Stone World articles from February 2005

Stone World archives from February 2005

Focusing on Brazil.(Stone Column)
February 1, 2005... When I first traveled to Brazil less than five years ago, I had a vastly different image of the country than I have today. I had been warned that Brazil was an extremely dangerous place where poverty and lawlessness ruled the day. And although...

Marble Institute releases safety videos.(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2005... A special CD, which includes two safety videos, is part of a special insert in Stone World editions being sent to stone fabricators and distributors. The two safety programs are "The Importance of Protecting Consumers in Slab Display Areas" and...

Brazilian stone industry enjoys a record year in 2004.(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2005... The marble and granite sector in Brazil registered a record export rate in 2004. From January through October of last year alone, Brazilian marble and granite exports totaled $475 million, a figure $50 million higher than the export total for...

International Stone Institute is established.(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2005... The International Stone Institute (ISI) has been established for companies and individuals who design, install, fabricate, restore and/or maintain dimensional stone and other stone products for the construction industry. The announcement...

ITSS Expos & London Stone Show announce partnership.(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2005... Richard Caires, president of ITSS Expos, and Mark Palmer, managing director of the London Stone Show, announced that they have entered into partnership to provide a series of stone trade exhibitions that are designed to reach 80% of the world's...

One liners.(NEWSLINE)(Building materials industry)
February 1, 2005... Custom[R] Building Products, a leading manufacturer of tile and stone installation products, announced that it has earned the prestigious 2005 AIA/CES Award for Excellence in the Commercial Stakeholder category from the American Institute of...

Statistics.(stone industry)(Illustration)
February 1, 2005... October 2004 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE* SLATE** U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ TONS ...

Zucchi Granite honored.(NEWS)(awards)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SERRA, ESPIRITO SANTO, BRAZIL -- On November 4, 2004, Zucchi Granite was awarded for being a leading export company of granite in the state of Espirito Santo. The award ceremony gathered together the 150 largest companies of the state. Zucchi...

New service technicians.(NEWS)(a[ppointments)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SOUTHFIELD, MI -- Marmo Meccanica USA has recently announced that it has appointed two new service technicians, Joseph Willis and Thomas Goodin, to handle increased service for a rapidly expanding customer base. Willis brings 40 years of...

Corporate headquarters relocated.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... LUMBERTON, NJ -- Blanco America, a manufacturer of kitchen sinks, has moved its corporate headquarters and distribution facility to a new 85,000-square-foot custom-built location in Lumberton, NJ. Twice the size of the company's previous...

New team assembled.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... ITALY -- Laticrete Italia Srl--a division of Laticrete International of Bethany, CT--has put a major new team in place to provide in-depth technical and sales support service, with an aim to better serve the ceramic tile and stone industry in...

Meeting customer demands.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... DEERFIELD BEACH, FL -- Mapei Americas now has a plant in San Bernardino, CA, to provide faster service to the company's customers in the Pacific time zone. The 111,000-square-foot building will serve northern and southern California, Nevada,...

New agreement announced.(NEWS)(GranQuartz Stone Care Systems )(Cimex-USA)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... TUCKER, GA -- GranQuartz Stone Care Systems has announced a new distribution agreement with Cimex-USA. Cimex-USA offers a unique line of Diamond Finishing Machines designed specifically for the restoration and maintenance of marble, granite,...

Thriving with high-end technology: since opening its new facility in 1994, Performance Tile & Stone of Rocklin, CA, has relied on CNC machinery from AGM for accurate countertop fabrication.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)
February 1, 2005... Eric Richardson first joined the stone and tile industry in 1979. Now, 26 years later, his company, Performance Tile & Stone of Rocklin, CA, is off and running above and beyond his highest expectations. Due to additions such as three times the...

Vitoria Stone Fair looks to build on success: as one of the fastest growing international stone fairs in the world, the International Marble and Granite Fair in Vitoria, Brazil, is drawing solid attendance from North America.(Report from Latin America)
February 1, 2005... The International Marble and Granite Fair in Vitoria, Brazil, will take place from February 22 to 25, with 360 exhibitors that are among the largest exporting companies in the Stone Sector. Given the dramatic increase of Brazilian stone exports...

Specializing in slate and quartzite: since it first began operating more than a decade ago, Mineracao Capao das Pedras Ltda. (Micapel) has continually advanced in all areas of its business.(Report from Latin America)
February 1, 2005... In 1988, five partners from Pompeu, Minas Gerais, Brazil, banded together to form Mineracao Capao das Pedras Ltda. (Micapel). Built from humble beginnings, three of its owners initially worked in the quarry along with five hired hands, while...

Making its name in specialty stone products: while many of the major suppliers in Latin America focus on tiles and slabs, Autentico S.A. of Bogota, Colombia, has made its name as a producer of stone mosaics, sinks, specialty finishes and other unique items.(Report from Latin America)
February 1, 2005... Located in Bogota, Colombia, Autentico S.A. started as a division within Granitos y Marmoles S.A., one of the leading companies in Latin America in the field of quarrying, fabrication and commercialization of natural stone, with over 48 years...

A model of consistency in Brazil: Gramil Ltda. of Cachoeiro do Itapemirim, Espirito Santo, Brazil, has achieved quality production with modern technology and stable management.(Report from Latin America)
February 1, 2005... Headquarted in the stone-working region of Cachoeiro do Itapemirim, Espirito Santo, Brazil, Gramil Ltda. has been operating for over 25 years with the same ownership--Benito Paulo Secchin, Attila Vieira Secchin and Marcos Vieira Secchin. And...

Inspection of the marble at Charleston City Hall.(RENOVATION RESTORATION & EXPANSION)
February 1, 2005... The U.S. has many buildings constructed with marble and granite that have been neglected and in need of repair. Many of these buildings were built around the turn of the 20th century, and others were constructed at the turn of the 19th century....

Restoration of historic stone flooring.(TECHNICAL FORUM)
February 1, 2005... The restoration, repair and/or maintenance of historic stone flooring is not that much different than the treatment of new stone and tile surfaces. The difference has to do with the approach one takes when treating these surfaces. Rule...

Medical advances exemplified in stone: for the design of the new women's health facility at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, an expansive palette of stone was utilized to create an elegant and hospitable space.(RENOVATION RESTORATION & EXPANSION)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... Several factors had to be taken into consideration when planning the interior design for the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center--an expansion to Mercy Medical Center at St. Paul Place in Baltimore, MD. The women's health facility needed to...

Expanding on a stone classic: the construction of two expansion buildings on Utah's Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City achieved a timeless aesthetic while relying on modern technology in stone construction.(RENOVATION RESTORATION & EXPANSION)
February 1, 2005... When the Utah State Capitol Preservation Board began plans to construct two expansion buildings on Utah's Capitol Hill, natural stone cladding was immediately identified as one of the project's highest priorities. "Natural stone will give these...

Slate waterwall replicates Lake Michigan's shoreline: the multi-phased renovation of Evanston Hospital, located on Chicago's North Shore, included the addition of a Broughton Moor slate waterwall designed to reflect Lake Michigan, which is located less than a mile away from the hospital.(RENOVATION RESTORATION & EXPANSION)
February 1, 2005... In 1999, Evanston Hospital in Chicago, the flagship campus of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH), began an 80,000-square-foot multi-phased renovation, which included the addition of an illuminated slate waterwall to its lobby. According to...

Natural stone reflects Indian culture: limestone and granite were chosen to decorate the National Museum of the American Indian, which recently opened to the public in Washington, DC, as part of the Smithsonian Institution.
February 1, 2005... On September 21, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), located just South West of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, opened its doors to the public as the first national museum in the country to be...

Granite adds majesty to Long Island courthouse: noted architect Richard Meier selected San Sebastian granite from Canada for the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Central Islip, NY.
February 1, 2005... When renowned architect Richard Meier was asked by New York Newsday to name his favorite projects, he chose the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Central Islip, Long Island, NY, as one of them. The project carries Meier's signature style,...

International survey of the natural stone industry--2004.(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2005... This survey constitutes the first international survey of the natural stone industry. It was designed, compiled and analyzed after much consultation and support from the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and was intended to provide a basis of...

Focusing on quality over quantity: Temecula Stoneworks of Sage, CA, has prided itself on fabricating high-quality kitchen countertops for the local area, obtaining its customers through referrals from friends and family members of previous clients.(Fabricator Case Study)
February 1, 2005... Five years ago, Eric Shewchuk launched a fabricating company that specialized in the production of customized tables built from natural stone. Through determination and hard work, his company, Temecula Stoneworks of Sage, CA, has grown to...

Steady growth in Texas: with a staff of 78 employees and a range of new machinery, Empire Countertops, Inc. of Pilot Point, TX, fabricates as many as 60 kitchen countertops per week.(Fabricator Case Study)
February 1, 2005... Empire Countertops, Inc. of Pilot Point, TX, started out small 15 years ago and gradually grew as its reputation for professional stone installations spread. In the beginning, Empire used traditional machines that did a good job, but were slow,...

An artistic approach to countertop fabrication: the owner of Milestone Granite & Marble in Baltimore, MD, utilizes his sculpting background to help produce high-quality customized stonework for both residential and commercial design.(Fabricator Case Study)
February 1, 2005... It was Haim Amir's passion for stone and the arts that inspired him and his wife, Ruti, to leave their home in Israel five years ago and build a new one in the U.S. As a sculptor, Amir believed the move would enhance his career. But soon after...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... February 22 to 25, 2005 The 18th International Fair of Marble and Granite, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Contact: Milanez & Milaneze, +55 0 27 3337-6855; Fax: +55 0 27 3337-40011; Web site: www.milanezmilaneze.com.br. In Europe,...

Help your stone business prosper with these tools of the trade.(Book Review)
February 1, 2005... from the Editors of Stone World Magazine Stone Style by Michael Reis & Jennifer Adams Gibbs Smith, Publisher This attractive, colorful book--written by the editors of Stone World--features natural stone in a full range of...

Groves Inc.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2005... Designed for transporting and storing products, Groves Inc. of McHenry, IL, has introduced new heavy-duty transport racks. Forklift hoops are mounted on either side, and four hold-down ratchet straps are included. Quick release mounting pins...

Dry-Treat (Australia) Pty. Ltd.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2005... Dry-Treat (Australia) Pty. Ltd. now offers Stain-Proof, a penetrating shield for porous tiles, stone, pavers and grout available from AMJ Supply. This highly innovative product provides a barrier against surface staining, and protects against...

Maxstone International, LLC.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2005... Maxstone International, LLC recently launched a new product line called w, which consists of Italian-made stainless steel sinks, 100% acrylic solid surface sinks, vitreous china lavatory bowls and faucets. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Aqua Mix.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2005... The re-formulated Sealer & Adhesive Remover from Aqua Mix's Problem Solver product line, works faster, is safer to use, contains no Proposition 65 materials (substances known to the state of California that may cause cancer or birth defects),...

GranQuartz and ADI.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2005... GranQuartz and ADI have teamed up again to bring another industry leading product. The new GoldFinger segmented finger bit is designed for optimum speed on engineered stone as well as granite. The GoldFinger finger bit features a newly patented...

Lap Laser LLC.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2005... Lap Laser LLC has recently introduced a new line laser for bridge saws and CNC routers. The PD Series laser is available in output power from 3mW to 30mW, and can be ordered with line optics ranging from 20 to 70 degrees. This new laser reduces...

Pedrini.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2005... Pedrini now offers the Universal M940CN numerically controlled bridge saw. Especially suitable for producing elements for building, furnishing and funeral art in any type of stone, it is equipped with cutting blades from 400 up to 900 mm, and...

CAM Tech Industries Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2005... The L30 Mach 1 etching and cutting machine, engineered for maximum speed, accuracy, efficiency, convenience and ergonomics, is CAM Tech Industries Inc.'s most advanced LaserMaster machine to date. According to the company, the L30 includes...

AccuGlide.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2005... The MiterMaster with the VersaTable, a tracking saw system for producing precision miters, is the newest addition to the AccuGlide product line. The unit is engineered to increase shop production by clipping profiles on countertops and...

The Marble Institute of America, Inc. (MIA).(NEW LITERATURE)
February 1, 2005... The Marble Institute of America, Inc. (MIA) recently released its second Management Tool Kit for the natural stone industry. This edition of MIA's Management Tool Kit series offers a collection of forms and other documents assembled to assist...

Polycor.(NEW LITERATURE)
February 1, 2005... Polycor, a leading supplier of natural stone in North America, has created the INSTONE E-Mail Newsletter as a way to keep customers, prospects, co-workers and professionals of the stone industry informed of the latest news from its Tiles and...

GranQuartz Stone Care Systems.(NEW LITERATURE)
February 1, 2005... GranQuartz Stone Care Systems is now offering new literature for the new Lithofin Stone Care product line. The new, full-color, eight-page, full-line brochure describes all of the products in detail, including usage, coverage and packaging...

CMS North America-Brembana.(Machine of the month)
February 1, 2005... The CMS North America-Brembana Speed TR is engineered for intricate working of stone materials. The CNC system allows for pendular working of large-sized workpieces--up to 3600 mm--with optimum safety and minimal downtime for loading and...

Ipanema Golden.(Stone of the month)
February 1, 2005... This Stone of the Month supplied by Granito Zucchi, Serra, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Technical details provide a frame of reference only. Because stone is a product of nature, testing to determine specific physical qualities should be repeated...