While StonExpo served as a place for many dealers and fabricators to discuss new products and trends in the stone industry, for Nao Takahashi, President of Alpha Professional Tools, it was also a time to reflect and pay tribute to a well-known individual in the industry, Peter de Kok, President of GranQuartz. "After 39 years of dedicated service to GranQuartz, Peter will hand in his calculator and retire," Takahashi said.

GranQuartz was one of the first customers to purchase products from Alpha Professional Tools when it opened its doors some 20 years ago. As a show of appreciation, a gathering of friends, business associates and GranQuartz employees assembled in the Alpha trade show booth to honor de Kok and bid him a fond farewell. "It was evident by the touching words spoken -- and the stories that were shared-- that Peter will truly be missed," Takahashi said. "We wish him well in his retirement."