Stone World articles from October 2008

Stone World archives from October 2008

A field trip worth taking.(STONE COLUMN)(Column)
October 1, 2008... Like many stone industry professionals today, I find myself facing difficult financial times for the first time in my career. Over the past 15-plus years, my professional day-to-day life has grown in unison with the growth of the stone...

Cosentino CEO severs ties with BuildClean, cites safety of granite ...(NEWSLINE)
October 1, 2008... Cosentino North America has ceased funding of and disengaged itself from BuildClean[TM], a Houston, TX, organization. Although BuildClean's Web site states that its mission is to "educate consumers and the building industry about safe, healthy...

Ghines[R] and Alpha Professional Tools[R] announce distribution/service agreement ...(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Ghines[R] and Alpha Professional Tools[R] are proud to announce their exclusive agreement for the distribution and service of the Ghines product line within the U.S. According to Alpha, Ghines customers can now benefit from the same quality and...

NSC completes environmental benchmarking assessment ...(NEWSLINE)
October 1, 2008... The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations that promote stone under the Genuine Stone[TM] brand, recently announced preliminary results of its comprehensive study of the natural...

Innovative stone appoints Ciska Kruger COO ...(NEWSLINE)
October 1, 2008... Innovative Stone LLC, a leading fabricator, supplier and distributor of branded natural stone products, has appointed Ciska Kruger Chief Operating Officer (COO). "Kruger was selected as Innovative Stone's COO because of her instrumental...

Stone+tec is preparing for May 2009 in Nuremberg, Germany ...(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... With around 1,000 exhibitors and over 40,000 trade visitors from all over the world, organizers of the Stone+tec trade fair are preparing for the next edition of the event--set to take place in Nuremberg, Germany, from May 20 to 23, 2009. ...

One liners ...(NEWSLINE)(CCS Stone, Inc. requests to stop advertising on its name)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... CCS Stone, Inc. of Moonachie, NJ, announced that the name "Glassos" is a company-owned trademark. "We request all those to stop advertising and selling their products under the Glassos name to avoid legal action," stated Donald Mitnick,...

June 2008: imports to the U.S.(STATISTICS)
October 1, 2008... STATISTICS June 2008 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $...

June 2008: exports from the U.S.(STATISTICS)(Statistical table)
October 1, 2008... STATISTICS June 2008 Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $...

MSI Opens new location in Atlanta.(NEWS)
October 1, 2008... AUSTELL, GA -- M S International, Inc. (MSI), a leading distributor of natural stone, opened a new state-of-the-art showroom in Austell, GA. This completes the launch of its new distribution facility dedicated to the Southeast region. ...

Park Industries hosts Digital Stoneworking Expo.(NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... ST. CLOUD, MN -- Park Industries, one of the largest manufacturers of stoneworking equipment in North America, recently hosted a Digital Stoneworking Expo at its facilities in St. Cloud, MN. Attendees from around the country attended the event...

Regent Stone Products expands outside sales initiative.(NEWS)
October 1, 2008... VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- Regent Stone Products of Virginia Beach, VA, is adding touring vans known as Regent Mobile Stores to visit shops personally. These vans, which are equipped with 60 cubic feet of space and a 7-foot-high ceiling, are stocked...

Ciot opens new showroom.(NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... DETROIT, MI -- Ciot, one of Canada's largest importers and distributors of stone, recently opened its first showroom in the U.S. Located in the metro Detroit area, the upscale showroom is 15,000 square feet, allowing the company to display a...

Laticrete appoints new Regional Sales Manager.(NEWS)
October 1, 2008... BETHANY, CT--Laticrete, a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, has appointed industry veteran Robert Robert Smith Smith to the position of Regional Sales Manager, North...

Marmo Meccanica S.P.A. expands sales operation to U.S.(NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... ROCHESTER HILLS, MI -- Marmo Meccanica S.p.A. has opened a new facility for its North America sales branch in Rochester Hills, MI. The facility includes a warehouse where machines can be delivered, and it is supervised by two area...

Upholding the "lost art" of stone carving: with a staff of seven skilled artisans, Texas Carved Stone in Florence, TX, is able to create one-of-a-kind works of art for a range of clients.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tucked away among the sprawling plains of Florence, TX, is Texas Carved Stone--a company comprised of a very talented group of artisans that all share the same passion for carving stone. These craftsmen, who hail...

Carrying on a family's specialty career: Scott Murphy founded Dream Stone Inc. of Frederick, CO, in 2001, shortly after his parents decided to shut down their own granite business.(Fabricator Case Study)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dream Stone Inc. currently 'operates out of a 12,000-square-foot shop in Frederick, CO, which includes a fabrication facility, offices and a showroom. According to owner Scott Murphy, he was inspired to open his own...

Fabricator forum: one to five years experience: among the Fabricator Forums held this year, a session took place during Coverings 2008 for professionals with one to five years of experience.(Discussion)
October 1, 2008... In an effort to offer content that best fits specific attendees, the Fabricator Forums held during Coverings 2008 were divided according to the experience level of the fabricators present. The first of these sessions was geared for...

Fabricator forum: five-plus years experience: a specially targeted Fabricator Forum--aimed at stoneworking professionals with five or more years of experience--was held during Coverings 2008.(Discussion)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Among the Fabricator Forums held this year, a session took place during Coverings 2008 that specifically targeted professionals with five or more years of experience in the trade. Panelists at the event included: ...

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2008 preview: this year's edition of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas will take place from October 16 to 18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2008 will take place from October 16 to 18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV (conference program will be held from October 15 to 18). The show allows industry...

Asian producer expands its market: one of the leading stone suppliers in the world, Best Cheer Stone Group has expanded many areas of its operation, including exports of countertop blanks to its U.S. distribution structure.(Industry overview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With eight factories in China, 19 quarries worldwide and sales offices around the world (including three in the U.S.), Best Cheer Stone Group has developed into one of the largest stone suppliers in the world. Over...

Granite enhances Tuscan design style: to warm up the kitchen of a Tuscan-styled private residence in Southern California, warm elements, such as beige-colored granite countertops, were employed.(Residential Design)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stone was recently implemented into the redesign of a 300-square-foot kitchen in a private residence in Southern California, where the aesthetic goal was to reflect a Tuscan style of design by selecting warm...

Intricate stonework "sells" North Carolina spec home: outfitted with a range of custom, one-of-a-kind stonework, a spec home in Greensboro, NC, sold the very first day that it was shown.(Residential Design)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a depressed real estate market, the prospect of building a speculative home becomes more and more daunting for builders, as they seek to make the property stand out to the limited number of prospective buyers...

Travertine creates revival design for upscale development: the extensive use of travertine for interior and exterior applications in the Revival Collection, a trio of upscale homes in the Mission Hills section of San Diego, CA, creates sophisticated yet open living spaces.(Residential Design)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nestled in the Mission Hills area of San Diego, CA, is a trio of luxury modern residences--featuring open floor plans and natural materials--that are reflective of their habitat. The homes, which have been named the...

Historical site gets "facelift" with stone: natural stone was the choice material throughout the recent renovation of the Brick House Restaurant--an historic landmark in Wyckoff, NJ.(Hospitality Design)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During the remodeling of the Brick House Restaurant in Wyckoff, NJ, which has been around for more than 100 years, it was important to select a material that would give the facility an upgrade, while still...

Stone creates Feng Shui restaurant setting: the Gi Fu Lob restaurant in Nevada utilizes a variety of authentic elements to help create a Cantonese inspired establishment, and natural stone played an integral role in the design.(Hospitality Design)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed by T. Murao Design, Inc. of New York, Gi Fu Loh, an authentic Cantonese restaurant at Harrah's Casino in South Lake Tahoe in Stateline, NV, features a variety of stone materials throughout the space. ...

Laterite forms a nature-friendly environment: as part of the global stone technology forum, which took place in Jaipur, India, this past November, a local architect described how his use of laterite--extracted in and around the jobsite--connected a beachfront resort to its natural surroundings.(Hospitality Design)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our firm, Inspiration, has 18 years of experience in the field of creating nature-friendly built environments, and it has designed and realized over 100 crafted buildings in South India. Natural materials are used as...

Chinese basalt characterizes Portland's urban park: landscape architect and sculptor Scott Murase recently built a unique stone water feature for Vera Katz Park in the redeveloped Pearl District in Portland, OR.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although Vera Katz Park does not occupy a large space, its design holds a significant value to the redevelopment of the Pearl District in Portland, OR--a former industrial area now revitalized with mixed-use...

Waterjet-cut stone anchors commercial design: much effort was taken into the preparation and production of the elaborate floor medallion--featuring tiny, detailed pieces of stone--that is a setting for the Foucault Pendulum inside the Hunt Oil Co. headquarters.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In conceiving designs for the Hunt Oil Co. headquarters in Dallas, TX, Ray Hunt--who owns the privately held independent energy company--sought to adorn the main lobby with a focal point that would draw the attention...

Granite and radon: The New York Times takes a roll in the mud.(FORUM)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I really thought that The New York Times was better than this. When my publisher walked into my office and showed me their article entitled "What's Lurking in Your Countertop?" it reminded me of the sort of...

Calendar.(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... October 16 to 18, 2008 StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2008, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Conference Session: October 15 to 18. For more details on attending or exhibiting, call (866) 550-6808 or (972) 536-6440 or visit...

Several new products from StoneTech.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Several new products from StoneTech are now available through Granite City Tool. These include StoneTech[TM] Gloss Finishing Sealer in "Semi Gloss" and "High Gloss" varieties, which gives users a gloss look to natural stone and tile with an...

Chef Pro Sink Collection.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Artisan Manufacturing has recently introduced its new premium stainless steel Chef Pro Sink Collection. The collection is available in nine new undermount sink models, including two traditional apron designs offering 10 inches of depth with an...

Master 30.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
October 1, 2008... Intermac America, a leading provider of high-tech stone and glass systems, and a subsidiary of Biesse S.p.A., has introduced the Master 30. Engineered for top fabricators, Intermac's multi-functional 3-axis work center, Master 30, combines...

Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
October 1, 2008... Jet Edge, Inc. has introduced its new Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet. The Jet Edge Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet System features an 8- x 13-foot work envelope with an exposed tank that easily accommodates overhead loading, according to manufacturer....

Two new blades.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Granite City Tool is offering two new blades for stone fabricators. The Tyrolit /Vincent[TM] Winner Flash Blade is made exclusively for Granite City Tool by Tyrolit/ Vincent[TM] of Italy, a large manufacturer of diamond products for stone....

Rubenator Z Bit from Sinai Tools.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The Rubenator Z Bit from Sinai Tools and offered through Braxton-Bragg is now available with 3-inch blades. According to the company, the product has been designed to save 30 minutes per sink cutout and improve the consistency of the sink...

Volcanic Silicone[TM].(NEW EQUIPMENT)
October 1, 2008... Domain Industries has introduced Volcanic Silicone[TM]--a premium, high-performance, durable 100% RTV silicone in a variety of translucent colors for use with any non-porous surface application such as solid surface countertops, granite...

Consumer brochure and video.(NEW LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... A new consumer brochure and video from the Marble Institute of America (MIA)--a leading authority on natural stone--are now available to natural stone retailers and fabricators. The Truth About Granite & Radon/ Radiation consumer brochure...

Two new pieces of literature.(NEW LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... Aqua Mix has recently introduced two new pieces of literature, including a Product Catalog and a brochure titled, "Understanding Stone Sealers." In the Product Catalog, Aqua Mix introduces its products under its custom name. Pages are...

Machine of the month.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LCR from Marmo Meccanica is a specialized linear polishing machine for flat edges that can process a pencil round profile in sizes up to 4 cm and chamfers up to 6 cm. It can round and polish the two corners of a...