Stone World articles from November 2007

Stone World archives from November 2007

Luxury stone retailing.(STONE COLUMN)
November 1, 2007... Last month, I drove to Richmond, VA, to check out the new Charles Luck Stone Center. And while I anticipated seeing a new, top-of-the-line stone showroom, I ended up seeing a lot more than that. Taking their cue from high-end retailers such as...

New joint-venture fabrication plant established in Tennessee ...(NEWSLINE)
November 1, 2007... Stone Interiors North America has announced that it is joining forces with Vic Green, president and CEO of VIC International, in a relationship that will add a fourth fabrication facility located in Knoxville, TN. Stone Interiors-Knoxville will...

Flow International Corp. ranked among "Technology Fast 50" ...(NEWSLINE)
November 1, 2007... Flow International Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology, has been named to Deloitte's prestigious Technology Fast 50 Program for Washington State, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology,...

Walker Zanger names national architectural sales manager ...(NEWSLINE)
November 1, 2007... Walker Zanger, a leading stone and tile company, announced the promotion of Andre Holtshausen to national architectural sales manager. In his new position, Holtshausen will implement sales strategies, guide branch managers and train the...

Vic Green receives Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement from MIA ...(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... J. Vic Green, a veteran of more than five decades in the natural stone industry, has been awarded the 2007 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Green accepted the award at the annual MIA Awards...

One liners.(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The seminar, Using Natural Stone in Commercial Projects, will wrap up the Marble Institute of America's 2007 education seminar series on December 6 in Chicago, IL. This seminar focuses on a number of topics critical to being successful in the...

July 2007: imports to the U.S.(STATISTICS)
November 1, 2007... Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE U.S. $ TONS ARAB EMIRATES ARGENTINA 251,423 994 AUSTRALIA...

July 2007: exports from the U.S.(STATISTICS)
November 1, 2007... Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE U.S. $ TONS ANTIGUA 62,556 26 ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA ...

Clarification.(NEWS)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2007... One of the equipment manufacturers was omitted from a recent article in Stone World ("Campolonghi opens new facilities in Carrara," September 2007 issue, page 128). A Matec Water Treatment System, including a stainless steel silo and...

Stone Habitat announces Eight Steps to Home Elegance.(NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... NAPERVILLE, IL -- Stone Habitat, a leading supplier of natural and engineered stone products, has announced a new program, "Eight Steps to Home Elegance," starting with Step One: Granite Kitchen Counters, Profile Edges and Back Splashes, in an...

Northwood sponsors First Annual Open House & Stone Fabrication Seminar.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... LOUISVILLE, KY -- Northwood Machine Manufacturing Co. sponsored its First Annual Open House and Stone Fabrication Seminar in Louisville, KY, September 12 to 15, 2007. More than 100 individuals from throughout the U.S. and Canada attended. ...

Intermac America sales team expands.(NEWS)
November 1, 2007... CHARLOTTE, NC -- In order to support continuing growth nationwide, Intermac America, a North American leader in stone and glass fabrication equipment, has signed on Scott Kochevar to drive sales and manage customer relationships as Product Area...

Taking stone retail to the next level: based on a broad range of successful models in the international luxury sector, the Charles Luck Stone Center is bringing a new concept to stone retailing, and it has truly positioned natural stone as a premier building material.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On September 20 of this year, the new Charles Luck Stone Center opened its doors in Richmond, VA, marking a new era for one of the country's most venerable stone suppliers. The endeavor is a bold new retail concept...

Machinery upgrades elevate production totals: averaging nine to 10 kitchens a month when the company first began, First In Counters of Zachary, LA, is now able to do eight times that production rate.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When it comes to knowing the basic s of stone fabrication, owners of First in Counters in Zachary, LA, are well versed. The company was started by couple Brad and Deborah Parnell, and their more than 30 years of...

Missouri fabricator relies on advanced stoneworking machinery: based in St. Louis, MO, Acropolis Custom Marble and Granite, Inc. has expanded its operation with state-of-the-art stoneworking equipment.(Fabricator Case Study)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The year 1977 will always be a special year," said Spiro Xenos, owner of Acropolis Custom Marble and Granite, Inc. in St. Louis, MO, with his wife Anna. "It's the year that I came from my homeland, Greece, to the...

Discovering a market for stone tabletops: while StoneCrafters of St. Cloud, MN, is a producer of kitchen countertops, the company is also known for its production of stone tabletops, which comprises half of its business.(Fabricator Case Study)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since 1969, StoneCrafters of St. Cloud, MN, has worked to develop a strong reputation for itself in the stone industry. The company was started as a floor covering business by Vern Salzl, and it has evolved into a...

Florida fabricator relies on waterjet technology: Tampa, FL-based Watermark Design Technologies operates both a waterjet division and a fabrication facility, producing an average of 10 kitchens a week plus medallion work.(Fabricator Case Study)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Watermark Design Technologies of Tampa, FL, is co-owned and operated by John-Paul Plazza, who grew up in the industry as his family ran a company called Tile World of Italy. Today, Plazza's shop, which was...

Digital templating roundup: the majority of today's fabricators are relying on digital templating technology to improve quality of production.
November 1, 2007... As technology continues to advance, more and more fabricators are investing in state-of-the-art digital templating systems, which allow for faster and more accurate measurements, according to manufacturers. The following is a brief look at...

Creating a world-class facility with high-end finishes: the California-based Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village Wellness Center and Spa features a variety of sophisticated materials, including stone, brick and glass, establishing a first-rate facility for patrons.(Interior Stone Design)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In creating a world-class facility that would address every aspect of health and wellbeing under one roof, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village Wellness Center and Spa in Westlake Village, CA, was designed using...

Stone applications revitalize historic ballpark: while the tradition and character of Fenway Park in Boston, MA, has been maintained, a series of renovations, including the use of stone in new luxury suites as well as a concourse area, has enhanced the look of the stadium.(Interior Stone Design)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A renovation to selected spaces at Fenway Park--home of the Boston Red Sox and perhaps the "the crown jewel of our national pastime"--recently took place. Improvements to the stadium included adding 26 new luxury...

High-rise project reflects a "way of life": the Maryland Walk Parkway Residences in Clayton, MO, were built to fit the needs of its local environment and people, while a vast stone selection personalized each unit.(Interior Stone Design)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Located right at the Brentwood-Maryland intersect ion in Clayton, MO, the Maryland Walk high-rise intersects more than just two streets. "Customized to meet the taste, income levels and lifestyle," of a diverse group...

Local travertine anchors library to region: the Williams Memorial Library in Estancia, NM, makes extensive use of locally quarried travertine for both interior and exterior features to reflect the neighboring landscape.(Institutional Architecture)(Cover story)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The beautiful setting of the Lake Arthur Park in Estancia, NM, served as an inspiration for a new library's siting, functional distribution and architecture. The construction of the new building relocates the...

Fossilized limestone enhances University campus: Texas limestone was employed throughout the interior and exterior of the new Natural Science and Engineering Research Building at the University of Texas at Dallas, bringing a fresh look to the student environment.(Institutional Architecture)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] When designing the new Natural Science and Engineering Research Building at the University of Texas at Dallas, the architects wanted to reflect the colors of the existing architecture on campus, but at the same...

Modern facility reflects Neoclassical design: the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, is sophisticated and modern while representing the town's tradition of Neoclassical architecture, and the building is clad in Indiana limestone.(Institutional Architecture)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Neoclassical-inspired Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Tennessee, home to the Nashville Symphony and a centerpiece of Nashville's downtown revitalization, comprises 197,000 square feet and was named in honor of...

A patriotic healing center built in granite: using a variety of patriotic-colored materials, including red granite, the Center for the Intrepid-National Armed Forces Physical Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio, TX, was built to stand as a functional monumental tribute to American soldiers.(Institutional Architecture)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The goal behind the construction of the Center for the Intrepid-National Armed Forces Physical Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio, TX, was to build the most advanced rehabilitation facility in the world. The...

Calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... For all seminars and a more complete calendar of stone industry events, visit www.stoneworld.com. December 6, 2007 MIA seminar, "Using Natural Stone in Commercial Projects," (classroom instruction), Chicago, IL. For more information,...

DuPont[TM] StoneTech[R] Professional.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2007... DuPont[TM] StoneTech[R] Professional is putting its science to work by introducing two new professional grade water-based stone sealers and a new water-based heavy-duty coating stripper. DuPont[TM] StoneTech[R] High Gloss Finishing Sealer, Semi...

Revere Sinks.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2007... Revere Sinks, known for offering high-quality, affordable stainless steel sinks, recently announced its three most popular Revere sink styles for 2007, which include the Double-Bowl Undermount Models: RCFU3120, RCFU3118 and RCFU3119. ...

Marmo Meccanica LTV.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Marmo Meccanica LTV, available from Marmo Machinery USA, is a vertical edge-polishing machine for flat and round edges from 1 to 6 cm in thickness. High speed, size flexibility and ease of use are the hallmarks of this machine, reports the...

Park Velocity.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
November 1, 2007... Park Industries' most impressive single-pass, 13-spindle decorative line edger system has recently been enhanced. The Park Velocity smart spindle now has the capability of profiling edges with two radiuses. With just a touch of the screen,...

GranQuartz.(NEW LITERATURE)
November 1, 2007... GranQuartz has released the first edition of a catalog exclusively covering safety products for the stone industry. This eight-page catalog, the "GranQuartz Complete Protection & Safety Equipment Catalog," covers GranQuartz's product offerings...

VIC International.(Machine of the month)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The Denver Skema Logic C-180 Saw, from VIC International, is a monolithic bridge saw with the ability to cut an entire kitchen automatically. It features a 15-horsepower motor and a CNC rotating head capable of...

Eureka Calacatta Danby marble.(Stone of the month)
November 1, 2007... Eureka Calacatta Danby marble Water Absorption 0.06% Specific Gravity 2.711 Density 169.2 pounds/cubic foot Modulus of Rupture 1,077 psi...