Once again, the U.S. stone industry is predicting increased business for the upcoming year. The per capita stone consumption in the American marketplace has been so strong that it has more than compensated for a slumping economy and the continuing specter of war and terrorism. This exclusive Stone World survey of U.S. fabricators reveals a mood of confidence and prosperity for the coming year - and they are backing up these feelings with strong investments in their businesses for 2003.
Of those who responded to the Stone World survey, which was sent primarily to stone fabricators, nearly two-thirds (66.0%) expected the stone market to increase in 2003. Almost all of the remaining respondents (30.7%) predicted that business would hold steady this year, with a small fraction (3.3%) predicting a decline.