Marmomacc 2013 to take place amid optimism
With Italy’s stone industry demonstrating signs of solid growth — particularly exports to North America — there should be an upbeat mood at the Marmomacc trade fair in Verona, Italy
Last year, a total of 1,450 companies exhibited at Marmomacc, with 60% coming from abroad, representing a total of 57 countries. Over 56,000 stone trade professionals attended, 52% of which came from outside of Italy.
Every year, Marmomacc provides attendees with the opportunity to view some of the latest stone products and stoneworking technology. With indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, products on display in Verona will include slabs and blocks of granite, marble, limestone, travertine, onyx and other materials from around the world.
Equipment for stone fabrication and quarrying is also a major component of the exhibition, as well as stone maintenance and installation products. In addition to the machines themselves, exhibitors will be displaying new products in the area of tooling and accessories — many of which were aimed at the fabrication market.
An international event
As always, the organizers of Marmomacc have worked to ensure the show is truly an international event. This is particularly true considering the varying economic conditions around the globe. “This is why the 2013 edition of Marmomacc — alongside traditional markets including the U.S., Canada and the U.K., which are as important as ever — targets Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Central America,” explained Giovanni Mantovani CEO and Director General of Veronafiere. “Regarding machinery and technology, on the other hand, we will focus on Russia, North Africa, Iran, Iraq and Brazil.”
Promotional efforts by Marmomacc have targeted qualified buyers, such as importers and distributors of machinery and products, construction and processing companies, purchasing managers, contractors and developers.
In the run-up to Marmomacc 2013, attendance has already been confirmed by international delegations from Angola, Australia, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, China, Congo, France, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, India, Iran, Iraq, Mediterranean countries, Balkan Countries, Gulf countries, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, the U.S., South Africa, Southeast Asia, South-Central America, Sweden and Switzerland.
SIDEBAR 1
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Italy sees progress in stone exports |
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The first quarter of 2013 saw continued positive export performances for processed Italian marble and granite products, according to a report that was released by Marmomacc. Growth was seen in the following markets: • U.S. (+44.5%) • Canada (+3%) • Russia (+16%) • Middle East (+8%) • Mexico (+50%) • North Africa (+42.7%) • India (+45%) Europe, on the other hand, was down 4.9%. Italian stone exports in the first three months of the year came to $513.27 million (386.8 million euros), with overall growth of 9.2% over the same period in 2012. The majority of this value was the export of processed products, worth $407.9 million (307.4 million euros), a jump of 9.7%. There was also growth in exports of rough blocks, up to $105.4 million (79.4 million euros), an increase of 7.2%. These figures are in stark contrast to the generalized setbacks affecting many other areas of Italian exports since the start of the year. They reflect an industry that is demonstrating a high level of success abroad, which is attributed to the added value of high-end manufacturing and design. However, the recovery of the domestic market is still slowed by an overall crisis in building and major works. The report is based on Istat data by the Marmomacc Observatory. |
SIDEBAR 2
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Education course for architects continues in Italy |
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The 15th edition of “Designing with Natural Stone” — co-sponsored by Stone World— will run from September 23 to 27, 2013, in Verona and Milan, Italy, in conjunction with Marmomacc, the world’s leading trade show for stone and design. More than 235 architects from across the U.S. have participated in previous editions of the course. Veronafiere offers this course to help architects learn advanced techniques in the use of marble, granite and other stone materials. The program is a unique combination of classroom lectures, guided architectural tours and field trips to local quarries, as well as to natural stone processing facilities. This comprehensive approach enables architects to better understand stone’s full lifecycle — including how marble is quarried, cut, processed, finished, selected for specific jobs and installed — all using the latest technologies and products. The 2013 edition will include visits to a nearby Breccia Pernice quarry and stone processing plant, an architectural tour of Verona, case studies of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, NV, and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, Canada, sessions on sustainable stone design and a day-long visit of Fila Industria Chimica’s headquarters and laboratory. Fila, a manufacturer of surface care and maintenance products for natural stone and other materials, will host participants as part of the company’s 70th anniversary celebration. In addition, the course provides time to explore Marmomacc, with its more than 1,500 exhibitors of stone and stone-related products from around the world. |
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