Stone World February 2012

February 2012

www.stoneworld. ww www.stoneworld.com

Report from Italy Case Studies

Mistery White

®

® Tel. +39 045 8875111 • Fax +39 045 8875155

NAT U R A L

S TO N E S

www.granitex.it VERONA - ITALY

BLOCKS & QUARRIES

Crema Marfil Crema Marfil from Levantina’s Coto quarry, simply the very best and most beautiful cream marble available in the world. Its rich golden colour, magnificient polishing finishes, excellent physical qualities and impact resistance make it the preferred choice for all architects and project owners.

LEVANTINA DIRECT SALES: Dallas 972.488.2800 [email protected] - Atlanta 678.436.5439 [email protected] - Chicago 630.361.6600 [email protected]

Subscribe

®

to the FREE Stone World E-Newsletter today!

www.stoneworld.com/enews A monthly E-Newsletter with highly targeted editorial to give stone fabrication shops and suppliers practical knowledge they can use in their everyday business.

For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: Tel: 847.763.9534 or Fax: 847.763.9538 or e-mail [email protected] 210 Route 4 East, Suite 203, Paramus, NJ 07652 PHONE: 201/291-9001 • FAX: 201/291-9002 [email protected] • www.stoneworld.com

PUBLISHER Alex Bachrach ext. 8615 [email protected] HouseAd_SW0610_1.indd 1

6/15/10 11:45:09 AM

EDITOR/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Michael Reis ext. 8613 [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Adams ext. 8611 [email protected] PRODUCTION MANAGER Pam Deneau 248/244-6257 fax: 248/244-3918 [email protected] SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Wendy Zaremba-Just 248/244-6476 [email protected] OFFICE MANAGER Hilda Rowland, ext. 8610 [email protected] REGIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGERS Janelle Minghine 734/340-5211 fax: 734/340-5212 [email protected] Steve Smith 406/522-4163 fax: 248/283-6531 [email protected] EUROPEAN SALES Dee Wakefield 44 207 937 4488 fax: 44 207 792 3331 [email protected] MEMBER:

6 February 2012 | Stone World

CNC CNC TOOLING TTO TOOLIN OOOOLIL NG SUPER

STORE

Regent Stone Products

‡2ULJLQDO)UDQJLVWRQH ‡6XSHU+LJK6SHHG ‡+LJK/LIH6HULHV ‡&XVWRP3UR¿OHV

DIAMUT ‡+\SHU6SHHG6ROXWLRQ 7HFKQRORJ\  ‡6W\OHVRI3ROLVKLQJ:KHHOV )ODVK&RPSRVLWH'LDÀH[ ‡+LJK3HUIRUPDQFH ‡&XVWRP3UR¿OHV

SET



You Buy Them!

Frangistone

Segmented Pos. 0

Pos. 1

Pos. 1

Pos. 2

OFFER!

Pos. 2

Pos. 3

Pos. 3

Pos. 4

We’ll Install Them!

Pos. 4

Pos. 5

Pos. 5

Pos. 6

Pos. 6

Pos. 7

%X\$Q\7KUHH 6HWV0DUPRSRVRU'LDPXWSRV RI&1&3UR¿OH:KHHOVDQG:H:LOO&RPHWR
| Toll Free: 1-800-624-8210 | Online: www.regentistore.com

“The Calacatta of the future”

CALACATTA TROPICAL

Introducing Calacatta Tropical a Granite Ex exclusive quartzite translucent material ideal for any application including kitchen countertops.

CHARLOTTE, NC — 704/504-5234 NASHVILLE, TN — 615/679-9181 ORLANDO, FL — 407/363-0278 SARASOTA, FL — 941/373-1452 JACKSONVILLE, FL — 904/739-0883 FT. MYERS, FL — 239/226-9500 WEST PALM BEACH, FL — 561/863-4402

Granite Granit eEX USA HEADQUARTERS: 1055 SE 9th Terrace Hialeah, FL 33010 305/889-1011 www.granitexpress.net

TM

Find even more industry info at

CLASSIFIED AD SALES Janelle Minghine 734/340-5211 fax: 734/340-5212 [email protected]

www.stoneworld.com

SINGLE COPY SALES Ann Kalb 248/244-6499 fax: 248/244-2925 [email protected]

Catch up on breaking stone industry news, check out exclusive videos of the latest stoneworking techniques and browse our complete magazine article archives at THE industry news source.

HouseAd_SW0610_2.indd 1

CUSTOM MEDIA GROUP Christopher Wilson 248/244-8264 [email protected]

6/15/10 11:43:40 AM

REPRINT MANAGER Jill DeVries 248/244-1726 [email protected] MARKETING COORDINATOR Kevin Hackney [email protected] AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Cassandra Haggard [email protected] MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST Maggie Lee [email protected] CORPORATE AUDIENCE AUDIT MANAGER Catherine M. Ronan [email protected] LIST RENTAL Kevin Collopy Sr. Account Manager 845/731-2684 800/223-2194 ext. 684 [email protected] Shawn Miller Account Manager 845/731-3828 [email protected] STONE WORLD CORPORATE OFFICE BNP Media/Stone World 2401 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700 Troy, Michigan 48084 248/362-3700 www.stoneworld.com

BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information

CORPORATE DIRECTORS Publishing: John R. Schrei Corporate Strategy: Rita M. Foumia Information Technology: Scott Krywko Production: Vincent M. Miconi Finance: Lisa L. Paulus Creative: Michael T. Powell Directories: Nikki Smith Human Resources: Marlene J. Witthoft Events: Scott Wolters Clear Seas Research: Beth A. Surowiec

10 February 2012 | Stone World

Moonlight Marble

381 East 1st Street, Clifton, NJ 07011 P. 973 859 0090 / 0092 • F. 973 859 0091 • E. [email protected] • W. www.bayyurtmarble.com

GRAN NITE MARBLE SL ATE QUARTZITE SANDSTONE LIMESTONE TILES SL ABS MOSAICS CUT TO SIZE

P E R E G R I N E

US OFFICE 30- 52ND WAY, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55421 PH +1.763.571.8400 FAX +1.763.571.8600

N AT U R A L S T O N E P R O C E S S O R S

[email protected] www .tabindia.com

INDIA OFFICE TAB INDIA, 502, APEX MALL, TONK ROAD, JAIPUR 302015 INDIA PH +91.141.2744200 FAX +91.141.2744500

February 2012 • Vol. 29, No. 2 www.stoneworld.com

FEATURES 32 Fabricators discuss working in today’s landscape

42 Fabricator Case Studies: Made In Italy 42 Marble shop is built on craftsmanship 48 Stoneworking studio collaborates with the design world Report from Italy 62 Italian quarrier maintains a storied legacy 68 The next generation of block processing 72 More than three decades of progression 80 California stone quarrier looks forward 84 Fabricating Technology — Accessories

62

DEPARTMENTS 16 Stone Column 19 Newsline 22 Statistics 26 News

72

88 Calendar 89 New Equipment 89 New Products 90 Stone of the Month 91 Marketplace 93 Classified 94 Ad Index

On the Cover: In this issue of Stone World, we present an in-depth Report from Italy, with coverage of large-scale producers as well as smaller artisan shops, such as Decormarmi of Chiampo, Italy. The company also offers a range of decorative stone elements, such as this intricate floor pattern. Also appearing at the top of this photo are the Pavé Seating options in the Kreoo by Decormarmi collection, designed by Enzo Berti. Story on page 48. Photo by Michael Reis Coming Next Month: In March, Stone World will take a look at the use of stone in residential design -- showcasing both interior and exterior applications. Additionally, the next edition will include a Fabricator Forum, which will address some of the latest issues and concerns that stone fabricators are encountering.

STONE WORLD (ISSN 1052-6994) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media, 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-4903. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2012, by BNP Media. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: STONE WORLD, P.O. Box 2144, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to STONE WORLD, P.O. Box 2144, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or [email protected].

Stone World | February 2012 15

STONE COLUMN “MADE IN ITALY” PRIDE AT ALL LEVELS OF PRODUCTION Every year, as part of the education program at the Marmomacc trade fair in Verona, Italy, the show organizer, Veronafiere, puts together an impressive continuing education program for architects from North America and around the world. This includes a broad range of hands-on education, from quarry and factory visits to tours of Italy’s historic architectural sites. Since Stone World is a co-sponsor of the program, I have been lucky enough to tag along with this group for the past decade or so. For me, this tour is generally a chance to see the latest developments in large-scale stone production. Whether it is modern quarrying methods and equipment or the latest block-processing machinery, this tour always gives me an opportunity to see some of the most up-to-date technology at use in the field today. The most recent Marmomacc education program, which took place last fall, certainly provided me with a look at these large-scale operations. In this issue, you will see examples of a marble quarrier utilizing the very latest chainsawing technology for block extraction (page 62) and a block-processor using modern multi-wire technology for slabbing (page 68). But in addition to seeing these operations, my tour also included visits to two stoneworking shops that produced specialty work on a smaller scale, but were every bit as impressive. We are featuring both of these shops as the “Fabricator Case Studies” in this issue of Stone World, and both operations — Vicentina Marmi (page 42) and Decormarmi (page 48) — have a somewhat similar story on how they were formed as well as their current operational model. Formed in 1999, Vicentina Marmi was established by a group of craftsmen with a long history in the trade, who felt there was a niche market for processing and marketing high-end decorative stone products. Nearly four decades earlier, artisan Angelo Farinon and his brothers formed Decormarmi as a small stoneworking studio to provide architectural pieces. Today, both of these operations utilize much of the same equipment that I find in the North American stoneworking shops — CNC routers, waterjet cutting equipment, bridge saws, etc. They also have some more advanced equipment, such as five-axis stoneworking and milling machines and lathes. But even though the equipment list in each shop is noteworthy, I was even more impressed by the level of talent that I saw on a personal level. Whether it was a saw operator, an artisan hand-chiseling an intricate design or someone putting the finishing touches on a one-of-a-kind stone furnishing, the pride of craftsmanship was evident in the faces of every worker I saw. When a company representative tells me about the “Made in Italy” tradition, visits like these show me exactly what they are talking about. So how does this relate back to us here in America? Frankly, I often see this level of pride and craftsmanship in the fabrication shops I visit in the U.S.; it’s just that many of the shop owners are either too busy or too modest to promote it. At a time when our industry is still facing great challenge — including the continual presence of low-quality, lowball competitors — it’s not a bad idea for the quality shops out there to promote their craftsmanship; to illustrate to the public why they can’t really sell countertops for $25/foot. No matter how many lowballers are out there, we need to remember that stone is not a commodity item; it is a premium building product that has been associated with quality and elegance for centuries. We need to promote it that way, because that is a statement that the folks from Corian will simply never get the chance to say.

Michael Reis, Editor/Associate Publisher

NEWSLINE MIA/STONE WORLD SEMINARS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN 2012 . . . An extensive slate of Marble Institute of America (MIA)/Stone World seminars is in place for 2012, and they have been carefully planned to offer the stone industry valuable information that will help them in their day-to-day business. The first session kicks off on March 22, 2012, and it will be hosted by American Granite Co. LLC of Charlotte, NC. The session, “Business Success for Fabricators,” includes several components: • Analyzing the Cost of Doing Business/Issues Impacting Fabricators in Today’s Market — Fabricator Perspectives • Safety: An Overview of New Resources Available to Fabricators & Distributors • Fabricator Forum: This open forum is designed for fabricators to get answers to questions or problems they may have with regard to being successful in today’s business economy. The speaker for the Charlotte session is G.K. Naquin, who has over 35 years of experience in the natural stone industry. He and his partners own Stone Interiors North America, a large fabrication company with four locations in the Southeast (two of which have received the coveted MIA “accreditation” credential). Naquin’s accomplishments include a 2004 Pinnacle Award for special use of stone as well as the 2005 Stone World “Fabricator of the Year” Award, and he also serves as 2011 President of the MIA and Board of Directors. Naquin often provides independent consulting services to fabrication facilities and travels the country providing educational seminars at various industry related events such as StonExpo, Coverings, KBIS and others. The “Business Success for Fabricators” program will also take place on April 5, 2012, at American Granite Co.’s location in Elk Grove Village, IL, and the speaker will be Tony Malisani of Malisani Inc. in Great Falls, MT. Malisani, owner of a thirdgeneration stone shop, has been working in the stone industry for 20 years. His business specializes in high-end custom work — from fountains, monuments and custom furniture to countertops. Malisani has extensive knowledge about business management in the stone industry with the understanding of the growing-opportunities for a small business. His firm is one of the first companies in the nation to receive the “Natural Stone Accredited Fabricator” credential from the MIA. In 2010, Tony was also elected to serve a five-year term on the MIA Board of Directors. On May 3, 2012, Malisani will again be presenting the “Business Success for Fabricators” program at the Rocky Mountain Stone Summit in Denver, CO, which will be hosted by Arizona Tile. On June 21, 2012, the Toronto Stone Summit will be hosted by MS International in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The morning program includes the session “Making the Transition from Residential Countertops to Light Construction/Common Mistakes Made,” and it will be led by Mike Picco of Picco Engineering. Picco is a professional engineer with more than 20 years experience, and his firm focuses on two main areas of expertise — natural stone cladding and other miscellaneous structural engineering. In the natural stone sector, experience includes stone sourcing and selection, consulting, manufacturing, installation and testing, as well as the design and detailing of stone anchors and stone shop drawings. Picco is a frequent speaker on the subject of stone cladding and anchoring, and he has given seminars to various associations and events, including the Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association Trade School, the Saskatchewan Masonry Institute, StonExpo and Marmomacc in Verona, Italy. The morning session will also include an open Fabricator Forum, and the afternoon program, “Marketing your Company in Today’s Business Environment” will be presented by Marty Gould of Focalize Now. This session will showcase: • Positioning your company online so it dominates Google searches • Getting your advertising directly to consumers who are ready to buy • Streamlining your marketing and advertising efforts with proven solutions • Discussions about brand identity Gould has been focalizing businesses and organizations for more than 20 years. His client list over the years includes some of America’s most well-known brands, including AC Delco, Pepsi-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, Lennox Industries and the Professional Bowlers Tour. In the stone industry he has led seminars for StonExpo, Coverings and the Marble Institute of America. Other MIA/Stone World education events include: • July 10, 2012 — Portland Stone Summit, Portland, OR, hosted by Oregon Tile & Marble • September 18, 2012 — “Business Success for Fabricators,” New York/New Jersey region • October 25, 2012 — “Business Success for Fabricators,” Salt Lake City, UT Stone World | February 2012 19

NEWSLINE • November 8, 2012 — “Business Success for Fabricators,” Farmers Branch, TX, hosted by MS International The registration fee is $99 for installers and fabricators and $249 for suppliers and stone distributors. Each attendee will receive a $25 credit for items from the MIA bookstore. This credit will be awarded on site at the seminar. Additionally, non-MIA member companies who join prior to or during the seminar will be able to send two employees to a seminar for free. For more information on the MIA/Stone World seminars, visit www.stoneindustryeducation.com

STANLEY STEEMER AND CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS FORM ALLIANCE… Homeowners and businesses experiencing problems with their tile and grout work have a new nationwide resource to which they can turn. Stanley Steemer International, Inc. of Dublin, OH — a recognized national leader in deep-cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile, wood, air ducts and water extraction services — has announced a claims resolution tile and grout alliance with Custom Building Products of Seal Beach, CA — a leading manufacturer of tile and stone installation systems. By working together, Stanley Steemer and Custom Building Products are building an unprecedented, nationwide tile cleaning and restoration service, report the companies. For Stanley Steemer, this partnership reinforces its position as a rapidly strengthening national player in the tile cleaning and restoration industry. And the combined breadth of the Custom Building Products and Stanley Steemer service territories means remediation services will be available to approximately 92% of the U.S. population. “This new alliance allows both Stanley Steemer and Custom Building Products to focus on what each company does best while taking advantage of cross-selling opportunities from each company’s client base,” said Nino DiVincenzo, National Tile and Grout Manager at Stanley Steemer. “Custom Building Products can continue to deliver the highest-quality tile and stone installation products and services, while the professionals at Stanley Steemer will provide expert cleaning, restoration and customer service.” As tile and stone continue to grow in popularity as a finishing material due to improved cost and manufacturing efficiencies, so too has the market demand for cleaning and restoration services, according to DiVincenzo. Those market factors have driven Stanley Steemer’s residential and commercial tile cleaning and restoration service to consistent double-digit growth each year during the past decade. “We are proud to have our relationship with Stanley Steemer,” said David deBear, Custom Building Products’ National Construction Services Manager. “Stanley Steemer’s ability to cater to the customer in a timely and professional manner holds great value for us. In turn, we refer large national accounts to Stanley Steemer as they often come to us for long-term maintenance solutions. This relationship is still young, but promises to be long-term and profitable for both of us.” Stanley Steemer’s commitment to the alliance includes incorporation of Custom Building Products’ industry-leading Aqua Mix sealer and cleaners into its arsenal of proprietary cleaning products and methods, as well as a comprehensive training program for Stanley Steemer personnel to diagnose and troubleshoot problems in the field. Custom Building Products, meanwhile, will refer customer issues and maintenance for large national accounts, like Home Depot and Daltile, to Stanley Steemer. “We believe there will be opportunities to expand this relationship in the future, but right now we’re totally focused upon building the foundation for this relationship with top-notch service for Custom Building Products customers,” said DiVincenzo.

ONE LINERS . . . The Marble Institute of America (MIA) now offers posters that promote sustainability. These eye-catching posters highlight the environmentally friendly attributes of natural stone, which include: no VOCs, recyclable, extremely durable, enduring life cycle, not created in a factory and not bonded together by petroleum based resins. The posters measure 22 x 28 inches, and are available in a set of four. Visit www.marble-institute.com for more information. Any questions regarding Newsline, contact: Newsline Editor, Stone World, 210 Route 4 East, Suite 203, Paramus, NJ 07652; Fax: 201-291-9002; E-mail: [email protected]. 20 February 2012 | Stone World

STATISTICS October 2011 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY

GRANITE U.S. $

MARBLE*

TONS

ARAB EMIRATES ARGENTINA

U.S. $

SLATE**

TONS

2,500

1 18

U.S. $

OTHER*** U.S. $

TONS

20,441

22

41,478

40

28,323 80,601

57

42,686,345

50,713

128,854

135

314,600

36,762

22

CANADA

1,340,418

2,797

345,801

1,003

945,540

2,715,394

16,663

CHINA

14,349,148

18,762

6,940,419

6,546

1,886,810

523,883

812

2,755

9

36,585

15

254,212

686

6,397

6

122,400

271

70,584

57

96,796

1,749

65,879

86

15,160

7

6,359

24

73,700

204

BELGIUM BRAZIL

COLOMBIA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ECUADOR

28,913

6

EGYPT

177,462

354

FINLAND

19,089

1

626,594

406

FRANCE GERMANY

2,264

1

GREECE HONG KONG

270,962

218

341,480

216

53,646

89

28,113

54

12,905,163

17,290

368,677

363

12,670

58

325,079

354

ITALY

9,698,065

6,097

3,361,577

1,921

JAPAN

93,060

4

JORDAN

25,953

66

KOREA

35,189

5

LEBANON

46,575

2

5,046,302

6,702

INDIA INDONESIA

MEXICO

24,412

17

NORWAY

29,503

39

PAKISTAN

22,464

20

132,257

76

PERU

105,759

92

1,003,563

4,946

PHILIPPINES

12,238

42

61,875

86

45,647

1,251,509

68,960

POLAND 6,234

2

SAUDI ARABIA

PORTUGAL

585,821

649

SOUTH AFRICA

220,491

255

SPAIN

764,032

1,145

1,552,496

1,402

1,835,000

1,967

347,863

197

22,882

12

4,000

1

53,457

25

18,042,255

35,723

88,560

88

2,160

1

TAIWAN THAILAND TUNISIA TURKEY

6,389

21

UNITED KINGDOM URUGUAY OTHER

532,659

510

17,952

314,381

6,507

2,140

1

7,500

2

83,717

11

137,148

19,764

3

221,372

336

12,744

27,639

40

TOTAL OCTOBER 2011

84,840,001

100,124

40,561,777

62,520

5,001,798

3,874,751

19,977

TOTAL OCTOBER 2010

76,663,216

140,360

41,372,028

66,724

5,271,707

3,643,382

18,400

*includes marble, travertine, alabaster and other calcareous stone, **tonnage figures not available, ***includes dolomite, sandstone, quartzite, basalt, porphyry and other non-specific monumental or building stone SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce

22 February 2012 | Stone World

The Cyclone Diamond Cluster Wheel is the most revolutionary new grinder with Diamond Cluster Technology (DCT) . It's the fastest and longest lasting tool for removal of thick paint, epoxy, mesh, and glue. Resulting in a smooth finish on all stone, concrete, and asphalt. It's also an excellent prep tool for antiquing or leathering stone. DCT will never gum up and will always stay sharp. Available in 4”, 4.5”, 5”, 6” and 7” diameters. For a local seller of the Cyclone Diamond Cluster Wheel, call: 888.449.0502 or visit us onilne at www.diamaxinc.com

OM C COM C. NC.C XIIIN XIN AX AMAXIN AM DIAMA D .D W.DI WW W WWW W WW

STATISTICS October 2011 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY

GRANITE U.S. $

ANTIGUA ARAB EMIRATES ARUBA AUSTRALIA BAHAMAS BARBADOS BELGIUM BELIZE BERMUDA BRAZIL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CANADA CAYMAN ISLANDS CHILE CHINA COLOMBIA COSTA RICA DENMARK FINLAND FRANCE GERMANY GUATEMALA GUYANA HONDURAS HONG KONG INDIA IRELAND ISRAEL ITALY JAMAICA JAPAN JORDAN KOREA LEBANON MALAYSIA MEXICO MONACO NETHERLANDS NIGERIA NORWAY PERU POLAND RUSSIA SAINT KITTS SINGAPORE SOUTH AFRICA SPAIN TAIWAN UNITED KINGDOM OTHER TOTAL OCTOBER 2011 TOTAL OCTOBER 2010

MARBLE*

TONS

2,622 4,365

4 8

4,400 129,539 283,933 29,549

1 59 324 63

3,040 2,775 2,911,671 5,036

2 1 3,195 1

923,262

2,665

20,650

1

U.S. $

SLATE**

TONS

20,915 4,433

1 5

99,949 15,106

133 11

4,278 4,408 2,387,619 40,238 1,700,739 17,645 29,102 44,322 8,448 4,290

4 1 24,279 26 16,299 14 22 269 13 2

8,357

2

7,680

1

184,900

181

U.S. $

667,580

OTHER*** U.S. $

TONS

54,035 18,516

20 18

2,568,483

29,017

6,211 71,356 24,930

14 381 29

5,129 14,389

426 28

7,325

71

16,200 127,660

23 132

8,662 85,944

5 61

58,036

95

23,745

11

6,612

1

67,525 5,189 8,285

637 6 10

18,569 145,624 10,000 16,546 37,813 3,406,784 2,257,896

20 64 1 3 13 31,086 26,543

73,460

6,192 8,904

1 1

19,877

19

1,085,755 8,284 39,903

1,990 2 141

16,842

12

12,806

25,876 279,666 16,250 4,650

15,675 5,144

5 860 1 1

4 1

265,636 7,187

333 9

3,540

1

3,000 14,806 83,673

1 73 69

11,000 33,350

5 37

31,478

6

49,006

24

11,491

20,930 963,535 14,168 2,633 27,958 6,862,154 4,982,315

213 2 2 12 9,591 8,214

15,221 170,670 6,048 101,872 5,378,916 2,342,845

22 58 1 41 41,943 16,348

46,848 31,007 864,122 248,341

*includes marble, travertine, alabaster and other calcareous stone, **tonnage figures not available, ***includes dolomite, sandstone, quartzite, basalt, porphyry and other non-specific monumental or building stone SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce

Spend less time searching for information and

more time using it www.stoneguide.stoneworld.com 24 February 2012 | Stone World

NEWS 2011 PERFORMANCE SURVEY REINFORCES DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TYPICAL AND HIGH PROFIT FABRICATORS CLEVELAND, OH — The Marble Institute of America (MIA) recently completed its fourth Performance Analysis Report for U.S. and Canadian natural stone fabricators. The survey

was conducted in 2011 and contains an evaluation and interpretation of financial data solicited from fabricators. T he su r vey was made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of Laser Products Industries and Moraware. Harry Hollander, Moraware’s president, stated, “I’m excited about being

MIA has released the 2011 Performance Analysis Report for U.S. and Canadian natural stone fabricators.

a sponsor of the 2011 fabricator performance report. Small differences in how you run your company can make huge differences in profitability — this survey helps you learn best practices.” Da n L ou is, preside nt of L a se r Products agreed. “When you can confidentially compare your data against your peers, it uncovers opportunities to improve efficiencies,” he said. New for 2011 were analyses of some key production metrics: • Average square feet of granite and quartz fabricated weekly • Yearly total production (square feet) • Templating method identification • Bridge saw vs. CNC use • Production tracking methods

Grey Onyx Vein-cut Bookmatch

ABC stone

new york 718-389-8360 long island 516-997-9412 www.abcworldwidestone.com

26 February 2012 | Stone World

Like its predecessors in 2007, 2009 and 2010, the report provides one of the most comprehensive set of benchmarks available on financial performance in the natural stone fabrication industry to date. The report is designed to provide fabrication shops with a tool to evaluate existing financial performance and to identify new ways to create improvement. The 24-page report is organized in the following sections, each designed to assist managers in specific areas of inquiry:

NEWS • Executive Summary — An overview of study results including a graphical presentation of key results. • Detailed Results — An in-depth analysis of return on investment, the income statement, the balance sheet, and financial and productivity ratios. • Customer Emphasis — Firms were analyzed by concentration of sales to selected customer groups. • Trends — An examination of changes in performance over time for key results and ratios. • Ratio Calculation — A summary of ratio calculations and supporting commentary. As in previous years, MIA contracted with Profit Planning Group, the well regarded association profitability and compensation analysis firm. Participants’ proprietary financial data was kept strictly confidential. T h e s u r v e y r e s u lt s a n d f i n a l repor ts were prov ided at no addi-

1 | Stone World 28JMSSW05074.indd February 2012

t i o n a l c o s t t o t h o s e f i r m s t h at p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e s t u d y. T h e Performance Analysis Report is now available to firms that did not participate in the survey through the MIA bookstore at www.marble-institute. com/store/ (click on the “Business Management & Industry Resources” tab). MIA members’ price is $199.00 U.S. (non-members $349.00)

ED METCALF INDUCTED INTO CTDA’S HALL OF FAME Laticrete, a global manufacturer and leader of premium installation and finishing systems for the buildi ng i ndust r y, a n nou nced t hat its President, North America Division, Ed Metcalf, was inducted into the Ceramic Tile Distributor Association’s Hall of Fame. The award was given to and accepted by Metcalf at the Total Solutions Plus convention, which was held from November 7 to 11, 2011 in Chandler, AZ. The event was attend-

Ed Metcalf, President, North America Division of Laticrete, was recently inducted into the Ceramic Tile Distributor Association’s Hall of Fame during a presentation held at the Total Solutions Plus convention, which was held from November 7 to 11, 2011 in Chandler, AZ.

ed by over 450 leading tile industry professionals. It was presented jointly by the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). “The CTDA Hall of Fame award is given to those individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association and the industry through invention and/or dedication of service,” said CTDA Executive Director Rick Church. “Ed has been a true partner to distributors throughout North America for many years”.

4/19/07 10:34:34 AM

NEWS Metcalf stated, “It is an honor to have been recognized by the membership of the CTDA, and to share this honor with the others who have been named to its Hall of Fame. I have long recognized the importance of the independent ceramic tile distributor to the overall health and growth of our industry, and am fortunate to

30 February 2012 | Stone World

be in a position where I can meet and work together with so many highquality family-owned businesses all across North America.”

ARTISAN GROUP™ INDUCTS TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS AUS T I N, TX — A r t isa n Group has inducted two new board mem-

bers: Kellie Akins, Sales & Marketing M a n age r of I n nov at ive S u r f ac e s in Minneapolis, M N, and Joe Hof f ma n, Jr., ow ner of Hof f ma n Fixt ures Company (HFC) in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, OK. Akins and Hoffman are taking the slots vacated by charter members Evan Kruger, owner of Solidtops in Easton, MD, and Jon Lancto, owner of Surface Products in Cornelius, NC, after serving their two-year terms. Akins and Hoffman join Brad Pearce, owner of Front Range Stone in Denver, CO, and Layton Day, owner of Bangor Wholesale Laminates in Bangor, ME. Mitch Hires, President of Construction Resources in Atlanta, GA, and Gus Blume, P resident of Blume’s Solid Surface Products in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as A rtisan Group Executive Director Chad Seiders complete the board. I n A k i n s nearly 12 years w it h I n nov at ive Surfaces, she has worked in various areas of the business ranging from resident ia l sa les, vendor relationship Kellie Akins management and product sourcing, to national big box account management, business development, marketing and oversight of Innovative’s residential sales and estimating staff. H o f f m a n g raduated f rom Ok la homa State University in 20 01 and started work i ng at H FC . At that time, the compa ny fabr icated stone, solid Joe Hoffman Jr. surface and laminate products. In 2008, HFC merged w it h A ztec K itc hen a nd Bat h, i n Tulsa, OK, adding cultured marble to its product offering. Then in 2010, HFC purchased Phoenix Fabrication, a countertop fabrication company in Oklahoma City to extend its customer base.

Dellas. A history carved in stone.

2EXYVILEWPIJXMXWXVEGIWMRWXSRIEPPSZIVXLI[SVPH3RXLIWEQI[SVPHWGIRIER-XEPMERGSQTER] EPIEHIVMRXLIHIWMKRERHQERYJEGXYVMRKSJHMEQSRHXSSPWLEWGEVZIHMXWLMWXSV]MRWXSRI(IPPEW 8LIGSQTER]´WPSRKLMWXSV]ERHI\TIVMIRGIMRGYXXMRKERHTVSGIWWMRKWXSRIERHMXWQEVOIHWOMPPMR HMEPSKYMRK[MXLMXWGPMIRXWMREHHMXMSRXSMXWTMSRIIVMRKXIGLRMUYIUYEPMX]TVIGMWMSRERHVIPMEFMPMX]SJ MXWVERKISJXSSPWEVIXSHE]XLIGSQTER]´WJSVXM½GEXMSRWWGYPTXIHMRVSGOERHVIGSKRMWIH[SVPH[MHI %P[E]WEWOJSV(IPPEWJSV]SYVMQQSVXEPGVIEXMSRW

Dellas S.p.A. - Via Pernisa, 12 - 37023 Lugo di Grezzana (VR) - Italy - Tel. +39 045 8801522 - Fax +39 045 8801302 - www.dellas.it - e-mail: [email protected]

Fabricators discuss working in today’s landscape In this roundtable, fabricators from around the country gathered to exchange ideas on a range of topics — from the current business climate to challenges in the shop transcribed by Michael Reis

At the last Coverings event in Las Vegas, NV, fabricators attended a forum where a range of practical issues were discussed. Panelists at the forum included: Brett Rugo of Rugo Stone, LLC in Lorton, VA; Tony Malisani of Malisani, Inc. in Great Falls, MT; Michael Twiss of Columbia Stone, Inc. in Tualatin, OR; and G.K. Naquin of Stone Interiors in Loxley, AL (moderator).

E

ac h year, t he various t rade events for the stone industry a l low fabr icators to get together and exchange information on how t hey a re overcom i ng obstacles they face in their day-today business. One of these events

32

February 2012 | Stone World

wa s h e ld at t h e l a s t Cove r i n g s exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, and the fabricators who attended discussed everything from pricing strategies and employee training to practical issues in the shop and in the field. Panelists at the forum included:

• Brett Rugo, Rugo Stone, LLC, Lorton, VA • Tony Malisani, Malisani, Inc., Great Falls, MT • Michael Twiss, Columbia Stone, Inc., Tualatin, OR • G.K. Naquin, Stone Interiors, Loxley, AL (moderator)

photo by Michael Reis courtesy of Artelye Marble & Granite

Employee retention is a critical factor for many shops, and incentives such as solid health benefits help to minimize turnover.

photo by Michael Reis courtesy of Abruzzi Stone & Flooring/ Stone Design Works

high end, and there is no competition on price. We are more involved in commercial work; projects like Nike Headquarters. The jobs are larger, so we lose the smaller shops as competitors and only have really two or three competitors. It takes a long time, and you have to develop relationships, but they stay loyal. How do you keep your skilled employees? Twiss: On the commercial side, they are all union-scale jobs. But we struggle to keep workflow when you can need 20 guys one day and then three the next. Naquin: We have downsized a lot, but the remaining employees wanted to keep the company going, and they were engaged. In 2009, the market stabilized; 2010 was decent, and 2011 has been very good. Lots of workers are doing multiple tasks. There have been no raises, so there is an increased stress factor. We have to find ways to encourage customers.

Center islands are continually becoming larger and more sophisticated, and care must be taken to ensure safety during their delivery and installation.

How do you compete with low-cost pricing?

for us. We are working with kitchen and bath dealers as well as cabinet stores.

M a l i s a n i : P u bl i s h e d p r i c i n g is always a challenge. Working in Montana, we have a different business strategy. Getting out and creating a dealer network has been very positive

Twiss : We shifted our business model. In 1991, there were six countertop fabricators in Portland, and then it was over 100 in its peak. With our residential work, it is only

34

February 2012 | Stone World

Rugo: A lack of turnover is key for us. You need to get to know your employees. It helps with morale as a business owner. We have maintained our 401(k) and health care benefits, so we have a better caliber of employee. At a time when there is no room for raises or even cost-of-living increases, you have to live by example. Don’t drive around in a new car or have your toys out there in front of people. Malisani: The most valuable asset your company has is its employees

— not the five-axis CNC. It sounds cliché, but it is like a family. Leadership is by example. Our shop also does terrazzo and precast, and I can’t just find a guy on the street to do that. They appreciate the sacrifices that we have made, and we appreciate the sacrifices that they have made. How are you dealing with larger islands that customers are requesting? Naquin: We are seeing islands that are 100-115 x 50-60 inches weighing 750 to 1,000 pounds. It is my social responsibility to say that this creates a very dangerous situation. We know how to handle slabs in our facility, but what happens when they leave? There aren’t lifts out on the jobsite. We are installing stone at beach houses that sit on piers, and at $35/square foot, there is no money there to rent equipment. So now we are putting seams in an island. The

36

February 2012 | Stone World

thought is that people won’t accept it, but we are educating customers on the safety factor. Malisani: We once had a customer who knew exactly what they wanted; it was an 11-foot, 9-inch x 7-foot slab that was cut from a special block at Cold Spring. We have equipment for monuments, and we were able to lift it onto the deck. Six people installed it. Overall, slabs are getting larger. It used to be that 5 x 8 feet was normal, but now we are getting 11-foot slabs. The important thing to remember is that you need to have a plan well in advance, because people don’t always work together. Are you dry-setting layouts?

important because of all these exotics. We did a job in Typhoon Green, and we brought the customer to do the layout in masking tape. She couldn’t live with the yellow parts of the material, so we ended up using a third slab. If I had simply optimized slab use, it wouldn’t have worked out. Malisani : We marry up everything. We did it digitally in our shop, and there is a minimal amount of hand-blending. Rugo: Most of our customers are second- or third-time countertop buyers, and they have a certain amount of knowledge. There is pressure not to make a mistake when working for customers like that. Working with a sequential blend of slabs is critical.

Rugo: Yes, we do that. Naquin: If a job has a joint, it is dry-laid at our site. This is especially

Do you require the homeowner to inspect slabs and participate in the layout?

Twiss: Yes, for all jobs. When it comes to the super high-end customer, you want to spend time with them. Sometimes, the most logical solution is unacceptable to them.

so he is probably better at it than the homeowner.

We do those materials honed because of concerns over etching.

Are you seeing more demand for marble countertops?

Are you working with quar t z surfacing?

Malisani: For us, it is optional. My sawyer has laid out thousands of jobs,

Naquin: Yes, especially white marbles like Carrara, Alabama and Rhino.

Rugo : Sure, you k now exactly what you are getting, and there are no issues of color. We’re mostly using it for commercial work; it’s durable and consistent. Twiss: We find that it laminates faster, with no rods. There is also no need for matching. It is really good for healthcare. It is durable, and it doesn’t look like they spent a lot of money. The only challenge is that some of them are difficult to edge polish, but it’s really the same thing with granite. The darker ones are a challenge.

The pads that won the Fabricator’s Olympics.

Congratulations to Juan Guzman, Flat Polish Champion at the 2011 Fabricator’s Olympics! During the competition, Juan used a 4" hard rigid plastic backer, a 50 grit Razor pad, Magnum™ CP Copper Phenolic pads, and a 3,000 grit Magnum™ PDH Dry Pad—all from Diamant Boart.

Razor™ Pad

Magnum™ CP Pad

Magnum™ PDH Pad

Naquin: In our case, nine out of 10 customers who are looking for a color range will want granite, with its depth of color. Exotics are popular for a reason; the pure nature of it is what sells. For us, granite look-alikes didn’t work. If a person in our market likes granite, and they look at both, they choose granite. Are any fabricators impor ting direct? Naquin: At $2 per foot to ship and distributor margins being so low, it doesn’t make sense for me. With some exotics, it might make sense, but then I’m buying eight bundles instead of two, so I need to know that I will sell it. Are you rodding large islands?

Use the QR-tag to visit our website.

16 and 24 grit Volcano grinding wheels are now available! See our Volcano grinding/proÂling wheels at the Coverings Show in Orlando, April 17 - 20, 2012. HUSQVARNA CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS 17400 West 119th Street • Olathe, Kansas 66061 • T 800-845-1805 • F 800-872-1125 http://shop.dbstone.com Copyright © 2012 Husqvarna AB (publ.). All rights reserved. Husqvarna is a registered trademark of Husqvarna AB (publ.).

38

February 2012 | Stone World

Malisani: It really depends on the material, and you need to know what you are doing. We have done some interesting furniture; trapezoidial tables with four-point suspension in Absolute Black. Naquin : Roddi ng is for material handling, not for protection after installation. If we see a fissure, we

photo by Michael Reis courtesy of United Marble Fabricators

By laying out the pieces prior to delivery, jobsite adjustments are minimized.

will use penetrating glue and then rod across it. How do you get started doing business with Home Depot? Naqu i n : Home D e pot i s c u rrently the largest retailer of granite counters in the country. Your systems have to be sophisticated. They require line reviews where you bid against

Stone World | February 2012 39

photos courtesy of Vermont Quarries Corp.

Fabricators are seeing more demand for marble countertops, particularly white marble.

other fabricators in your region. It is different administratively to work with Big Box stores. You need to have good accounting. Also, you’re going to be represented by their salespeople, who are motivated to sell, but don’t necessarily understand the product. The sales are made without you, and you have to reset client expectations once you take over. Home Depot’s “Voice of the Customer” (VOC) scores are key. If those scores are poor, you are out of there. They also really hit you on price structure. On the positive side, two days after the release, the cash is in 40

February 2012 | Stone World

your bank account, so it really helps with cash flow. How do the Big Box stores handle claims? Naquin: The Big Boxes are now standing behind the fabricator more. It all has to do with education. They have qualit y fabricators now, and they respect them. We enjoy the fact that if it is their error, they pay for it. If it is our error, we should pay for it. What about profit margins with Big Box stores?

Naquin: Big Boxes are the number two profit center for us, but we are prepared for them. We can make money on the A products, but 60% of the jobs are B, C and D higher-end products that bring up the percentage, especially when you are considering undermounts and other extras. Home Depot usually marks it up 25%, but 80% of our sales from them were promos, so you may be departing from that line. However, the promo is not always put back on us. In those cases, Home Depot gets little profit, but they have people in the store also buying tile, appliances, etc. ❑

Zebrino Marble Bookmatch

marble granite

limestone travertine

sandstone quartzite

artisan mosaic semi-precious

e x t e r i o r landscape stone

french flooring engineered-stone

ABC stone

new york 718-389-8360 long island 516-997-9412 www.abcworldwidestone.com

Fabricator Case Study M A D E I N I TA LY

Marble shop is built on craftsmanship With a blend of artisan skills and state-of-the-art stoneworking technology, Vicentina Marmi produces ornate stonework for an international client base

Photos by Michael Reis

by Jennifer Adams and Michael Reis

Founded in 1999 by a group of stoneworking artisans, Vicentina Marmi of Chiampo, Italy, produces highend finished products with a combination of craftsmanship and advanced technology. One of the company’s latest investments is an Omag Blade 5 five-axis CNC stoneworking center.

I

n 1999, a group of craftsmen with a long history in the trade felt there was a niche market for processing and exporting high-end decorative stone products. That year, they formed Vicentina Marmi in Chiampo, Italy, and their work is exported around the world.

42

February 2012 | Stone World

Within the company structure, five skilled marble specialists lead a group of highly qualified technicians. Finished products include a range of architectural elements, such as floors and cladding as well as sculptures, columns, furnishings and detailed trim

work. It processes material for both interior and exterior applications and commercial and residential use. In addition to relying upon personal craftsmanship, the company believes in investing in technology to succeed. Complex cutting is achieved using two

The Omag Blade 5 is equipped with a lathe for processing intricate column work.

The Bidesimpianti waterjet is equipped with a pump and cutting nozzle from KMT of Baxter Springs, KS.

Complex cutting is achieved using two waterjets, including a Bidesimpianti model from Italy.

Cutting is also completed using a Pedrini M940 CNC bridge saw, which can be programmed to cut stone into a variety of finished products.

waterjets, including a Bidesimpianti model from Italy, which is equipped with a pump and cutting nozzle from KMT of Baxter Springs, KS. Cutting is also completed using a Pedrini M940 CNC bridge saw, which can be programmed to cut stone into a variety of finished products. The cutting head tilts up to 90 degrees, and its multiple axes are capable of inter44

February 2012 | Stone World

polated operation for sophisticated, three-dimensional work. One of the latest investments at Vicentina Marmi is an Omag Blade 5 five-axis CNC stoneworking center, which also features a cutting head and lathe. The machine can accommodate a diamond blade up to 1600 mm in diameter, which can be tilted up to 140 degrees and rotated 360 degrees.

The working table is fixed because the blade positions itself automatically according to the profiles and the cuts which are to be executed. The operation of the unit is programmed in advance, and the lathe allows for processing intricate column work. Add it io n a l e q u ipme nt i n t he shop includes a Bavelloni three-axis

Additional equipment in the shop includes a Bavelloni three-axis CNC stoneworking center.

Much of the finishing work, such as chiseling and carving, is completed by skilled artisans.

After fabrication, all pieces are inspected for quality prior to shipment. 46

February 2012 | Stone World

CNC stoneworking center, a Donatoni CNC saw, a Zambon radial arm polisher and several ItalMarmi dust collection units, which are positioned throughout the shop. Much of the finishing work, such as final polishing, bushhammering and chiseling, is completed by hand. After processing, much of the work at Marmi Vicentina requires additional steps prior to packaging and shipping. For example, much of the company’s architectural work requires dry setting. To ensure quality, all the pieces are inspected to see if there are any color variations or other irregularities. Additionally, pieces are all numbered so that they can be easily installed upon arrival at the jobsite. Export markets for Vicentina Marmi include the U.S., the Middle East and the Far East. ❑

Fabricator Case Study M A D E I N I TA LY

Stoneworking studio collaborates with the design world Now in operation for four decades, the artisan shop Decormarmi of Chiampo, Italy, processes a range of high-end architectural stonework, and it works in conjunction with a host of renowned design professionals

Photos by Michael Reis

by Jennifer Adams and Michael Reis

Decormarmi produces architectural stonework at its facility in Chiampo, Vicenza, Italy, which has skilled artisans as well as state-of-the-art technology.

F

ueled by a passion for artistic marble work, Decormarmi was founded in 1962 by the Farinon brothers. Today, the company still relies on personal stoneworking skill — coupled with modern technology

48

February 2012 | Stone World

— to create architectural products for use around the globe. D u r i n g it s f o r m at i ve s t ag e s, Angelo Farinon had been attending the renowned “School for Arts and Crafts” for 12 years, and he and his

brot hers for med a sma l l a r t i sa n studio, which developed into a worldwide customer base. Decormarmi’s overall design philosophy is: “Design shouldn’t just be about form. It also should represent emotion.”

NEW Darkener

ULTRA

Equipment in the facility includes an Omag Blade 5 CNC machine, which works on five axes.

The shop also has an Omag Mill 5 five-axis CNC unit. Both Omag machines are capable of executing complex profiling, milling and cutting operations.

AKEMI Darkener ULTRA is the ultimate color enhancer for natural stone. Works great on edges, floors and slabs. Low odor, easy to apply formula for a maximum darkening of standard and exotic stones. Can enhance the lightest marbles to the darkest granites for a permanent darkening effect. FOOD SAFE Unlike other enhancers for stone, AKEMI has developed the proper formulation that is great for intensification of the stone’s color but is also 100% safe to use on food surfaces after curing. This product is TESTED and APPROVED for food contact surfaces.

NO MORE PALE EDGE COUNTERTOPS, EVER!

Enhance with confidence and speed. Only with AKEMI Darkener ULTRA Complex cutting is also achieved with the use of a Flow waterjet, which often processes custom floor patterns and designs.

CARE-11997 —AKEMI Darkener ULTRA liter CARE-11998 —AKEMI Darkener ULTRA 5 liter

Over the years, Decormarmi assembled a staff of skilled craftsmen to complete sophisticated architectural works in stone. Then, during the 1990s, the company began using CNC technology and other innovative equipment in its work. Finished products include elements such as fireplaces, tables, vases, inlays, decorative bowls, custom-cut floor

For more information please contact InnoChem email — [email protected] 1-800-316-3857 or local 770-409-8789 AKEMI is distributed in North America by InnoChem LLC

Stone World | February 2012 49 InnoChemAkemi_SW0212.indd 1

1/12/12 2:58 PM

BE INFORMED.

BE SUCCESSFUL. Attend Coverings 2012 and discover new ways to give your company a competitive edge. No other event offers more products to see, machinery to evaluate or money to make than Coverings. Come to Orlando to find new sources for natural and dimensional stone products that meet the current demand for LEED materials. Shop the trade show floor for fabricating machinery, tools and supplies. Off the show floor, engage with the experts at more than 70 free seminars; offering technical training and job estimating tips as well as marketing know-how that will improve your ability to boost sales to distributors, dealers and specifiers.

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL FOR YOUR STONE BUSINESS. BE READY.

REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND COVERINGS 2012 FOR FREE.

WWW.COVERINGS.COM Please use VIP Code ASWF2 when registering.

Please visit us on Facebook — www.facebook.com/CoveringsShow

Often imitated. Never duplicated. Other manufacturers claim their products are just like Terminator. Don't settle for like. Get the real thing and see the difference for yourself.

[email protected] | www.continentaldia.com

Call: (800) 595-1237

INCREDIBLE VALUE HIGH SPEED PRODUCTION QUIETER AND FASTER THAN EVER

A Pellegrini diamond wire saw is used for cutting blocks as needed.

designs and many other furnishings and decorative elements. Decormarmi has a full-scale techn ical depart ment on staff, and it

56anversw10094.indd February 2012 | Stone World 1

works in direct collaboration with architects, contractors, designers and decorators in Italy and abroad. Its finished work can be found throughout

Europe as well as in the U.S., Russia and the Middle East. Equipment in the facility includes four Omag CNC machines, including

9/1/09 3:37:18 PM

Among the company’s many product lines is the Kreoo by Decormarmi collection. As part of this work, the company collaborated with Italian designer Enzo Berti to create a collection of products that includes decorative furnishings such as bowls, tables and seating.

two five-axis units (the Mill 5 and the Blade 5). Both machines operate with five axes, and both are capable of executing complex profiling, milling and cutting operations. Complex cutting is also achieved w it h t he u se of a Flow water jet, which often processes custom floor patterns and designs. The shop also houses a standard Zambon bridge saw, a Zambon multi-head surface polishing line, a Zambon radial arm polisher for creating textured surfaces, a Pellegrini diamond wire saw for cutting blocks and a BM gangsaw. To meet the changing requirements of its international client base, Decormarmi is continually developing new product lines. It also developed the Kreoo by Decormarmi brand dedicated to design. Derived from the 58

February 2012 | Stone World

Staying true to its artisan roots, the company also offers handchiseling services.

Highly trained craftsmen are an integral part of the overall process. Finished work includes intricate fireplaces that can be inlaid with semi-precious stones. Stone World | February 2012 59

Decormarmi also offers intricate floor patterns in stone. Also appearing at the top of this photo are the Pavé Seating options in the Kreoo by Decormarmi collection.

Intricate and carved work is a staple of the company’s production.

Greek verb kraino (which means to produce or create) the line made its debut in 2010. Kreoo by Decormarmi includes finished products for high-end applications for residential and hospitality 60

February 2012 | Stone World

design, with products for use in living areas, bathrooms, gardens and other spaces. Among the products in the Kreoo by Decormarmi collection, the comp a ny c o l l a b o r at e d w it h It a l i a n

designer Enzo Berti to create a collect ion of products t hat i ncludes decorative furnishings such as bowls, tables and seating. In the U.S., these products can be found at Charles Luck Studios of Richmond, VA. ❑

Kremt Larvik photo: Morten Rakke

LUNDHS Royal Blue™

Crafted by Nature. Refined for Living. Crafted by nature deep inside earth and brought to daylight in the Larvik area of Norway: Blue Pearl and Emerald Pearl are known and appreciated by architects, designers and homeowners around the globe.

At Lundhs more than hundred years experience and the most modern quarry technology is used when taking the first step of refining some of the most exclusive looking natural stone materials in the world.

Our famous granite is processed into different qualities, supplying distributors and stone processing units exclusive materials to be enjoyed by generations to come...

We look forward to see you in Xiamen for the International Stone Fair at our stand H003, from 6th to 9th of March 2012. KITCHEN TOP – TILES – CLADDING – SHOP FRONTS – INTERIOR DECORATION - MONUMENTS

LUNDHS Antique™

LUNDHS Emerald™

LUNDHS XIAMEN REP. OFFICE Room 6-11A,Building D, International shipping center, No.89-99 Xiang Yu Road, Xiamen, China

LUNDHS Blue™

LUNDHS Black™

LUNDHS IN NORWAY Nedre Fritzoegate 1 NO-3255 Larvik, Norway

LUNDHS Ocean™

PHONE: +47 33 12 11 64 FAX: +47 33 18 55 35 E-MAIL: [email protected]

LUNDHS Marina Blue™

www.lundhs.no [email protected]

Report from Italy

Italian quarrier maintains a storied legacy Working a quarry in Chiampo, Italy, that dates back nearly three centuries, Marmi Faedo produces limestone for a range of architectural applicaitons

Photos by Michael Reis

by Jennifer Adams

Located in the Chiampo region of Italy, the quarry currently run by Marmi Faedo has been in existence for approximately 300 years.

S

et in the Italian hillside of the region of Chiampo, Italy, the “Grolla” quarry now operated by Marmi Faedo has been in existence for approximately 300 years. While the family-owned company started out in the marble business in 1947, it

62 February 2012 | Stone World

took over its current site more than 50 years ago. The quarry is divided into upper and lower sections — each containing different material with varying characteristics. While stone extracted from the upper area is basalt, the lower area

is limestone with deposits of sandstone scattered within. The basalt located in the upper part of the quarry is defined by a very fine grain, and the material is very white. As the quarry goes deeper into the ground, the stone becomes more pink

Equipment used in the quarrying process includes a Fantini chainsaw, which is used to make vertical cuts along the natural bedding.

in color. Additionally, there is also some stone that is light gray in color. The grain of the stone also gets larger as it gets down lower in the quarry. For the most part, the basalt quarried from the upper level is sold to make cement. The stone is extracted in

large blocks — measuring an average of 1.5 x 7 meters. The limestone found in the lower portion of the quarry is a hard material with a high compressive strength — due to the way it is geologically formed. Moreover, it has a high flex-

ural strength and resistance to salt and harsh weather as well as having low absorption and low porosity. Equipment used in the quarrying process includes a Fantini chainsaw and Sandvick/Tamrock Ranger SW drill. Vertical cuts are only made Stone World | February 2012 63

Quarry blocks are maneuvered as needed using a backhoe.

On average, the block size for limestone measures 1.8 x 2.5 meters.

A Sandvick/Tamrock Ranger SW drill is used in the excavation process.

with a chainsaw, which moves along the bedding. The block is then moved with an excavator. First, the upper bench is removed followed by the lower benc h. Quar r y workers do not blast when they are extracting architectural stone. The amount of 64

February 2012 | Stone World

production depends on the demand. As sections are excavated, they are reclaimed to preserve the natural habitat. On average, the block size for limestone measures 1.8 x 2.5 meters, and the company strives to attain archi-

tectural-sized blocks from the quarry site. Because the process results in a large amount of stone byproducts, all of the stone that is not used for architectural purposes is crushed into three different sizes. Depending on the size, it is used for cement, asphalt

Photo copyright Sheraton Oran Hotel & Towers

Among its high-profile finished projects, Marmi Faedo supplied material for the Sheraton Oran Hotel and Towers in Algeria.

Blocks are cut into slabs for architectural projects worldwide.

and gravel for roadways, or at seaports to prevent erosion. In addition to quarrying material, Marmi Faedo provides a broad range of

66

February 2012 | Stone World

services — from offering products that are finished according to the customer’s drawings to technical advice on design and on-site assistance. Among its high-

profile finished projects, Marmi Faedo has supplied material for architectural works such as the Sheraton Oran Hotel and Towers in Algeria. ❑

Report from Italy

The next generation of block processing With the latest block-processing technology and the capability to produce a range of surface finishes, Ferrari Cav. Rodolfo & Figli Industria Graniti is a leader in the Chiampo, Italy, region

Photos by Michael Reis

by Jennifer Adams and Michael Reis

Ferrari Cav. Rodolfo & Figli Industria Graniti operates separate facilities for processing granite and marble blocks in the Chiampo region of Italy.

F

ounded in 1973, Ferrari Cav. Rodolfo & Figli Industria Graniti has continually upgraded its stoneworking capabilities over the years. Now in its third generation, the group has separate facilities for

68 February 2012 | Stone World

processing marble and granite blocks, a nd it ca n process virt ually any material in the world. The group established separate facilities for marble and granite processing due to the different equipment

that is needed in the overall process. At the granite-processing facility, blocks are brought in from various points in Italy as well as overseas stoneproducing nations such as India and Brazil. Before processing, the blocks

Some of the latest investments at the granite facility include multi-wire saws from Bidesimpianti. These have replaced traditional gangsaws, and they offer a number of advantages.

In addition to the benefits of speed, maintenance and reduced waste, the use of the multi-wire saws allows the company to cut slabs in a broad range of thicknesses, depending on customer demand. These pieces are for a mausoleum project.

The granite facility is also equipped with a complete slab-polishing line from F. Meccanica, which is equipped with Tyrolit abrasives.

undergo a thorough inspection process where they are checked for color, size and quality. Prior to being cut into slabs, the blocks are trimmed using a single-wire saw. Some of the latest investments at the granite facility include multiwire saws from Bidesimpianti. These have replaced traditional gangsaws, and they offer a number of advantages. In addition to increased speed, there is less material waste. Moreover, there is no need for additional products associated with gangsaws, such as acids, iron pellets and lime. The company also reports that the wire saws require less maintenance than gangsaws. While wire is more expensive than a blade, when you evaluate the entire process, using a wire saw is more cost effective. In addition to the benefits of speed, maintenance and reduced waste, the use of the multi-wire saws allows the company to cut slabs in a broad range of thicknesses, depending on customer demand. It also does some custom work, such as cutting slabs for mausoleums. In addition to the sawing equipment, the granite-processing facility has a Stone World | February 2012 69

In addition to finished slabs, the company also has a full Pedrini tile line.

For textured surfaces, the company also invested in an automated flaming machine from Pellegrini.

70

February 2012 | Stone World

range of machinery for finishing the slabs. This includes a complete slab-polishing line from F. Meccanica, which is equipped with Tyrolit abrasives. For textured surfaces, the company also invested in an automated flaming machine from Pellegrini. In addition to finished slabs, the company also has a full Pedrini tile line and a Pedrini computerized bridge saw for cut-to-size work. Finished materials are stored in a covered warehouse. A total of approximately 2,000 cubic meters of granite is produced each year, and the company ships its slabs worldwide ❑

Report from Italy

More than three decades of progression Since 1979, Stone Italiana has been developing new designs and concepts in engineered quartz slabs and tiles, and its products continue to be used for some of the world’s most prestigious applications

Stone Italiana operates two facilties for producing quartz surfacing in Italy — one in Zimella (Verona), producing large slabs for cut-to-size items and small slabs for tiles, and another in Villesse (Gorizia), also producing the large slabs.

E

stablished in 1979 in Verona, Italy, by Roberto Dalla Valle, Stone Italiana has developed into a world leader in the field of engineered quartz slabs and tiles. The company, which is owned by the Dalla Valle and Vassanelli families, prides

72 February 2012 | Stone World

itself on its extensive research and development, and it continually studies quality, color, technology and unique surface finishes. Production — all of which carries the “Made in Italy” distinction — includes slabs measuring 305 x 140

cm (55 x 120 inches) and tiles up to 120 x 120 cm (48 x 48 inches). Stone Italiana has two large manufacturing plants certified UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 — one in Zimella (Verona), producing large slabs for cut-to-size items and small slabs for tiles, and

Stone Italiana’s production facilities utilize the Bretonstone Slab plants, which are made to produce slabs and tiles of compound stone bonded with polyester using a “vibrocompression vacuum process.”

another in Villesse (Gorizia), also producing large slabs. Over the years, Stone Italiana has tailored its production as a reflection of a new way of perceiving and using stone — rediscovering qualities such as uniqueness and variety while also not attempting to imitate nature. Rather, it seeks to draw inspiration from nature in order to develop new materials that offer improved performance to a discerning market. With this in mind, experimentation is a top priority at Stone Italiana through all production steps — from aesthetic considerations to product performance. Stone Italiana has an ongoing commitment to producing surfaces with enhanced mechanical strength along with reduced thickness and weight, and it is always experimenting with new colors and textures, while trying out different mixture compositions and grades. In terms of custom work, Stone Italiana has a history of collaborating with architects, developers and designers who wish to experiment with new aesthetic solutions. It has developed special color shades and mixture grades, along with innovative inserts and textures and exclusive combinations of materials. Examples of this

The processing cycle results in the production of individual slabs, thereby eliminating the need for any block cutting operations.

Quality control is a key element in all stages of the process. Stone World | February 2012 73

Stone Italiana is continually developing new colors and textures for its finished products.

approach can be seen in the floors that it developed for Armani, Chloé, Pucci, Benetton, Fendi, Trussardi, Swatch and Deutsche Bank, among others.

Production Stone Italiana’s production facilities utilize the Bretonstone Slab plants, which are made to produce slabs and tiles of compound stone bonded with polyester using a “vibrocompression vacuum process.”

GRANITE

SHIELD

Lifetime Permanent Granite Sealer Smoother, Shinier & Maintenance Free Licensing Waived to Granite Fabricators & Granite Installers A Savings of $1000.00 As Low as $1.20 a sq. ft. to Permanently Seal Granite For Granite Fabricators & Granite Installers Starting at: $799.99 Includes Shipping Within the United States

Includes: Seal Kit, Licensing & Training Chemical to seal up to 300 sq.ft. of Granite Manuals, Forms, Literature & 24/7 Product Support Website Can seal new & existing countertops. At the fabrication shop or at the customers home.

GRANITE SHIELD 877-477-3254 www.GraniteShield.com Permanently Sealing Granite with a Lifetime Warranty Since 2002

74

February 2012 | Stone World GraniteShield_SW0911.indd 1

8/15/11 1:36 PM

The company’s products have been used for residential projects around the world, such as this home in Canada.

Pictured here is Greige in the company’s “Grain” collection, which was created in response to a growing contemporary demand for matte surfaces.

The Stone Italiana product range is the result of a leading-edge controlled manufacturing process that is aimed to achieve products suitable for special applications in the building industry. These products consist of a composite material, which is mostly quartz- or marble-based. The manufacturing process begins by mixing a combination of raw materials (quartz or marble) in various grain sizes (from fine dust up to 5- to 6-mm grit), organic dyes and structural polyester resin (approximately 7%). Besides acting as a binder, the resin allows for a finished product that displays excellent characteristics in terms of flexural strength, impact strength and a low absorption coefficient. The polyester resin is heat cured and, through a computerized industrial process of vibrocompression under vacuum Stone World | February 2012 75

Stone Italiana’s quartz collection also includes monochromatic colors such as Superwhite.

at high pressure, it permits the manufacturing of large-format slabs (120 x 120 cm and 140 x 305 cm) in various thicknesses (1, 1.3, 2 and 3 cm thick), suited for a wide range of applications. The processing cycle results in the production of individual slabs, thereby eliminating the need for any block cutting operations. The raw materials are first mixed and homogenized via computerized control units. The resulting mix is then poured between two paper sheets in the amount needed to 76

February 2012 | Stone World

get the desired thickness. From there, it is placed on a conveyor belt that delivers the product to the compaction area, where the mix is pressed into slabs. Each slab is then cured in a curing chamber that consists of a tower-like structure with a number of heating trays, which are kept at a temperature in the region of 176 to 185 degrees (80 to 85 degrees C). Through heat treatment, the mixture pressed into a slab will solidify in approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

This kitchen utilizes Thyme from Stone Italiana’s “Jaipur” collection of quartzbased surfaces in earthy and spicy color tones. It is characterized by textural variations which make each slab unique.

Finally, each slab is processed to the desired surface finish through a number of steps, including surface smoothing, calibrating, polishing, trimming, beveling and edge work, depending on the intended use. Finished slabs from Stone Italiana can be supplied in very large quantities with controlled, quality-assured features, such as consistency in weight, thickness and compactness, and uniform design and color of the exposed surface. The plant in Zimella, Verona, produces 30,000 square meters of slabs measuring 305 x 140 cm (55 x 120 inches) and 35,000 square meters of tiles ranging from 30 x 30 to 120 x 120 cm (12 x 12 to 48 x 48 inches) per month, along with production of the U Design engineered quartz sink collection. Additionally, the plant in Villesse, Gorizia, produces 30,000 square meters of slabs measuring 305 x 140 cm (55 x 120 inches) per month.

Sales breakdown At the latest tally, Stone Italiana’s sales were 68% slabs, 28% tiles and 3% other products. Among slab sales, a total of 53% was shipped within Italy, with 27% being shipped elsewhere within the European Community and 20% going to the rest of the world. For

In just one of many high-profile retail projects, Stone Italiana supplied material for the Armani store on Fifth Avenue in New York, NY. Stone World | February 2012 77

The company also provided material for this one-of-a-kind project in Shanghai, China.

Stone Italiana’s materials were used to create a distintive floor pattern at the Metro Underground Stations in Dubai. 78

February 2012 | Stone World

tile sales, a total of 30% was shipped within Italy, with 33% being shipped elsewhere within the European Community and 38% going to the rest of the world. Internationally, main markets include Holland, Germany, Qatar, Hong Kong, the U.S., Russia, France, the U.K., Spain, Australia and Canada. It maintains a number of exclusive distributors for North America. Among the company’s noteworth installations, Stone Italiana has supplied material for Armani on Fifth Avenue in New York, NY; Victoria’s Secret stores across Nor t h America; Gap stores across North America; Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey; the Dubai Metro Underground Stations; Shanghai Expo 2010 in China; and the Qatar Foundation University College in Doha. ❑

Stone Italiana Timeline 1979: Stone Italiana is established in Zimella, near Verona, manufacturing recomposed marble.

2000: Reduced-thickness slabs (as thin as 6 mm) and a new surface finish called Nat are introduced.

1981: First supply of a raised access flooring system called Stonit.

2001: The company starts production of 75- x 300-cm slabs in various thicknesses, primarily for the kitchen countertop market.

1982: The “Uniform White” concept embodied by the Almond White collection meets with huge success. This product line is presented at the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

2002: Stone Italiana strengthens its presence at retailers worldwide, providing them with customized tools and showroom support.

1983: First supplies of ventilated facades for Bank Institutions located in Padua and Prato, Italy.

2003: Stone Italiana’s range is complemented with three new collections: Luce, Absolute and Jaipur.

1984: Stone Italiana supplies the flooring for Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.

2004: As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, Stone Italiana achieves ISO 9001:2000 Certification for Quality Management. At the same time, it takes great steps forward in technology and production. It creates the Metallico collection by mixing quartz with scrap from the microelectronics industry and patents an anti-static and dissipative floor — the first ever in its class.

1985: Stone Italiana’s Filidoro collection is an award winner at the Saiedue Exhibition in Bologna. 1988: A subsidiary called Niston is established at Lavis, near Trento. It manufactures recomposed granite slabs. 1990: New commercial offices are opened at San Martino Buon Albergo, near Verona. 1992: Stone Italiana’s products are chosen for the Deutsche Bank branches in Germany. 1994: First meeting with Italcementi, leading to an agreement for the introduction of 300-x 120-cm recomposed quartz slabs. 1995: Initial proposals for the supply of Stone Italiana products to German Mail and Railway, in cooperation with Milan-based Studio De Lucchi. 1996: Production of 300- x120-cm recomposed quartz slabs is increased and extended to encompass other applications in addition to floors, such as kitchen countertops, vanities, stairs and more. 1997: Stone Italiana takes over Polistone, a company headquartered in Villesse, near Gorizia. The company manufactures exclusively large-format recomposed quartz slabs. The Niston subsidiary is sold. 1998: New administrative and commercial offices are opened in the heart of Verona’s business district (Palazzo Bauli). 1999: The company introduces Cottostone, a revolutionary, world-patented surfacing material developed jointly with Sannini Impruneta. Stone Italiana’s technology made it possible to manufacture cotto slabs in a size of 300 x 120 cm.

2005: Stone Italiana is selected by the Italian Government to supply the floor for the Italian Pavilion at the International Expo in Aichi, Japan. 2006: Stone Italiana introduces its Bathroom Collection, a new product line especially designed for the bathroom. It allows the creation of customized bathrooms through the use of new materials, new formats and innovative decorations. 2007: Stone Italiana widens its product range with Mosaico Italiano, a collection of mosaic tiles, which come pre-grouted. This offers a solution to the problems connected with the installation of mosaic tiles. 2008: Stone Italiana introduces its Luxury Collection, a new collection of precious quartz surfaces featuring semi-precious gems (Fire Agathe, Sodalite, Jadeite, Rosequartz, Amethyst, Red Jasper), complemented by a matching color shade for each one of the six gems. 2009: Stone Italiana doubles its production by opening a new plant and offices at Zimella, near Verona. The company celebrates its 30th anniversary by opening the very first “All-Quartz” showroom in Europe, based in Milan. 2010: Stone Italiana products continue to be chosen for top projects such as Dubai Underground stations, Shanghai Expo, Armani Fifth Avenue in New York, and more. 2011: The company introduces its revolutionary U Design collection, the first range of one-piece quartz sinks.

Stone World | February 2012 79

California stone quarrier looks forward Based in Central California, where it operates a quarry and fabricating facility for quartzitic schist, Sydney Peak Stone is striving to become a model company in the area of environmental responsibility

Sydney Peak Stone extracts stone from a deposit of quartzitic schist within the Mojave Desert of Central California.

W

ith a quarry and processing facility in Ridgecrest, CA, Sydney Peak Stone extracts a nd processes stone for a broad range of finished products, which it sells through its growing dealer distribution network. Furthermore,

80

February 2012 | Stone World

i n addit ion to operat i ng moder n stoneworking equipment, it is making a con scious effort to respect t he environment in its operations. T h e c o m pa ny wa s o r ig i n a l ly fou nded by Roy Blake i n 1953 as Bl a k e’s W hole s a le Stone, a nd it

ext ract s stone f rom a deposit of quartzitic schist within the Mojave Desert of Central California. Today, under the leadership of John Chesney, Sydney Peak Stone remains a familyowned and operated business, and it is making advances in technology

Stone is extracted using bulldozers, and workers then split the resulting boulders into smaller pieces.

Table saws are used to cut stone pieces to size as needed. The company also operates a range of machinery from Park Industries of St. Cloud, MN, such as the TSX ThinStone® system for producing thin stone veneer, including flat edges as well as corners.

as well as environmentally friendly practices. “We are a full-service quarry,” explained T.J. Jaworsky of Sydney Peak Stone. “We produce veneer, flagstone, boulders, and any type of fabrication.” Like most quarries of its type, the

extraction methods of the quartzitic schist are labor intensive. “We extract our stone by rippi ng it f rom t he ground using bulldozers,” Jaworsky said. “We then send in our stone crew, who hand splits our stone into various products.”

The company produces wall veneer, tile and pavers as well as architectural products such as hearths, mantles, fire boxes, fountains and countertops with “any type of edge treatment you can think of,” according to Jaworsky. Equipment for stone processing Stone World | February 2012 81

For countertop production and other edgework, workers utilize a Park Wizard radial arm polisher.

A number of environmentally friendly practices are in place, including the use of solar panels to help power the company’s operations.

A large inventory of finished products is maintained on the premises.

Paving materials are another company specialty.

The quartzitic schist is used for a range of finished products, including wall veneer, landscape applications and architectural stonework.

includes hand tools and table saws, along with more advanced equipment. This includes a range of machinery from Park Industries of St. Cloud, MN, such as the TSX ThinStone® system for producing thin stone veneer, including flat edges as well as corners. For countertop production, edgework is 82

February 2012 | Stone World

completed using a Park Wizard radial arm polisher. In all, the company has a total of 50 employees. Production currently stands at 800 square feet of veneer, 300 lineal feet of corners and around 40 tons of flagstone daily. The company has a dealer distribution network in place in California,

and it is also currently looking to expand its sales area. In terms of environmental stewardship, the company practices land, waste and waste oil reclamation. It also operates new Tier 3 diesel engines in all machines, and has installed solar panels to help power its facilities. ❑

I S YO U R B U S I N E S S P O S I T I O N E D TO SURVIVE ?

No matter the size of your business, by investing in the Natural Stone Council, you unify and strengthen our industry by bolstering preference for Genuine Stone® over synthetic materials. To learn more about how you can do your part, visit naturalstonecouncil.org.

FABRICATING TECHNOLOGY — ACCESSORIES

Anver - Vacuum Lifter-Tilter Product Description: A line of standard, modular lifter-tilters that are offered with either electric or compressed-air power for handling heavy slabs weighing up to 2,000 pounds are available from Anver Corp. of Hudson, MA. Anver ET-AT Series Vacuum Lifter-Tilters let one person manipulate heavy slabs from the horizontal to the vertical and back while using a remote control. Offered in electric- and compressed-air powered versions, they are equipped with four large rectangular suction pads with bonded seals, non-skid surfaces and shallow lips to evenly distribute holding forces. Featuring a check valve and built-in vacuum loss sensor with audio-visual alarms for optimum operator safety, Anver ET-AT Series Vacuum Lifter-Tilters are offered in 500-, 1000- and 2000pound capacities. They are modular with 2-, 3- and 4-pad designs and adjustable cross arms for handling slabs up to 8 x 10 feet. Applications include stone, steel, composite and glass panels. Anver ET-AT Series Vacuum Lifter-Tilters are priced from $2,695, depending upon capacity and configuration -- including foam seals for handling rough surfaces. Price quotations are available upon request. www.anver.com

Beckart Environmental - 100% Zero-Discharge Water Recycling System Product Description: Designed for 100 % water recycling and closed-loop operation, the Hy-Pack® system from Beckar t Environmental filters influent from saws, polishers and CNC equipment down to below 1 micron, and routes the clean water back for use in the fabrication process. • Among the system’s features and benefits: • Helps minimize water costs with reuse and recycle • Expandable filter presses to grow with your business • Designed for flow rates of 10 to 200 GPM • Solids filtered water down to below 1 micron • Dry, landfillable filter residue • PLC-controlled automatic operation • Forkliftable sludge carts • Factory-trained field service technicians worldwide These fully automated systems include company-engineered PLC control panels, and fabricators deal directly with the manufacturer throughout the planning, installation and support phases of all critical equipment. All systems are backed by a factory-trained network of regional support technicians for years of reliable service. www.beckart.com

Braxton Bragg - Installation Braces Blick Industries - Saw Cup for CNC Routers Product Description: The Saw Cup from Blick Industries creates a saw table surface on your suction cups. Want to saw on your CNC router? Worried about cutting into your suction cups or your table? Not any more. Our Saw Cups allow you to add a disposable top to most of our popular shapes so you can support your piece while sawing without worrying where you place your suction cups. All Saw Cups come with backerboard tops. The product comes in most of our popular sizes as well as larger sizes, and it is Patent Pending. www.blickindustries.com

84

February 2012 | Stone World

Product Description: The I-Brace, I-Brace XL and the UpperBrace from Innotops and sold by Braxton-Bragg offer customers safety, aesthetic value and cost savings. These patent pending products install in just minutes, eliminate the need for corbels and wood supports on breakfast bars and can be kept in stock on either the install truck or in the shop. High-priced corbels can be bulky and cause inadvertent injuries. Installers know that overhangs require support but not all customers do. Floating overhangs are both modern and timeless. Customers will be able to enjoy their installation longer and have greater resale value using floating supports than using corbels, which pose a safety hazard and also do not fit everyone’s style or decorative taste. The I-Brace installs a breakfast bar or cantilevered island top and securely braces it in minutes, with no special hardware or tools required. All it takes is two to four I-Braces, a length of 2 x 4, a few inexpensive screws, construction adhesive, and you’re ready to set the island top in place. Offer your customers a more securely braced breakfast bar with no return trip needed to install costly, old-fashioned — and potentially dangerous — corbels. Watch the product demonstration on the Braxton-Bragg Web site. It’s the industry’s first animated video. www.braxton-bragg.com/ibrace

FABRICATING TECHNOLOGY — ACCESSORIES

Crystalline Enterprises - Quoting and Drawing Software Continental Diamond - Patterned Diamond Blade Product Description : The new Terminator XtremeHS20 from Continental Diamond is the newest patterned diamond blade of its kind. We have successfully formulated the Terminator XtremeHS20 to work perfectly on high-RPM, low-horsepower saws (7+). This blade is friendly on all materials and is currently available with a 20-mm segment height. Stay tuned for the 25-mm version coming soon. These 12- to 24-inch XtremeHS20 blades are in stock and ready to ship out to you same day. www.continentaldia.com

Product Description: Crystallyne’s QuickQuote is countertop quoting and drawing software for fabricators and kitchen designers. It features a simple, intuitive interface with automatically generated drawings, flexible pricing methods and professional-looking printouts. In QuickQuote, items are selected via point-and-click, and dimensions are entered directly onto countertop shapes so that users don’t need to memorize pricing or have CAD experience to get fast, accurate quotes and drawings. Backsplashes, edging, premium items and services are automatically tabulated in addition to countertop pricing, and the drawing created with every quote is fully labeled, to scale, and ready for use in the shop. QuickQuote can also estimate the minimum number of slabs required for the job, and advanced users can create slab layouts to get a more specific count. QuickQuote works with virtually any countertop material, and it offers a variety of pricing methods such as per linear foot, per square foot, and per slab. Designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, QuickQuote expor ts to QuickBooks®, Moraware JobTracker, .DXF/.DWG, and a host of other file formats. QuickQuote’s professional printouts put the quote and drawing together on a single page and quotes in multiple colors and price levels side by side. For more information and a free trial of QuickQuote, check out our Web site. www.crystallyneonline.com

Diamant Boart - 3-Step Pads

Diamax — Diamond-Studded Grinding Technology

Product Description: Diamant Boart’s newly introduced copper bonded MagnumTM 3-step pads reduce the number of steps needed to produce a great polish, saving fabricators time and money. The pads are patterned for greater flexibility, allowing access to tight corners and radius. The Magnum 3-step pads will produce an amazing shine every time. “These are the best pads that we have ever used,” said Brendon O’Connor, Owner of Granitech, LLC in Plantsville, CT. “They are very easy to polish with and are very efficient. We highly recommend the Magnum 3-step pads.” www.dbstone.com

Product Description: Cyclone by Diamax is the first to fuse diamonds together to create a diamond-studded grinder that will never gum up. Cyclone calls it Diamond Cluster Technology (DCT) — a grinder that leaves a smooth finish where there was once fiberglass mesh and epoxy. Nothing will remove mesh faster or last longer. DCT is also the perfect first step in the antiquing stone process. Cyclone DCT will remove the polish off the face of the stone faster with very small scratch patterns, thereby reducing the time needed in the antiquing process. Every shop in America needs to have at least one Cyclone DCT. www.diamaxinc.com

Stone World | February 2012 85

FABRICATING TECHNOLOGY — ACCESSORIES

86

GranQuartz - Combo Cutting and Grinding Wheel

Laser Products - Precision Laser Templator

Product Description: New from GranQuartz®, the Diarex® Pro Series® Combo Wheel is a combination cutting and grinding wheel which provides a longer-life alternative to flat-body, vacuum-brazed wheels. The Combo Wheel is available in a coarse grit 4-, 4 ½- or 5-inch diameter and is great for shaping, feathering, notching, beveling and precision grinding in confined spaces. www.granquartz.com

Product Description: Since 1995, Laser Products Industries — which developed the LT-55XL Precision Laser Templator — has focused on supplying lasers that provide accurate measurements of jobsites and assist in fabricating products to match. By continually developing and improving the LT-55XL, the company has optimized quality and features, which is one reason that customers claim the LT-55XL to be “the only real choice for digital templating.” The LT-55XL Precision Laser Templator lets you walk off any jobsite with a CAD-ready DXF file. Produce estimates on the jobsite and have the customer sign off on an estimate. You will improve your quality, accuracy and speed leading to quicker installations, less errors and virtually no scrap. For those of you that have never seen the LT-55XL in action, visit the company Web site to watch our videos. www.LaserProductsUS.com

Nicolai Diamant - CNC Profile Wheels

Omni Cubed — All-Terrain Installation Cart

Product Description: Nicolai Diamant has strived to put its money where its mouth is. It reports that users with a quality CNC can achieve a finished edge without hand touch-up required. Pictured above is Absolute Black with a FZ profile run on a Northwood CNC without any hand touch-up. Nicolai works hard at delivering a professional finished product time and time again, and it guarantees it. Upon proper set-up, continuous diamond tools exceed 8,000 lineal feet of life, with high-gloss resin wheels producing up to 2,500 lineal feet of life. For shops looking for custom shapes to set themselves apart in the marketpace, Nicolai can produce custom wheels an average of two weeks after confirmed drawings. Marble tools for 5-axis projects are a specialty of Nicolai as well. In-line diamonds and combo polishers and bridge saw blades are also a part of its repertoire of products. www.nicolaidiamant.com

Product Description : The Pro-Cart AT1 by Omni Cubed, Inc. provides a solution to the challenges associated with large and cumbersome countertop installation carts, and it can handle all terrains that an install might lead you through. Pneumatic casters dampen vibrations and enable travel across rough terrain such as gravel or lawns. Important for climbing stairs, the cart stays attached to the countertop when lifted, and the 8-inch casters allow resting on stair treads. The cart’s high ground-clearance allows “popping of wheelies” over larger curbs, and in many cases one person can operate the cart by themselves. Tops are secured by clamps located on each side of the cutout to reduce breakage in the middle. The wheelbase is wide enough to make the cart very stable, but still fits on truck ramps and enables maneuvering through very tight spaces. The cart is constructed from aluminum tubing, so it is strong and lightweight at less than 50 pounds. Two accessories are available for the ProCart AT1: 1. Folding Kit (reduces cart width to only 9 inches for easy storage). 2 Multi-Top Accessory (uprights that enable transport of multiple smaller tops). www.omni-cubed.com

February 2012 | Stone World

FABRICATING TECHNOLOGY — ACCESSORIES

Pearl - Reactor Pro Blade

Prodim - 2D and 3D portable measurement solutions

Product Description: Pearl Abrasive is proud to introduce the new and improved Reactor Pro blade with a huge, 25-mm diamond segment height. The new and improved Reactor Pro is an addition to the Reactor Series, which was developed using A.D.M.TM (Advanced Diamond Matrix) technology -- a process that replaces the random clustering of diamonds with an entirely new engineered diamond matrix. This advancement is comprised of two innovative processes: Layering Technology and Patterning Technology. This allows the travel speed of the saw to be increased without increasing amperage of the motor. In addition, the Reactor Pro cuts very fast, performs consistent from the first cut to the last, and the edge of the segments do not wear round due to the layering and patterning technology. The Reactor Pro is also designed to give the operator extended life. Available in 14, 16 and 18 inches with a huge 25-mm segment, the Pearl Reactor Pro silent core blade is excellent for fast cutting of granite, engineered stone and other natural stone. www.pearlabrasive.com

Product Description: Prodim International is the manufacturer of revolutionary two-dimensional and three-dimensional portable measurement solutions. Our Proliner® systems are the fastest and easiest way for getting accurate dimensions on site, as well as digitizing existing shapes and objects. Our sales office is located in Atlanta, GA, and we have a fully equipped trainings center in Vero Beach, FL. The Proliner principle is very simple: measuring with a wire. The Proliner has a measuring head that can be rotated in every direction and has a wire that can be stretched out for several meters. With the Proliner, you can measure straight, curved and very complex shapes in an instant. Besides being fast, user-friendly and accurate, it is for reliable and lasting. The Proliner principle is also used for quality control and layout work. Become familiar with our products: Proliner® 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, Plotter and several software solutions. www.prodimusa.com

Tri-Mer Corp. — New Filtration Concept Regent Stone Products — 90-degree polishing attachment Product Description: The newest innovation in straight edge polishing is the 90-degree device polishing attachment from Marmoelettromeccanica. This system attaches easily to Master 3500s as well as other routers to convert them into a straight edge polisher. Using the polishing head attachment in combination with the router provides a straight and stable platform to achieve the perfect polish. It has an internal water feed and achieves the same results as full-size in-line polishers, and it utilizes a three-step pad system (optional fourth step) that works equally well on marble, granite and engineered stone. www.regentistore.com

Product Description: Tri-Mer Corp. a technology company specializing in particulate control systems, has introduced Tri-Flow, a new filtration concept that delivers HEPA-level performance with a MERV 16 rating. Tri-Flow Compact filters have a small footprint and an exceptionally large filter surface area: Tri-Flow Compact filters provide two to three times more filtration compared to similarly dimensioned bag (pocket) filters. An even greater increase in filtration area vs. volume is achieved in comparisons with sleeve-type high-efficiency filters. The unique Tri-Flow design provides in-line pulse jet cleaning and maintains an exceptionally low operating pressure drop. Filter efficiencies of 99.999% on 0.5 micron and larger particles (by weight) are typical. Tri-Flow Compact filters are self-supporting and are manufactured using proprietary filter media tailored to the application. There are seven media types, including a polyester felt with micro-porous surface, which is ideal for fine granular-type polishing or sanding dusts. All media is pleated and continuously bonded for maximum dimensional stability and filtration integrity. A rigid base molding protects the elements, and a resilient mounting flange provides a dust seal that prevents bypass. Existing dust collectors can often be adapted to accommodate Tri-Flow Compact filters. www.tri-mer.com

Stone World | February 2012 87

FABRICATING TECHNOLOGY — ACCESSORIES

Wilson Industrial - Polishing and Grinding Heads

Zenesis - Continuous Diamond Pattern Technology

Product Description: CO.ME.S. polishing heads have proven to be one of the most economical and best running polishing and grinding heads in the industry. The new mix is a 3 + 3 combination that is used after your aggressive grinding stage and just before the first stage of polishing. CO.ME.S. also offers several different polishing heads and the damp 6 grinding head. Pricing is very competitive, and adapters can be made to fit your machines in most cases if the head does not bolt directly on. Check out the full line of polishing and grinding heads on the company Web site. www.wilsonsaws.com

Product Description: When your job demands the most from your tools, trust in ZenesisTM Technology. The end result of years of research, Zenesis Technology manufactures the most advanced diamond tools on the planet. Instead of random diamond placement on the segments, Zenesis takes an innovative approach by aligning the diamonds in a continuous pattern, allowing for faster cutting, long tool life and a smooth, chip-free finish. This patented proprietary technology is what sets Zenesis apart from the competition. Zenesis manufactures bridge saw blades, dry core bits, resin cup wheels, zero tolerance wheels, CNC finger bits and router bits for profiling. Whether the material is granite, stone or tile, Zenesis diamond tools prove that you can have fast cutting speed and long tool life. www.zenesistechnology.com

CALENDAR

For all seminars and a more complete calendar of stone industry events, visit www.stoneworld.com.

February 26 to 29, 2012 2012 BSI Annual Convention, La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, CA. Contact: Building Stone Institute; Phone: (518) 803-4336; E-mail: [email protected]. March 6 to 9, 2012 The 12th China Xiamen International Stone Fair, Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center; Phone: 86-5925959616 / 5959618; Fax: 86-592-5959611; Web site: www.stonefair.org.cn; E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. April 17 to 20, 2012 Coverings 2012, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Contact: Coverings/National Trade Productions, 313 S. Patrick St., Alexandria, VA 22314; Phone in the U.S.: (866) 285-3691 or International: +1-703-706-8257; Fax: (703) 836-4486; Web site: www.coverings.com. April 25 to 28, 2012 Stonetech 2012, Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Beijing, China. Contact: CIEC Exhibition Co., Ltd., Mr. Leo Wang at: [email protected] or Mr. Kevin Wang at: [email protected]; Phone: 86 10 8460 0335/0804; 88

February 2012 | Stone World

Fax: 86 10 8460 0325/0740; Web site: www.stonetech.org.cn April 24 to 26, 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Contact: Nielsen Expositions; Phone: (800) 9338735 or (770) 291-5409; Fax: (770) 777-8700; E-mail: [email protected]. May 9 to 12, 2012 Piedra, Feria de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. For more information, visit: www.piedra.ifema.es or E-mail: [email protected]. May 14 to 19, 2012 American Institute of Architects National Convention and Design Expo, including the Stone and Tile Pavilion, Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.aiaexpo.com. May 23 to 26, 2012 CarraraMarmotec, Carrara, Italy. Organized by CarraraFiere Srl, Viale Galileo Galilei 133, 54033 Marina di Carrara (MS), Italy; Phone: +39-0585 787963; Fax: +39-0585 787602; Email: [email protected]; Web site: http://www. carraramarmotec.com.

NEW PRODUCTS Av a i l a ble f r o m B ra xt o n - B rag g, Tenax Glaxs is a new generation, bi-component material, designed to specifically address both the “shadow” e f fe c t, a s we l l a s s u n -f ad i n g or yellowing under normal UV exposure. The product is a water-clear material that will not create a shadow or bleed into the stone. It does not change the color of the stone when absorbed by the seam, allowing the stone to retain its authentic color. In addition, it has been extensively tested with an accelerated UV weathertesting simulator which tests conditions of UV rays, rain, fog, hot, cold, etc. Because Glaxs is a bi-component mater ial, the mi x ing ratio is extremely sensitive. Unlike polyester or epoxy adhesives, Glaxs must be mi xed at an exac t ratio. To assist t h e f a b r i c at o r s w it h t h i s r at i o, Tenax produces Glaxs in a special br e a k t h roug h p ouc h t hat a l low s the exact mix ratio. Simply squeeze one end of the pouch and break the seal that separates the A from the B, a nd t hen clea n ly m i x t he t wo parts together. After mixing for one

minute, tear one end of the pouch, squeeze the Glaxs out of the pouch, and easily apply to the stone. W hen work ing w ith white and light-colored stone, Braxton reports that fabricators can have confidence that the stone will not develop yellow streaks over the long term. Glaxs is VOC free and non-hazardous, and the reaction time is independent of the outside temperature.

www.braxton-bragg.com Silestone, a leader in quar t z surfacing, has expanded its Platinum Series with the add it ion of W h ite Plat inu m, a sta rk hue w it h v ibra nt silver-colored f lecks. T he dist inc t ive line includes a host of contemporary, steely shades, including Carbon, Chrome, Steel and Zirconium. I n f lu e nc e d b y E u r o p e a n d e s i g n trends, the White Platinum shade creates a bright and lively aesthetic for residential kitchens and hospitality spaces, while offering all the benefits of Silestone natural quartz, reports the manufacturer.

White Platinum, along with the other hues in the series, features reflective, silver-toned specs — adding a hint of glamour to otherwise subdued tones. The unique flecks are created through a special heating process, which gives natural quartz a shimmery finish that is reminiscent of precious metals. As with all Silestone natural quartz products, White Platinum is naturally non-porous and never needs to be sealed, reports the company. It is easy to clean and has high scratch, stain and heat resistance. Additionally, Silestone offers a unique combination of built-in antimicrobial protection t hat s a fe ly f ig ht s t he g row t h of o dor- c au si ng bac te r ia, mold a nd mildew along with the assurance of GreenGuard certification for clean air quality, and National Sanitation Foundation certification (NSF 51) for safe food preparation. White Platinum is available in 54x 120-inch slabs and thicknesses of 1, 2 and 3 cm thicknesses. Standard tile sizes of 12 x 12, 18 x 18 and 24 x 24 inches are also available in a polished finish. Silestone offers a 15-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

www.silestone.com

NEW EQUIPMENT The MK-101-24 wet cutting tile saw from MK Diamond Products, Inc. was engineered to meet today’s demands. It is the f irst affordable tile saw t h at p r o v i d e s a 24-inch length of cut and the quality that MK Diamond is recognized for, reports the company. The built-in water distribution system supplies water to both sides of the blade for maximum efficiency of water flow. The Baldor electric 1-½ HP/120v fully enclosed, high-torque, fan-cooled motor is the power behind the blade and delivers long, reliable service. The Micro V-belt drive provides an optimized blade shaft speed of 3,000 rpm for smooth delivery for motor power and torque. The saw was designed with a multi-

position motor post and cutting head for convenient cutting of various tile sizes. The variable height cutting head allows for plunge cuts and use of blades smaller than 10 inches in diameter. The blade guard is wide enough to accommodate 6- and 8-inch profile wheels. The linearbearing and chrome-plated guide-bar assembly ensure precise cutting. The 10-inch wet cutting tile saw — with a 5 / 8 -inch arbor — produces a 3-inch depth of cut, 24-inch length of cut and diagonally cuts 18-inch material. The permanently lubricated, dual-sealed blade shaft bearings provide years of maintenance-free operation. MK101-24 features: • Fully enclosed thermally protected, high-torque, fan-cooled motor

• Permanently lubricated, dual-sealed blade shaft bearings • Multi-position motor post and cutting head for convenient cutting of various tile sizes • Built-in water distribution system supplies water to both sides of blade • Variable height cutting head allows for plunge cuts and use of blades smaller than 10 inches in diameter • Accommodates 6- and 8-inch profile wheels • Blade shaft lock for easy blade removal • Linear-bearing and chrome-plated guide-bar assembly ensure precise cutting • Cast aluminum blade guard and motor post • Made in the U.S.

www.MKdiamond.com Stone World | February 2012 89

Stone of the month Lundhs Antique Country of origin .....................................................................................Norway Compressive strength ............................................................................. 195 MPa Flexural strength ...................................................................................... 13 MPa Water absorption (weight) .......................................................................... 0.07% Apparent density ...........................................................................2,700 kg/cu.m

T

his Stone of the Month supplied by Lundhs, Larvik, Norway. Technical details provide a frame of reference only. Because stone is a product of nature, testing to determine specific physical qualities should be repeated for each project. To submit your own Stone of the Month, send a high-resolution digital image, along with the relevant technical data, to [email protected]. www.lundhs.no

RATES: $1,260 per six month insertion, $2,050 per twelve month insertion. Call 734/340-5211, fax 734/340-5212 or e-mail: [email protected] for more information.

MARKETPLACE

Custom Display and Sample Boards

www.danroc.com 330-262-0712

Get more customers!

Danroc_SW0710Marketplace.indd 1

6/10/10 1:51:53 PM

w w w . a n t o l i n i . i t

Braxton-Bragg offers the lowest prices and the best service, delivered by the friendliest people for the tools and materials that you want.

www.levantina.com/us

Request a Free Catalog | T. 800.575.4401 | F. 800.915.5501

The LT-55 Precision Laser Templator - Visit our website to watch our full training video so you can actually see it working. We believe industries in allowing our 1335 Lakeside Dr. www.LaserProductsUS.com coustomers to know Romeoville, IL 60446 Toll Free 866-539-0052 what they are buying.

ASER LPRODUCTS

ONLY THE BEST Tel. +39/045887 51 11 • Fax +39/045887 51 55 www.granitex.it

Proliner®, world’s leading digitizer in 2D & 3D measurement: Measure stairs, bathrooms, swimming pool edges, formed profiles, renovation, sinks, countertops, backsplashes and all your other 2D and 3D objects. PRODIM USA - Sales office USA - Mr. John Richerts M. +1 678 699 0732 | E. [email protected] | I. www.prodimusa.com PRODIM INTERNATIONAL - Sales office Europe - Lage Dijk 26, 5705 BZ Helmond – NL T. +31 (0)492 579050 | F. +31 (0)492 579059 | E. [email protected] | I. www.prodim.eu

rodim1209SW.indd 1

Stone World | February 2012 91 11/25/09 10:27:25 AM

MARKETPLACE TRAVERTINOS LAGUNA NATURAL STONE Distributors wanted for our high quality line of Mexican Travertine and Marble products. Slabs, Tile, Mosaics, Accessories. www.travertinos.com.mx | [email protected] | fax: 866.610.9616

THE FINEST PRODUCTS FOR STONE WORKING STONE BOSS INDUSTRIES C O R P O R A T E

H E A D Q U A R T E R S

15-01 Pollitt Dr. Unit #2 Fairlawn, NJ 07410 888-868-BOSS | www.stoneboss.com

G

L

A

S

S

O

S

®

CRYSTAL WHITE SLABS

TILES CUT-TO-SIZE Available from stock or full containers direct

CCS Stone, INC 9-11 Caesar Place Moonachie, NJ 07074

Austell, Ga Ph: 678-803-0800

Looks like Thassos, harder t han granite www.ccsstone.com

Orange, CA Ph: 714-685-7500

Farmers Branch, TX Ph: 469-522-0300 Braintree, MA Ph: 781-794-0100

Edison, NJ Ph: 732-650-1815

Elk Grove Village, Il Ph: 847-758-0556

Hayward , CA Ph: 510-266-5200

Tel 201-933-1515 800-227-7785 Fax 201-933-5744

Phoenix, AZ Ph: 602-393-6330

Pompano Beach, FL Ph: 954-977-8984

Jessup, MD Ph: 410-799-9631

Houston , TX ph: 281-449-8822

www.msistone.com

TENAX: For more than 50 years the World Wide Leader in Stone Consumables Products: Adhesives, Sealers, Epoxy, Waxes, Sealers, Diamond Abrasives, Calibrators, Polishing Bricks, Cutting Tools. Tenax USA www.tenaxusa.com

MADE IN GERMANY Own quarries! Own production! Special for: Slabs, Floor tiles, Cut to size www.vm-kaldorf.de

California Agent TriStone & Tile Inc., Van Nuys CA [email protected]

The best in Stone Chemicals for over 75 Years

1408 Center Park Dr. [email protected]

Charlotte, NC 28217 Ph. 704-583-1173

Reserve your space in the March 2012 Marketplace! Janelle Minghine

Exclusively distributed by InnoChem LLC in North America InnoChem LLC is the manufacturer of K-Bond Adhesives Phone 770/409-8789 • Fax 770/409-9096 • [email protected] • www.akemina.com

92 February 2012 | Stone World

734.340.5211 [email protected]

MARKETPLACE Value for Life is our goal! Over many years we have learned what our customers need and we provide it. They demand consistent product quality which is our main goal. They want personalized person to person service so we provide Regional Sales Manager dedicated to your account. Finally we invest in a large and well stocked inventory so we have the product when you need it. Please call for our monthly Special. AmeriSink Inc, s San Leandro, CA 94577 Tel: 877-500-SINK(7465) s Fax: 510-667-3775 s www.amerisink.com

1-800-350-1901 • 1-626-443-6433 www.miraclesealants.com

Reserve your space in the March 2012 Marketplace Section CONTACT JANELLE at [email protected]

CLASSIFIEDS POSITIONS

Branch Manager Natural Stone Distributor

www.stoneworld.com

An established multi location natural stone distribution company needs Branch Manager in the state of Louisiana. Person having college degree and above ¿ve years of marketing and material handling experience may apply at [email protected]

Motivated sales people needed in the DC market, with a desire and motivation to make $100k+. Dental, Health, commission and aggressive bonus packages. Email resume to [email protected]

M S International, Inc. (www.msistone.com), a leading importer and distributor with 11 Distribution Centers nationwide is seeking a sales professional to GraniteforLess_SWClassified0212.indd 1 cover the Northeast territory 1/16/12 9:36 AM to represent its ceramic and porcelain line of products.

IMMEDIATE JOB POSITION OPENING

Prior experience in the product category preferred. Must have a proven track record of sales achievements and knowledge of the target 1/12/12 10:26 AM distributor and dealer base in the territory. Competitive compensation plan includes: base salary, bonus opportunity, 401K Plan and more.

Marble Mason Foreman / Supervisor

IndusTrade_SWClassified1010.indd 1

Nationally recognized mid Atlantic stone contractor seeks resumes for highly skilled & motivated stone & marble masons with foreman level experience.

Please submit your resume and salary history for immediate review to: [email protected]

Applicant must have at least 10 years exp. in com. work, must be capable in all aspects of the trade, interior & exterior, as well as layout, blue print reading. Salary and benefits are above industry standards. MSInternational1210_SWClassifieds.indd 1 All resumes will be kept in strict confi dence: Email to [email protected]

JOIN THE GRENITE® TEAM 11/17/10 DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

YOUR AD CAN BE SEEN RugoStone_SW0112_classified.indd 1

10:06 AM

Saint-Gobain, manufacturer of Grenite® sustainable engineered stone, is currently establishing its distribution network across HERE the United States and Canada. 12/1/11 1:14 PM If you are a distributor / wholesaler, fabricator or millworker with extensive knowledge and experience in engineered stone and other building materials sold for commercial applications, please contact us:

Call for more information! Janelle Minghine at 734/340.5211 or [email protected]

[email protected] or 330-298-3964. Visit us at www.engineeredstone.saint-gobain.com

Stone World | February 2012 93 Saint-Gobain_SW1011_classified.indd 1

9/15/11 12:35 PM

ADVERTISER INDEX ADVERTISER ABC Stone Trading

PAGE NO 26, 41

www.abcworldwidestone.com

718-389-8360

43

www.agmimports.com

800-995-4312

AKEMI/InnoChem LLC

49

www.akemina.com

770-409-8789

AmeriSink

47

www.amerisink.com

877-500-7465

Antolini Luigi

96

www.antolini.it

+39 045 6836611

Anver

56

www.anver.com

800-654-3500

Bayyurt Marble

11

www.bayyurtmarble.com

973-859-0090

Beckart Environmental

70

www.beckart.com

262-656-7680

9

www.blickindustries.com

949-499-5026

14

www.braxton-bragg.com

800-575-4401

94,95

www.CaesarStoneUS.com

877-978-2789

Braxton-Bragg Caesarstone Chemcore COMPAC The Surfaces Company

866-243-6267

www.compac.us

305-406-3600

50

www.coverings.com

70

www.crystallyneonline.com

508-553-9600

Decolores

33

www.decolores.com.br

800-220-0966

Dellas

31

www.dellas.it

+39 045 8801522

Diamax

23

www.diamaxinc.com

888-449-0502

Dimpomar

36

www.dimpomar.com

+351-268-408 128

8

www.granitexpress.net

305-889-1011

Granite Shield

74

www.graniteshield.com

877-477-3254

Granitex S.p.A.

2

www.granitex.it

+39 045 8875111

17,27,67

Group Vitória Stone

25

www.granquartz.com

800-458-6222

www.grupovitoriastone.com.br

+55 27 3038-9380

Husqvarna Construction Products/Diamant Boart

38

www.dbstone.com

800-845-1805

Itapoama

54

www.itapoama.com.br

+55 28 3533-1399

JMS

28

www.juramarble.com

+49 (0) 8421 3061

Laser Products

57

www.LaserProductsUS.com

866-539-0052

3

www.levantina.com

+34 965 60 91 84 +47 33 12 11 64

Levantina Lundhs

61

www.lundhs.no

Mackson Marble & Granite

21

www.macksonmarble.com

631-390-9490

Marble Institute of America

71

www.marble-institute.com

440-250-9222

Marbrasa

29

www.marbrasa.com.br

+55 28 2101 5255

4

www.guidoni.com.br

+55 27 3742 0100

6

www.miraclesealants.com

800-350-1901

www.msistone.com

714-685-7500

Mineração Guidoni Miracle Sealants MS International

52,53

Natural Stone Council

83

www.naturalstonecouncil.org

800-210-3916

Nicolai Diamant

55

www.nicolaidiamant.com

802-661-8731

Omni Cubed

30

www.omnicubed.com

877-311-1976

Pearl Abrasive

65

www.pearlabrasive.com

800-969-5561

Prodim

45

Regent Stone Products

www.prodimusa.com

7

www.regentistore.com

Rock of Ages

18

www.rockofages.com

802-476-3121

Saudi Marble & Granite

35

www.smg.com.sa

+966 1 4735350

66

www.southlandstone.com

800-778-2730

Southland Stone Tab India

94 February 2012 | Stone World

www.chemcore.com

5

Crystallyne

GranQuartz

www.originalquartz.com

76

Coverings

Granite Express

Caesarstone, Only by Caesarstone.

PROMO PHONE

AGM Imports

Blick Industries

There’s no mistaking it.

INTERNET ADDRESS

800-624-8210

12,13

www.tabindia.com

763-571-8400

Tenax U.S.A.

39

www.tenaxusa.com

800-341-0432

Terminator

51

www.ContinentalDIA.com

800-595-1237

Tri-Mer

74

www.tri-mer.com

989-723-7838

VM Kaldorf

10

www.vm-kaldorf.de

+49 8423/9911-0

Wilson Industrial Electric

58

www.wilsonsaws.com

706-213-6725

Zenesis

37

www.zenesistechnology.com

949-261-2322

88

Make your space your own. To get you inspired we’ve created more colors, textures and designs. So however you want to express yourself, with Caesarstone — you can. www.caesarstoneus.com

Wild Rice 4360

A Z U L M ACAU B A S I GRANITE

®

B e auty be yond N ature w w w. a n t o l i n i . i t