Origins Concrete Design grows with help of new IKEA account

After nearly three years in the making, Origins Concrete Design is starting to get some firm ground underneath it.

The craftsman concrete firm has watched its orders increase, despite the current state of the economy, and just landed a contract with IKEA's store in Canton Township. It's a big step for a guy with a concrete dream about concrete.

Derek Peters worked as a construction superintendent in Metro Detroit earlier this decade. He focused his efforts on his primary interest, pouring concrete. His interest really peaked when he saw concrete being used and formed in high-end residential construction.

"I just had a fascination with the flow and formation of concrete," Peters says.

That inspired him to start Origins Concrete Design in the fall of 2007. It’s now his full-time job where he hires the occasional independent contractor to help him keep up with orders at the Russell Industrial Center. There he makes counter tops, sinks, fire places and table tops -- all out of concrete. His work can be seen at Anita's Kitchen in Ferndale and Salsarita's Fresh Cantina in the Renaissance Center.

"Anything with concrete, anything decorative with concrete, I can do," Peters says.

Source: Derek Peters, owner of Origins Concrete Design
Writer: Jon Zemke
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