With a diverse production range that includes kitchen countertops as well as elaborate commercial work, Akropolis Marble and Granite Imports of Colmar, PA, has maintained a level of success over the years.
At one of the most recent SFA Workshops, held at Crowe Custom Countertops in Acworth, GA, around 200 fabricators discussed the various issues they are facing in the shop and in the field today.
As I walked around two of the major international trade fairs earlier this year - Coverings in the U.S. and the Vitória Stone Fair in Brazil - major exporters were telling me that sales to the American market had decidedly increased for the first quarter of 2010.
The design of a residence in University Park, TX, features a combination of hand-selected English antiques and classical detailing - including the thoughtful use of natural stone.
As the latest grand-scale project to be completed in Las Vegas, the CityCenter mixed-use complex features stone throughout its interior and exterior, with local stone cladding at the ARIA resort to connect it to the region and also help achieve LEED Gold certification.
Over the past few months, my travels to international trade shows have given me the opportunity to sit down with some of the world’s major stone producers to gauge the current market conditions. Not surprisingly, many of these suppliers are based in Brazil. And for the first time in awhile, their mood is upbeat.
The 2010 edition of the Vitória Stone Fair - held in the major stoneworking region of Espírito Santo, Brazil - had a positive showing, with increases in the number of exhibitors as well as attendees.
Founded in 1994, Zucchi Granite of Serra, Espírito Santo, has shown a pattern of constant development, and it is placing an emphasis on bringing new exotic materials to the international marketplace.
Since its beginnings in 1968, Santo Antonio Granitos Ltda. has made a name for itself by processing unique and one-of-a-kind materials, and it has innovative production methods that allow it to work with virtually any type of stone.
Across the U.S., stone fabrication shops of all sizes are utilizing waterjet equipment in their operations, and they are being used on a variety of finished products.