by Michael Reis, Editor

In business for nearly two decades, Mario & Son of Liberty Lake, WA, has steadily grown and invested back in its operation. These investments have included a range of CNC equipment as well as automated state-of-the-art technology for slab transportation, bar-coding, inventory and tracking. Moreover, the company has developed a one-of-a-kind, interactive showroom to help customers understand the history and potential uses of natural stone. Full article

UGMC, Santa Fe Springs, CA

by Alexis Fisher, Associate Editor

After first establishing itself as a supplier of exclusive stone materials, UGMC of Santa Fe Springs, CA, has developed into a full-production fabrication and installation shop filled with the latest machinery and technological advances, including a range of equipment utilizing CNC technology. Its current production facility is more than 100,000 square feet in size, featuring a 6,000-square-foot showroom, a 47,000-square-foot fabrication shop and a 50,000-square-foot slab yard. The company, which is solely owned by Dave Yaghjian, additionally has two other locations with slab galleries and showrooms in Escondido, CA, and Banning, CA. Full article

Fabricator Issue of the Month
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New materials in the marketplace

by Michael Reis, Editor

For stone fabricators, the Coverings trade event always provides a glimpse into the latest materials being introduced to the North American marketplace. These offerings include a range of exotic and unique materials as well as traditional materials from new quarry sites. A broad range of textured materials were also on display on the show floor, along with some backlit materials.

Click here to see a sampling of some materials that were on display at Coverings 2009 in Chicago, IL.

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Project Spotlight
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Private Residence, Tel Aviv, Israel

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

Photos by Sigal Kolton

Nestled in a luxurious neighborhood in the suburbs of Tel Aviv, Israel, a newly constructed three-story home is a showcase of Halila limestone -- a material known in the U.S. market as "Antique Gold." The design objective for the residence was to create an open contemporary environment, while at the same time, developing a warm homey atmosphere. Full article

USC School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles, CA

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

Since its humble beginnings in 1929, the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC) has expanded into one of the world's leading schools of cinema, television and interactive media -- with alumni such as Hollywood film director George Lucas of Star Wars and Indiana Jones acclaim. And due to its impressive stature and continual growth, the program rightfully deserved a new complex on campus that would house all of its components. With skillful planning by the Urban Design Group of Dallas, TX, a design was conceived that exhibited contemporary traits while also staying true to the university's existing California style of architecture that has been prevalent on campus for 80 years. Full article

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Shop How-To
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Industry Happenings
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Vermont/Stanstead Quarry Tours include chance for free airfare

Water Treatment Technologies (WTT) is now offering participants of the Vermont/Stanstead Quarry Tours -- part of the Stone World/Marble Institute of America Stone Industry Education Series -- a chance for a free airline ticket on Southwest Airlines to Manchester, NH, in the region of the tour's start. Vermont has long been known for its rich stone heritage, and it is said that every stone professional should experience the uniqueness of the Vermont quarries at least once in their lifetime. The event will also include a look at the rich heritage of the granite industry in Stanstead, Quebec (the granite capital of Canada). Click here for more information

Large-scale fabrication plant in Quonset Point, RI, under new ownership

Don and Angela Conte of AC Stone, LLC have acquired the fabrication facility formerly operated by New England Stone, LLC. The new company, Structural Stone, LLC, is in operation and is a full-service stone fabricator -- offering stone selection, estimating and drafting. Structural Stone fabricates cut-to-size stone for projects of any size and complexity -- whether commercial or residential, interior or exterior. Click here to read more

Stone Fabricators Alliance Workshop held in Georgia

by Brian Briggs, GranQuartz/Stone Fabricators Alliance

The Stone Fabricators Alliance held one of its many workshops at TK Custom Stone in St. Marys, GA, from March 5 to 7. There were over 100 members and sponsor representatives in attendance, and a broad range of hands-on demonstrations were offered. Click here to read more

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