Clifford Hammond, 81, owner of North Shore Stone quarry in Flatrock, OH, and a stoneyard in Columbus, OH, passed away on April 7, 2014. Throughout his career in the stone industry, he was involved in many stone associations.

Italian machine manufacturer Sassomeccanica has announced that its U.S. location has a new address. Sasso USA Inc. is now located at 220 N. Smith St., Suite 414, Palatine, IL 60067-2477. The company can be reached at (847) 380-9380, info@sasso-usa.com or visit its website at www.sasso-usa.com.

The Natural Stone Council (NSC) has recently launched an awareness campaign to promote its initiatives. “The NSC is the ‘umbrella’ and united voice of the natural stone industry,” the association stated. “Collectively the 12 organizations have united together to represent their memberships in the important issues facing their businesses and the entire industry. Strengths are in numbers, and working together, the NSC wishes to keep the members of all organizations aware of and up to date to the important issues facing the industry.”