After "many years of dedication and development," I.A.Shenhav of Kfar Maas, Israel, has become a leading producer of natural stone products from Israel, particularly the many varieties of Jerusalem Stone. The company, which was formed over 40 years ago, supplies stone for its domestic market as well as an international client base.

"We have the ability to offer a wide range of marble products for wholesalers, large projects or for luxurious homes," said Mark Benjamin of I.A. Shenhav. "Due to our modern technology we ensure high-quality standards with lower production costs." The company¿s stone fabrication facility in Israel is equipped with advanced machinery from Italy. Equipment includes a Terzago bridge saw and automated edging equipment for cut-to-size work as well as a complete tile line.

Tile sizes offered by the company include 12 x 12 x 3/8, 16 x 16 x 1/2, 18 x 18 x 1/2 and 24 x 24 x 3/4 inches. I.A. Shenhav also offers metric-sized tiles of 40 x 40 x 1.2, 30 x 60 x 1.8 and 60 x 60 x 2 cm. Recently, the company introduced specialty sizes of 60 x 40 x 1.5 cm and 36 x 18 inches x 1.5 cm.

The tile line was engineered to provide exact thicknesses within 1 mm and length, width and diagonal measurements within 0.5 mm. Tiles feature straight edges as well as a beveled edge, depending on the size and customers¿ preference. The company¿s production lines for cutting and polishing tiles are equipped to automatically fill and strengthen the material with resin.

Tiles up to 18 x 18 inches are packaged in white carton boxes, which are placed in wooden crates. Larger sizes are placed in wooden crates with styrofoam lining.

All crates are closed with metal bands and wrapped with nylon shrink covers, and slabs are placed in wooden stands.

Stone materials processed at the factory include Jerusalem Gold, Jerusalem Grey, Jerusalem Cream, Jerusalem Bone, Halila and Benjamin Grey. The company¿s stone products are used as floor tiles and external paving as well as indoor and outdoor wall cladding. Finishes produced by the company include polished, honed, cut, antique or bushhammered.

In the cut-to-size area, I.A. Shenhav produces items such as stairs and vanity tops with special computer numerically controlled machinery. "The combination of skilled craftsmen and machinery provides the customer with a range of profiles such as beveled, bullnosed and grooved, with the option of irregular and unique edges," Benjamin said. "We can also produce decorative strips for wall cladding, and we have a line for producing professional skirting with a deep beveled edge."