Founded in 1986 by two brothers in Espirito Santo, Brazil, Minerac¿Guidoni spent many years primarily as a quarrier, supplying blocks to some of Brazil¿s major fabricators. But for the past few years, the company expanded its operation to include slab production, and it is now directly exporting finished slabs to an international list of clients, including the U.S.

The company began the transition from quarrier to direct exporter last year, when it added equipment for cutting granite blocks into slabs. Guidoni now operates a total of eight gangsaws, which feature a Brazilian structure and mechanics from Alfa Automation of Italy. After blocks are cut into rough slabs on the gangsaws, the material is sent through a 16-head automatic slab polisher from MGM, a Brazilian firm.

Prior to these investments, Guidoni¿s products had only been exported through other Brazilian slab fabricators. With the machinery in place, the company has a production capacity ranging from 20,000 to 24,000 square meters of first-quality slab material per month, which can be exported to markets around the world.

The company operates a total of 19 quarries, including five sites for Butterfly Green granite. Other stones produced by the company include Butterfly Gold; Giallo Ornamental; Juparana-Gold 500; Topaz Yellow; Mediterranean Green; Giallo Portofino; Ubatuba Green; Tibet White; Moonlight, an off-white with black and maroon flecks; and Samoa, an off-white with black and violet flecks.

Quarrying is done with advanced extraction techniques to ensure blocks of high quality and uniformity. Also, Guidoni reports that it has implemented measures to protect the surrounding environment at the quarries. "Our company is aware of the environmental impact of quarries. Therefore technical means and funds are employed to restore the environment after quarrying takes place."

Working in this direction, Guidoni has collaborated with the Brazilian govern-ment by voluntarily participating in community eco-management programs and establishing environmental policies.

Each of the quarries operate at different production rates, depending on demand, and the company has a total of 186 employees. Guidoni plans further expansion in the future, as it will move into tile production for the export market next year.