Each year, it seems design trends for both residential and commercial projects continue to evolve. While the beauty of natural stone is always an allure, over time, competitive materials continue to surface – providing more options for architects, designers and homeowners.

With more than 50 quarries, 18 manufacturing plants and approximately 1,200 employees, Polycor is one of the largest natural stone quarriers in the world. Stone World (SW) recently talked to Polycor’s President Patrick Perus (PP) to get his take on the natural stone industry, the environment and Polycor’s expansions.

Why is it important to use the original granite when remodeling or adding to old structures? Why is it important to use granite when building new structures? There is one answer to these great questions, and it can be divided into three levels: practicality, history and tradition.

The New Wilson Heavy Duty Plunge Cut Saw is becoming a favorite among Wilson Industrial’s limestone customers. It has double the horsepower of the company’s regular heavy-duty saw and a new drive system that is proving to be a beast at cutting stone.

Cambria, the industry leader of American-made natural quartz surfaces is delighted to announce the launch of one of the most significant design introductions in company history. The 20/20/20/20 launch, featuring 20 groundbreaking new designs, coincides with Cambria’s 20th anniversary and 20th design launch at the beginning of 2020.

The threat of silica exposure is not a new story. However, these reports are a strong reminder that stone companies must be diligent about reducing the risks to workers. The Natural Stone Institute recommends the following.

How important is leadership? Time and time again, I’ve seen teams that were once high performing —a generating best-in-class results — fail under new leadership. Same team, yet dramatically different results. Why?

With the presence of 240 exhibiting brands, Vitoria Stone Fair Marmomac Latin America 2020 opened its doors on Tuesday. The opening ceremony was attended by important businessmen, politicians and authorities, such as the deputy governor of the State, Jacqueline Moraes; the president of the Brazilian Association of the Ornamental Stones Industry (Abirochas), Reinaldo Dantas; of secretaries of state; the director of the National Mining Agency (ANM), Débora Toci Puccini, among others.

The Natural Stone Institute has provided natural stone and fabrication services for two homes with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. To date, Natural Stone Institute members have been involved in twenty-six completed homes.

Caesarstone, one of the world’s foremost manufacturer of quartz surfaces is proud to lead the safety standard for the industry with the launch of MASTERS OF STONE. The extensive program was created for fabricators and their employees and it focuses on issues of health and safety in the workplace with a special emphasis on creating a space free of the dangers of potentially hazardous Respirable Crystalline Silica dust, the root cause of Silicosis.