Countertop Manufacturing in the US: Market Research Report
^{Since 2008}

This industry primarily cuts, shapes and finishes countertops for kitchens and food preparation areas.  In the five years to 2014, the industry benefited from improving employment, rising disposable incomes and historically low interest rates, which spurred a rise in residential construction.

Residential construction and private spending on home improvements largely drive demand for the Countertop Manufacturing industry, as countertops are commonly installed in new homes and during kitchen renovations.

Going forward, a steady rise in these upstream industries will continue to benefit the industry. A shift in consumer preferences toward more expensive countertop materials, such as engineered stone and recycled glass, is also expected to enhance industry revenue....(THIS IS NOT REFLECTED IN OUR SEARCH TREND NUMBERS - GRANITE REMAINS CONSISTENT AND EXCEEDS OTHER SURFACE MATERIALS SIGNIFICANTLY)

Countertop Manufacturing industry revenue is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.7% to $5.1 billion in the five years to 2014, which includes strong projected growth of 7.1% in 2014 alone. The industry has benefited from a rapid rebound in residential construction, as countertops are installed in new homes and apartments. In addition, an increase in private spending on home improvements during the past five years bolstered industry growth, as kitchen renovations are another major driver of industry sales. However, Countertop Manufacturing industry revenue is still below its 2005 peak, as the housing crisis and accompanying recession slashed into industry sales... (THIS CHANGE HAS SPURRED THE NEED TO GO DIRECT TO THE CUSTOMER WHICH IS NOT REALLY WHAT I SEE THIS WEBSITE TALKING ABOUT.)
 
Source: http://www.ibisworld.com/industry/countertop-manufacturing.html