Stone World articles from May 2008

Stone World archives from May 2008

A new era in Carrara.(STONE COLUMN)(Industry overview)(Column)
May 1, 2008... For many stone industry purists, the stoneworking region of Carrara, Italy, is the heart of our industry. As the home of Carrara White marble--Michelangelo's material of choice--it has a built-in history in stone. More importantly, it has been...

C.R. Laurence Co., Inc. acquires Sommer & Maca industries ...(NEWSLINE)
May 1, 2008... C.R. Laurence Co., Inc. (CRL), a leading supplier to the glazing, architectural, construction, industrial and automotive industries based in Los Angeles, CA, has announced the acquisition of Sommer & Maca Industries (Somaca), effective March...

Vitoria Stone Fair and StonExpo sign mutual endorsement agreement ...(NEWSLINE)
May 1, 2008... StonExpo, the leading U.S. stone industry event, has announced another mutual endorsement agreement between the Vitoria Stone Fair and StonExpo. This marks the third year for this partnership. "We are thrilled to have this endorsement...

Marble Institute of America and OSHA renew alliance ...(NEWSLINE)
May 1, 2008... The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Marble Institute of America (MIA) renewed their alliance to provide MIA members and others with information and training resources that will help them...

AIA expo will once again include Stone & Tile Pavilion ...(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
May 1, 2008... The AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition is set to take place in Boston, MA, from May 15 to 17, 2008. Once again, the expo floor will feature the Stone & Tile Pavilion, sponsored by Stone World and Contemporary Stone & Tile Design...

Laticrete.(ONE LINERS ...)(Adnan Bin-Mahfouz appointed as sales manager)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Laticrete, a leading company in the manufacturing of systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, has appointed Adnan Bin-Mahfouz to the newly created position of Contractor Sales Manager. All Laticrete Contractor Sales...

ETemplate Systems, developer of the award-winning 3-D templating and measuring system, ETemplate Photo, announced the signing of a five-year purchase agreement with ErgoMeasure Party, Ltd. of Australia with a value in excess of $1.5 million.(ONE LINERS ...)
May 1, 2008... ETemplate Systems, developer of the award-winning 3-D templating and measuring system, ETemplate Photo, announced the signing of a five-year purchase agreement with ErgoMeasure Party, Ltd. of Australia with a value in excess of $1.5 million....

Hard Rock Tool has announced the opening of its newest location in Austin, TX.(ONE LINERS ...)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Hard Rock Tool has announced the opening of its newest location in Austin, TX. This marks Hard Rock Tool's 10th store. The new store, located at 9901 Burnet Rd., offers over 5,000 square feet of tools and supplies for the stone industry. "I'm...

Statistics: January 2008 / Imports to the U.S.
May 1, 2008... STATISTICS January 2008 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ ...

Statistics: January 2008 / Exports from the U.S.(Statistical table)
May 1, 2008... STATISTICS January 2008 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $...

Statistics: 2008 / Imports to the U.S.
May 1, 2008... STATISTICS 2007 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE U.S. $ TONS ALBANIA ARAB EMIRATES 218,661 ...

Statistics: 2006 / Imports to the U.S.
May 1, 2008... STATISTICS 2006 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE U.S. $ TONS ALBANIA ARAB EMIRATES 687,482...

Statistics: 2007 / Exports from the U.S.(Statistical table)
May 1, 2008... STATISTICS 2007 | Exports form the U.S. Customers values in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE U.S. $ TONS ANTIGUA 118,295 52...

Statistics: 2006 / Exports from the U.S.(Statistical table)
May 1, 2008... STATISTICS 2006 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE U.S. $ TONS ANTIGUA 145,976 39...

New firm is formed in Brazil.(NEWS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... VITORIA, BRAZIL -- After many years of working in the stone business in Brazil, Flavia Roncetti and Fabricio Tres have established Made in Brazil--Consulting & Commerce. Made in Brazil has two divisions--consulting and direct sales. In one...

Laticrete appoints distributor sales rep.(NEWS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... BETHANY, CT -- Laticrete, a world leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, has appointed Mike Goins to the position of Distributor Sales Representative, where he will provide superior...

O&G Industries Masonry Division recruits manager.(NEWS)
May 1, 2008... BEACON FALLS, CT -- John Baranoski has been named Facility Manager for O&G Industries, Masonry Division. Baranoski is responsible for leading, developing and implementing strategies to secure additional business through operational...

Braxton-Bragg announces director of sales promotion.(NEWS)
May 1, 2008... KNOXVILLE, TN -- Braxton-Bragg, an industry leader in the distribution of consumable items for the stone industry, has announced that Bill Hickey has been promoted to Director of Sales. Hickey will have responsibility for all sales for...

Prosoco announces new sales manager.(NEWS)
May 1, 2008... LAWRENCE, KS, -- PROSOCO, a national manufacturer of products for cleaning, protecting and maintaining concrete, brick and stone architecture, has announced Al Morris as Sales Manager for the company's South Central sales region. The...

Obituary.(NEWS)(John B. Pace)(Obituary)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Surrounded by family and friends in his home, Giambattista (John B.) Pace of Globe Marble & Tile, Inc. died after a brave battle with cancer at the age of 70. He was most proud of his family and is survived by his wife,...

Correction.(NEWS)(Correction notice)
May 1, 2008... Stone World published the incorrect technical information for the Stone of the Month that was published in the April 2008 issue (Aqua Granitique from Krukowski Stone Company, Inc., Mosinee, WI). The correct Compressive Strength for that...

Taking a leap into stone fabrication: in 2001, Bailes Granite, which had been operating for over 50 years as a glass business, made the switch into stone fabrication, and it is now in its fourth generation of family employees.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What began as a glass company in 1955 has since evolved into a stone fabrication business now in its fourth generation of family employees. Bailes Granite of Charleston, WV, currently owned and operated by Sue and...

California fabricator overcomes market decline: the owners of Paragon Granite in Fresno, CA, have fought back against the current declining market by finding creative ways to grow their business.(Fabricator Case Study)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For Russ Owens and Jeff Hanning, current owners of Paragon Granite in Fresno, CA, a mid-life career change meant making the leap into stone fabrication. And while the market has slowed quite substantially since the...

Crafting stone for a high-end market: Granite Tops, Inc. of Mount Vernon, NY, has been in operation for the past 11 years, and it recently began directing its production towards an elite local residential market.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Focusing on what President Chris Sanzaro refers to as the "ultra high-end market," Granite Tops, Inc. of Mount Vernon, NY, fabricates an average of 2,500 square feet of stone per week. The company was founded 11...

Sink roundup: more stone fabricators are stocking sinks than ever before, and the sink manufacturers are continually developing new products to accommodate the changing needs of the marketplace.
May 1, 2008... Over the past decade or so, the stone fabrication industry has clearly moved towards the kitchen countertop sector. And with this in mind, it is natural that many stone fabricators are regularly offering sinks to their customers. This is not...

Undermount sink installation techniques: in this Stone World Forum, conducted at www.StoneAdvice.com, fabricators from around the country share their experiences and methods for undermount sink installation.(ONLINE FORUM)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stone World: What methods/ products are fabricators using for undermount sink installation? Dustin Braudway, SFA, Cape Fear Marble and Tile, Inc., Wilmington, NC: After the sink is laid out, we take a 5-inch...

Major changes for CarraraMarmotec: the organizers of CarraraMarmotec, which has annually taken place in Carrara, Italy, have announced that the event--scheduled for May 29 to June 1, 2008--will now take place every other year, and it will place a greater emphasis on architecture and design.
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Scheduled for May 29 to June 1, 2008 in the renowned stoneworking center of Carrara, Italy, the CarraraMarmotec exhibition has historically served as a venue to exhibit and see some of the latest introductions in...

2008 Marble Architectural Awards: this year, the Marble Architectural Awards honored outstanding stone architecture in Central and South America and South Africa, and an exhibit of the winning projects be on display at CarraraMarmotec later this month in Carrara, Italy.(Report from Europe)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now in its 24th year, the Marble Architectural Awards (MAA) honor achievements in stone architecture, and they focus on a different area of the world each year. For the 2008 edition, the MAA focused on trends in the...

Architectural stone producer enters a new venture: already established as a leading producer of architectural stonework for projects around the world, Piero Zanella s.r.l. has taken a bold new step with the acquisition of a quarry site in Serbia, which produces a range of marble varieties.(Report from Europe)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Located in Soave, Italy, amid the world-renowned vineyards for Soave white wine, Piero Zanella s.r.l. crafts architectural stonework for prominent projects around the world, and it recently purchased a quarry in...

Carrying on the tradition of Lessinia Stone: Pietra della Lessinia Srl of Schioppo, Italy, carries on a time-old tradition of the area by quarrying Lessinia Stone--a sedimentary, calcareous, pink-and-white-colored variety of limestone.(Report from Europe)(Company overview)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Initially founded by Luciano, Luigi and Adriano Quintarelli as the Lessinia Stone Co., Pietra della Lessinia Srl is an Italian stone-processing company rich in history and craftsmanship. The Quintarelli family, who...

Exploring the sculptural qualities of stone: Italian sculptor Simona Bocchi's work with stone has taken her to locations around the world, where she continues to discover new materials.(Three-Dimensional Stonework)(Interview)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although not generally considered part of the stone "trade," the work of sculptors around the world offer an innovative look into the three-dimensional aspects of the material. Their work manipulates stone in ways...

Using traditional granite in modern ways: the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute was designed using Virginia Tech's time-honored "Hokie Stone," while also achieving modern aesthetics.(Three-Dimentional Stonework)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The three-story, 132,000-square-foot Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, was designed in two phases to support research in biotechnology, bioinformatics, environmental science,...

Collaborative effort leads to stone temple's success: thoughtful preparation by a team of architects, designers, fabricators and installers helped make the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Temple of Sacramento, CA, the moving religious structure that it is today.(Three-Dimensional Stonework)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The careful planning and team collaboration that went into the design and building of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Temple--located in the Sacramento region of California--established a smooth construction process for...

A "work of art" realized in Italian travertine: thinking on a grand scale, sculptor Brad J. Goldberg of Dallas, TX, created two unique floor-to-ceiling sculptural stone walls in the new South Terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami, FL.(Three-Dimensional Stonework)(Cover story)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Those traveling through the new South Terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami, FL, will be greeted by more than security gates and baggage claim carousels. Within the new structure is literally a work of...

Corporate structure relies on stone's timelessness: the atrium of the Headquarters Building, part of the Sprint World Headquarters campus in Kansas, features limestone flooring and tapered marble columns, giving the space a timeless feel.(Three-Dimensional Stonework)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In order to consolidate Sprint's operations, which were situated in more than 60 separate locations across Kansas City, into one central facility, the Sprint World Headquarters campus was designed in Overland Park,...

Calendar.(Calendar)
May 1, 2008... For all seminars and a more complete calendar of stone industry events, visit www.stoneworld.com. May 29 to June 1, 2008 Carraramarmotec, the 29th International Fair for Marble Technologies Design, Carrara, Italy. Contact: CarraraFiere...

Aqua[R] Mix nontoxic, water-based tile care products.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... Custom[R] Building Products, an industry leader in high-quality tile and stone installation systems, has announced that cleaners in its respected line of Aqua[R] Mix nontoxic, water-based tile care products are being upgraded to increase...

Certification of Legacy, Santa Margherita's quartz surfacing.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... The Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) has announced the certification of Legacy, Santa Margherita's quartz surfacing for both Indoor Air Certification and for Children & Schools. Santa Margherita, through Verona Marble Co., markets the...

Seam Setter VC1.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
May 1, 2008... The Seam Setter VC1, a product engineered, manufactured and assembled by Omni Cubed, Inc. in the U.S., is an innovative "three-in-one" installation tool used for joining seams, leveling seams and stabilizing backsplashes. The product features...

New version of its 3D-measuring device.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(Prodim International )
May 1, 2008... Prodim International has released a new version of its 3D-measuring device, the Proliner[R] 8-Series, which now makes it easier to measure two- or three-dimensional shapes, according to the company. The new compact and lightweight model has...

MKDX.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
May 1, 2008... The new MKDX by MK Diamond Tools, Inc. has been designed to bring the fabrication shop directly to the jobsite. Offering 25 different profile wheels, the MKDX is a versatile tool that gives the contractor the ability to meet any profiling...

Natural Stone Guide.(NEW LITERATURE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Arizona Tile has released a Natural Stone Guide detailing the advantages of natural stone. The brochure also features detailed explanations of natural stone types, including granite, limestone, marble, onyx,...

Machine of the month.
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Water Treatment Technologies' EnviroSystem is a patented technology that produces thousands of gallons of crystal clear water that it reports is safe for all fabrication equipment--even CNCs and waterjets. The...