Stone World articles from June 2007

Stone World archives from June 2007

Increased competition in Brazil.(STONE COLUMN)
June 1, 2007... Earlier this year, I made my annual trip to Brazil for the Vitoria Stone Fair, which has very quickly developed into one of the most important international stone fairs in the world. As I walked the show floor and met with the exhibitors on...

Universal Granite & Mable opens two new locations ...(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Universal Granite & Marble (UGM) a leading stone distributor headquartered in Naperville, IL, with branches around the country, has announced the opening of two new locations. A state-of-the-art stone gallery in Oswego, (West Chicago) IL,...

Natural Stone Council develops web site ...(NEWSLINE)
June 1, 2007... The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations that promote stone under the Genuine Stone[TM] brand that formed in 2003, announced the launch of their new Web...

New stone fabrication helps rebuild Gulf Coast market ...(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Gulf Coast Granite & Marble Inc. opened in October 2006 to help rebuild the Gulf Coast. Owner Dan Faron brings 25 years of experience in the stone industry--working his way from truck driver in 1981 to co-owner of a large granite marble and...

O&G Industries' Masonry Division launches expansion program.(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... O&G Industries' Masonry Division announced the expansion program for its Fabrication and Distribution Center. The elegant 11,000-square-foot expansion will provide an upscale presentation for customers through a truly unique viewing experience,...

Tektonica fair draws more than 52,000 in Lisbon, Portugal ...(NEWSLINE)
June 1, 2007... The 9th edition of Tektonica, the International Building and Construction Fair in Lisbon, Portugal, saw a 6.3% growth in visitor numbers this year. The event took place from March 27 to 31 at the Parque das Nacoes in Lisbon, and it was visited...

Stone University offers stone restoration lessons ...(NEWSLINE)
June 1, 2007... Stone University is now offering stone restoration lessons from its popular online training classes. "Our first online class is a huge success, with over 20 attendees from all corners of the world," said Fred Hueston, Stone University Dean. "We...

Franchise program is offered ...(NEWSLINE)
June 1, 2007... Michigan-based The Stone Shop International has introduced what it believes to be the first-ever stone industry fabrication franchise business program. The company is owned and operated by Art Attaway. The Stone Shop will provide appropriate...

Statistics: February 2007: imports to the U.S.
June 1, 2007... STATISTICS February 2007 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ ...

Statistics: February 2007: exports to the U.S.(Statistical table)
June 1, 2007... STATISTICS February 2007 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ ...

Granite City tool highlights CNC specialists.(NEWS)(appointments)(computerised numerically control)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... WAITE PARK, MN -- Granite City Tool Co. offers a large inventory of Tyrolit-Vincent CNC tooling, while also staffing a highly knowledgeable service team. The company feels that this combination makes them ideal for CNC tooling needs. Granite...

Braxton-Bragg relocates to larger facility.(NEWS)
June 1, 2007... KNOXVILLE, TN -- Continuous improvement has been the theme in recent months at Braxton-Bragg Corp. On the heels of launching a new catalog and logo in March, Braxton-Bragg has relocated to a new facility that is larger, more efficient and more...

Regent Stone products expands CNC tool division.(NEWS)(appointment of John Richerts and Michele Ragno)(Regent Stone Products/Marmoelettromeccanica USA)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- Regent Stone Products and Marmoelettromeccanica USA, a leading company in CNC router bit technology, has added John Richerts and Michele Ragno to its staff. Richerts has years of experience running CNC machines, and he has...

Global Granite & Marble opens new facility.(NEWS)
June 1, 2007... PEORIA, IL -- A variety of natural stone from around the world is now available at the new Global Granite & Marble stone select ion center in Peoria, IL. The stone selection center represents the fourth location for Global Granite & Marble,...

New showroom consultant.(NEWS)(appointment of Kathryn Rossello at Marble & Granite Fabricators Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... SOUTHFIELD, MI -- The Marble & Granite Gallery, a European-style showroom with a large display of marble, granite, limestone, travertine and onyx from around the world, recently announced the appointment of Kathryn Rossello as showroom...

Branching out into slate production: after more than 30 years as a stone fabricator and distributor, RMG Stone Products, Inc. of Castleton, VT, has expanded its operation to include slate quarrying and processing.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)(Company overview)
June 1, 2007... In operation for nearly 20 years, RMG Stone Products, Inc. of Castleton, VT, recently expanded the scope of its business with the addition of several slate quarries. The company, which until last year bought its material from local...

Air and water treatment product roundup: from a safety standpoint as well as to protect your business, it is critical to ensure that your fabrication shop's air and water quality are continually maintained.
June 1, 2007... The need to ensure quality air and water treatment within the fabrication shop makes a great deal of sense from a personal safety perspective. Moreover, it also ensures that the equipment in the shop will run at optimal levels. And now, with...

Air and water filtration: what do you really need?
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are many choices that face the owner of a stone fabrication shop, and water filtration can seem to be the most complicated, as there are so many options to choose from. Especially with OSHA, EPA and state...

An innovator in large-scale stone fabrication: Counter Intelligence of Silver Spring, MD, continues to demonstrate advancements in technology and marketing strategy, which has made it one of the leading fabricators in the nation.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is John Murray's forward thinking that has led him to build a flourishing stone fabrication business. In less than 10 years, his company, Counter Intelligence, Inc. of Silver Spring, MD, has expanded from 20...

A market leader for custom stonework: equipped with an impressive selection of stoneworking machinery and an emphasis on customer service, Suburban Marble & Granite of Ivyland, PA, has made a solid name for itself in the marketplace.(Fabricator Case Study)(Suburban Marble & Granite and its management)(Company overview)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Suburban Marble & Granite of Ivyland, PA, was acquired by current owner John Menarde in 1992, it was a very small operation--processing stonework with a single saw. Today, its line of stoneworking machinery...

Applying lab surface expertise to kitchen countertops: already a leading producer of laboratory work surfaces, the Durcon Company of Canton, MI, has made inroads as a fabricator of kitchen countertops from quartz surfacing.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Durcon Company of Canton, MI, an industry leader in laboratory work surfaces, is rapidly becoming a major fabricator of kitchen countertops with quartz surfacing. The company credits its success in this endeavor...

Federal building adds slate for durability: designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica and national architecture firm HOK, the Miami Federal Courthouse in Miami, FL, was recently renovated to include slate flooring as well as Italian limestone throughout the space.(Focus on Slate)(The Miami Federal Courthouse)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Miami Federal Courthouse in Miami, FL--formally referred to as the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Federal Courthouse--one of the largest federal courthouses in the U.S., was recently expanded and now...

Urban art depicted in slate: a colorful slate mural in the lobby of Schaefer Landing in Brooklyn, NY, brings life to the residential community and fits with the feel of the trendy neighborhood.(Focus on Slate)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In recent years, the Williamsburg community in Brooklyn, NY, has transformed from a busy industrial area to an up-and-coming, chic place to live. Situated along the Hudson River, the city streets are lined with...

Community center establishes a presence with slate: City leaders wanted to establish a strong identity and civic presence for the George M. Silliman Community Activity Center in Newark, CA, and slate flooring was a main component of the design.(Focus on Slate)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] City leaders envisioned the George M. Silliman Community Activity Center in Newark, CA, as the showpiece of the community. According to California-based Glass Architects, the program called for a 36,000-square-foot...

Corporate structure relies on slate flooring: the Boeing World Headquarters in Chicago, IL, includes 275,000 square feet of office space, and the 30th floor features slate flooring from Burlington Slate, Ltd. of England.(Focus on Slate)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed by Callison Architecture, Inc. of Seattle, WA, with a vision of "instant access to information by anyone from anywhere," the Boeing World Headquarters in Chicago, IL, features 275,000 square feet of...

A full spectrum of products in Italian slate: located in Liguria, Italy, the "La Vera Lavagna" consortium of slate producers offers a broad variety of products--from tile patterns in a range of finishes to intricately carved sinks and other furnishings.(Focus on Slate)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The use of slate from Liguria, Italy, dates back at least 2,000 years--as evidenced by the discovery of ancient tombstones using this material. Today, the "La Vera Lavagna" consortium (literally translated to mean...

Vitoria Stone Fair reflects success of Brazil's granite industry: Brazil's granite exports to the U.S. and the world have reached record numbers, and this was evident at the Vitoria Stone Fair, which took place from February 7 to 9.(Report from Brazil)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last year, Brazil exported a record $538.2 million worth of granite to the U.S. market, far eclipsing 2005's total of $392.8 million. With this in mind, the timing of the Vitoria Stone Fair has made it an...

Continued expansion for leading supplier: already one of the largest suppliers in Brazil, Andrade S/A Marmores e Granitos of Serra, Espirito Santo, Brazil, has added new quarry sites for Imperial Coffee granite and Surreal quartzite, bolstering its impressive collection of materials.(Report from Brazil)(Andrade S/A has added Imperial Coffee granite)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Always looking for new materials to sell to its clients, Andrade S/A Marmores e Granitos of Serra, Esperito Santo, Brazil, has added a number of quarry sites to its operation. These acquisitions, along with continual...

Placing an emphasis on efficiency: as the Brazilian branch of Cosentino S.A., Latina Vitoria operates with a high degree of precision and organization, resulting in a high-quality finished product.(Report from Brazil)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Upon entering the stoneworking facilities at Latina Vitoria in Serra, Esperito Santo, Brazil, one of the first impressions is the level of organization and efficiency within the plant. Stone materials move through...

Focused on the U.S. marketplace: as a major slab producer, Vixtiles Marmores e Granitos S/A concentrates its exports on the American market, which consumes 98% of overall production.(Report from Brazil)(Industry overview)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of the most established companies in the Vitoria region of Brazil, Vixtiles Marmores e Granitos S/A of Serra, Esperito Santo, began as a specialist in tile production, and it now focuses on slab production...

The digital difference: using the latest computerized technology, a small shop can revolutionize the way it does business in today's marketplace.(CNC machins)
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In our small stone shop, our first real purchase was a bridge saw. When we installed it, we simply could not conceptualize a CNC. At that point in our shop history, we could not finance a ham sandwich. Not only could...

Calendar.(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... June 28 and 29, 2007 Granite City Tool Co. 2007 "Stone Countertop Fabrication Seminar," Waite Park, MN. Contact: Granite City Tool Co., (800) 328-7094 or (320) 251-8600 or visit the company's Web site at www.granitecitytool.com. July...

New line of stainless steel sinks.(NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2007... Domain Industries recently introduced its new line of stainless steel sinks. The company's Zero Edge handcrafted stainless steel sinks achieve a new benchmark in style and design through exacting craftsmanship, according to Domain Industries....

Diarex Autolifting Dolly.(NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2007... The Diarex Autolifting Dolly from GranQuartz makes transporting and lifting countertops during installation easy. The lifting tray can be raised to the height of a fabrication table so countertops can be easily placed on the lifter. The lifting...

Crack Buster[TM] Pro Crack Prevention Mat Underlayment.(NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2007... Custom[R] Building Products, an industry leader in high-quality tile and stone installation systems, recently introduced Crack Buster[TM] Pro Crack Prevention Mat Underlayment, an elastomeric, self-bonding crack prevention mat that is rated for...

Titan CNC stonecenter.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2007... The Titan CNC stonecenter from Park Industries is the high-performance productivity break-through in CNC technology, the company reports. Backed by more than 20 years of CNC experience, the Park Titan offers extraordinary precision operation...

Fab Saw SS.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2007... The Fab Saw SS is Granite City Tool's new rail saw designed for stoneworkers that want a deeper cutting saw. The Fab Saw SS takes a 14-inch blade and is capable of cutting 2 3/4-inch depths. The height adjustment allows for full plunge cuts....

The Brio is one of the new generation bridge saws from Gmm that features a 180[degrees] rotating head, and it is now available from Salem Stone.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2007... The Brio is one of the new generation bridge saws from Gmm that features a 180[degrees] rotating head, and it is now available from Salem Stone. This new bridge saw answers the need for high speed, high accuracy applications for...

MS International, Inc.(NEW LITERATURE)
June 1, 2007... MS International, Inc. (MSI) recently released its new general catalog for 2007, which shows detailed pictures of the company's entire product line, with over 600 colors of granite, marble, slate, travertine, quartzite, sandstone and onyx. The...

Marble Institute of America.(NEW LITERATURE)
June 1, 2007... The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has announced the revision and reissue of the most requested of its five Management Tool Kits--"Customer & Sales Forms ." In keeping with the popular Tool Kit format, the newest version is packaged with a...

Machine of the month.
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] VIC International, with its engineering and manufacturing associate, RYE Corp., set out to create a machine that would cut bowl holes faster and cheaper. The result was the Scorpion, a multifunctional machine that...

Stone of the month.
June 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This Stone of the Month supplied by Pemagran, Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES, Brazil. Technical details provide a frame of reference only. Because stone is a product of nature, testing to determine specifi c physical...