Located in the heart of the stoneworking center of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espirito Santo, Brazil, the 13th edition of the International Marble and Granite Fair built on the success of previous editions. The event, which took place from August 28 to September 1, 2001, included over 300 exhibiting companies.

According to Milanez & Milaneze, which organizes the event, about half of the exhibiting companies displayed natural stone products, including tiles, slabs, cut-to-size pieces and blocks. Additionally, 19% of exhibitors displayed machinery and equipment (including many Italian firms); 17% exhibited abrasives and consumables; 11% offered services to the industry; and 3% represented other entities.

In addition to an upgraded exhibition facility -- which spans across 325,000 square feet and includes a new indoor pavilion to join two other indoor pavilions -- visitors to the fair were able to take advantage of the fair's location in Espirito Santo. According to Sindirochas, a national trade organization, the state produces 2.4 million tons of stone per year, holding 47% of the national total. Of this figure, 90% is granite and 10% is marble. Moreoever, a total of 1,621 companies within the state employ 20,000 workers, with the capacity for sawing 270 million square feet of material per year.