"Our exhibitors were great," stated William J. "Skip" Mason, show manager. "They understood that the situation was beyond our control. The exhibitors committed themselves to maximizing the customers that were in attendance."

In total, the show drew 18,892 attendees, of which 76% were from the U.S., while 24% hailed from foreign countries. Additionally, there were 7,824 people at the show from a total of 1,450 exhibiting companies. Exhibitors came from 45 different countries and occupied more than half a million square feet of floor space.

Participation remained high from those countries that have traditionally participated in large numbers at the show. Italy was there with a 91,000-square-foot pavilion; Spain was present with a 70,000-square-foot pavilion; and other countries such as Brazil, Canada, India, Israel, Mexico and Portugal also displayed large pavilions. In addition, 76 companies from China -- the largest gathering of Chinese exhibitors -- and 53 firms from Turkey had signed up to exhibit.

Overall, exhibitors seemed to share the same sentiments as show organizers about attendance. "Traffic's been steady -- not overwhelming -- but the quality has been real good," stated Kent Perry of Mystic Granite and Marble in Orlando. Chiara Frugoli from Frugoli S.p.A. of Carrara, Italy, shared similar thoughts. "Coverings is always a high-quality show," stated the exhibitor. "It's understandable if we saw somewhat fewer people this year, but even so, our customers came and we also made contact with new people."

Attendees were interested in learning more about the latest developments in natural stone products, fabricating and quarrying equipment, tools and accessories, and installation and maintenance products, which were all on display throughout the exhibition hall. Many came with the intentions of making purchases. "We go to other shows, but Coverings is our buying show," stated Tom Heublin of Statements in Seattle, WA, a distributor of high-end stone and ceramic tile.

Vision 2003

In addition to the exhibits, Coverings featured Vision 2003, a seminar program that included over 100 presentations, workshops and speakers as education and professional development opportunities for the attendees. Stone World Editor/Associate Publisher Michael Reis once again moderated a Fabricator's Forum, which attracted quite a crowd. The session was organized as a roundtable discussion, which allowed participants to share their professional experiences related to stone fabrication today. Technical issues such as the pros and cons of CNC tooling to industry topics including safety guidelines were among the topics discussed.

Another presentation that was part of the program was "The Art of Making a Sink Hole," which was moderated by Stone World Publisher Alex Bachrach. This "how-to" seminar, which was presented by Cornel Alb, Research & Development Technician for Alpha Professional Tools, focused on all types of sink hole applications. The speaker not only gave helpful tips and practical information on this aspect of stone fabrication, but also answered technical questions fabricators had pertaining to the topic.

Vision 2003 also served as an official provider of continuing education credits for members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the design groups contained within the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). Such associations include the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Interior Design Council (IDC), Interior Design Education Council (IDEC), International Interior Design Association (IIDA), National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and International Facilities Management Association (IFMA).

In addition to the seminar program, Coverings also featured a lineup of keynote speakers, which were featured at 9 a.m. on each day of the four-day show. John Graham, author of "New Magnet Marketing," presented bold ideas that work like magnets in drawing customers; Gary Bradt gave an entertaining and motivational presentation based on the best-selling business book, "Who Moved My Cheese?;" "The Afterburners," elite fighter pilots who showed that success in business can be won by using some of the same strategies that contribute to success in aerial combat; and Tony Brigmon, formerly of Southwest Airlines, demonstrated how to use creative practical exercises to energize a business meeting.

Co-sponsorship

Additionally, the Italian Marmomacchine Association (AIMM), whose membership includes the leading Italian equipment manufacturers for natural stone processing, initiated its co-sponsorship this year. This underlined the importance of the show to European markets, according to show organizers.

Another aspect of Coverings was the support given to two worthy charities. A group of exhibitors made donations to Give Kids the World, which assists children with terminal illnesses to visit Orlando's theme parks, and Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds and donates housing for needy low-income families.

The three largest national ceramic tile associations in the world each coordinated the creation of a pair of benches and planters that will be placed in the Butterfly Garden at the Give Kids the World Village in central Florida. Ceramic Tiles of Italy retained the renowned designer, Michael P. Johnson, to create exciting surfaces for their donation. The tile was donated by three Italian companies, including Marazzi. The Tile Council of America coordinated six American companies -- Oceanside Glass Tile, Michelle Griffoul Studios, Interstyle Ceramic and Glass, Laufen Ceramic Tile, United States Ceramic Tile Company and Laticrete International -- in their donations to the project. Tau-Ceramica and Gres de la Mancha represent the significant contribution to the project from Tiles of Spain.

For the first three days of the exhibition, three teams of skilled artisans set and grouted the ceramic tile to the benches and planters on the exhibit hall floor. Give Kids the World officially received the donations at a brief dedication ceremony, which took place on Thursday, March 27 on the show floor.

At the close of the show, both the natural stone and ceramic tile industry donated several full truckloads of material to Habitat for Humanity. These materials will be used by Habitat in building houses for needy families over the next year. It is anticipated that materials for over 30 houses will be given to this organization. This year marked the second year that Coverings has supported Habitat for Humanity and the third year for Give Kids the World.

Another highlight of Coverings 2003 was the announcement of the winners of the booth awards. Ten outstanding exhibits were honored for excellence in creativity and design. The award program was juried by members of the Coverings Board of Governors and the Show Management team.

The winner of the Best in Show Award was Emilceramica for a stand that combined the company's products with dramatic structural elements that included glass, aluminum and iridescent metals. Merit Award winners included: Florida Tile, Leonardo, Pietra Kaikos, Saloni, Trends, the Turkish Ceramic Manufacturers Association, Universal Marble & Granite Group, Venatto Greco Gres and Vitromex.

Next year's edition of Coverings will be held at the new North/South Complex of the Orange County Convention Center. It will take place from March 23 to 26, 2004.

Side Bar:
Touring the exhibit halls of Coverings 2003

Stone Suppliers
Akdo Intertrade -- a variety of new mosaic lines, including Pacifique, which is inspired by the French Colonial days of Asia and depicts bamboo and plant life of the region; and Beach House, which has nautical elements as well as other mosaic designs that recall an oceanfront lifestyle
Circle No. 283

Alfredo Salvatori -- Antinori, a new hand-honed finish that recalls the feeling of fine silk; the Dune Collection of wall and floor tiles, where every corner is finished by hand to achieve the proper aesthetic
Circle No. 282

Alkusari Stone -- Introduced a new travertine, "Oro," which has a rich golden color and can be used for applications such as tiles and pool copings; Texas Azul limestone, which is similar to Gascone Blue and shows fossilization on the surface; new concept boards for clients to show the company's patterns, styles and sizes
Circle No. 281

Allied Supply Pte. Ltd. -- Introduced new Ancient Granite Series, which is stone that appears to be centuries old, to evoke an Old World look
Circle No. 280

Alony Marble Ltd. -- Highlighted a range of Jerusalem stones, focusing on a new line of mosaics, liners and sophisticated profiles. The new lines are a combination of the ancient arts with modern art and machinery
Circle No. 279

Andrade -- Bordeaux granite, which features rust tones with black accents; Lapidus, which has a golden color with shades of gray and tan
Circle No. 278

American Stone -- Educated current customers about The Workshop, a unique system that creates custom mosaics and layouts
Circle No. 277

Ancor Granite Tile, Inc. -- Showcased a whole line of stone materials, including granite tiles and panels in a variety of sizes and finishes for residential, commercial and institutional applications
Circle No. 276

Antico Stone / Zuk Marble -- A wide collection of high-quality Jerusalem Stone products, which are offered in various shapes, sizes, colors and finishes. Also offered a series of mosaic designs
Circle No. 275

Antolini Luigi C. SpA -- Showcased backlit onyx, Lapis Eyes, Azul Bahia and other granites, limestones, travertines and semi-precious stones
Circle No. 274

Artsaics -- Hand-painted tumbled marble tiles from the company's Fresco collection -- a combination of classic designs and contemporary colors
Circle No. 273

BCS-Brazil Consortium of Stones -- Fantasy Beach granite, which features a gold tone with white and black highlights; Blue River granite, which has shades of dark blue and tan
Circle No. 272

Bermarmol -- Verde Coral marble, a warm blend of blue/green and beige, and Blanco Coral marble, a mix of different tones of beige. Both are offered in brushed and antiqued finishes
Circle No. 271

Ber-Oner Marble, Inc. -- Displayed White Onyx from Turkey, mostly available in blocks and cut-to-size pieces; Tillo limestone quarried in Southeast Turkey, available in all sizes
Circle No. 270

Bestview -- natural stone counters and vanities, including pre-packaged sets
Circle No. 269

Brachot-Hermant -- natural stone with the company's exclusive "Anciento" finish, which was conceived to produce rough natural stone with a soft finish; the Anciento process can be done on all varieties of granite as well as on calibrated slabs
Circle No. 268

Caribe International -- Offered natural stone from Mexico, including products from its Torreon Collection. This series features honed and tumbled travertine tiles as well as accent pieces, decorative medallions, stone sinks and accessories
Circle No. 267

Cosa Marble Co. -- Showcased mosaics, borders and medallions, all with new blue colors in the designs
Circle No. 266

Cremar SpA -- Showcased a variety of granite, marble, onyx and French limestone, including two exclusive materials they quarry, called Typhoon Green and Pompeii
Circle No. 265

Dimpomar LDA -- Highlighted a variety of Portuguese marbles and limestones
Circle No. 264

Edilgraniti -- Verde Fuoco, an exclusive granite from Australia which has shades of green and rust
Circle No. 263

Esteve y Manez -- Introduced several new stones, including New Portoro marble, a black-colored material with golden veining, and Travertine Miel (honey) Antiqued, consisting of a warm blend of shades
of beige

Circle No. 262

Gem Granites -- displayed granites including Sentinel Red, Golden Dragon, Gold Star and Bon Red, all from India
Circle No. 261

Granitas Granit -- Showcased an array of granites available in different colors and sizes. Also introduced a new travertine collection from Turkey
Circle No. 260

Granite & Marble Resources -- Showcased onyx, marble, quartz, limestone and travertine mosaic applications for floors and walls, as well as a new metallic glass tile
Circle No. 259

Granitex S.p.A. -- Namibia Blue Sodalite, which features a blue tone; Jurassic Green, which has rich shades of green
Circle No. 258

Green Slate Mining Co. -- Displayed a variety of Brazilian slates in shades of green, black, plum and multicolored. All of the materials come from the company's own quarries and are fabricated in its plants
Circle No. 257

Grein Italia -- precision-calibrated slabs that are fabricated to an extreme tolerance of +/- 0.3 mm (1/80 inch
Circle No. 256

Guinet-Derriaz -- limestone and marble from the company's 14 equipped quarries
Circle No. 255

I.A. Shenhav -- tiles of Jerusalem Stone from a new production line that manufactures tiles measuring 24 x 24 x 5/8 inches
Circle No. 254

IGM-International Granite & Marble -- granite slabs featuring a rich blue color, such as Blue Bahia and Azul Macaubas
Circle No. 253

Itaarte -- cut-to-size architectural pieces in Brazilian stone, including flooring, counters and fireplaces
Circle No. 252

Italian Trade Commission -- highlighted stone producers from Sicily, with products including cream and red marble, sandstone, lavastone and the renowned Perlato di Sicilia
Circle No. 251

Jerusalem Gardens -- the Desert line of products, including large-sized modules and random pieces in hand-chiseled and sandblasted finishes; the stone is available in beige shades as well as a light gray variety
Circle No. 250

Levantina de Granitos Grupos -- offered a variety of new granites, including Coral Bordeaux, a mix between Bordeaux and Coral Reef; Silky Yellow, from India; and Golden Sobral, as well as a new finish called "Riverwashed," which is flamed, then brushed
Circle No. 249

Levantina Trading S.A. -- Showcased an array of granites, marble, travertine, sandstone and limestone available in different formats and finishes
Circle No. 248

MAP -- tumbled slate mosaics featuring 2- x 2-inch pieces on a mesh backing; slate tiles with a brushed finish and cushioned edges for an Old World look
Circle No. 247

M S International -- Aqua Green slate, which has a deep green tone; Black Slate Premium, which has a rich chocolate hue
Circle No. 246

Marbelli -- a variety of stone products from Israel, including large-format stones for exterior architectural work
Circle No. 245

Marble Design -- A collection of Mexican travertine in slab and tile as well as architectural features such as sinks and fireplaces. Also offered a variety of other decorative pieces
Circle No. 244

Marble Institute of America -- promoted the organization's objectives and publications, and also highlighted the upcoming convention, scheduled for December 4 to 6 in Atlanta, GA
Circle No. 243

Marmoleria Gallos -- introduced a new stone called Crater Honed, and showcased broken travertine and pool copings
Circle No. 242

Meshoppen Stone, Inc. -- highlighted Pennsylvania bluestone, flagstone and stackstone, quarried in Northeast Pennsylvania, and used for applications such as sidewalks, steps and garden ponds
Circle No. 241

Micapel -- Mineracao Capao das Pedras -- Showcased a broad spectrum of darker and lighter shades of black, grey, green, red and multicolored slates, available in standard sizes in gauged, natural cleft and large slabs. Special sizes and formats are produced upon request. Products are ideal for landscaping, flooring, wall cladding, roofs and kitchen countertops as well as a variety of other applications
Circle No. 240

Michelangelo -- An assortment of Brazilian granites and marbles, including Labrador Green, a granite comprised of blends of dark green; Juparana Beach granite consisting of swirls of cream and beige shades, which resemble the color of sand; and Rosso Verona and Botticino marble
Circle No. 239

Millennium Brazilian Stone Trading Ltd. -- Highlighted an array of granite slabs, in 2 and 3 cm, and tiles. New colors displayed included Coliseum and Twister Green
Circle No. 238

Mystic Granite & Marble -- Showcased a variety of marble tiles and slabs from Brazil, Scandinavia and Egypt, as well as NileStone, a new material from Egypt
Circle No. 237

Ozer International -- Introduced a line of stone care products, including remover, shiner, epoxy adhesive and protector. Also promoted stones from its two new travertine quarries in Turkey
Circle No. 236

P&L Marble -- slate and quartzite varieties from China, which are hand-assembled in a broad range of decorative mosaic patterns
Circle No. 235

Pavlidis S.A. Marble-Granite -- Highlighted functional and decorative marble, including Venus; and granites including Emerald Pearl, Blue Pearl and Absolute Black
Circle No. 234

Pokarna Granites -- a new Indian granite with tones of dark green, deep blue and red
Circle No. 233

Precision H20 -- Showcased examples of waterjet cutting, including complex murals, medallions and geometric shapes done in materials such as natural stone, ceramic tile and porcelain
Circle No. 232

Quantum Stone International -- Offered Italian sandstone, called Pietra Serena, as an introduction to their new stone line from Italy
Circle No. 231

Regio/Talavera -- Showcased a variety of stone borders and moldings, and a variety of tile and mosaics, including new Mexican glass mosaics
Circle No. 230

Royal Granite -- Showcased new stones from Brazil, including Juparana Florence, Juparana Doratto, Sunshine Blue and Green Paladio
Circle No. 229

Santucci -- showcased its abilities for fabricating cut-to-size architectural materials as well as slabs
Circle No. 228

Siena Marble & Mosaic -- custom-designed mosaics in natural stone for a variety of architectural applications
Circle No. 227

Stone Suppliers -- Royal Veta, a new marble variety from Colombia, which features gold and tan colors, with great variation across the surface; the stone is available in several different finishes
Circle No. 226

Tekmar -- Anticato, a brushed finished for the surface of the company's tile products; Tekmar Dove, a light gray marble that fits well with current design trends; Rapsody, a marble with shades of white and light gray
Circle No. 225

Tureks/Marble Systems -- a variety of antiqued and tumbled stone available in many colors and sizes, including Patika travertine either filled or unfilled with a chiseled finish. Also displayed collections of mosaics and borders in an assortment of patterns
Circle No. 224

Vermont Quarries Corp./Mazzucchelli Marmi -- Appalachian Green Danby marble, which is quarried in Vermont and has a light green tone
Circle No. 223

World Wide Stone Corp. -- Durango Ancient ViejoTM, a truly tumbled line of natural stone products for an authentic Old World look
Circle No. 222

Fabrication Products

Abrasive Enterprises, Inc. -- Introduced Fein SuperCut Saw, which removes board and grout without damaging surrounding materials. Also showed performance cloth-backed abrasives
Circle No. 221

Alpha Professional Tools -- Offered Ceramica EX, a new generation of polishing discs featuring 4-inch discs that can polish a majority of material found in the building industry, including natural stone; also introduced the AWS-110 wet cutting circular saw designed for use in the stone, tile and glass trades for cutting perfectly straight edges required for fabrication and installation
Circle No. 220

Braxton Bragg -- Introduced the Systhema, a table saw and multifunctional manual stoneworking unit, manufactured by Ghines. The table saw is capable of processing orthogonal, linear cuts up to 3,200 x 1,000 mm with depth up to 66.5 mm. The multifunctional router is capable of shaping and polishing internal and external contours -- with or without template -- on every kind of profile; sink cut-outs and recess drains; frameworks and skirting boards; grooves (inclined and flat), slots on edges (linear and shaped) and tables
Circle No. 219

Breton S.p.A. -- the Contoursaw, Contourbreton, Goldenedge and

Spiderbreton line of profiling, cutting and sawing machines
Circle No. 218

Cam Tech Industries, Inc. -- Offered CNC routing, engraving and laser etching machinery, including the Laser Master L15, a 2-axis CNC machine
Circle No. 217

CMS North America/Brembana -- the Speed TR, a system for pendular working of large-sized workpieces (up to 3,600 mm) with total safety and for minimizing unproductive times in loading/unloading operations; the Speed TR has all the standard features of the Speed 3 and Maxima machines with the addition of a very large circular rotating table with two working areas
Circle No. 216

Diamant Boart -- CNC tools, including the X-Cut 20 diamond blade, as well as new dry polishing pads
Circle No. 215

Eurostone Machine -- offered Eich Clarification and Recycling Systems with constant pressure and on-demand pumps. The system requires no flocculant so there is no chemical damage to machinery over its lifetime, according to the company. Suited for natural or engineered stone, the systems feature a compact design, automatic operation, self-cleaning and self-testing features.
Circle No. 214

GMM s.r.l. -- Showcased the Tecna 36A, an automatic electronic bridge-sawing machine, with a tilting head for blades up to 725 mm in diameter
Circle No. 213

GranQuartz -- the Diarex Cyclone filtration system, an effective and environmentally friendly system for water clarification; available in 20-gallon increments to suit any requirement (10 gallons for CNC), the machine features a small 4- x 6-foot footprint, and there is no need for multiple pits
Circle No. 212

Groves, Inc. -- Focused on stone and glass storage systems, including the Econo-A-Frame, a multi-purpose slab rack<
Circle No. 211

Hard Rock Tool, Inc. -- Introduced a new Stone Pro machine, which has three heads, does 1,500 square feet an hour and is the only machine running with 110 powers. Also showcased Swarm 2000, a shop saw that has a touch-screen display and handheld remote control
Circle No. 210

IGE Solutions -- the Prussiani Oceania CNC stoneworking center with four interpolated axes; bridge sawing and edging equipment from CMPI
Circle No. 209

International Machine Corp. -- Displayed the new Technostone CNC machine manufactured by Bimatech, equipped with on-board laser tool measuring that provides fast and accurate calibration; laser projector for positioning stops and suction cups; 20-mm-thick PVC work field, mechanically locked into place to prevent possible delamination; and independent closed-circuit liquid cooling system for electrospindle. Also offered the Levi Tunisi LT FP 546 bridge saw, featuring inclined step cut up to 45 degrees, inclinable head up to 90 degrees, and head speed for forward and backward movement controlled by inverter and independently adjustable
Circle No. 208

Inter Stone Supplies LLC -- Focused on the fabrication of marble and granite, with diamond tools, adhesives, sealers, cleaners, hand tools and the Twister Plus bridge saw
Circle No. 207

Italdiamant -- a variety of stone processing tools, including diamond saw blades for multiblade block cutter, giant saw blades up to 3500 mm or 11 feet, 6 inches, circular saw blades for granite and profile wheels for all types of stone and dimensions
Circle No. 206

Marmo Meccanica -- offered the LTH-721 MPA, a horizontal edge machine, which processes stone from 1 to 10 cm in thickness for natural and engineered stones. Also showcased MB 30 Dust Collection System and CNC C-Tec 3LPF
Circle No. 205

Matrix Stone Products -- the new Sebring bridge saw, which has a digital readout and a new look; the machine sells for 15% less than the previous model
Circle No. 204

Park Industries, Inc. -- Destiny, a new dual spindle CNC stone center, which operates with a StoneCAM. Also showcased the Odyssey II, computer controlled shaping system; ProEdge III, automatic edge shape and polisher; bridge saws Yukon and Sierra; and the Wizard Radial Arm Workstation
Circle No. 203

Pearl Abrasive Co. -- Showcased Hexpin surface preparation equipment, VX series tile saws, including the VX 7.2 and VX 10.2, diamond blades and the Blade Roller, a removable rolling platform for circular saws
Circle No. 202

Regent Stone Products, Inc. -- Showcased the Dynamica MonoBlock Bridge Saw, by Marmoelettromeccanica USA, as well as CNC tooling and router bits
Circle No. 201

Salem Stone -- the Twister Driver portable cutting machine that allows for precise cutting of elliptical, oval and circular bowls as well as rounded tops and tables
Circle No. 200

Sawing Systems -- Introduced the 5RP -- a router, polisher, edger and core drill with water collection table -- which is capable of cutting out sink tops; additionally a wire brush can be used to give slabs an antique finish. Also displayed a new touch-screen computer on gantry saw -- automatic step cut and index machine
Circle No. 199

Stone Boss -- Offered the new Ghines 93 Sector; a new line of Panther diamond pads; and Gison pneumatic tools for polishing
Circle No. 198

Surtec, Inc. -- Promoted new machinery called Coch, such as the Coch C-34 bridge saw and edge polishers Coch LFT032 and LF 12T
Circle No. 197

Tyrolit Vincent SpA -- Showcased bonded grinding, cutting-off, sawing and drilling tools
Circle No. 196

VIC International Corp. -- Offered equipment, tooling and supplies for stone fabrication, including the Denver Quasar Tech, Denver Skema S and new Aggressor Honeycomb Dry Pads<
Circle No. 195

Vytek -- industrial laser and router systems, including a new range of Laser Engraving Systems called The F Series, which combines all the features of the larger M Series but has added convenience through its size
Circle No. 194

Wood's Powr-Grip Co., Inc. -- Highlighted vacuum hand cups, which attach on smooth, non-porous surfaces, such as stone slabs, and material-handling equipment.
Circle No. 193

Installation

and Maintenance Products

Akemi North America -- Akepox[R] 1000, which has a water-like consistency; the two-part component epoxy is used mainly for strengthening porous and fissured natural stone and concrete surfaces
Circle No. 192

Aqua Mix -- Enrich n' Seal, a 100% solids enhancer and sealer that provides long-lasting oil and grease resistance; the product features a 15-year warranty
Circle No. 191

Bellinzoni c/o Maverick International -- New products shown include Maintenance Cleaner and Polisher, Marble and Granite Cleaner, Stone Polish, a 2-in-1 foam cleaner and polisher, Astra 24K, a crystal-clear polyester and II Mangia Macchia, a versatile stain remover
Circle No. 190

Custom Building Products -- SoundGardT Sound Reduction Mat Underlayment, which reduces impact sound and delivers exceptional levels of acoustical control and privacy for interior spaces
Circle No. 189

Fila Chemical USA Corp. -- Offered protection for unpolished porcelain stoneware and rustic single-fired ceramics, called Filajet. Also introduced Fuganet grout cleaner and Fugaproof grout sealer
Circle No. 188

HMK -- the HMK[R] Stone Care System,

which helps to ensure the lasting beauty of both commercial and residential installations
Circle No. 187

Laticrete -- Displayed Laticrete SpectraLock Grout, which is as easy to use as any Portland cement grout but performs at the optimal levels of an epoxy grout, reports the company. The grout, which offers color accuracy, color uniformity, stain resistance and durability, is offered in 40 colors and five Dazzle combinations. Dazzle is a new look that includes metallics, mother-of-pearl, and glow-in-the-dark components that can be blended with Laticrete SpectraLock Grout to produce unique effects. Also offered its recently launched line of Laticrete[R] Latasil Silicone Sealants for joint sealing and bonding of natural stone as well as ceramic, glass, concrete, wood, plastics and much more
Circle No. 186

Miracle Sealants -- an architectural binder as well as new brochures detailing the company's products; Residue Remover, which eliminates silicone and floor polymer residue; Quarry Kleen, a non-toxic biodegradable heavy-duty grease and oil cleaner; Mira Skid, an anti-slip solution for ceramic tile; Counter Kleen, a handy spray and wipe solution for stone countertops
Circle No. 185

Rock Doctor -- Granite Cleaner and Granite Polish for preserving and caring for natural stone
Circle No. 184

StoneTech Professional, Inc. -- Offered Heavy Duty Impregnator Pro, Revitalizer Stone and Tile Cleaner and Protector and new All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner in wipes and spray form
Circle No. 183

TEC Specialty Products, Inc. -- Demonstrated color consistency with AccuColor[R] Grout, a product which not only delivers a wear-resistant, crack-free surface, but also an accurately colored, consistent, uniform appearance, according to the company; also introduced 1FlexTM, a unique blend of polymers and cement that offers strong crack protection. The product is available in both basic gray and non-staining white formula
Circle No. 182

Tenax -- Protex, a sealer for very porous stone materials such as sandstone or limestone; Pectro, which penetrates the microfissures of polished granite, making them invisible and giving the surface a consistent, smooth appearance
Circle No. 181

VMC Technical Assistance Corp. -- Introduced VMC Stone Machine, VMC Crystallization and VMC Spider diamond abrasives, for stone restoration and maintenance
Circle No. 180