marbrerie de l'Est.
