The National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades has scheduled an "Advanced Stone Restoration Seminar" for September 25 and 26, 2003 in Asheville, NC. The two-day program will cover the following: refinishing and polishing combination floors (such as marble and granite together); polishing black granite and other difficult materials; filling and polishing travertine and saturnia; using the planetary head machine; tile replacement; advanced refinishing and polishing techniques; field repairs; and more. The cost is $800 per person, and there will be a party on one of the evenings for all. For more information, visit the NTC Web site at www.ntc-stone.com or call 800-841-7199.

The Spanish company, Bermarmol S.A., a leader in the natural stone industry, has opened a new warehouse in Germany. Known as Bekker-Marmor, the location is in Bergkamen, Germany, and it can be reached by email at: bekker@cityweb.de; Phone: 49 2389 92 46 62; Fax: 49 2389 92 46 63. The warehouse opening is one more step in the customer-oriented policy of the company. Several years ago, Bermarmol opened its first warehouse, MB Marble & Granite Inc., located in Rancho Dominguez, CA: e-mail: sales@mbmarble.com. The warehouse locations allow for shorter delivery times and provide an opportunity for companies without importing capacity to purchase the company's materials.

The Internet site from the French machinery manufacturer Thibaut, S.A. -- www.thibaut.fr -- is available in two languages (French and English) and gives a chronological description of the company, and information about the staff as well a worldwide network of agents. Most importantly, it allows customers to discover Thibaut machines with accurate and vivid descriptions. Equipment is broken down by activity (countertops, stone masonry, limestone, concrete, etc.) or by product (sawing machine, multipurpose stoneworking center, flat polishers, etc.)

Any questions regarding Newsline, contact: Newsline Editor, Stone World, 210 Route 4 East, Suite 311, Paramus, NJ 07652; Fax: 201-291-9002; E-mail: michael@stoneworld.com.