Nearly three years ago, an idea surfaced among stone industry professionals to create a platform to promote the use and benefits of natural stone above all alternative building materials. The concept soon flourished into a well-driven campaign, which is now recognized worldwide.

Stone World magazine spoke with Vineet Malik of Stone Showcase about the coalition he is part of that is addressing the tariffs, antidumping and how the fabricator, big or small, can have their voice heard.

Recently, Stone World published a report about the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative releasing a list of approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports that will be subject to additional tariffs, including quartz and a range of natural stone products.

The new Converge education program at The International Surface Event (TISE): Surfaces | StonExpo/Marmomac | TileExpo will offer the industry a whole new way to gain training, knowledge and information.

Too often, after an accident occurs, we receive inquiries from stone companies asking what safety training resources are available. Others may know we have developed a vast array of resources over the past 10 years, but just simply haven’t taken the time to utilize what is available.

Virginia Tile Company LLC, a Midwestern based distributor of Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone products, with headquarters in Livonia, Michigan, announced the opening of its new showroom in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Universal Granite & Marble (UGM) graciously opened their doors to 30 fabricators, in addition to other members of the stone industry, for the Wisconsin Stone Summit, which is organized by the Natural Stone Institute (NSI).

While shop safety has always been important, in recent years, it seems that it has become a top priority among fabricators and other industry members.

As I write this, I am touring Italy with a group of fabricators from the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA).

I just returned home from StonExpo -- part of The International Surface Event (TISE) West -- in Las Vegas, and I am happy to report that spirits were high among those in the stone industry.