The Cosentino Vancouver Centre is not an average showroom. It is a space that offers architects, designers, project managers and consumers inspiration from the minute you walk through the door. In the front seat, driving the dedication and hard work that goes into the showroom, is Jesús Carreño Carrillo, General Manager for the British Columbia region. We caught up with Jesús to learn about his important role at Cosentino and what drives his passion for the A&D community.

What makes you a great fit for the Cosentino team?

I have a sincere appetite for positive change, and no two days are alike at Cosentino. The company and I are both creative entities seeking constant improvement. I also think this company's corporate culture is incredible as there's a real sense of entrepreneurship and care for its people. My colleagues, not only from coast to coast in Canada but globally, are what truly makes Cosentino special.

Take us through an average day at the Cosentino Vancouver Centre and your role as the General Manager of the BC region.

The days typically start early. The operations team, warehouse staff and drivers are all in before 6 am preparing for deliveries. The rest of the team members - CSRs, showroom specialists, sales members and myself arrive a bit later in the morning. Soon after that, we start receiving visitors. From material availability to the design of our displays and the service we provide, our customers leave inspired by all the design possibilities Cosentino surfaces offer.

My role is to make sure that everyone from my team at Cosentino to the customer enjoys their experience. I work hard to ensure that our internal and external stakeholders love having Cosentino as part of their lives.

Being the GM for Cosentino Vancouver is a process of constant learning. It's important to listen, be open-minded, and be consistent. Consistency in what we do, in our approach to the challenges and to become better. My motto:  Without commitment, you'll never start. Without consistency, you'll never finish.

What can design professionals expect when visiting the showroom? 

Design professionals can expect a space to become inspired by our innovative surfaces and the best service in the industry. Between the showroom and the warehouse, we have close to 40,000 sq. ft. full of slabs, vignettes, and displays of all kinds, including countertops, furniture, wall cladding, façade, flooring, and outdoor furniture kitchens, wine cellars, and cabinet fronts. Our versatile surface offerings are supported by a knowledgeable and attentive team of experts who have been with Cosentino for several years, becoming consultants for our partners' projects. Together we make the process of doing a reno or a new build much more manageable, no matter if we are working on a small reno on a basement suite or a façade for a multifamily building. Whether you're looking for a quartz surface, tiles or natural stone, our Centre will provide you with the best advice and the best option for your project.

What are the showroom hours?

The showroom is currently located in the stone hub for the region at 8603 Glenlyon Parkway in Burnaby, a central location of the metropolitan area of Vancouver. However, we are opening a new showroom in Vancouver to be even closer to our clients. We are open from Monday to Friday from 8 am – 4:30 am and welcome walk-ins.

We travelled to the heart of beautiful Old Montreal where the Cosentino City Showroom is conveniently located. Situated just steps away from the famous Notre-Dame Basilica, the showroom is positioned among some of Canada’s most historical breathtaking architecture. It is in this environment that Anthony Gonzales thrives as the Cosentino City Montreal Showroom Manager. He is no stranger to the architecture and design community having worked in the industry for several years. We connected with Anthony to learn more about his passion for design and why it’s worth the trip for anyone in the A&D community to visit the Montreal showroom.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a native of the French Riviera, and I moved to Canada 10 years ago. I started my career in the stone industry, working for a countertop manufacturer. It was an important step in my life; that’s when I fell in love with the field of architecture and design. I find it exciting to see how design can change something ordinary into something extraordinary and how our industry is improving the lives of our customers today and in the future.

What makes you a great fit for the Cosentino team? Why do you love working for Cosentino? 

I am a people person. I love creating a community around the showroom and making it the ideal gathering place for architecture and design professionals. Working for Cosentino is like being part of a family. We work hard every day to overcome different challenges and satisfy our customers. Also, it’s very important for me to work for a company that cares about the environment and sustainable development, working to impact change for current and future generations.

Take us through an average day at the Cosentino Montreal Showroom.

Above all, no two days are alike. The tasks vary from day-today, and we work as a team to welcome several customers into the showroom, including professionals and consumers. We take the time to connect with our clients to understand their needs and how we can continue to help them. We also work on different future events (both online and on-site) and how we can create the perfect customer experience.

What can design professionals expect when visiting the showroom?

Our primary goal is to create a unique relationship with each client. The key is to take the time to listen, understand their needs and provide personalized service such as serving a good hot coffee on a cold winter’s day or a cool lemonade during the warm summer months.

During client meetings, we cover the history of Cosentino in addition to explaining our products. We also strategize together to make an informed decision for their final design choices. Our team at Cosentino City Montreal is truly passionate, and each project is close to our hearts.

What essential features set Cosentino City Montreal apart from other design showrooms in the industry?

The customer experience is essential for us. Most of the members of the A&D community visit us to receive technical information on our products, see the different possible applications, and live the Cosentino experience. We have a variety of professional tools that we use to help our customers better visualize our products.

Another key point is that our showroom is not a warehouse but a location where our products are enhanced by the historical location of the building, the lights, colours, textures, and overall design of our space. We also offer samples free of charge upon request.

What are the showroom hours?

We are open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome. The showroom is conveniently located at 240 Rue Saint-Jacques Ouest Suite 110, Montréal, QC H2Y 1L9.