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Brought to you by Stone World magazine January 9, 2008 |
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In This Issue ... 
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Industry Insight
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Turning the corner?
by Michael Reis, Editor
When it comes to gauging the stone fabrication industry, there is no exact science. Our industry is largely made up of small- to medium-sized businesses, and they're not out there publishing financial summaries of their operations. The only "official" stone statistics recorded by the U.S. government are import and export totals, and while they can certainly demonstrate growth of the industry as a whole, they don't exactly tell you the situation in individual fabrication shops. A more specific poll of the stone fabrication sector was recently conducted by the Market Research Department at BNP Media (Stone World Magazine's parent company). They sent detailed questionnaires to stone
fabricators throughout the country, and a total of 340 fabrication shops of all sizes and experience levels took part in the survey. In fact, I'm so impressed with the scope of this survey that I made it this edition's "Industry Issue of the Month." Click here for full article
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Inside the Shop
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Amendola Marble and Stone of White Plains, NY, and Custom Counters of Waterbury, CT, cover both the commercial and residential markets
by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor
Since it first opened in 1989, Amendola Marble and Stone, Inc. of White Plains, NY, has certainly undergone a transformation. Its principals, Sergio and Maria Amendola, initially started the company as a tile showroom, and today it has flourished into a full-scale fabrication shop that produces stone and engineered quartz products for high-end residential projects as well as large commercial jobs. Moreover, the Amendolas further expanded their business by establishing a subsidiary company, Custom Counters, Inc. in Waterbury, CT, in 2004. Click here to read more
Forever Granite of Tacoma, WA, invests in automation and sales staff
by Michael Reis, Editor
Forever Granite & Marble, LLC, a leading supplier of natural stone products for residential applications in the Tacoma, WA, region, has been experiencing meteoric sales growth in recent years thanks to aggressive marketing, competitively priced high-quality products and automated processes that enable production to keep up with demand. Click here to read more
Coverall Interiors of Auburn, WA, focuses on high-end work
by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor
For 14 years, Ed and Lynn Strobel have been successfully serving the stone industry by specializing in high-end construction. Their company, Coverall Interiors in Auburn, WA, is now a family-run business that includes their daughter, Katie, in its everyday operations. Ed Strobel began his career as a tile setter, but later developed into a glass block distributor. After seeing a need for granite, though, he became involved with that aspect of the business, which is a venture he has continued with to this date. Lynn Strobel explained that she and her husband's company started off small, however, it is already on its third saw. Click here to read more
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Fabricator Issue of the Month
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Fabricator Market Forecast: Steady for 2008 and solid in the future
by Michael Reis, Editor
For many stone fabricators, 2007 was a year like none other -- and not in a positive way. After solid growth for nearly a decade, the stone fabrication sector faced a host of challenges last year. When you consider that nearly half of the fabricators in the U.S. have been in business for less than 10 years, this means that many companies are experiencing their first downturn ever. Or at the very least, it was the first time that growth curtailed. Despite all of this, a recent Stone World survey of fabricators across the country revealed an optimistic mood among respondents. In general, fabricators have a fairly positive outlook for 2008, and they are predicting significant growth in the industry over the next five to 10 years. Click here to read more
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Project
Spotlight
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Private Residence, Austin, TX
by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor
A 1,600-square-foot private residence located in the historic Montrose neighborhood of Austin, TX, is an example of how the marriage of stone and tile formed an elegant design. Designer Robert Reid, ASID, with Brooks-Reid Studio was challenged to renovate the entire interior of the home, while maintaining the integrity of the house by designing details and specifying finishes that are all appropriate for the 1920s. Keeping in mind the era and the Craftsman-cottage style of the home, the design team chose finish materials that were all in keeping with the home's history, and stone and tile played an important role in the design. Click here to read more
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Shop
How
-To
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Understanding sealers and VOC compliance
by Al Salvo, Miracle Sealants Corp. (MSC), Acadia, CA
It is interesting to look back through the history of impregnators/penetrating sealers and their importance in the marketplace. In the early days of tile and stone installation, sealing tile, grout or natural stone was not an accepted practice. Sealing was looked upon as a nuisance more than an aid. Every possible excuse you can think of was used: "I don't want the liability of sealing," "I have had problems using sealers in the past," "I have to charge extra to use a sealer," "I don't want to come back for the extra day it takes to seal," etc. Click here to read more
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Industry Happenings
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New MIA safety video addresses silicosis
by Michael Reis, Editor
A new safety video produced by the Marble Institute of America (MIA), with grants from DuPont Surfaces and Water Treatment Technologies, will focus on silicosis -- a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica (granite dust). The new video, Silicosis: Incurable but Preventable, will reach the entire natural stone industry in the U.S. Click here to read more
Manu Shah of MS International is named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
by Michael Reis, Editor
Manu Shah, chairman and chief executive officer of M S International, Inc., was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2007 national award winner in the Distribution, Manufacturing & Security Category. Now in its 21st year, the awards recognize leaders and visionaries who demonstrate innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world-class businesses. Click here to read more
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This edition of Stone World Fabricator e-News was sent to you because of your expressed interest in natural stone and ceramic tile. This monthly e-newsletter offers industry updates, application features, practical tips, and commentary on stone and tile design, sent directly to your inbox. We welcome you to a readership of architects, interior designers, specifiers and consumers.
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