Fabricator How-to

Best Business Practices for the Fabricator

Last month, UGM Surfaces hosted a Stone Summit at its facility in Omaha, NE. Organized by Stone World and the Natural Stone Institute, these town hall-style educational sessions are designed to bring fabricators of the region together to learn and share experiences. Tony Malisani, past president of the Natural Stone Institute and owner of Malisani Inc., a third-generation fabrication business in Great Falls, MT, led the discussion and shared tips and considerations for running a successful stone shop. Here are some best business practices Malisani presented.

KEYWORDS: education

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Launching her career with BNP Media in 1996, Jennifer Richinelli is the Editor-in-Chief of Stone World, a leading publication serving the global stone and tile industry. With a strong background in journalism and trade publishing, she oversees the magazine’s editorial direction, delivering in-depth coverage of industry trends, innovative technologies, architectural applications and breaking industry news.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has built a reputation for connecting industry professionals with valuable insights, highlighting the work of fabricators, designers, architects and other industry leaders. Known for her thoughtful editorial voice and commitment to quality content, Jennifer continues to play a vital role in shaping conversations within the stone industry while fostering a platform that celebrates craftsmanship, innovation and design excellence.

In 2010, the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER) awarded Jennifer with the International Journalism Award for her extensive coverage of the Spanish tile industry. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2026 Coverings Champions People’s Choice Award.

email: richinellij@bnpmedia.com | office: (201) 245-5204