https://www.stoneworld.com/rss/3016-stone-tile-top-stories en-us richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) With nearly three decades in the stone fabrication business, Glenda Henneboehle, president of Stone Fabricators, leads her team with confidence and has built a reputable fabrication operation.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95683 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95683-women-in-the-industry-spotlight-glenda-henneboehle-stone-fabricators Glenda Henneboehle on Stone Fabricator’s Alliance’s Italy Tour Glenda Henneboehle, president of Stone Fabricators in Olivette, MO, is actively involved in the industry, including being a 2025 participant of the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance’s Italy Tour. Glenda Henneboehle Glenda Henneboehle, Stone Fabricators president Glenda Henneboehle “There is something truly special -- almost timeless -- about working with natural stone,” said Henneboehle. “It has a way of drawing you in and keeping you connected to the work in a meaningful way.” Glenda Henneboehle “What I love most about my job is the people and the craftsmanship that defines this industry,” said Henneboehle. richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Tips on how to follow market trends and use them to make informed decisions. 

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95680 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95680-high-level-economic-indicators-for-fabricators-to-be-on-alert richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) MSI hosted a Stone Industry Education event that included panel discussions on trends, shop safety and technical issues and solutions.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95673 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95673-minnesota-stone-summit-provided-a-voice-for-fabricators Buddy Ontra Throughout the day, interactive discussions, moderated by Buddy Ontra of Bostone in Bridgeport, CT, a former fabricator and past NSI president, covered material and fabrication trends, shop and jobsite safety, and technical issues fabricators often encounter. Fabricators in SIE Session The all-day event provided an interactive experience where fabricators were encouraged to ask questions and share experiences.  Sponsor Tables Several breaks throughout the day provided time for attendees and sponsors to interact. Minnesota Stone Summit Technical Panel A panel discussion about technical issues and solutions was held after lunch. From left to right: Nate Schultz of Innovative Surfaces, Buddy Ontra (moderator), Brad Nooris of NVR Surfaces and Steve McIntosh of Astonia Stone Artisan. MSI Warehouse The group of fabricators in attendance had the opportunity to tour MSI's slab warehouse, including its extensive collection of Taj Mahal varieties.  Group Photo Attendees, sponsors and the MSI team had an insightful day of education and networking. kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) U.S. countertop material imports totaled $275.5 million in March 2026, a 23.6% decline from March 2025.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95661 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95661-us-countertop-materials-imports-march-2026 kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The Stone Fabricators Alliance is in its 13th year of leading fabricators through Italy on its annual tour, and the work behind it never really stops, said Tim Zeng, an SFA executive board director and owner of Zeng Countertops & Surfaces in Lincoln, NE.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95659 Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95659-sfas-tim-zeng-reflects-on-13th-year-of-italy-tour kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The Latin American Fabricators Network made its first appearance at Coverings 2026, using the show's Fabricator Stage to introduce a grassroots organization aimed at giving Latino stone fabricators a seat at the industry table.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95658 Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95658-latin-american-fabricators-network-builds-momentum-with-coverings-2026-debut richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Warm tones, natural looks and muted finishes are among the current trends in stone design.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95656 Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95656-reasons-fabricators-must-stay-on-top-of-design-trends kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The result was a narrowing of the U.S. stone trade imbalance, though it remained vast at 21 to 1, with the country importing $230.3 million in countertop materials against the $11.2 million it shipped out. Canada remained the dominant destination by a wide margin, receiving nearly $8 million in stone products, or roughly 71% of all U.S. exports.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95651 Tue, 19 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95651-us-stone-exports-february-2026-report richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) The next SFA Workshop will bring fabricators together on June 4 and 5, 2026, for two days of learning, networking and viewing American Floor Coverings' state-of-the-art facility.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95652 Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95652-sfa-connecticut-workshop-to-showcase-innovation-in-fabrication American Floor Coverings In 2006, American Floor Coverings moved to a larger facility and began investing in equipment. Burkhardt Loeffler at American Floor Coverings "Burkhardt Loeffler machines are very innovative, and they can do anything you can think of doing," said Joe Durfee, American Floor Coverings production manager.   American Floor Coverings The company specializes in tile, stone and flooring installation for commercial, hospitality, corporate and multi-family residential projects across Metro New York and New England.  America Floor Coverings The decision to fabricate its own stonework gave the company direct control over quality, scheduling and coordination, and it has been a core part of its operation ever since. American Floor Coverings "The machinery and processes we have allow us to be able to be very flexible with our production schedule to meet our customers’ demands and deadlines," said Durfee. Fabricators need to know that marketing is not a campaign; it is an engine.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95644 Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95644-how-fabricators-can-build-a-full-funnel-growth-engine-from-stranger-to-superfan richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Stone Fabricators has steadily grown its business by concentrating on being a source of high-quality custom work and strengthening long-term relationships with builders, designers and homeowners.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95640 Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95640-building-a-reputation-on-strong-craftsmanship-and-customer-service Fabricators need to implement a comprehensive approach to dust control that addresses all particulate hazards, which all have the potential to harm the body when inhaled.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95636 Mon, 11 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95636-dust-removal-fabricators-need-to-know-the-risks kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) U.S. countertop material imports collapsed in February 2026, with total customs value falling to $230.3 million — a 29.2% drop from February 2025 and a marked acceleration from January's 14.5% year-over-year decline.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95625 Fri, 08 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95625-us-countertop-material-imports-february-2026 richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Fabricator Exchange (FABX) by Park Industries drew approximately 100 stone industry members in the Metropolitan area for a day of learning, networking and experiencing machine capabilities firsthand. 

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95632 Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95632-fabricators-gain-practical-takeaways-to-apply-at-their-shops Molly Hauer at FABX 2026 Park Industries held its Fabricator Exchange (FABX) at the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, NJ, on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The company’s marketing director, Molly Hauer, welcomed the group of approximately 100 fabricators.   Joan Schatz Speaking at FABX 2026 Park Industries CEO Joan Schatz also greeted the group at the start of the event. State of the Industry Panel Discussion at FABX 2026 Meagan Hegland, Park Industries vice president of sales and marketing, moderated a State of the Industry address. Panelists included (from left to right): Dave Amelotte, Park Industries CFO; Glenn Kross, CEO of Coastal Countertops and 2023 Stone World Fabricator of the Year Award winner; and Gabe Velazquez, financing expert with MFS. Richie Falconi, and his son Giovanni, of Falco Marble & Granite Richie Falconi, and his son Giovanni, of Falco Marble & Granite, shared how his company modernized its shop, adopted digital fabrication and improved consistency, efficiency and production workflows.  Joe DeMelo owner of Evolution Marble & Granite Joe DeMelo, owner of Evolution Marble & Granite, spoke about key lessons he learned when building his fabrication shop, process improvements he made and the operational changes that drove better shop performance. DeMelo also hosted a shop tour that afternoon. Omar Chahin of GMD Surfaces Presenting at FABX 2026 Omar Chahin of GMD Surfaces led a breakout discussion about identifying bottlenecks and increasing shop output. Joseph Sine talks OSHA at FABX 2026 Joseph Sine of Cohen Seglias shared the latest on OSHA compliance and reducing risk in the shop. Rosie Nunez and Insaf Khriss Giving Trends Report Rosie Nunez (left) and Insaf Khriss (right), both of Atlas Marble & Granite, provided insight into design trends expected to influence countertop projects in 2026.    Marco Duran with FABX Group Marco Duran of Atlas Marble & Granite invited participants into his shop for our tour of the facility. FABX Group Touring Atlas Marble & Granite Duran explained to the group that Atlas is making a commitment to promoting the use of natural stone in design, as evident by its large selection of inventory.    Saberjet in Action A highlight of the shop tour was to watch the Park Saberjet™ XP CNC SawJet in operation. rich@thryvein.ai (Rich Katzmann) Many of the most useful AI tools in our industry can be built and used by owners, sales leaders and managers with only a working understanding of how modern AI tools behave.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95629 Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95629-5-amazing-ai-tools-and-ideas-that-every-stone-countertop-shop-can-implement Taking place over four days, the China Xiamen International Stone Fair provided an arena for stone industry professionals to unite from around the world and learn about the latest products and trends. Dive in for highlights from the show.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95621 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95621-global-stone-industry-connects-at-the-xiamen-stone-fair kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) U.S. stone exports totaled $9.9 million in January 2026, a 23% decline from $12.9 million in January 2025. Canada remained the dominant destination, receiving $6.5 million in stone products, or roughly two-thirds of all U.S. exports.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95616 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95616-us-stone-exports-january-2026-report kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) Joe Alva, CEO of Poseidon Industries, walks through the company's origins, the invention of its T-Rex CNC Fabrication Center and its patented Hybrid Cycle process. He also previews the Poseidon Experience 2026.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95608 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95608-poseidon-ceo-traces-the-path-from-repo-man-to-the-t-rex-machine richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) During the Stone Industry Education event in Memphis, TN, business consultant Ed Young illustrated necessary measures to be taken to understand the financials of a fabrication shop.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95612 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:30:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95612-fabricators-learned-how-to-drive-profitability-for-their-businesses Stone Industry Education event - speaker Ed Young Pacific Shore Stones hosted a Stone Industry Education (SIE) event at its slab warehouse in Olive Branch, MS, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. presentation at Stone Industry Education event Business consultant Ed Young led the discussion on profitability at the seminar that was organized by Stone World in partnership with the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). Stone Industry Education event - speaker Mark Meriaux Mark Meriaux, NSI accreditation and technical manager, also talked to the fabricators in attendance about shop safety and OSHA regulations. Stone Industry Education event - speaker Aaron Dahnke Aaron Dahnke, CAE, NSI education and membership manager, took a few minutes to provide insight into the NSI and benefits of its membership program.  Dry-Treat at Stone Industry Education event Attendees had time to speak with sponsors, such as Dry-Treat, to learn more about their products. Big Dog Adhesives at Stone Industry Education event Big Dog Adhesives was also among the sponsors who attended the Memphis SIE event.  Laser Products Industries at Stone Industry Education event Laser Products Industries (LPI) also drew attendees to their table to check out their templating system.  fabricators visiting with Stone Industry Education event sponsors Participating fabricators spent time with sponsors to stay up to date on the newest innovations that can help them with quality and efficiency. LPI templator demo LPI had its templator on hand for fabricators to see first hand its capabilities. touring Pacific Shore Stones’ facility During the lunch break, participants had an opportunity to tour Pacific Shore Stones’ facility to view its slab inventory. Jason Osborne receives a certificate of appreciation from speaker Ed Young Jason Osborne, warehouse manager/sales executive for Pacific Shore Stones, represented his team and received a certificate of appreciation from speaker Ed Young. richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Geoffrey Gran of The Countertop Factory advises fabricators to target a remake rate of under 2%.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95611 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95611-fabricators-discuss-the-correlation-between-rework-and-profit-leaks richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) In May of 2025, the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City reopened to the public after a four-year renovation project, which included reviving and matching its historic Stony Creek granite flooring.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95603 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95603-new-museum-wing-exhibits-ties-to-historical-stone Your fabrication shop can have the best website. The best portfolio. The best quality. The best price. But if you are slow to respond to a lead, you lose.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95581 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95581-3-reasons-why-quick-response-time-results-in-a-successful-fabrication-shop kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The well-known actor and humanitarian shared insight into the Gary Sinise R.I.S.E. program, as well as his son’s musical legacy, during his keynote speech at the international stone and tile exhibition.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95594 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95594-gary-sinise-addresses-the-stone-and-tile-community-at-coverings-2026 kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) Insight into pertinent issues affecting stone industry professionals dominated the panel discussion presented by members of the Natural Stone Institute executive committee during Coverings 2026.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95591 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:30:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95591-state-of-the-stone-industry-addressed-tariffs-and-silicosis-lawsuits richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) During a Fabricator Forum held earlier this year during The International Surface Event (tise), one fabricator raised a question about how to deal with the demands of multiple builders at one time. Industry veteran Geoffrey Gran of The Countertop Factory and Tim Zeng of Zeng Countertops & Surfaces offer their insights.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95588 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95588-how-to-handle-the-demands-of-multiple-builders Sal Romero of Laser Products Industries demonstrated the capabilities of the LT-2D3D Laser Templator at a recent Stone Industry Education event.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95587 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95587-learn-why-precise-measuring-leads-to-a-successful-install Expanding its efforts to assist fabricators in growing their businesses, the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance offered an immersive course in Brazil to initiate relationships with stone producers and offer guidance on how to start the importing process.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95582 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95582-the-sfa-goes-global-with-brazil-importing-workshop richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Since 1966, the company currently known as Yellowstone Rock has been a reliable source of travertine – supplying its material to high-profile projects throughout the U.S.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95574 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95574-yellowstone-rock-a-reliable-source-of-travertine-for-60-years kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) Our Monthly breakdown of the USITC import data covering natural stone, engineered quartz and quartzite, including year-over-year comparisons, top source countries and how tariffs are shifting the competitive landscape for U.S. fabricators.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95563 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95563-us-countertop-material-imports-january-2026 With project owners focusing more on sustainability and contractors addressing increasingly demanding applications, specifiers must understand the fundamentals of quartz as a design material within the broader context of modern construction goals and expectations.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95564 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:30:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95564-beyond-color-and-cost-evolving-expectations-for-quartz-specification