SW - Latest News

Coverings announces move to Las Vegas for 2011

Coverings show management recently announced that the 2011 edition of the event will take place in Las Vegas, NV. This year's event will remain in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center, and it is scheduled for April 24 to 27.

New MIA officers chosen

Brett S. Rugo, founder and president of Rugo Stone, LLC of Lorton, VI, and grandson of an Italian stone carver, has been chosen as the new president of the Marble Institute of America (MIA).

2009 Survey reinforces differences between typical and high-profit fabricators

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America (MIA) recently completed its second Performance Analysis Report for natural stone fabricators. The survey, conducted in 2009, contains an evaluation and interpretation of financial data solicited from fabricators. Like its 2007 predecessor, this report provides one of the most comprehensive set of financial performance benchmarks in the natural stone fabrication industry. The report is designed to provide fabrication shops with a tool to evaluate existing performance and identify new ways to create improvement.

Marmo Meccanica North America consolidates operations

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI -- Marmo Meccanica S.p.A. has consolidated its North American operations to better serve its customers' needs. Sales, service, parts and tooling will now be operated out of its Rochester Hills, MI, location.

World Wide Stone Corp. makes its headquarters greener

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- World Wide Stone Corp. has announced that it has contracted with Green Choice Solar of Scottsdale, AZ, to install an 87,760 Wp Photovoltaic (Solar) Electric Generating Plant at its headquarters facilities in the Scottsdale AirPark at 15275 North 83rd Place, Scottsdale, AZ. This electricity generating system, on average, will supply about 65% of the electricity the company consumes at its Scottsdale location.

Ade International Excal to hold architecture event in New York

Ade International Excal, the Trade Agency of the Government of Castile and Leon, Spain, will be holding an event called "Architecture & Sustainable Projects from Spain, Natural Stone Industry, Hospitality & Home Equipment, and Interior Design," on Monday, February, 8, 2010, at Tafel Hall of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), New York Chapter.

Quarra helps build green

Madison, WI -- Quarra Stone of Madison, WI, a company that supplies and fabricates natural stone for signature architectural and restoration projects throughout the country, has launched a comprehensive database that identifies dimensional stone quarries throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The database is designed to enable architects who are specifying natural stone in their projects to earn points towards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Current guidelines call for the award of one point towards LEED certification for builders who use dimensional stone that is quarried within 500 miles of construction.

CaesarStone introduces world's first quartz surface available on iPHONE

VAN NUYS, CA -- CaesarStone, a quartz surface manufacturer, has launched a unique, free iPhone "MobileGallery™" application that gives consumers, designers and dealers alike a pocket-sized tool to browse and order samples from the line-up of CaesarStone countertops and surfaces.

Vermont Quarries announces achievement of Greenguard Certification for marble surfacing

MENDON, VT - Vermont Quarries has announced its achievement of Greenguard Indoor Air Quality and Greenguard Children & Schools SM Certification for marble surfacing. Greenguard-certified products must meet stringent emissions requirements set by the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI), such as being screened for more than 10,000 chemicals. Greenguard Certified products are recognized, referenced or preferred by many retailers, companies, institutions, government agencies, environmental programs, standards and specifications around the globe. All certified products can be found in a free online product guide at www.greenguard.org.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces Announce Co-Location Beginning in 2011

DALLAS, TX -- Hanley Wood Exhibitions has announced that StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces will co-locate beginning in January of 2011. Both exhibitions will be held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, January 26 to 28, with conferences beginning on January 25.

Fabricators optimistic for 2010 and beyond, planning new capital investments

U.S. fabricators have an optimistic for the stone industry in 2010 and beyond, according to a Fabricator Market Survey conduced by BNP Media (Stone World's parent company). The survey polled fabricators from all regions on the country, and the following is a brief summary of the results.

U.S. International Trade Court rules for anti-dumping duty orders against certain diamond saw blades from China and Korea

The U.S. Court of International Trade recently ordered the U.S. Department of Commerce to issue and publish anti-dumping duty orders and order the collection of cash deposits on subject diamond saw blades from China and Korea. The move is in response to a petition from the "Diamond Sawblades Manufacturers Coalition," and as a result, the Department of Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation and collect cash deposits on diamond saw blades from China and Korea at ad valorem rates.

TERRY O’NEILL RECEIVES MIA PRESTIGIOUS MIGLIORE AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

CLEVELAND, OH -- Terry O’Neill, Columbia Marble Company of Pittsburgh, PA, has been awarded the 2009 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA).

INTERNATIONAL STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2010

VENTURA, CA -- The ninth annual gathering of the stone 'tribe,' will take place from January 19 to 23, 2010 in Ventura, CA, just north of Los Angeles. There will be interesting and informative presentations and demonstrations, lively discourse, camaraderie and conviviality.

WALKER ZANGER LAUNCHES DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR MIA MEMBERS

SYLMAR, CA -- Beginning immediately, Walker Zanger, one of the world's most comprehensive stone and tile companies and a long-time member of the Marble Institute of America (MIA), offers members of the MIA a 5% discount on stone slabs, through its new MIA Member Discount Program. This program is scheduled to continue through the end of 2010.

MARBLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA FIRST 'CRAFTSMAN OF THE YEAR'

CLEVELAND, OH -- Randy Severson, general superintendent of Carrara Marble Company of City of Industry in California, has been chosen as the very first MIA Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year; a competition introduced by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) in 2009.

New seminar and product from Braxton-Bragg

Knoxville, TN -- In an ongoing effort to provide additional in-depth technical knowledge and support to people involved in the surface preparation business, Braxton-Bragg LLC will be offering training classes on concrete grinding and polishing. The first seminar will take place on November 19 to 20, 2009. This training is designed to enhance the participant's knowledge and understanding of the entire concrete polishing process.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2009 announces new conference session

DALLAS, TX -- StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2009 has announced a new class on sustainability in the natural stone industry, presented by Jack Geibig, P.E., of the Center for Clean Products. "Assessing the Sustainability of Stone as a Green Building Material" will be offered on Friday, October 23, from 8:00 to 9:30am as part of the Building/Design track, which is sponsored by Architect Magazine.

Natural Stone Council continues to build online resource library

HOLLIS, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations serving the natural stone industry, has announced the addition of a Life-Cycle Inventory and fact sheet for slate on its Web site -- www.GenuineStone.org.

Report: Stone to see largest advances as U.S. demand for countertops to reach 760 milllion square feet in 2013

A number of noteworthy trends have been presented in "Countertops," a new study from The Fredonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland, OH, industry research firm.

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: MIA/Stone World Industry Education Program is set for Vermont and Canada from October 7-8

See a preview video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWGSp8mEeCw

STONE INDUSTRY EDUCATION COMING TO NEW JERSEY/NYC AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

To learn more about the upcoming MIA/Stone World magazine industry education event -- "Business Success for Fabricators Don't Let Revenue Slip Away" -- that will be held on September 9 in Perth Amboy, NJ, and September 16 in Seattle, WA, watch this short video by clicking the following link: MIA/Stone World Education -Business Success for Fabricators Don't Let Revenue Slip Away.

FREE GRANITE KITCHEN DONATED FOR NEVADA CHARITY

CARSON CITY, NV -- Most everyone in communities across the U.S. has been affected somehow by the economy -- and the children are no exception. Winston and Shannon Seymour, owners of Atomic Stone in Cason City, NV, point out that the average age of a homeless person is nine, and they were shocked when they learned of the number of Carson City children that were going to bed hungry at night. "The ache in their stomachs was immense, and their hearts were heavy as they thought of these young, local children going without the nourishment their body's need," Atomic Stone stated.

Daltile hosts workshop for fabricators

On August 5, 2009 in Chicago, IL, Daltile teamed up with the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Stone World magazine to host an important workshop for fabricators. The workshop was titled "Business Success for Fabricators – Don't Let Revenue Slip Away," which is a timely subject during this down economy. Nearly 40 people attended, including fabricators from Illinois and Wisconsin, and other stone industry professionals.

An Open Letter from the Natural Stone Council regarding funding

from John Mattke, Co-Chair
Natural Stone Council

Rededication ceremony scheduled for Freedom Stone

HAUPPAGE, NY -- On September 11, 2009 from 8 to 10:30 a.m., Innovative Stone™ will rededicate the Freedom Stone for public viewing in a new memorial garden at its Long Island headquarters, located at 130 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788.

Medieval stone for sale

SUITLAND, MD -- An amalgamation of Medieval building stones, which once comprised the interior of a New York City apartment living room, are now being stored in Suitland, MD, and are available for sale. The stones consist of approximately 800 square feet of floor pavers that are approximately 3 inches thick and varying in size -- averaging 12 x 18 inches -- window surrounds (approximately three) and a fireplace with a carved bas relief of a decorative coat of arms. Additionally, there are approximately 100 footlocker-size crates, which have been stored outside and are in poor condition. It is estimated that the stones collectively weigh in excess of 15 tons, derived from a visual survey. The stones appear to be of a yellow/cream oolitic limestone, possibly from Europe, but the origin is unknown.

FREE ADMISSION TO MARMOMACC IN VERONA, ITALY (WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2009)

Marmomacc, a leading international stone industry trade show in Verona, Italy, is offering free admission to trade visitors who pre-register online. By pre-registering before September 25 at www.marmomacc.com/freebadge2009 visitors will be able to immediately print their own entry badge -- thereby saving $50.

Marble Institute of America Radon/Radiation Update

We are writing to make you aware of the latest assault on the natural stone industry.

COVERINGS RETURNING TO ORLANDO IN 2010; HEADING TO LOS ANGELES IN 2011 . . .

The planning has begun for Coverings 2010, which will take place next April 27-30, when the international show of ceramic tile and natural stone returns to Orlando, FL, and the Orange County Convention Center. Then in 2011, the show will be making a strategic move westward, heading to the Los Angeles Convention Center in Californoa.