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Latest News
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Industry experts to headline the NDRExpo's debut conference program
NEW ORLEANS, LA -- National disaster recovery and reconstruction experts headline the first National Disaster Reconstruction Expo's (NDRExpo) conference program. The NDRExpo was developed to unite the numerous vertical markets associated with disaster preparation, response, recovery and rebuilding. The conference program reflects this diversity with a robust line-up of industry experts. NDRExpo launches June 17 to 18, 2009 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
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NSC links green building certification programs and genuine stone
Hollis, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations that promote stone under the Genuine Stone™ brand, has announced the availability of its first case study in a series of research-based documents highlighting the environmental advantages of natural stone. The case study, "Application of Green Building Certification Programs to Natural Stone," may be found on the NSC's Web site: http://www.genuinestone.com/env_researchandresults.php.
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 | Alpha Professional Tools® pays tribute to one of its first customers
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.
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Largest study of granite countertops finds no stones that pose health threat
Cleveland, OH -- The most comprehensive scientific study of health threats from granite countertops did not find a single stone slab that poses a health risk. Quantities of radon and radiation emitted by stones included in the analysis all fell well below average background levels commonly found in the U.S.
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O&G Industries and Stony Creek Quarry form alliance to meet "green" demands
Torrington, CT -- The convergence of the masonry and quarry industries took a significant step forward as the Masonry Division of O&G Industries and Stony Creek Quarry Corp. announced a strategic alliance based on a shared vision to provide LEED®-certified quality granite to the marketplace. By engaging the companies at the material, business and marketing levels, the alliance will allow both companies to drive new growth opportunities and has the potential to ultimately transform project specifications, reaching higher LEED certification levels and meeting reduced carbon-footprint regulations.
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 | Marmomacc Fair in Verona, Italy, exceeds expectations
VERONA, ITALY -- Closing its doors on Sunday, October 6, after four successful days, the Marmomacc Stone Fair in Verona, Italy, reported that the event succeeded expectations, and this sentiment was confirmed by many exhibitors at the exhibition.
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CaesarStone now a proud member of the USGBC
VAN NUYS, CA -- Less than two months after it received its GreenGuard Certification, CaesarStone, an original quartz surface manufacturer, is expanding its eco-friendly partnerships even further by joining and becoming a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
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Ghines® and Alpha Professional Tools® announce distribution/service agreement
Ghines® and Alpha Professional Tools® 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 service that has built the company's reputation as a leader in the stone industry.
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Texas stone suppliers still rebounding from Hurricane Ike
Nine days after Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas, much of the region remains without power, and the stone industry has literally ground to a halt. The vast majority of stone fabricators and distributors in the area have remained closed as of the start of this week.
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MIA releases brochures and video to help promote safety of granite
CLEVELAND, OH -- When the safety of granite countertops was unfairly attacked recently, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) -- a leading authority on natural stone -- acted quickly to defend the industry. A new consumer brochure and video are now available to natural stone retailers and fabricators to balance the unfortunate negative publicity.
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ABC television segment refutes New York Times article on granite and radon
BALTIMORE, MD -- ABC's affiliate in Baltimore, MD, (WMAR-TV) recently aired a segment with two scientific experts to refute a July New York Times article regarding potentially dangerous levels of radon being emitted from granite countertops. "Today, experts are firing back, telling people long-time scientific evidence shows the stone is safe," said ABC investigative news reporter Joce Sterman.
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Reaction to the Today Show segment on granite countertops
NBC's "Today Show" aired a segment on granite countertops today, and while the implied connection between granite and dangerous levels of radon is never positive, this piece at least included input from both sides of the issue. Bill Llope, the same Rice University physics professor that has spoken out against granite recently, was featured and spoke of the potential hazards of some granites. But in the Today Show segment, Jack McCarthy, a consultant who works with the natural stone industry and was hired by the Marble Institute of America (MIA), explained that the amounts of radiation that come from the 70+ granites his group has tested thus far is too minute to affect humans once mixed with the atmosphere. The reporter, Natalie Morales, also noted that "health experts say the risk has been totally overblown," and a quote from the Environmental Protection Agency was read aloud and shown on the screen, confirming that "most types of granite . . . are not typically known to be major contributors of radiation and radon in the average home." These comments were sadly missing from previous articles and news segments on this issue.
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 | MSI opens new location in Atlanta
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.
The 175,000-square-foot building, which MSI reports is one of the largest stone centers under a single roof in all of North America, reflects the company's commitment to the Southeast region.
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 | Plans for Coverings 2009 Chicago underway
ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Planning is well underway for Coverings 2009, the annual show for tile and stone in the U.S. It will take place at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center from April 21 to 24, which includes the dates for the expo and conference. The show will offer the newest and best in ceramic tile, mosaics, natural stone and slab materials as well as displays of adhesives, accessories, tools and installation techniques of the industry. Additionally, 2009 will mark Coverings' 20th anniversary.
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NSC completes environmental benchmarking assessment
HOLLIS, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations that promote stone under the Genuine Stone™ brand, recently announced preliminary results of its comprehensive study of the natural stone industry. An in-depth look at quarry and processing operations over the last year has enabled the NSC to identify the industry's best practices as well as to better define areas of focus to establish natural stone's environmental profile.
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The NKBA offers professional advice regarding granite countertops and radon emissions
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ -- There has been recent news concerning the possibility that granite countertops may contain dangerously high levels of radon. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has long recognized the carcinogenic effects of radon in the home and, as a result, recommends that consumers planning to remodel a kitchen or bath consult with an NKBA-certified designer.
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MIA radon update
CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America reports that it has been working diligently over the past week to fight the fallout from the New York Times article, which insinuated that granite countertops emit a harmful amount of radon. The MIA also stated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has modified some of the statements it made last week in support of granite countertops. While it is true that coverage and blog postings have slowed somewhat, the MIA has been extremely busy identifying and developing spokespersons and material needed to defend the natural stone industry from this unnecessary panic.
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MIA addresses the New York Times
CLEVELAND, OH -- In response to the article that linked granite countertops with harmful levels of radon emission, which ran in the New York Times on July 24, 2008, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) recently wrote a "Letter to the Editor" in defense of the natural stone industry. Below is a the letter that was sent:
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EPA geochemistry researchers affirm granite's safety
HOLLIS, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC) recently announced their unequivocal support for granite as a safe, natural material for use indoors based on prior research and, most recently, both an independent study funded by NSC member, the Marble Institute of America (MIA), and newly issued U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statements reaffirming that granite poses no health risk.
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HANLEY WOOD INTRODUCES ONLINE NETWORKING TO ENHANCE TRADE SHOW EXPERIENCE . . .
In response to the needs of its customers and their overall show experience, Hanley Wood Exhibitions (owner of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas) has launched a new online networking tool. "Connect," which debuts for the Remodeling Show 2008, is Hanley Wood's solution to bringing together buyers and sellers that match each other's set criteria -- before, during and after the event.
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Free admission to Marmomacc in Verona, Italy from October 2 to 5, 2008
Marmomacc, the leading international stone industry trade show, is offering free admission to trade visitors who pre-register online. Held annually at Veronafiere in Verona, Italy, Marmomacc is a global showcase of stone materials and machinery. In 2007, more than 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries attracted over 63,000 trade visitors from 120 countries.
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StonExpo is rebranded as StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas
StonExpo, the leading natural stone trade show in the U.S., and Marmomacc, the world's largest trade fair in the stone and design sector based in Verona, Italy, announced a new strategic alliance and the rebranding of StonExpo to StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas.
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