NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ -- Cosmic Stone & Tile Distributors is currently in the midst of a three-day Grand Opening event at its facilities, which runs from April 12 to 15.

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has announced an expansion of the premier natural stone industry award, the Grande Pinnacle Award, sponsored by Marmomacc. For the first time, in 2011 a Grande Pinnacle Award will be presented to an architect from the firm involved in the winning project. In addition, the architect will win a trip to Verona, Italy to attend Marmomacc 2012, the world's leading stone fair. Marmomacc is the exclusive sponsor of the MIA Grande Pinnacle Award.  Included in the trip to Marmomacc 2012 is a week-long continuing education program for architects on designing with natural stone, good for 20+ LU credits. The winning project's architect will receive round-trip economy airfare and complimentary hotel for five nights as well as local meals and transportation, plus the outstanding architect learning unit program.

Cold Spring Granite, a leading quarrier and fabricator of natural stone in North America, and bronze manufacturer, announces the launch of an e-commerce site for DiamondWright Tools -- a line of professional-grade diamond tools ideal for stone fabrication, metal and concrete cutting, core drilling and more. Designed and manufactured by master engineers, DiamondWright diamond tooling cuts, grinds, shapes and profiles a variety of materials with optimu, precision and control. A wide range of standard offerings are available through the online store, including segmented and electroplated tools, diamond blades, anchoring systems and installation tools.   

BETHANY, CT -- Laticrete, a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of stone and tile, has announced the promotion of Bob Duke to the position of Laticrete Technical Support and Training Specialist for the newly formed Laticrete Specialty Products Division (SPD). Duke joined Laticrete in the Texas region in 2005 and has enjoyed great success in his previous positions throughout the territory. In particular, Duke played an integral role in developing the materials and methods for the Laticrete MVISTM specification for the direct adhered method of thin brick, manufactured and natural thin-stone masonry veneer installation. With 27 years of experience in the stone and tile industry, Duke now fills a National Senior Sales position and will work to seek out new opportunities for the Laticrete MVIS specification as well as for additional product lines that fall under the Laticrete Specialty Products Division. Duke will be invaluable for the new Laticrete SPD initiative, providing his technical knowledge and support to new distributors, installers and design professionals across the U.S.

Cosmic Stone & Tile Distributors announced the April 12 Grand Opening of 50,000 additional square feet of facilities, making for a total of 100,000 square feet, at 502 Jersey Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901; Phone: 732-937-5400; Fax: 732-937-6969.

Pokarna Limited, a leading Indian stone producer, showcased a wide selection of granites at Coverings 2011, which included several new colors. Keeping in tune with constant advancement towards new accomplishments, Pokarna has now included in its color palette exotics such as Labrador Antique, Baltic Brown, Brown Antique, Patagonia and Zanzibar.

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America, Inc. (MIA) recently announced Jimmy Ternent, Vice President of Construction at Rugo Stone LLC in Lorton, VA, as the 2011 recipient of

Even though the tough building market continues to challenge design, construction, service and maintenance professionals, those with entrepreneurial attitudes are succeeding. Using a mixture of new ideas, superior customer service,

The Marble Institute of America’s (MIA) prestigious Pinnacle Awards honor stone companies around the world for projects that noticeably stand out above the rest. The Pinnacle Awards competition drew a record number of entries in 2010, while also presenting the largest number of awards in its many-year history.

The Marble Institute of America, Inc. (MIA) has announced that Joe Durfee, Assistant Production Manager at Great Lakes Granite & Marble in Redford, MI, is the 2010 recipient of the MIA Natural Stone Scholarship Award.