When Thor Granitos e Mares Ltda. of Itaborai Rio di Janeiro, Brazil, was established 20 years ago, it was a simple marble company focused on the national market, working mainly for construction companies. But as time went on and the Brazilian stone industry expanded, it grew into one of the nation's largest exporters, with the U.S. as a principal market.
"As the orders increased [in the beginning], the company expanded its activities to meet demands," explained Zenildo Petrelli, who owns the company along with Antonio Terroso. "It became a sawmill company and, later on, it acquired several quarries. In a short period of time, there was significant growth. Nowadays, 75% of the production comes from our own quarries or exclusive ones, offering more than 50 varieties of granite. This material is brought daily to the plant, which has an area of 35,000 square meters, located in the vicinity of Rio di Janeiro."