A model of consistency in Brazil



Headquarted in the stone-working region of Cachoeiro do Itapemirim, Espirito Santo, Brazil, Gramil Ltda. has been operating for over 25 years with the same ownership -- Benito Paulo Secchin, Attila Vieira Secchin and Marcos Vieira Secchin. And over that time, the company has become a major exporter of Brazilian stone, selling slabs and cut-to-size work as well as blocks.

Overall, 70% of the Gramil's production is exported. The U.S. is the top export target, with 70% of exports being shipped to America. Europe is responsible for 20% of the firm's exports, and 10% goes to other markets.

Breaking down the company's exports by product type, approximately 65% of exports are slabs, mostly to distributors. Cut-to-size work represents 25% of exports, and 10% of exports are in block form. Some completed stone projects include the Mandarin Hotel in Washington, DC, a 9/11 Memorial in Staten Island, NY, and the Phoenix Shopping Center in Hamburg, Germany.

The company has a total of 13 quarries in operation. In the state of Espirito Santo, quarries include Bordeaux in Afonso Claudio; Giallita and Sausalito in Vargem Alta; Azul Acqua Marina and Juparana Itaoca in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim; Super Gray in Castelo; Ipanema White, Polara White and Labrador Green in Colatina; and Dakar in Ecoporanga. In the state of Bahia, quarries include Azul do Mar in Nova Canaan, Savanna Green in Poções, and Carolina Pink quartzite in Jacobina.

The stone is extracted from the quarries using drills and diamond wire saws, and Gramil has more than 60 employees working at the quarries. Overall, the quarries produce 420 cubic meters of stone per month.

Materials produced are Azul Acqua Marina, Azul Cobalto, Azul do Mar, Barracuda Blue, Black São Gabriel, Brazilian Gold, Brown Pearl (New Caledonia), Butterfly Green, Carioca Golden, Caroline Quartzite, Crema Bordeaux (Brunello), Dakar, Delicatus, Fiorito, Giallo Anticquo, Giallita, Giallo Vincenza, Ipanema White, Juparaná Itaoca, Juparaná Wave (Golden Wave), Kinawa Classic, Labrador Premiun, Lapidus, Marinace Green, Maritaca, New Bianco Romano, Pavão Green, Peacock, Polar White, Red Capão Bonito, Royal Mahogony, Sta.Cecilia G, Sta.Cecilia Light, Sta.Cecilia S, Sta.Clara (Super Crema), Sausalito, São Francisco Green, Savana Green, St. Paul, Sunny Gold, White Knawa (Piracema) and Yellow Fonseca.

The main factory is equipped with state-of-the-art stoneworking technology from Italy and Brazil. For slab production, blocks are processed on one of six gangsaws -- including three from Tema Frugoli of Italy as well as three others that were manufactured domestically. Raw slabs are then polished on a Breton polishing line with 19 polishing heads.

For custom work, the company also has equipment from Italy, including a Breton CNC machine, a Comandulli edge polishing machine and two Zonato bridge saws.

Gramil is also planning to invest in new machinery from Italy this year. Upcoming equipment installations will include a new gangsaw from F.Meccanica in March as well as a new 22-head polishing line and an automatic resining line from F. Meccanica in April.

Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to Stone World 

Column-picsmall

Michael Reis has been working for Stone World Magazine since 1993. In his role as Editor and Associate Publisher, he covers all aspects of the stone industry, from quarrying to fabrication to installation. He contributes feature articles as well as writes the Stone Column, which is a monthly commentary on industry issues and trends. Emailmichael@stoneworld.com

Recent Articles by Michael Reis

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Multimedia

Videos

Image Galleries

Surfaces 2013 preview

Surfaces 2013 -- to be held in conjunction with StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas -- is slated for January 29 to 31 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. The show, which also includes an extensive educational program that will be held from January 28 to 31, provides a place for thousands of floor covering retailers, distributors, installers, architects, designers and builders from around the world to gather and view the latest products, get vital education, network with other floor covering professionals and conduct business.

More than 600 of the largest manufacturers and suppliers representing products in every major category, including carpet, tile, hardwood, rugs, laminate, resilient and stone, are expected to exhibit at the trade show. Hanley Wood, owner and operator of the exhibition, reports that they have many new exhibiting companies and returning ones who have expanded their booth size. Additionally, Surfaces 2013 will host more than 40 workshops, seminars and mini sessions led by industry experts in the fields of business, sales, marketing, installation and design. Attendees can earn AIA, NKBA, AIBD, IICRC and AIA/CES industry designation. Here is just a small sampling of some of the displays that will be present at Surfaces 2013.

THE MAGAZINE

Stone World Magazine

June 2013 Stone World cover

2013 June

Stone World's June issue highlights a series of stone companies and quarries such as PBA Stone, Mag Ban, Gramil and San Gabriel Black quarry. Also, check out some exclusive coverage from the annual Vitoria Stone Fair, which took place in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Table Of Contents Subscribe

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine

CSTD Summer 2013 cover

2013 Summer

The Summer issue of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design highlights some of the top products from Coverings 2013, which took place in April. Also, read about the designing of a custom pool and spa by Rock Solid Tile.

Table Of Contents Subscribe

Green Practices

Are you promoting green practices and the life-cycle of stone in your sales and marketing efforts?
View Results Poll Archive

The Stone World Store

How_To_Polish_&_Restore_Mar.gif
How to Polish & Restore Marble Flooring

This video will show you step-by-step how to resurface and polish marble flooring from grinding and removing lippage and scratches to achieving a highly reflective polish.

More Products

Stone Guide

cover

The directory for Stone, Equipment and Supplies - the single information resource readers turn to.

Visit Stone Guide today!

  

Stone Industry Education

stone industry educationStone Industry Education is sponsored by Stone World Magazine and Marble Institute of America. The SIE events will help you: strengthen your skills, build your business, and  increase profit in your shop.  Check out stoneindustryeducation.com to register for upcoming fabricator and installer seminars.

STAY CONNECTED

facebook logo Twitter  YouTube