Stone World articles from March 2009

Stone World archives from March 2009

Absolute zero?(STONE COLUMN)(Column)
March 1, 2009... OK, so "absolute zero" is actually a scientific term unrelated to the business world. These past few months, I often feel like it is the level of business in today's stone industry--or perhaps the latest closing figure for the stock market (as...

Akemi restructures North American distribution ...(NEWSLINE)(Akemi GmbH)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Akemi Chemisch-Technische Spezialfabrik GmbH (Akemi GmbH), with the agreement and assistance of Akemi North America, Inc. (Akemi NA), has restructured its U.S. distribution, under which Akemi Germany will support domestic distribution and some...

Kohler and Artisan Group develop specialty dealer program ...(NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2009... Kohler Co., a leading firm in kitchen and bath design and technology, recently developed a specialty dealer program with Artisan Group, a nationwide network of premier stone and granite fabricators. "Combining two leading brands--Kohler and...

CCS Stone to distribute New York Bluestone ...(NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2009... CCS Stone of Moonachie, NJ, has announced that it has formed a partnership with American Bluestone in Sidney, NY, to distribute the company's North River Blue Bluestone in slab, tile and cut-to-size projects in the New York Metropolitan Area....

Ripano Stoneworks aids Rodgers Memorial Library in New Hampshire ...(NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2009... Ripano Stoneworks of Nashua, NH, one of the region's leading fabricators of granite and quartz countertops, has donated the materials and installation of the countertops for the construction of the new George H. and Ella M. Rodgers Memorial...

Statistics.(stones import and export reports)(Statistical table)
March 1, 2009... STATISTICS November 2008 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight GRANITE COUNTRY U.S. $ TONS ARAB EMIRATES ...

CMS employee retires.(NEWS)(Tony Brown retires from C.M.S. North America Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... CALEDONIA, MI -- CMS North America has announced the retirement of Tony Brown. Brown, most recently an area manager for the Stone Division in the South Eastern U.S., decided to retire after many years of service, according to the company. He...

Vermont Quarries launches new Web site.(NEWS)(Website overview)
March 1, 2009... RUTLAND, VT -- Vermont Quarries Corp. has recently launched a new Web site. The new site is designed to allow the company's current and future clients to view current inventories, choose individual slabs with photos and sizes, order samples and...

Vitoria Stone Fair has a respectable showing in Brazil.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... VITORIA, ESPIRITO SANTO, BRAZIL -- The Vitoria Stone Fair took place in the stoneworking center of Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil, from February 10 to 13, and despite difficulties on the worldwide economic front, the show remains a key event...

Service for Marmo Meccanica.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... FARMINGTON HILLS, MI -- Marmo Meccanica S.p.A., the Italy-based manufacturer of stoneworking machinery, recently reiterated that Marmo Parts & Service of Farmington Hills, MI, is its only authorized North American parts and service dealer,...

Omni Cubed.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(polishing equipment)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The USA-made Backsplash Polishing Workstation by Omni Cubed is a fully adjustable and customizable workstation that increases polishing efficiency and reduces worker strain, the manufacturer reports. The Workstation utilizes Sink Hole Saver s...

Demountable Concepts, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(pick up trucks introduced)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Demountable Concepts, Inc., a North American manufacturer and supplier of interchangeable truck body delivery systems, is now offering a value-line of aluminum stone and glass carriers for commercial vehicles through its myglasstruck.com brand....

Pedrini.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Pedrini--an Italian leader in the production of machinery for processing natural stones--has introduced its multi-wire machine for cutting granite slabs, which also debuted at Marmomacc 2008 in Verona. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SPIDER...

A producer of custom limestone: the owner of Continental Cut Stone in Florence, TX, continually strives to expand his custom stonework shop and quarry operations.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)(Continental Cut Stone )(Company overview)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Based in Florence, TX, Continental Cut Stone sits in the countryside of Texas about an hour outside of Austin. The company, which was started by owner Rob Teel in 1987, specializes in limestone construction and...

Virginia fabricator refines the craft of stoneworking: based in Charlottesville, VA, the owners of Albemarle Countertop Co. have placed an emphasis on processing quality stonework rather than focusing on volume.(Fabricator: Case Study)(Company overview)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For Robert and Lisa Carter, owners of the Albemarle Countertop Co. of Charlottesville, VA, the transition to stone fabrication was a relatively straightforward progression. The company started out as a solid surface...

The 10-minute sink cut-out: by following a few simple steps, high-quality sink cut-outs can be executed in as little as 10 minutes.(Fabricator: ISSUES & SOLUTIONS)
March 1, 2009... [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] How can I save time fabricating sink cut-outs? That is what we at Sinai Marble & Granite asked ourselves two years ago when we where a small shop in a garage and were sick of making amateur sink cutouts that were as...

Digital technology: the future of stone fabrication: with the state of the economy and a competitive market, fabricators can reduce production costs by embracing digital technology.(Fabricator: ISSUES & SOLUTIONS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Technology within the stone industry over the last five years has changed at lightening speed. In the 1990s, shops were sprouting up across the country with a bridge saw and possibly an edge machine. Today, the very...

Coverings celebrates 20 years: McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL, will set the stage for the 20th anniversary of Coverings, which will be held from April 21 to 24, 2009.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 2009 edition of Coverings marks a monumental year for the annual stone and tile exhibition, as it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. The event is scheduled for McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago...

Travertine completes modern home design: taking advantage of its panoramic water views, a glass-enclosed Shelter Island, NY, residence was designed with travertine flooring throughout, and the stone also helps to heat the home.(Residential Design)(Cover story)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A recent construction of a private residence in Shelter Island, NY, made extensive use of Israeli travertine--supplied by West End Stone in New York, NY. The selected stone takes advantage of heat from the home's...

Stone is a common thread for Texas home: stone selections made throughout both the interior and exterior of a private residence in Austin, TX, make it a "one-of-a-kind" living space.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The recent construction of a private residence in Austin, TX, called for stone in unique combinations and patterns to make the home ultra custom. The project,...

High-end stonework reshapes Georgia residence: in remodeling his own home in Dunwoody, GA, a stone supplier relied on his experiences in the trade to select upscale materials that would recall a classic Italian villa.(Residential Design)
March 1, 2009... Nestled on nearly 1 1/2 acres of heavily wooded property in the Dunwoody area of North Atlanta, GA, is a 6,000-square-foot classic Italian villa designed and built by the owner, Bob Welton, President of stone supplier RKW International. In...

Coch.(TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vendor: Coch, Palm City, FL Fabricator Name and Location: Marmobra Corp., Miami, FL Technology Investment: Marmobra Corp. purchased the Coch C34Max bridge saw. The machine includes a 20-horsepower motor,...

Marmo Meccanica.(TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS)(Signature Stone and Tile, Inc. invests in bridge saws)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vendor: Marmo Meccanica, Italy Fabricator Name and Location: Signature Stone and Tile, Inc., Burnaby, BC, Canada Investment : Signature Stone and Tile, Inc. has recently installed the Marmo Meccanica HTOI-IB...

GranQuartz.(TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vendor: GranQuartz, Tucker, GA Fabricator Name and Location: Southern Granite & Marble Creations, LLC, Montgomery, AL Technology Investment: Southern Granite & Marble Creations purchased the Emmedue Astra...

Ogyu Manufacturing, Inc.(TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS)(American Soil and Stone Inc. uses wire saws)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vendor: Ogyu Manufacturing, Inc., Japan Fabricator Name and Location: American Soil and Stone Inc., Richmond, CA Investment: Ogyu Manufacturing supplied its Model DW-M1535 Diamond Wire Saw to American Soil...

Prodim.(TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vendor: Prodim, The Netherlands and Vero Beach, FL Fabricator Name and Location: Solid Surfaces, Inc., Rochester, NY Investment: Long-time Prodim customer, Solid Surfaces, Inc., has continued to invest in the...

Calendar.(stone exhibitions)(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... For all seminars and a more complete calendar of stone industry events, visit www.stoneworld.com. March 19 to 22, 2009 Baustein 2009, Crocus Expo Exhibition Center, Moscow, Russia. For more information, contact: MVK International...

CaesarStone.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... CaesarStone, an original quartz surface manufacturer, is proud to offer six different colors that contain recycled materials. CaesarStone's Carbone, Marrone, Ruby Reflections, Quartz Reflections, Smoky Ash and Chocolate Truffle colors all have...

Walker Zanger.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... Walker Zanger, one of the world's most comprehensive stone and tile companies, has recently introduced its Sonja Mosaic Collection. An antique Roman influence is readily evident in the collection, as is its nod to more modern taste s . The...

Houzer Inc.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... Houzer Inc., a manufacturer of premium stainless steel sinks for major brands in the U.S., Canada and Europe for over thirty years, has recently unveiled its newest line of undermount stainless steel sinks that are specifically designed for...

Braxton-Bragg has announced the introduction of Noble Company products to its line of quality accessories for the stone and tile industry.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... Braxton-Bragg has announced the introduction of Noble Company products to its line of quality accessories for the stone and tile industry. Noble Niches provide waterproof, tile-ready recesses for shampoo and other accruements, and Noble Curbs...

Domain Industries.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... Domain Industries has added Sprayway, a tried and true superior cleaning and polishing product, to its existing consumables line. The "Fabricator Pack" of products consists of three different formulas, including: * One Can--Glass Cleaner...

Brochure featuring its new 2009 collection.(NEW LITERATURE)
March 1, 2009... Gramil has introduced a brochure featuring its new 2009 collection. Besides a company profile, the company presents clear images of stone from its exclusive line, exotic line and natural line. Featured in the exclusive line are 12 different...

Catalog.(NEW LITERATURE)
March 1, 2009... Santa Clara Group recently released a 2009 catalog, which features different aspects of the company. The catalog is introduced with a letter from Santa Clara's CEO on optimism for 2009 matched next to a company history page. The catalog goes...

Machine of the month.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VIC International now offers a new water recycling system designed for the smaller shop, generating up to 20 gallons per minute of water containing stone slurry. This new system is the brainchild of John Schubert,...

Stone of the month.
March 1, 2009... Exotic Lucce Country of Origin Peru Apparent density 2,580 kg/cu.m Average compression strength 12,960 psi Water absorption 0.5719% This Stone of the Month supplied by...