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A federal bill introduced in Congress would protect manufacturers and sellers of engineered stone products from civil lawsuits brought by workers who develop silicosis, shifting liability squarely onto fabricators who fail to follow safety regulations.

Fabricators stand to benefit from several tax credits and deductions under the recently passed federal tax legislation, including some provisions that apply retroactively to previous tax years.

Rockheads Group member Hershel Margaretten of Imperial Marble & Granite was recognized for his leadership, willingness to share and how he has successfully grown his fabrication business.

The Supply Equipment and Supply Alliance (SESA) is bringing a new trade show to the stone and surface fabrication industry, with Surfex set to debut November 3 to 5, 2027, at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. SESA Board President Mike Schlough of Park Industries and CEO Jon Lancto of Big Fish Consulting and Artisan Group, discussed the show's origins and vision on the Stone World Podcast, explaining how member demand drove the organization to create an event focused specifically on fabricators.
 

Joe Meyer, founder of Full Circle Water, addressed fabricators during a recent webinar, outlining how water system performance directly affects worker safety, equipment longevity and production efficiency.

While quartz color and pattern often guide initial decision making and influence slab size for pattern consistency, slab thickness is equally critical to how quartz is fabricated, how it performs and how it visually impacts a space.

CMS North America is implementing artificial intelligence (AI) across its stone machinery lineup to help fabricators monitor equipment performance and anticipate maintenance needs before breakdowns occur. Alex Bores, western sales area manager for CMS North America, said the company is combining AI with proprietary algorithms to collect machine data from customers worldwide, with their permission, to provide proactive support.

As his presidential term with the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) draws to a close, Evan Cohen of Quality Marble & Granite in Ontario, Canada, and immediate past president of NSI, said his nearly seven years on the association's board have given him a deeper appreciation for the association's role in the stone industry. Cohen described his tenure as transformative -- both for himself and the organization.

Quartz and quartzite. The names are close enough that the terms get used interchangeably across showrooms, spec sheets, and design consultations. It's an understandable confusion, but it creates real problems, because these two materials behave nothing alike. Understanding what separates them at the structural level helps everyone in the chain, from specifier to fabricator to end user, make better decisions and avoid preventable failures.

The International Surface Event (tise), scheduled from January 27 through 29, 2026 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, will feature numerous displays of products from a range of suppliers, including stone, tile, fabrication equipment, tooling and digital templating.