Stone World articles from February 2007

Stone World archives from February 2007

Natural Stone Council maps out its three-year plan.(STONE COLUMN)
February 1, 2007... I have been on many boards and committees during my years at Stone World, and while they have all been important, and I feel like we achieved some worthwhile goals, no group has the potential to do as much good for the stone industry as the...

Stone+tec 2007 to take place in Nuremberg, Germany from June 6 to 9 ...(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2007... Stone+tec 2007 is set for June 6 to 9 at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg in Nuremberg, Germany. This international trade show takes place every two years, and the 2005 edition featured 1,058 exhibitors and over 40,000 trade visitors from all...

AIA firm survey is positive for nonresidential and housing markets ...(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2007... Paced by a recovering market for nonresidential projects and expanding housing activity, billings at U.S. architecture firms increased 11% between 2002 and 2005, reaching $28.7 billion annually. The total construction value of projects that...

Stone News Channel to debut on the internet this month ...(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2007... The Stone News Channel (SNC)--a new quarterly video and Internet-based communications vehicle featuring news about the natural stone industry around the world--will be launched this month by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). The SNC,...

Machinery manufacturer moves to new facility ...(NEWSLINE)(Advanced Industrial Machinery )(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Advanced Industrial Machinery (AIM), a custom-manufacturer of industrial stone-fabricating systems, recently transferred its operations to a 20,000-square-foot facility at 231 10th Street NW in Hickory, NC. Founded as an engineering...

One liners ...(NEWSLINE)
February 1, 2007... Attendees at Coverings 2007, which will take place in Chicago, IL, from April 17 to 20, will have the opportunity to win a new 2007 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy[R]. To enter, attendees can simply complete an entry form as they pick up their...

Statistics.(granite and marble imported to United States)(Statistical table)
February 1, 2007... October 2006 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ TONS ...

Bonsal American promotes Vice President.(NEWS)
February 1, 2007... CHARLOTTE, NC -- Bonsal American[R] has promoted Jeff Lax to general manager of the Pavement Coatings Division. Lax will continue to serve in his role as Vice President of Development for Bonsal American. As general manager of the Pavement...

Verona Marble Co. announces new distributor.(NEWS)
February 1, 2007... DALLAS, TX -- Verona Marble Co., Inc. has announced the appointment of Compass Stone of Marietta, GA, as the distributor for Legacy Quartz Surfaces and Portofino Marble Surfaces for Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and the...

Laticrete promotes sales manager.(NEWS)
February 1, 2007... BETHANY, CT -- Laticrete International, Inc., worldwide manufacturer of innovative systems for the installation of stone and ceramic tile, has promoted Ron Nash to the position of regional sales manager for the California Southern region (CAS)....

New showroom consultant appointed.(NEWS)(The Marble & Granite Gallery appointed Jeanne Zamojski )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... SOUTHFIELD MI -- The Marble & Granite Gallery, a 48,000-squarefoot European-style showroom with a large display of marble, granite, limestone, travertine and onyx from around the world, announces the appointment of Jeanne Zamojski as showroom...

Marble Institute offers new safety technical guide.(NEWS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... CLEVELAND, OH -- As part of its three-year-old safety initiative, the Marble Institute of America (MIA), has developed "Safety in the Stone Business," a new technical guide that features a wide range of information on safety issues in the...

"Taking the plunge" into CNC technology: Top Line Co. of Pennsauken, NJ, recently bolstered its stone fabrication shop with the addition of two state-of-the-art CNC stoneworking centers.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... Practically since childhood, Bruce MacLachlan has had a history in the kitchen-building business. Today, his company--Top Line Co., of Pennsauken, NJ--includes a busy solid surface shop as well as a state-of-the-art stoneworking facility in...

Offering the complete kitchen package: in addition to fabricating and installing kitchen countertops, Robert J. Arseneau (RJA) Tile & Stone of Lenoxdale, MA, installs a broad range of stonework for its projects.(Fabricator Case Study)(Robert J. Arseneau Tile & Stone of Lenoxdale)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... With a background in both tilesetting and stone countertop fabrication and installation, Robert J. Arseneau (RJA) Tile & Stone of Lenoxdale, MA, is able to provide full-scale services for its client base, which covers the Berkshire Mountains...

Expanding capabilities with quality machinery: with the addition of a CNC stoneworking center from CMS North America/Brembana, Qualey Granite & Stone Fabrication, LLC now offers its customers a wider selection of finished products.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... When family-owned-and-operated Qualey Granite & Stone Fabrication, LLC of Maine was initially established in 2003, it solely concentrated on exterior work. Today, production has grown to include interior designs such as countertops and...

Producing countertops for the masses: while only in business for less than 10 years, Hallmark Stone has found the right formula for outputting a high volume of granite and Silestone countertops for upscale residential and commercial projects.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... Since its conception in 1998, Hallmark Stone of Fenton, MO, has focused on running as a highvolume stone fabrication shop. Strictly a wholesaler, 60% of the company's production is Silestone, while natural stone comprises the remaining 40%. On...

Fabricating Technology Roundup: the second half of our comprehensive Fabricating Technology Roundup focuses on tooling and accessories, handling and storage, software/electronic templating and diversified shop products such as air and water treatment systems.(PART II--TOOLING AND ACCESSORIES)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... Just as there has been major advancement in equipment for cutting, shaping, polishing and edging stone products (as reported in the January 2007 issue of Stone World, pages 74 to 128), there have also been significant developments in the...

Bringing new life into a Lower Manhattan icon: a team of experts joined forces to restore the exterior facade of the historic 90 West Street building in New York City, which had suffered serious damage as a result of the terrorist attacks of 9/11.(Renovation AND Restoration)
February 1, 2007... Since 1998, the 90 West Street building in Lower Manhattan has been regarded as an historic landmark. Designed by Cass Gilbert and formerly known as the "Coal & Iron Building," construction on the structure was completed in 1907. And while the...

Stone restoration enhances historic roadway: the Wacker Drive roadway, which runs along the Chicago River, recently underwent a multi-phased renovation involving a significant stone restoration.(Renovation AND Restoration)
February 1, 2007... The stonework seen along Wacker Drive in Chicago, IL, an historic 1920's two-level roadway that travels alongside the main branch of the Chicago River, was recently restored for both practical and aesthetic reasons. The architect of record, DLK...

Italian marble revitalizes a house of worship: the renovation of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Strongsville, OH, involved salvaging a large Carrara Statuary White marble slab that formed the top of the altar as well as finding a match for the marble to be used for a new baptismal font, ambo and deacon chair.(Renovation AND Restoration)
February 1, 2007... As a parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Strongsville, OH, Marc Bittinger's architectural skills became an asset when the Church wanted to launch a revitalization project. Bittinger, who is a member of the American Institute of...

Restoring the character of an historic landmark: after enduring decades of wear and tear, a 1914 building in Fort Worth, TX, had its interior marble architecture revitalized to reflect its original design.(Renovation AND Restoration)(Landmark overview)
February 1, 2007... The building that today is home to Worthington Nat ional Bank of Fort Worth, TX, holds a storied past. Originally built in 1914, the historic landmark was first occupied by a bank, and then housed a string of various tenants throughout the...

Architecture office adapts a bolder look: when remodeling its own offices in Phoenix, AZ, Cawley Architects, Inc. selected some exotic materials to make a creative statement.(Renovation AND Restoration)
February 1, 2007... For the remodeling of its 5,600-square-foot corporate headquarters in Phoenix, AZ, employees of Cawley Architects, Inc. wanted to upgrade the look of its offices by adding elegant stone materials in unique colors, while maintaining a...

Greek marble makes an impact in Germany: Naxos marble from Greece was used in an innovative application for the Christ Pavilion in Hanover, Germany, achieving a very unique aesthetic.(Renovation AND Restoration)
February 1, 2007... The Christ Pavilion of Christian religions, a combined contribution of the Catholic and Protestant Churches for Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, is intended to be a contemplative counterpart to the vanity fair with architectural highlights. It...

StonExpo East to debut in March: the first edition of StonExpo East will be held from March 22 to 24, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.(Calendar)(Conference notes)
February 1, 2007... StonExpo East, which will take place from March 22 to 24, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, makes its debut as the East Coast event specifically for the stone industry. With more than 90% of the floor sold and attendee...

MIA accreditation program to launch in early 2007: in a groundbreaking step to recognize companies demonstrating compliance with quality standards, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) is planning to begin accepting applications for its accreditation program early this year.
February 1, 2007... After two years of planning, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) is set to begin accepting applications for accreditation in early 2007. The purpose of the accreditation program is to "provide a tool that allows the natural stone industry to...

2006 Pinnacle Awards: the Pinnacle Awards were given by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) to member companies for outstanding use of stone in architecture.
February 1, 2007... The Marble Institute of America (MIA) announced the winners of its prestigious 2006 Pinnacle Awards competition, which recognizes excellence in commercial, residential and restoration of natural stone projects worldwide. The Pinnacle...

CCS Stone fireplace surrounds sample boards.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Omni Cubed, Inc. has introduced the U.S.-made Seam Setter VC2, its next-generation installation tool used for joining seams, leveling seams and stabilizing backsplashes. The product is used with the "Automatic VC Pump", a durable and compact...

CCS Stone fireplace surrounds sample boards.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... The new CCS Stone fireplace surrounds sample boards are currently available upon customer request. The new sample board displays 13 colors available in three stocked sizes. New colors include Golden Peach granite, Tan Brown granite and Crystal...

Sink Setter[TM] undermount sink installation kit.(NEW PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Precision Works Products is introducing several major improvements to their Sink Setter[TM] undermount sink installation kit. Sink Setter[TM] professionally installs undermount sinks, from stainless steel to cast iron, under any countertop...

YUKON[R] II Upgrade Kit.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2007... Park Industries recently introduced the YUKON[R] II Upgrade Kit available for all YUKON[R] owners. The saw features enhanced machine controls, a bi-lingual language option, improved saw cutting speed and accuracy, and diagnostic screen...

Barranca Double Disk Grinder.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2007... Barranca Diamond Double Disk Grinder uses two 10-inch-diameter diamond grinding heads to smooth or clean the surface of stone floors. It is designed for easy leveling of uneven joints or high spots. The BD diamond grinding heads create a...

A color brochure has been produced by Henraux to show examples of the company's work within the stone industry.(NEW LITERATURE)
February 1, 2007... A color brochure has been produced by Henraux to show examples of the company's work within the stone industry. It provides a brief history of the company as well as images of Henraux's quarries in Italy. A section of the brochure also provides...

Architectural Stone Products, Inc. (ASPI) is now distributing a stone catalog highlighting its granite, marble and quartzite products, which can be utilized for a variety of projects, including commercial cut-to-size work, hospitality design and renovation and multi-family housing units.(NEW LITERATURE)
February 1, 2007... Architectural Stone Products, Inc. (ASPI) is now distributing a stone catalog highlighting its granite, marble and quartzite products, which can be utilized for a variety of projects, including commercial cut-to-size work, hospitality design...

Machine of the month.
February 1, 2007... Park Industries introduces the Destiny[R] XE CNC Stonecenter, which has been engineered to increase production capabilities with automatic changing of 50 tools. Users can route and edge straight or decorative radius shapes on 1- to 6-cm stone...