Stone World 201005

www.stoneworld.com

May 2010

Stone from EuropeCNC Technology

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.w.wwwwwwww.wwwwwwwwwwwww.www.w.www.w.wwwwwww.wwww.w.ww.ww.ww.wwwwwwwwwww.wwwww.wwww.w.w.wwwwww.w.www.wwwwww.ww.wwwwww.ww.wwww.ww.ww.ww.w.ww.w.w.w.www.ww.w.wwww.w.w.wwwww.w.ww.w.wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.wwwww.www.wwwwwwwwww stsssssststststststststtststststststststststststststtsttstststststststttststtststststtststtttststsststttststtttsssstststssststttssttssstttsttstttstststsssssstttsstsstsssttsttononononononononononononoonononononononononononononononononononoonononoononononononoooooooononononononoooooooonononoononononoooooonooonnnooooonooooonoononnnonoooooononoonnonnnonoooooonnonoooonnnonnnnonononnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeweweweweweeeeweweeeewewewwewwwwwewweweweweeeeewewwewewewweewewewewewewewewwweweweweweeweeeeeweweeeeeweewewewwewwweeweeeeweeeweweweeeweeeeewewewewweeeeeweeeeweweeeeewwwwewwewewwewwwweweewweeeeweeeeewwwweweewwewweeeewwwweewewwwwwororoooooooorororoooooooooooooooroooooooooooooooo ldldlddldlddl .c.c.c.cccc.ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc.cccoooooomomommmmmmmmmmommmmoooooommommmoommmmmoommoomomooommooomomoooommoooooommooommomomoomooooooommoooooooomooommmmmommmmmommmmm

001 Cover2.indd 1001 Cover2.indd 1 4/19/10 2:23:38 PM4/19/10 2:23:38 PM

http://www.stoneworld.com

Mistery White

N A T U R A L S T O N E S

VERONA - ITALY

®®

BLOCKS & QUARRIES

®

Tel. +39 045 8875111 • Fax +39 045 8875155www.granitex.it

Mistery White

GranitexSW05104.indd 1GranitexSW05104.indd 1 4/6/10 3:53:24 PM4/6/10 3:53:24 PM

http://www.granitex.it


tekmarsw03104.indd 1tekmarsw03104.indd 1 1/25/10 2:52:49 PM1/25/10 2:52:49 PM

http://www.tekmarble.com


mailto:[email protected]

vermontsw10094.indd 1vermontsw10094.indd 1 9/15/09 12:55:08 PM9/15/09 12:55:08 PM

http://www.vermontquarries.com/

worldwidestonesw05104.indd 1worldwidestonesw05104.indd 1 4/8/10 9:57:32 AM4/8/10 9:57:32 AM

http://www.durangostone.com/

http://www.durangostone.com/

6 May 2010 | Stone World

Member:

®

Publisher Alex Bachrach, ext. 8615 [email protected]

Editor/Associate Publisher Michael Reis, ext. 8613 [email protected]

Managing Editor Jennifer Adams, ext. 8611 [email protected]

Associate Editor Alexis Fisher, ext. 8612 [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, 617/909-5973 fax: 248/283-6531 [email protected]

European Sales Dee Wakefield, 44 207 937 4488 fax: 44 207 792 3331 [email protected]

Reprint Manager Jill DeVries, 248/244-1726 [email protected]

210 Route 4 East, Suite 203Paramus, NJ 07652

Phone: 201/291-9001Fax: 201/291-9002

E-mail: [email protected]: www.stoneworld.com

006-010 Masthead.indd 6006-010 Masthead.indd 6 4/21/10 9:59:58 AM4/21/10 9:59:58 AM















http://www.bestviewintl.com/



www.granitedepot.us

AZTE

CA

MAT

RIX

POLI

SH &

BRUSH

UBAT

UBA

TYP

HOON B

ORDEAUX

SOLA

RIU

S

MASCAREL

LO

JUPAR

AN

A BORDEAUX

CREM

A BORDEAUX

GREE

N G

OLD

COCO B

LUE

BALT

IC B

ROW

N

NACAR

ADO

BROW

NIE

It’s Time to Load Up, Improve Your Inventory with NO Waiting Time!!!

• mix colors from all over the world

• receive you slabs within 48 hours

• huge selection of high quality

inexpensive EXOTIC and basic

colors with NO SURPRISES

DON’T HESITATE toCall Us Now!!!

904/306-0036

[BETTER DAYSHAVE ARRIVED

fi nallyfi nally

]R

each

us

at

We

will

be

happ

y to

ser

ve y

ou

(904

) 30

6-00

36

GraniteDepot_SW0510.indd 1GraniteDepot_SW0510.indd 1 4/28/10 9:33:04 AM4/28/10 9:33:04 AM

http://www.granitedepot.us

pokarnasw05104.indd 1pokarnasw05104.indd 1 4/16/10 10:10:33 AM4/16/10 10:10:33 AM

pokarnasw05104.indd 2pokarnasw05104.indd 2 4/16/10 10:10:36 AM4/16/10 10:10:36 AM

http://www.pokarna.com/



Classified Ad Sales Janelle Minghine, 734/340-5211, fax: 734/340-5212 [email protected]

Marketing Coordinator Kevin Hackney, [email protected]

Single Copy Sales Ann Kalb, 248/244-6499, [email protected]

Audience Development Coordinator Cassandra Haggard, [email protected]

Multimedia Coordinator Stephanie Hunt, [email protected]

Audience Audit Coordinator Kelly M. Carlson, [email protected]

List Rental POSTAL Robert Liska, List Manager, 800-223-2194 [email protected] EMAIL Shawn Kingston, Account Manager, 800-409-4443 [email protected]

For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: 847/763-9534 or fax: 847/763-9538, e-mail: [email protected]

Corporate Directors PUBLISHING Timothy A. Fausch

PUBLISHING John R. Schrei

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Christine A. Baloga

CUSTOM MEDIA Steve M. Beyer

CORPORATE STRATEGY Rita M. Foumia

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Scott Kesler

PRODUCTION Vincent M. Miconi

FINANCE Lisa L. Paulus

CREATIVE Michael T. Powell

MARKETING Holly Banks

DIRECTORIES Nikki Smith

HUMAN RESOURCES Marlene J. Witthoft

CONFERENCES & EVENTS Emily Patten

CLEAR SEAS RESEARCH Beth A. Surowiec

Stone World Corporate OfficeBNP Media/Stone World

2401 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700Troy, Michigan 48084

248/362-3700www.stoneworld.com

BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information

JURALIMESTONEMADE INGERMANYOwn quarries! Own production! Special for: Slabs Floor tiles Cut to size

If you want to have more information please visit our website or contact us directly:Vereinigte Marmorwerke Kaldorf GmbH Auweg 6 | 85135 Kaldorf | [email protected] Phone +49 8423 / 99 11-0 | Fax +49 8423 / 99 11-40www.vm-kaldorf.de

California Agent TriStone & Tile Inc., Van Nuys CAPhone (818)997-9200 | Fax (818)997-9208www.tristoneandtile.com | [email protected]

006-010 Masthead.indd 10006-010 Masthead.indd 10 4/20/10 2:11:52 PM4/20/10 2:11:52 PM












http://www.vm-kaldorf.de

http://www.tristoneandtile.com



MAINTENANCE

filasw05104.indd 1filasw05104.indd 1 4/20/10 2:10:32 PM4/20/10 2:10:32 PM

http://www.filachim.com/

http://www.filachim.com/


“Why should Braxton-Bragg be yourexclusive supplier of tools & equipment?”

From our friendly sales staff an-swering your call, to same dayshipping with our low price

guarantee, we want you to knowour goal is to be your supplier.

Trained staffBraxton-Bragg’s secret weapon is

our well-trained sales team.Whether you have a question, re-quest, problem, need tracking infor-mation, or want to place an order,we will handle your call in a friendly,professional manner. The call is free,the benefit can be priceless.

Proven tool qualityWe only sell professional-grade

tools. Our tools are “tried and trueprofessional grade” products. Brax-ton-Bragg tools are up to the de-manding expectations of the stonetrade. We field test products withfabricators before offering them forsale. We determine through realworld testing if a product is goodenough to be offered by Braxton-Bragg. When your schedule doesnot allow time for tool failure it isgood to know that our tools won’tfail you.

Lowest prices guaranteedLow prices are our passion. We

can guarantee low pricing becausewe refuse to “live large.” We man-age our business well. With our twoshipping locations, Knoxville, TNand Fresno, CA, we can reach 90%of the US population in only 2 daysby UPS. With only two locations tomaintain, we have an unbeatable99.2% same day shipping rate. Thismeans you get what you order,when you need it, at a great price.

How we save you moneyWe save money and pass the sav-

ings on to YOU because we buy di-rect from the manufacturers, inlarge quantities, and cut out themiddle-man. Without expensivesalesmen or vans on the road, wekeep prices low and the quality ofour products high.

Most customers will save enoughmoney buying exclusively fromBraxton-Bragg over the course of ayear to pay for a vacation, or turn aprofit in a tough economy. You oweit to yourself to do the math.

What we invest inWe believe in customer training,sponsoring education, and sharinginformation. Our investment in ed-ucation helps the industry maintainskilled tradesman and service peo-ple. Braxton-Bragg holds classes atour Knoxville and Fresno branchesthat train and qualify participantsfor the decorative concrete profes-sion. Braxton-Bragg also sponsorsindustry workshops including StoneFabricator’s Alliance, MIA/StoneWorld, and NTCA Tile Seminars,where instructors teach the latest

techniques, using the best tools. Contributing to the sharing of

knowledge and information are ourstone industry publications: TheSlippery Rock Gazette, The ExpressValue Bulletin, and our yearly fullline catalog. We also share informa-tion through electronic media, onour newly redesigned websitewww.braxton-bragg.com, our fre-quent e-blasts, and our electronicnewsletter, The Courier.

We get the new products firstNew product development contin-ues to add quality and safety to thestone industry. At Braxton-Bragg,we are working hard to develop newproducts and processing tools tomeet the needs of fabricators andinstallers. Last year we added morethan 100 new products to our line.Inventors and vendors come to usfirst because they know that if theproduct is good, we will support it.

It’s easy to do business with usWe are an easy, friendly company

to work with. We promise toquickly and efficiently repair andservice your tools,* and we willprocess your credit application re-quest in 24 hours or less.

We believe that our customersshould be able to order their way,by phone, fax, web, or email. Ournew website is even designed towork with most smart phones.

Braxton-Bragg strives every dayto be your supplier of choice. Nowmore than ever the times call forsmart use of money and resources;we are the supplier that you can relyon. We are committed to going theextra mile for our customers–let usprove it to you.

800-575-4401 • www.braxton-bragg.com • 800-915-5501 FAX

©2

01

0_0

22

SW

Call us now, toll-free Start saving today!

*We stand behind the tools we sell, and service them, too.

braxsw04104.indd 1braxsw04104.indd 1 3/16/10 2:32:44 PM3/16/10 2:32:44 PM

http://www.braxton-bragg.com



Stone World | May 2010 13

May 2010 • Vol. 27, No. 5www.stoneworld.com

DEPARTMENTS 16 Stone Column

19 Newsline

22 Statistics

26 Year-End Statistics

34 News

95 Calendar

96 New Products

97 New Equipment

99 Stone of the Month

100 Machine of the Month

101 Technology Update

102 Marketplace

105 Classified

106 Ad Index

FEATURESFabricator Case Studies - CNC Technology Users

44 Creating a brand in the commercial marketplace

52 Leaving a lasting legacy in stone

64 CNC discussion: Volume and “microshop” production

72 Is your workplace clean?

Stone from Europe

74 CarraraMarmotec to draw an international crowd

78 Capitalizing on specialty stones

84 An experienced producer of Breccia Pernice

88 Fossil stone enhances high-rise’s desert surroundings

STONE WORLD Volume 27, Issue 5 (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 qualifi ed individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualifi ed individuals in the U.S.A.: $104.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualifi ed individuals in Canada: $137.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $154.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2010, by BNP Media. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offi ces. 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 Bleuchip International, 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].

On the Cover: Specializing in the quarrying and production of Breccia Pernice, Essegi Marmi is located in the Volargne stoneworking region of Northern Italy. The company has supplied its unique material to high-profile projects around the world such as Trump Tower in New York City. To extract the Breccia Pernice from the quarry, the company uses a “soft blast” technique, and the remaining cuts and trimming are made with a diamond wire saw. Story begins on page 84. Photo by Michael Reis.

Coming Next Month: In June, Stone World will present a Focus on Waterjet Technology. A series of articles will showcase how fabricators in different areas of the U.S. are utilizing waterjet equipment — including bridge saw/waterjet combinations — to create high-end custom work. Additionally, the next issue will feature a Report from Brazil — showcasing some of the newest stone materials being processed, along with the advanced stoneworking technology in place.

52

78

88

013 Contents.indd 13013 Contents.indd 13 4/21/10 10:38:52 AM4/21/10 10:38:52 AM



tabindiasw02104.indd 1tabindiasw02104.indd 1 1/4/10 2:18:30 PM1/4/10 2:18:30 PM

http://tabindia.com/

http://tabindia.com/


tabindiasw02104.indd 2tabindiasw02104.indd 2 1/4/10 2:18:37 PM1/4/10 2:18:37 PM

STONE COLUMNLEAVING 2009 IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

Each May, Stone World publishes the year-end summary of all stone imports into the U.S., which are

recorded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. For comparative purposes, we also publish the year-end

statistics from a year before. Up to a few years ago, these summaries were an excellent way to gauge the

growth of the industry — as well as the increased market share of specific stone-producing nations. This

year, however, the report (which can be found on pages 26 to 32 of this issue) is a black-and-

white illustration of just how difficult 2009 was for the stone industry.

Comparing the 2009 stone import figures to 2008, the following “lowlights” can be found:

• Overall stone imports into the U.S. fell from $2.262 billion to $1.404 billion,

a decline of 38%

• Granite imports dropped from $1.148 billion to $723.63 million, a decrease of 37%

• Marble imports went from $950.75 million to $568.43 million, a drop of nearly 40%

• Slate imports declined from $101.05 million to $63.11 million, a fall of 38%

Looking at specific nations that export stone to the U.S., Italy seems to have been hurt the

most by the recession — perhaps because they are also the leader in supplying stone with the

most added value. Italian stone suppliers saw their exports to the U.S. decline by nearly 50%,

going from a total of $373.31 million in 2008 to $190.1 million in 2009. These drop-offs were consistent

among all materials — granite, marble, slate and other stones.

Looking specifically at granite-exporting nations, India was hit particularly hard, as its granite exports

declined to $89.56 million — a drop of 47%. Meanwhile, although Brazil suffered a 33% decline in its

granite exports to the U.S. in 2009, its total value of $281.79 million still places it as the world leader in

this category. The second leading exporter of granite to the U.S. — China — saw the least decline among

the major players, as it dipped 28% to a total of just under $193 million.

Better times in 2010

Now that all of this ugliness has been laid out in no uncertain terms, all indicators are that these num-

bers will all improve over the course of this year. A number of major distributors have told Stone World that

they are in the process of replenishing their inventories, and they have reported increases in their imports

of containers during the first few months of 2010.

Foreign distributors in markets such as Brazil have reported strong business over the first quarter of the

year, and it is hoped that the official figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce will bear this out as

they are released over the next few months.

Meanwhile, a number of large-volume stone fabricators have also reported increased activity in 2010 as

remodeling activity slowly rebounds. Some have also expanded into markets such as healthcare and insti-

tutional work, which has resulted in a number of shops that are busier now than they were a year ago.

The general consensus is that 2009 was when this lingering recession “hit bottom” for the stone indus-

try, and we all look forward to the a full recovery that appears to have already begun.

Michael Reis, Editor/Associate Publisher

016 StoneColumn.indd 2016 StoneColumn.indd 2 4/21/10 10:13:49 AM4/21/10 10:13:49 AM

NEW!

The best performance and valuefor high volume productionExcellent polish quality, the fastest feed rates and the longest tool life in thestone industry. UHS tooling is the best choice for high volume production shopsand anyone who understands an investment in UHS tooling pays dividends inthe form of the lowest cost per linear meter and the finish quality of the job.

• Available in 120 series, 80 series, 40 series & 20 series

• Customized pre-set labels on each wheel

• Precision balanced

• Full water channel design

• More water distribution points

• Lowest cost per linear meter in the industry

• ADI® certified reshaping service available

®Toll-Free 1 (800) 458-6222 Fax: (770) 621-9771 • www.granquartz.comStocking Locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Miami.

™

The polish quality of UHS with onefewer step and a lower initial cost!Veloce profile wheels are designed to match the polish quality and travel speedof UHS tooling but do so with low up-front costs and a fast five step process.Veloce wheels are perfect for profiles used less frequently, custom work, andstartup situations where the cost per linear meter is less important than the

initial expense.

• Profile in just three metal positions

•Available in 80 series

• Customized pre-set labels on each wheel

• Precision balanced

• Patented “through the bore”water channel design

• Low up-front cost

• ADI ®certified reshaping service available

VeloceProfile Wheels

UHSUltra High Speed

More options for CNC fabrication!®

WORLD’S FASTESTCNC TOOLING!

CALL FOR FREE CNCTOOLING CATALOG!

®

®

GranQuartz is the exclusive US distributor for ADI® CNC tooling.

granquartzsw05104.indd 1granquartzsw05104.indd 1 4/16/10 10:15:11 AM4/16/10 10:15:11 AM

http://www.granquartz.com


Prodim International BVP.O. Box 107 - 5700 AC Helmond - The Netherlands

T: +31 (0)492 579 050 F: +31 (0)492 579 [email protected]

P.O. Box 107 -T: +31

www.prodimusa.coma product of

We measure it all!

Sales officeMr. John RichertsM: (+1) [email protected]

Service center424 4th Lane S.W., Vero Beach FL. 32962T: (+1) 772 - 293 - 9422888 - 229 - 3328 toll [email protected] U S A L L C

prodiumintlsw05104.indd 1prodiumintlsw05104.indd 1 4/14/10 11:03:01 AM4/14/10 11:03:01 AM

http://www.prodimusa.com





NEWSLINESUSTAINABILITY FACTOR ADDED AS MIA CALLS FOR PINNACLE AWARD ENTRIES . . .

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is now accepting entries for its enhanced 2010 Pinnacle Awards competition. The MIA has also announced a new element in the judging criteria for the 2010 Pinnacle Awards competition. This year, judges will be evaluating sustainable design elements in addition to the traditional criteria of beauty, creativity, ingenuity, craftsmanship and suitability of materials. If a submitted project displays superior effort, innovation and execution towards sustainable building goals, the MIA would consider awarding its first MIA Pinnacle Award for Sustainable Design.

The Pinnacle Awards program is facilitated by the MIA and made possible by the sponsorship of Mapei. The 2010 Pinnacle Awards project categories will include Commercial Interior, Commercial Exterior, Residential

Interior or Exterior and Renovation/Restoration. The winners will be featured in a special presentation during an awards event at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas in Las Vegas, NV.

The judges will select winners in the various categories and then honor the “best of the best” as the Grande Pinnacle Award Winner. The company winning this honor will then receive the elegant Grande Pinnacle Award plus a trip to Marmomacc 2011 in Verona, Italy. The Grande Pinnacle Award for “Best of Show”’ is sponsored by Marmomacc.

The entry deadline is Friday, August 6, 2010. The Pinnacle Awards are open to all MIA member companies, and project teams must include at least one MIA member company.

“Pinnacle Award winners receive tremendous exposure and recognition both domestically and around the world,” said Gary Distelhorst, Executive Vice President of MIA. “In honoring the excellent work of MIA members, we also help design professionals see the endless possibilities of the use of natural stone in virtually any application. The MIA is committed to advancing green building ideals within the natural stone industry and hopes this year to identify a worthy project for an award.”

Complete entry information is available on the MIA Web site at www.marble-institute.com or by contacting MIA at 440-250-9222.

IGM TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE AT ALL LOCATIONS ON JUNE 11 . . .International Granite & Marble Corp. (IGM) has announced that all of its warehouse locations in the U.S. will be

conducting an Open House on Friday, June 11, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. for all of its fabrication customers, kitchen and bath dealers, designers and homebuilders. Each of the individual warehouses will be showcasing some of the latest slab materials, and representatives will be on hand to discuss any current projects. There will be food and music, as well as free giveaways of items such as T-shirts and hats. At the conclusion of the Open House, a drawing will be held at each warehouse, and a weekend getaway for two will be awarded to one attendee at each warehouse. Destinations will differ between locations, and they include Atlantic City, NJ, Calloway Gardens Resort in Georgia and others.

TENNESSEE MARBLE CO. AND POLYCOR FORM JOINT VENTURE TO SUPPLY ALABAMA MARBLE . . .

Tennessee Marble Co. and Polycor have announced the formation of a joint venture for the fabrication, distribution and promotion of Alabama marble. Tennessee Marble Co. and Polycor bring their expertise on this product in the manufacture of slabs, tiles and cut-to-size products. Polycor’s knowledge of the North American market will enhance the distribution and availability of Alabama marble to all potential customers in North America. All sales and distribution of slab and cut-to-size work were shifted exclusively to the joint venture as of May 1. Alabama Marble Co. will continue its operations at the quarry, coordinating all North American slab and cut-to-size supply through the joint venture.

“To our existing Polycor client family, we are pleased to offer this additional stone product to you, along with our Georgia and Colorado white marble lines,” stated Patrick Perus of Polycor. “Together with Tennessee Marble Co., this joint venture provides our current and new clients the most selection of domestic premium marble.”

THESTONEBROKER.COM ANNOUNCES NEW REMNANT LOCATING TECHNOLOGY . . .

Addressing the issue of stone remnants within the fabrication sector, Reid Lopatka developed TheStoneBroker.com as a means to turn scrap stone into cash. “From 24 years in stone tile installation and close ties to Chicago fabricators and distributors of slabs, I would hear over and over how consumers, designers and fabricators alike wished they didn’t have to purchase a full slab when they only needed half or a quarter of one,” Lopatka said. He then set out to use technology to connect these discarded pieces with people that wanted or needed them.

The locating technology allows consumers to use a secure account to reach multiple sellers in various regions of the country. The buyer can decide the distance they wish to travel to pick up their piece or have it delivered, and fabricators utilizing the system have reported success. “I am able to locate the type of stone I need for smaller projects without having to cut into one of my full-size slabs in stock,” said John Tithof of Tithof Tile and Marble Inc. “The

019-020 Newsline.indd 19019-020 Newsline.indd 19 4/21/10 10:00:35 AM4/21/10 10:00:35 AM

http://www.marble-institute.com


NEWSLINEStone Broker system also puts money in our account and reduces the amount of partial/pieced inventory we store.”

The system also has a member rating platform. “We believe most people have honest intentions; this platform merely helps ensure it,” Lopatka said.

For more information on remnant locating technology, visit www.thestonebroker.com.

NATIONAL SLATE ASSOCIATION ELECTS DIRECTOR, OFFICERS . . . The National Slate Association (NSA) of Poultney, VT, has elected a new lineup of officers and one new director

for 2010. Officers elected include President Jeffrey Levine, Levine & Company, Inc., Ardmore, PA; Senior Vice President David Large, North Country Slate, Toronto, ON, Canada; Vice President Matt Hicks, Evergreen Slate Co., Inc., Granville, NY; and Vice President Russel Watsky, Russel Watsky, Inc., Ossining, NY. The Association’s membership elected Brian Stearns, Alpine SnowGuards, Morrisville, VT, to a three-year term as Director. In addition, Alan Buohl, GSM Roofing, Ephrata, PA; JoAnne Baker, Camara Slate Company, Fair Haven, VT; John Chan, Durable Slate Company, New Orleans, LA; and Craig LeGere, Mid-America Slate & Stone, Inc., Chesterfield MO, have all been re-elected to serve an additional three-year term.

ARTISAN GROUP MEMBER DURACITE ACHIEVES OSHA GOLDEN GATE RECOGNITION . . .

Duracite Custom Countertops of Fairfield, CA, has been recognized by the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service for its innovative fabrication system, while implementing and maintaining an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Golden Gate recognition was developed to provide motivation and support to employers who proactively work with their employees and the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service.

When Duracite designed the fabrication system, its employee safety was of paramount concern. The system is unique in that it substantially reduces the need for lifting and carrying, which is good for the employees and the product. This, in combination with the company’s relentless safety training and controls, impressed Cal-OSHA inspectors enough to award Duracite the coveted Golden Gate achievement award.

“We are one of the few custom countertop fabricators in California to receive this recognition,” said Fadi Halabi, company owner. “This Golden Gate award speaks volumes about our employees because the company’s safety record is a result of our employees’ dedication to best practices.”

Halabi adds that most Duracite employees have been with the company for more than seven years, and there is no substitution for experience.

Duracite also recently was one of the first shops in California to achieve the Marble Institute of America (MIA) Accreditation. To become an Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator by the MIA, a company must have successfully completed three phases of application, including providing documents and references assuring compliance with the 10 standards of MIA Accreditation; passing a written test on fabrication, installation and safety; and a comprehensive site visit, which includes a facility review, document review and one or more installation site visits. Artisan Group members currently hold 16 of the 41 MIA Accreditations nationwide and have set a goal to have 100% of Artisan Group members accredited, which would make them the first stone association to do so.

ONE LINERS . . .Diamut, a leading producer of high-tech diamond tooling used for working stone and glass as well as in the

construction trades, announced the hiring of Michele Ragno as Diamut Sales Manager for the U.S. and Canada. Ragno worked for several years in the same Sales Manager position for another industry player. In addition, Ragno has extensive experience in programming CNC machines and is very familiar with design software programs, such as AutoCAD.

Eden Stone Co. and Valders Stone & Marble, Inc. (a division of Eden Stone) were the recipients of seven separate safety performance awards presented by MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) in Washington D.C. and the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association. These awards honor the employees and the company for exceptional safety performance at several quarry locations.

Stone fabricator, Structural Stone, LLC, of North Kingstown, RI, was granted Massachusetts M/WBE Certification on April 15, adding to its DBE/WBE status in Rhode Island. Structural Stone has an 80,000-square-foot plant strategically located in Quonset Point, RI, with rail and sea access. With a specialty in granite, Structural Stone fabricates all types of dimension stone — including limestone, marble, sandstone, brownstone and bluestone — for commercial and residential projects of any size.

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].

019-020 Newsline.indd 20019-020 Newsline.indd 20 4/21/10 10:00:43 AM4/21/10 10:00:43 AM

http://www.thestonebroker.com


Showroom: 2450-W Sample Road, Suite 15, Pompano Beach, FL 33073 Phone: 954-969-7272Warehouse and Corporate Office: 1666 NW 82 Avenue, Doral, FL 33126 (New Location) Phone: 305-406-3600

www.compac.us · [email protected]

New colors: Vanille & Cafe

COVERINGS

April 27th - 30th

Booth # 2455

Orlando, FL.

California warehouse: 700 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92805 Phone: 714-533-2244Warehouse and Corporate Offi ce: 1666 NW 82 Avenue, Doral, FL 33126 (New Location) Phone: 305-406-3600

Compacsw05104.indd 1Compacsw05104.indd 1 4/19/10 11:16:41 AM4/19/10 11:16:41 AM

http://www.compac.us




ARAB EMIRATES 180,269 261

ARGENTINA 81,188 71 194,336 69 13,766

AUSTRALIA 18,266 1

BELGIUM 35,140 21 49,840 31

BRAZIL 28,001,587 32,336 87,225 122 413,209 176,312 162

BULGARIA 15,617 11 15,954

CANADA 652,547 1,583 426,473 217 172,958 559,538 3,676

CHINA 15,674,786 25,252 5,702,487 5,551 1,852,107 272,549 640

COLOMBIA 31,617 31

CROATIA 20,438 15

DENMARK 2,101 1

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 93,452 89 144,850 292

EGYPT 6,808 22 395,828 561 2,606 13

FRANCE 808,930 530 53,572 79,394 722

GERMANY 192,417 19 346,005 128 21,957 68,640 24

GREECE 272,041 162

HONG KONG 65,786 61 18,762 6

INDIA 8,189,715 10,116 515,281 5,062 1,864,299 80,062 156

INDONESIA 277,693 311 8,880 48

ISRAEL 582,248 533

ITALY 8,472,530 6,323 4,522,180 2,000 87,515 75,670 29

JORDAN 78,981 196

LEBANON 621,815 46,367

MEXICO 34,877 27 3,259,022 3,396 2,550 143,794 1,046

NORWAY 64,811 28

PAKISTAN 377,052 254

PERU 772,174 725

PHILIPPINES 37,132 43 110,928 4,844 13,123 20

PORTUGAL 778,793 649

SAUDI ARABIA 25,466 40

SINGAPORE 43,279 52

SPAIN 1,057,942 1,048 1,957,239 1,923 121,852 259,277 8,500

SWITZERLAND 5,743 1

TAIWAN 1,496,464 1,542 87,390 45

THAILAND 10,931 8 3,248

TUNISIA 22,524 1

TURKEY 5,355 23 16,397,319 31,729 7,124 16,294 38

UNITED KINGDOM 43,457 9 125,625

OTHER 480,842 276 6,300 55 24,419 48,915 81

TOTAL JANUARY 2010 64,694,955 78,923 39,159,324 106,146 4,780,155 1,805,054 15,155

TOTAL JANUARY 2009 67,061,370 76,691 56,599,156 161,485 5,760,755 2,449,549 6,720

STATISTICSJanuary 2010 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight

*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

U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ TONS

COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE* SLATE** OTHER***

022-024 Stats.indd 22022-024 Stats.indd 22 4/21/10 10:01:17 AM4/21/10 10:01:17 AM

Revere® sinks enhance the beauty of countertopmaterials, by creating a fluid, graceful line.Revere undermount sinks complement a countertopand deliver years of outstanding performance.Don’t minimize the beauty of a natural stonecountertop by choosing a low-grade sink.

Revere sinks are made of 18 gaugestainless steel for superior durability(the lower the gauge number thethicker the steel).

With its graceful lines and elegantfinish, a Revere undermount sink isan ideal match for all countertopmaterials. Remember, an undermountsink will be a permanent installation.Choose wisely!

REVERE® STAINLESS STEELUNDERMOUNT SINKS

TOLL-FREE 1 (800) 458-6222 FAX: (770) 621-9771 • WWW.GRANQUARTZ.COM

STOCKING LOCATIONS IN ATLANTA, CHICAGO, DENVER, HOUSTON AND MIAMI.

NOW AVAILABLE FROM

granquartzsw04104.indd 1granquartzsw04104.indd 1 3/16/10 3:03:37 PM3/16/10 3:03:37 PM

http://www.granquartz.com/




ANTIGUA 16,250 21

ARAB EMIRATES 6,430

AUSTRALIA 287,011 86 60,000 11

BAHAMAS 40,033 22 8,330 5,000 1

BARBADOS 26,564 13 25,649 48

BELGIUM 72,754 268

BERMUDA 22,197 4 4,068 5

BRAZIL 3,100 4

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 11,230 2 3,100 1

CANADA 1,345,561 1,385 832,117 7,681 62,616 1,552,122 7,884

CAYMAN ISLANDS 9,178 4 15,623 3

CHILE 20,376 24

CHINA 970,700 3,575

COLOMBIA 21,935 51 15,357 24

COSTA RICA 14,709 21

CZECH REPUBLIC 3,904 1

FRANCE 8,600 4

GERMANY 12,000 1 127,924 630

GUATEMALA 3,073 3

HONG KONG 9,350 1

INDIA 21,315 42

ITALY 240,242 503 70,892 37

JAMAICA 12,216 7 32,178 19

JAPAN 11,614 4 13,080 1,147

KOREA 301,696 23

MEXICO 120,005 109 62,825 63 4,150 29,894 32

N. ANTILLES 5,335 1

NEW ZEALAND 3,188 1 9,572 23,315 35

PANAMA 3,055 6

PORTUGAL 45,397 122

SINGAPORE 135,253 428

SWEDEN 23,500 8

SWITZERLAND 11,415 1 3,846 15,822 21

TAIWAN 3,000 33

TURKEY 7,700 20

UNITED KINGDOM 163,451 14 21,440 22 11,426

OTHER 21,080 38 18,350 19 126,585 705

TOTAL JANUARY 2010 3,547,260 6,625 1,265,088 8,071 106,370 2,270,980 10,542

TOTAL JANUARY 2009 2,849,595 5,811 1,440,638 12,032 197,031 2,672,864 9,612

STATISTICSJanuary 2010 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight




PRODUCT SOURCINGPRODU

Check out the 2010 Online Version of Stone World’s Stone Guide at

www.stoneworld.com/stoneguide

MADE EASY.

SEARCHABLE • COMPREHENSIVE • INFORMATIVE

SW_stoneguidestats_housead1209.indd 1 12/21/09 3:33:01 PM

022-024 Stats.indd 24022-024 Stats.indd 24 4/21/10 10:01:23 AM4/21/10 10:01:23 AM

http://www.stoneworld.com/stoneguide

http://www.stoneworld.com/stoneguide

MADREPEROLA

NACARADO

OWNED & OPERATED QUARRIESOWNED & OPERATED QUARRIES

www.vulcanoexport.com.br

Brasil - +55.88.3614.5599

USA - 973.714.6376

VulcanoExport_SW0510.indd 1VulcanoExport_SW0510.indd 1 4/22/10 9:02:45 AM4/22/10 9:02:45 AM

http://www.vulcanoexport.com.br



ALBANIA 16,351 23ARAB EMIRATES 114,780 121 1,397,532 2,746 12,962 8ARGENTINA 786,551 6,145 1,219,980 3,033 61,879 24,034 85AUSTRALIA 6,352 1 22,828 4 30,000 6BAHAMAS 22,500 672BELGIUM 50,839 66 1,003,760 537 10,810 68,083 168BELIZE 20,974 20 BOLIVIA 6,990 19 BRAZIL 281,790,650 440,557 1,524,485 1,237 4,398,002 2,644,163 3,457BULGARIA 801,836 809 6,447 CANADA 17,517,259 26,138 8,884,144 15,362 2,884,792 21,606,906 125,460CHILE 87,837 48 CHINA 192,985,965 276,637 77,234,334 98,955 27,319,046 6,445,182 10,596COLOMBIA 16,935 27 825,014 1,183 18,783 2,833 11CROATIA 55,191 399 DENMARK 4,202 2 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 850,917 1,809 2,202,131 5,695 4,377 189,827 484ECUADOR 47,941 65 EGYPT 194,369 349 5,097,878 8,487 55,666 197FINLAND 48,593 21 FRANCE 291,042 74 12,575,558 6,520 100,798 330,129 182GERMANY 566,363 333 3,221,710 2,238 110,419 158,908 115GREECE 50,726 27 6,029,038 3,191 40,765 2GUATEMALA 26,041 19 HONDURAS 197,343 114 HONG KONG 451,253 574 473,970 266 19,640 6,261 26HUNGARY 46,057 39 INDIA 89,559,985 189,256 7,322,246 7,403 23,659,311 7,798,540 70,623INDONESIA 40,611 75 4,309,787 5,708 78,103 199IRELAND 80,842 35 29,196 24ISRAEL 218,684 212 10,910,078 10,133 70,566 192,589 3,787ITALY 101,857,853 81,261 85,457,671 57,033 906,398 1,880,220 6,084JAPAN 22,417 7 13,021 13 6,094 9JORDAN 204,166 301 61,069 60KOREA 19,383 547 196,251 106 9,494 36,917 18LEBANON 17,957 51 6,671,828 469,911 76,113 107LIECHTENSTEIN 679,809 153 MALAYSIA 571,391 1,440 MEXICO 475,945 3,033 53,689,759 79,840 139,132 4,402,496 46,791MOROCCO 53,694 25 NAURU 7,149 1 NETHERLANDS 13,438 8 34,561 21 3,035 36,689 17NORWAY 299,260 323 41,080 102,484 193PAKISTAN 225,332 29 3,043,365 1,927 13,255 8PERU 209,788 149 11,411,946 12,108 PHILIPPINES 233,869 794 1,229,267 13,734 21,545 249,506 1,064POLAND 3,097 1 PORTUGAL 452,086 350 16,255,584 22,903 117,587 7,724 32ROMANIA 430,664 222 SAUDI ARABIA 194,214 130 4,100 2 SINGAPORE 6,015 3 599,559 697 5,549 SPAIN 7,707,352 45,258 30,252,485 29,052 1,736,278 442,257 1,210SWEDEN 31,098 47 9,618 2SWITZERLAND 6,500 1 60,237 34 106,112 4,543TAIWAN 20,050,337 18,496 2,280,055 1,239 11,012 3,238 1THAILAND 61,394 294 192,390 102 61,587 16,458 23TOKELAU 18,438 68 TUNISIA 553,180 13,605 TURKEY 396,623 459 205,665,078 407,900 14,007 229,053 1,655UNITED KINGDOM 841,939 186 634,390 1,880 1,047,388 488,735 2,676URUGUAY 399,868 303 VENEZUELA 24,955 13 21,384 9 ZIMBABWE 1,899,021 1,007 2,787 1 325,921 849OTHER 2,616,341 2,402 2,583,536 3,341 326,713 898,494 2,272TOTAL 2009 723,630,035 1,097,595 568,425,393 1,291,914 63,105,675 49,145,451 283,739

2009 YEAR-END IMPORT STATISTICS2009 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight




026-032 Stats (year end).indd 26026-032 Stats (year end).indd 26 4/20/10 11:53:47 AM4/20/10 11:53:47 AM

Insert straps under tile during installation.

Set and align tiles. After mortar sets, remove caps and straps.

Tighten caps and straps to virtually eliminate lippage from tile to tile.

1 2 3 4

800-969-5561 (U.S.A.) • 800-387-0008 (Canada) WWW.PEARLABRASIVE.COM

Passes standard industrial (TCNA Robinson) compression test.Very easy to learn and use at any skill level.Prevents tiles from moving while curing.More profitable for the installer.Re-usable caps.

Recommended for gauged tiles 12" or larger.Reduces installer fatigue/stress.Virtually lippage free, flat surface drastically reduces the need for grinding and polishing.

FEATURES and BENEFITS:

Patent pending

TIME IS MONEY.

For tiles of uniform thickness only (gauged tile).

2-piece system that virtually eliminates lippage during tile installation.

With

Supplied by:

pearlsw03104.indd 1pearlsw03104.indd 1 4/20/10 3:31:13 PM4/20/10 3:31:13 PM

http://www.pearlabrasive.com/


ARAB EMIRATES 287,185 252 3,703,183 11,090 136,925 187ARGENTINA 1,739,748 7,693 3,358,997 2,604 201,815 35,152 65AUSTRALIA 71,038 36 127,240 75 9,151 1BAHAMAS 29,000 2,268BELGIUM 28,143 22 1,909,949 834 59,263 110,647 72BOLIVIA 48,895 63 BRAZIL 422,476,098 490,654 3,210,488 2,566 9,539,905 2,298,968 2,971BULGARIA 1,565,902 1,655 44,570 21,597 23CANADA 21,822,554 23,781 12,448,640 10,895 3,387,525 30,165,467 228,604CAYMAN 6,119 CHILE 66,123 44 CHINA 267,547,881 437,845 102,457,291 96,541 40,899,926 8,855,311 12,185COLOMBIA 10,556 14 1,428,556 1,724 10,138 13,565 43CROATIA 294,968 241 CZECH REPUBLIC 80,994 39 DENMARK 9,189 6 28,560 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1,289,275 2,019 4,436,349 7,723 54,659 395,019 713ECUADOR 4,240 29 77,311 105 EGYPT 142,612 374 8,523,552 15,217 164,124 593FINLAND 90,305 64 2,056 7FRANCE 176,536 80 20,492,243 63,253 402,481 238,350 119GERMANY 993,726 228 9,082,288 25,984 40,123 642,818 989GREECE 380,083 212 10,822,852 8,658 67,896 44,837 29GUATEMALA 34,771 190 262,697 226 5,780 1HONDURAS 2,248 1 541,788 190 HONG KONG 978,044 1,067 950,516 470 43,632 3,749 5HUNGARY 72,440 15 INDIA 169,933,935 411,933 11,910,951 9,482 37,857,760 7,075,669 40,151INDONESIA 115,409 116 6,074,778 8,698 29,855 87,859 182IRELAND 4,073 1 155,080 45 22,176 9ISRAEL 911,032 1,904 24,660,601 63,922 395,403 502ITALY 203,103,334 173,782 163,987,560 184,224 2,493,476 3,729,818 5,126JAPAN 324,431 61 31,102 10 101,860 294JORDAN 6,780 43 1,006,145 842 107,295 529KOREA 300,303 116 283,317 100 21,339 6,767 5LEBANON 17,720,522 488,778 MADAGASCAR 7,800 1 2,130 1 MALAYSIA 4,164 5 440,816 921 28,620 66MALTA 3,814 2 MEXICO 1,401,841 3,195 91,062,232 127,758 287,736 3,825,506 8,916MONACO 34,484 7 MOROCCO 3,500 1 61,216 42 NETHERLANDS 10,932 1 87,609 33 5,177 NEW ZEALAND 128,075 7 145,450 7 2,478 NORWAY 348,098 7,604 2,867 55,896 102PAKISTAN 179,799 159 5,338,786 3,682 30,316 9,150 3PERU 98,667 101 25,882,244 35,204 2,142 19PHILIPPINES 160,133 521 2,384,231 3,720 7,160 278,259 1,343POLAND 45,116 35 21,883 8PORTUGAL 930,468 600 22,924,656 31,580 198,171 19,610 51ROMANIA 115,757 70 59,229 73RUSSIA 13,603 15 4,192 1SAUDI ARABIA 297,192 297 SINGAPORE 34,602 51 556,487 624 16,403 SPAIN 13,632,938 16,798 51,161,148 127,614 2,746,159 866,008 20,253SWEDEN 11,270 6 4,508 2 5,496 1SWITZERLAND 73,846 86 29,166 54 48,019 23TAIWAN 26,194,120 43,849 3,260,785 2,052 59,302 21,290 21THAILAND 117,042 83 376,432 158 82,711 270,070 618TOKELAU 145,845 5,294 TUNISIA 1,343,771 1,498 TURKEY 882,959 969 327,074,066 818,929 293,222 761,704 1,788UNITED KINGDOM 6,043,830 5,842 1,396,706 4,226 1,487,172 256,358 181URUGUAY 659,607 616 12,454 4 VENEZUELA 18,830 11 22,364 9 6,856 ZIMBABWE 172,466 114 2,601 2 59,018 178OTHER 3,818,896 6,092 5,169,148 6,557 634,496 1,329,172 3,618TOTAL 2008 1,148,154,317 1,639,621 950,751,230 2,176,324 101,049,268 62,620,985 332,936

2008 YEAR-END IMPORT STATISTICS2008 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight





Red Sea Mining Co. Ltd.

HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 7422, Jeddah 21462 Saudi Arabia Tel: (966)(2) 6204749 Fax: 6201648BR. OFFICE: P.O. Box 6233, Riyadh 11442 Saudi Arabia Tel: (966)(1) 4630140 Fax: 4644854

Display of “Koran” in Jeddah, KSA artistically designed by harmoniously

blending some of our attractive Saudi Granite Colors.

Violetta Saudi Granite Quarry

operations at Najran

E-MAIL: [email protected] and [email protected]

TROPIC BROWN GOLDEN LEAF VIOLETTA EMERALD GREEN LGB NEW BLUE HIBISCUS PINK

Red Sea Mining continues to provide all major granite buyers

in USA, Canada, Europe, the Far East including India, Japan, China, Australia & many more.

TO MEET ALL YOUR GRANITE NEEDS

FROM RAW BLOCKS TO FINISHED PRODUCTS

RSM HAS IT ALL

IN THEIR MOST ATTRACTIVE RANGE OF SAUDI GRANITES

SKILLFULLY DISPLAYING

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF STONE

RedSeaMining_SW0609.indd 3RedSeaMining_SW0609.indd 3 5/28/09 1:12:35 PM5/28/09 1:12:35 PM




ANTIGUA 158,044 62 137,475 72 28,196 146,609 135ARAB EMIRATES 46,424 15 540,469 721 11,212 94,795 27ARGENTINA 11,460 60ARUBA 18,460 26 8,375 5 114,576 77AUSTRALIA 1,258,994 459 39,841 11 39,671 82,898 58AUSTRIA 1,288,867 688 4,429 1 2,885 BAHAMAS 633,048 419 1,446,628 900 119,536 529,994 662BAHRAIN 4,398 2 BARBADOS 38,843 30 293,681 191 49,291 90BELGIUM 326,897 1,029 27,500 1 53,137 BELIZE 43,811 48 44,224 95 7,108 2,825 2BERMUDA 509,264 196 111,369 104 51,201 78BRAZIL 14,401 19 7,408 21 12,235 44,438 24BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 136,558 74 306,622 427 4,512 234,880 438CANADA 22,506,598 33,321 9,191,236 119,526 2,119,702 27,128,130 105,973CAYMAN ISLANDS 323,746 178 386,904 2,365 9,220 125,601 72CHILE 5,301 2 16,537 11CHINA 12,275,572 36,975 341,767 954 46,790 845,882 1,883COLOMBIA 13,500 10 68,757 49 22,000 16,974 12COSTA RICA 19,416 31 94,712 241 112,507 102CZECH REPUBLIC 38,344 7 3,445 1DENMARK 25,000 21 10,632 12 40,000 13DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 7,106 1 190,204 553 2,552 17,499 27ECUADOR 11,734 6 39,195 47EGYPT 11,065 22 FINLAND 31,153 3 46,480 17FRANCE 32,711 40 685,080 468 11,169 59,628 1,479GERMANY 94,301 96 98,303 983 7,185 1,010,085 4,779GREECE 46,124 105 GUATEMALA 62,037 43 13,854 3 GUYANA 3,822 1 4,199 12 9,282 20HONDURAS 88,965 46 52,528 54 27,896 44HONG KONG 78,362 8 31,070 164,717 424ICELAND 2,566 5 INDIA 269,636 425 48,838 18 76,823 123INDONESIA 3,172 1IRELAND 11,270 14 122,205 106 58,644 2,143ISRAEL 3,000 1 177,303 95 254,187 228ITALY 5,012,968 10,419 983,636 866 5,000 982,502 1,788JAMAICA 17,630 16 98,944 55 8,281 23JAPAN 127,259 170 26,303 4 11,985 486,972 712KENYA 31,477 KOREA 324,711 246 2,639 44 1,501,649 1,008KUWAIT 2,636 1 11,210 2LATVIA 2,630 2 200,536 LEBANON 9,160 54LUXEMBOURG 2,557 MALTA 46,346 19MALAYSIA 18,550 34 3,720 1MEXICO 1,629,833 1,846 1,356,184 1,867 174,440 756,876 3,916MONTSERRAT 2,810 1 N. ANTILLES 77,403 62 104,025 103 3,525 41,845 50NETHERLANDS 45,516 51 16,952 22 98,553 52NEW ZEALAND 17,872 8 29,460 6 241,623 315NICARAGUA 14,642 2 22,842 21 3,300 NIGERIA 45,275 61 5,305 27 73,277 57NORWAY 30,880 4 3,000 4,000 1PAKISTAN 361,965 123 PANAMA 14,305 21 24,007 29 46,599 14PERU 26,105 2 29,458 7 3,465 2PHILIPPINES 34,140 6 10,714 5POLAND 22,991 13 5,780 1PORTUGAL 77,915 191 29,040 420 2,592 37,865 20RUSSIA 30,398 24 SAUDI ARABIA 4,120 1 54,082 37SINGAPORE 243,346 686 16,460 21 2,048,065 50,763 46SPAIN 107,986 303 66,712 49 61,098 313SWEDEN 6,000 1 34,000 SWITZERLAND 26,426 26,506 9,750 159,336 47TAIWAN 707,934 2,632 105,817 27 32,470 15THAILAND 20,516 1 32,740 17TURKEY 170,008 265 4,934 6,208 1UNITED KINGDOM 2,036,092 650 260,148 2,468 363,315 119,037 160VENEZUELA 43,872 77 495,873 195 74,242 87OTHER 586,752 697 910,059 2,952 215,552 420,076 528TOTAL 2009 51,931,066 119,195 19,438,165 137,526 5,642,208 36,800,140 128,341

2009 YEAR-END EXPORT STATISTICS2009 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight





saudimarblesw05104.indd 1saudimarblesw05104.indd 1 4/14/10 1:32:19 PM4/14/10 1:32:19 PM

http://smg.com.sa/

http://smg.com.sa/



ANTIGUA 203,977 104 108,995 32 2,700 ARAB EMIRATES 272,030 198 76,851 821 7,747 13,608 6ARGENTINA 4,450 1 45,432 780 3,850 1 ARUBA 18,680 3 5,363 92 62,221 59 AUSTRALIA 433,150 100 51,270 81 33,124 509,008 278 AUSTRIA 813,072 236 10,000 1 BAHAMAS 615,070 630 1,817,430 6,459 80,492 672,706 1,037BAHRAIN 20,000 10BARBADOS 49,512 29 516,117 274 58,525 67,001 67BELGIUM 204,445 658 502,879 56 18,799 4,457,040 5,306BELIZE 12,530 16,289 15BERMUDA 355,048 120 121,614 433 7,447 24,801 105BRAZIL 119,415 111 3,000 1 91,163 22,529 51BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 139,829 38 1,105,139 874 2,523 15,905 67CANADA 28,627,760 42,649 8,749,858 103,496 2,245,400 30,136,199 144,276CAYMAN ISLANDS 676,024 840 329,379 669 61,915 264,211 688CHILE 48,500 16 35,679 19 52,954 16CHINA 16,376,483 43,308 473,996 1,325 186,293 382,300 129COLOMBIA 33,638 19 27,719 33 7,914 17,251 6COSTA RICA 68,354 68 120,956 87CZECH REPUBLIC 12,478 25 DENMARK 2,600 1 4,008 10DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 44,937 47 17,271 15 6,135 985,087 684ECUADOR 28,611 21EGYPT 12,750 219 3,777 20,000 10FINLAND 10,167 2 FRANCE 43,723 172 293,624 171 13,777 51,087 183GABON 43,616 8 GERMANY 338,570 75 88,027 47 2,580 397,180 474GREECE 7,407 1 17,500 300 25,336 8GUATEMALA 5,909 3 GUYANA 30,772 9 79,802 59 2,967 17,103 62HONDURAS 99,103 1 119,082 316 22,896 3HONG KONG 627,375 2,065 264,113 2,445 74,954 77,663 242HUNGARY 37,917 10 ICELAND 10,292 1INDIA 493,743 435 148,059 76 12,000 225,289 526INDONESIA 3,446 1 30,039 18IRELAND 44,508 20 67,298 428 134,563 345,169 1,257ISRAEL 9,971 23 50,575 17,402 25ITALY 8,121,159 21,247 788,725 1,382 27,952 564,266 739JAMAICA 70,850 35 276,601 172 54,415 96JAPAN 117,175 267 135,764 1,684 35,801 769,332 907JORDAN 18,030 6 9,600 KOREA 77,725 115 118,112 60 28,898 4,164,666 2,285KUWAIT 611,250 78 374,500 145LATVIA 3,150 1 MALAYSIA 21,047 29 MARTINIQUE 17,279 18 MEXICO 4,041,100 3,209 2,632,671 6,588 218,457 1,883,413 24,059MONACO 6,000 1 N. ANTILLES 21,342 5 153,206 114 8,505 25NETHERLANDS 246,855 21 36,699 7,575 26NEW ZEALAND 49,382 21 20,061 8 298,565 486NICARAGUA 4,100 1 2,508 1NIGERIA 19,288 39 NORWAY 395,477 21 12,175 2,882 1PAKISTAN 46,795 23 189,625 101 38,798 25PANAMA 7,120 1 40,766 27 271,411 207PARAGUAY 52,857 5 PERU 8,085 22 25,435 3 5,034 461,956 195PHILIPPINES 11,456 2 POLAND 13,537 20PORTUGAL 50,242 812 RUSSIA 52,500 31 21,994 15,200 40SAUDI ARABIA 109,549 205 5,570 2 30,108 3SINGAPORE 18,541 7 13,671 2 2,598 6SPAIN 481,984 751 256,385 305 258,572 46,759 19SWEDEN 18,234 1SWITZERLAND 1,782,006 6,290 20,856 59 69,883 66TAIWAN 589,997 1,896 148,692 174,261 46THAILAND 12,350 10 3,992 2 7,423 2TURKEY 30,426 32 297,687 356 22,155 55UNITED KINGDOM 5,559,124 717 110,442 34 840,386 432,267 223VENEZUELA 95,042 45 587,923 1,178 32,057 19OTHER 824,907 1,313 1,724,630 10,105 158,501 267,531 269TOTAL 2008 73,499,731 128,235 23,480,507 142,771 4,920,661 49,150,796 185,694

2008 YEAR-END EXPORT STATISTICS2008 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight





gmmsw05094.indd 1gmmsw05094.indd 1 4/20/09 2:43:48 PM4/20/09 2:43:48 PM

http://www.gmm.it/

http://www.gmm.it/

http://www.gmm.it/


http://www.salemstone.com

http://www.salemstone.com



NEWSNEW RESIN TECHNOLOGY FOR LIGHT-COLORED MARBLE

CAVAION VERONESE, ITALY — Part of the Alberti Group of stone companies in Northern Italy, the Alberti & Alberti marble plant has brought in state-of-the-art technology for its processing — including a new resin treatment for marble slabs.

The facility operates a full-scale resin-application plant from Breton S.p.A. of Italy, including an auto-mated resin-application line with two large-scale driers as well as Levibreton polishing lines for honing as well as final polishing.

One of the latest developments in the factory is the use of Glaxs, a new resin technology from Tenax. Considering the fact that sun and heat tend to yellow resin-treated material — which can be particularly evident on white or other light-colored materials — Tenax’s R&D Department developed a new product that offers guaranteed long-term trans-

parence. The Glaxs resin has undergone a series of aging tests according to ASTM standards. According to Tenax, these results have shown a strong yel-lowing of epoxy resins, while the Glaxs resin has confirmed resistance to yel-lowing with high transparency. The product also has low environmental impact, Tenax reports, as it contains no solvents, is not corrosive and does not release irritating fumes.

The Alberti Group offers a broad range of unique materials. Marble, travertine and onyx are processed at the group’s Alberti & Alberti facility, which has the latest generation of stoneworking technology and treatments.

One of the latest developments at the factory is the use of Glaxs, a new resin technology from Tenax that offers long-term protection against yellowing due to sunlight exposure. This is particularly useful for use on white or other light-colored materials. Pictured in the two photos above is an application of Glaxs on Rhino White marble from Africa.

034-040 News.indd 34034-040 News.indd 34 4/21/10 10:04:50 AM4/21/10 10:04:50 AM

http://dimpomar.com/

http://dimpomar.com/


www.ArtisanSinks.com Complies with ASME A112.19.3-2000

the StoneArtisan Sinks

and Stone Countertops. . .the Perfect Marriage

The New Premium Undermount

Kitchen Sink Collection

• Beautiful, durable and very affordable

• Heavy 16-gauge, 304 stainless steel

• 13 styles and 22 sizes

• Stain and corrosion resistant

eÉÅtÇv|Çz

artsw04104.indd 1artsw04104.indd 1 3/16/10 2:30:25 PM3/16/10 2:30:25 PM

http://www.ArtisanSinks.com


NEWSThe Glaxs resin is applied in the

same manner as a traditional resin — after the honing application is com-pleted — and Alberti & Alberti uses it to reinforce white materials such as Rhino White from Africa.

When working with colored mate-rials, Alberti & Alberti uses a range of colored polyester resins, primarily for filling the holes in travertine. The company also has a line for adding fiberglass reinforcement to the back of the slabs as needed — particularly for travertine and other porous stones.

The resin line can produce 10,750 square meters of material during an eight-hour shift, while the polish-ing line can process 13,000 to 14,000 square meters of material per shift. Among the factory’s export targets, the U.S. imports a percentage of Alberti & Alberti’s marble production.

Editor’s note: A full-length feature on the Alberti Group, including coverage of its marble and granite factories, will be

published in the September 2010 issue of Stone World.

NEW ADDITION AT IMETAME GRANITOS

E SPÍR ITO SA N TO, BR A ZIL — Mila Romanelli has recently joined Imetame Granitos, which is a major

e x p o r t e r o f o r n a m e n t a l stones in Brazil. The company has more than 800,000 square feet of space, and it is located

75 miles north of Vitória, in the state of Espírito Santo. The factory features a range of modern equipment, and all of its slabs are resin treated. Imetame also provides tiles and blocks, and it mines from several quarries, includ-ing New Venetian Gold, Ornamental Imetame, Brazilian Black, Portofino Gold, Brown Imperial and more.

The company is a division of a large group that also has interests in industries such as oil, soldering, latex and cattle.

The company’s Web site is www.i m e t a m e g r a n i t o s . c o m . b r , a n d Romanelli can be contacted directly by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at +55- 27-9961-5738.

FIRST NATURAL STONE GUIDE APPLICATION IS RELEASED IN APP STORE

MIAMI, FL — App House LLC has released a natural stone reference guide for iPhone and iPod touch, available immediately on the Apple App Store. Natural Stone Source provides users a wide range of tools to navigate the ever-expanding world of natural stone. With Natural Stone Source, users get a powerful guide that will always be growing through updates. In this appli-cation, users have access to a database with over 2,800 different stones from 52 different countries, easily making

JMSSW08074.indd 1 7/17/07 3:00:46 PM

Mila Romanelli



http://www.imetamegranitos.com.br

http://www.imetamegranitos.com.br

http://www.juramarble.com/



The Difference is Black and White.The Original Quartz Surface. Only from CaesarStone®.There’s no grey area or comparison when choosing the fi nest quartz surface. CaesarStone not only invented the technology, but perfected the process and established the benchmark for design innovation and customer satisfaction. Learn more at www.CaesarStoneUS.com.

Pure White 1141

caesarstonesw05104.indd 1caesarstonesw05104.indd 1 4/8/10 9:11:04 AM4/8/10 9:11:04 AM

http://www.CaesarStoneUS.com

http://www.caesarstoneus.com/


NEWSit one of the largest selections of natu-ral stones available in the App Store, reports the creator.

“Everyone here is extremely excit-ed about the release of Natural Stone Source,” said Matt Walter, App House President and Co-Founder. “Not only is this our first application, but the reception we’re already getting from

the home designing community has been fantastic. They have been patient-ly waiting for an application like this, and we’re proud to be the ones to give it to them.”

According to App House LLC, the Natural Stone Source application enables users to quickly and eas-ily search any natural stone with the

device’s built-in sample database. The narrowed search options allow the user to search either by most commonly known name, type of stone, origin of stone or color of stone. To get a more specific result the users can search dif-ferent stones based on just one or more of those options.

Key features in Natural Stone Source:• Unique Search Engine — offers access

to a growing database of over 2,800 different natural stone samples along with their most commonly known name, type, origin and color. Users can search different stones based on just one or more of those options and easily browse their search results in “Standard View” or “Coverflow.” Once a user has found the stone he or she is most interested in, there are a few additional tools to insure success in finding the best stone. Looking under each stone’s “Comments Page” for what other people are saying about that particular stone or e-mailing the stone sample to a designer or supplier to help track it down are some of its features.

• Spotlight — features special natural stones being offered by some of the most reputable companies in the business for users unsure which natural stone is for them. Each “Spotlight” has a description, additional photos, starting price and a direct link to make a purchase inquiry among other features needed to begin the stone selection process.

• Dictionary — compiles all the jargon and puts it at the fingertips of users so they can stay well informed by understanding what stone industry terms mean.

• News — keeps users updated on all the developments within the industry. Whether it’s a new natural stone line being introduced by a large supplier or a change in the schedule of a major stone fair, this is helpful for people in the stone industry who want to keep in the loop.

• Tips — is an accumulation of tips

1-800-350-1901www.miraclesealants.com

FREEcontractorrewardprogramBack by Popular Demand!Miracle Sealants will continue its industryfirst Contractor Reward Program.

Terms & Conditions:• In order to receive rebate, contractors must

have a membership number for processing.Go to: www.miraclesealants.com/contractor

• A copy of all product receipts must bemarked with the membership number and mailed within 30 days of purchase to Miracle Sealants, c/o Marketing Dept.,12318 Lower Azusa Road, Arcadia, CA 91006,or e-mailed to [email protected]

• Contractors must purchase products from aAuthorized Miracle Sealants Distributor.

• Program runs from January 1st to December15th each year.

• Contractor will need to renew each year andcan be done simply by going back on-line.

Start Now – Go To:www.miraclesealants.com/contractor

Qualified contractors willreceive a year-end

10% CASH REBATEon all Miracle Sealants purchases made overthe course of the year.


http://www.miraclesealants.com

http://www.miraclesealants.com/contractor


http://www.miraclesealants.com/contractor

®

Diarex®

CNC Vacuum SystemDiarex® Vacuum Pods are precision manufactured in Italy to the exacting OEM specifications of the industry’stop stone machinery manufactures. Diarex vacuum pods feature anodized aluminum with vulcanized rubberon the top and bottom plates, with double sealed replaceable rubber gaskets and a modular design for lowshipping costs, easy replacement of damaged components, and the ability to assemble custom pod solutions.Diarex Vacuum Pods are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes; call your GranQuartz sales professionalfor more details. 1-800-458-6222

• Fully functioning/interchangeable vacuumplates on top and bottom for extra holdingpower and versatility (most systems feature asimple gasket design for the bottom plate).

• Modular design for lower shipping costs andno need to ship entire pods across the countryfor rework due to damage or wear.

• Individual pieces can be purchased andshipped quickly to your location.

• Vulcanized rubber plates with double sealedrubber gaskets that are easily replaceable (andmore wear resistant than foam gaskets foundon other systems.

Modular design for versatility- allparts are available separately.

Toll-Free 1 (800) 458-6222 Fax: (770) 621-9771 • www.granquartz.comStocking Locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Miami.

gq1sw03104.indd 1gq1sw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 11:20:16 AM2/17/10 11:20:16 AM




NEWS

DOMAIN INDUSTRIES INC.

from industry insiders to help even the most inexperienced user feel knowledgeable and confident, reports App House LLC.

• FAQ — finds just about every answer to natural stone questions.

• Favorites — stores all of a user’s favorite samples. Viewing in “Coverflow” is also an option.

Natural Stone Source is available for download from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod Touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

BRAXTON-BRAGG ADDS MEM TO PRODUCT LINE

K NOXV ILLE , T N — Bra xton-Bragg announces the addit ion of Ma r moe le t t romecca n ica ( M EM ) products to its extensive line of tools and supplies for the stone industry. MEM’s line of CNC profile wheels includes the new SHS (Super High Speed), which is designed to greatly reduce fabrication time and increase

productivity. Featured in this sys-tem is the Frangistone Pre-Cutting Wheel, which removes material four times faster than traditional tools, reports Braxton-Bragg. Also featured are the Master 3500 and the Master 2800, top-quality portable electric routers, available with Water System technology, providing a gliding water f ilm to protect the surface of the stone. According to Braxton-Bragg, the MEM water system was the first developed for manual routers.

Many other MEM products will also

be included in the Braxton-Bragg line-up, including CNC profile tooling, core drills and more.

Marmoelettromeccanica is one of the Italian leaders in manufacturing diamond tools for working gran-ite, marble and engineered stones. It is well known in the stone indus-try for developing innovative tools and applying high-quality industrial diamonds to new and patented tech-nologies. All MEM products bear the CE logo because of strict quality control standards, which has earned

them the distinction of ISO 9001 certification.

F o r a d d i t i o n -a l i n f o r m a t i o n o n Marmoelettromeccanica produc ts , contac t the sa les reps at Braxton-Bragg. These products are available for immediate shipment through Braxton-Bragg.

Braxton-Bragg has announced the addition of Marmoelettromeccanica (MEM) products to its extensive line of tools and supplies for the stone industry.


http://www.itunes.com/appstore/

http://www.itunes.com/appstore/

http://www.believeinvoodoo.com/

http://www.freedomaincatalog.com/

http://www.freedomaincatalog.com/

laserproductssw05104.indd 1laserproductssw05104.indd 1 4/13/10 3:47:09 PM4/13/10 3:47:09 PM

http://www.laserproductsus.com/

http://www.laserproductsus.com/

PROADVANCED™

PROTECTION

daltilesw04104.indd 1daltilesw04104.indd 1 3/24/10 9:23:17 AM3/24/10 9:23:17 AM

This sealer is made exclusively for Daltile by DuPont. Microban® antimicrobial technology is not designed to replace normal cleaning practices or protect users against foodborne illness. © Dal-Tile

Corporation. The DuPont oval logo, DuPont™ and the DuPont oval with Stain Protected Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and company. All rights reserved.

Microban is a registered trademark of the Microban Products Company.

A WARRANTY THAT’S WORRY-FREE.

Stand with confi dence behind the comprehensive warranty

provided by PROADVANCED™ Protection, considered to be

one of the best in the industry:

and replacement labor

and materials

Provides protection for all Daltile granite, more than 300

options and all marble – the only program that covers

marble countertops

residential warranty

commercial/industrial warranty

discount pricing online for all DuPont Care &

Maintenance products for stone, tile and grout, throughout

the life of the warranty

PROADVANCED™ goes above and beyond to offer your

customers a lifetime of protection on their investment.

Offer your customers peace of mind like never before, with

the PROADVANCED™ Protection Program. Daltile has

partnered with industry leaders DuPont™ and Microban®

to develop this innovative program, to provide lifelong

protection for natural stone countertops.

PROADVANCED™: THE PEAK OF PROTECTION.

PROADVANCED™ sealer is a high-performance, natural stone

sealer that provides a powerful, invisible layer of stain resistance.

Engineered by DuPont, it protects the beauty of stone against

common household stain hazards including coffee, red wine,

mustard, ketchup, cooking oil and soy sauce.

The PROADVANCED™ sealer uses a water-based solution that

leaves your home free of high-VOC solvent-based chemicals.

The sealer takes less time to apply, and can be applied while the

stone is still wet. Also, PROADVANCED™ is a penetrating sealer,

and won’t change the color, appearance or sheen of the stone

it is applied to.

MICROBAN® TECHNOLOGY REDEFINES CLEAN.

PROADVANCED™ is also infused with Microban® antimicrobial

technology to inhibit the growth of stain- and odor-causing

bacteria. This helps keep countertops cleaner between

cleanings, making ease of maintenance another great benefi t

customers will enjoy.

™WITH M ICROB A

N®

PROADVANCED

PROTEC

TION

WITH

MICROBAN ®

WARRANTY8 YR COMMERCIA

L

™WARRANTY

YR RESIDENTIA

L

15

PROADVANCED

PROTEC

TION

WITH

MICROBAN ®

A NEW LEVEL OF NATURAL STONE

PROTECTION:

PROADVANCED™ PROTECTION PROGRAM, EXCLUSIVELY FROM DALTILE®

daltilesw04104.indd 2daltilesw04104.indd 2 3/24/10 9:23:24 AM3/24/10 9:23:24 AM


Creating a brand in the commercial marketplace

In business for more than 25 years, Surface Products of Cornelius, NC, expanded its operations to include quartz and natural stone,

and its customer base has grown to include a range of commercial clients

by Michael Reis

Located in Cornelius, NC, and

serving the Charlotte region

and beyond, Surface Products

began as a solid surface processor

and ult imately began processing

quartz and natural stone — including

a high volume of countertops for

production builders. Today, it uses

that same lineup of machinery —

including CNC technology — to

fabricate stone for a range of projects

in the commercial sector.

The company, which is a member

of the Artisan Group of stone fabrica-

tors, processes natural stone as well

as Corian® Solid Surface, Heritage

Wood, CaesarStone®, DuPont Zodiaq®,

Cambria and other materials.

Surfaces Products was founded

more than 25 years ago, and owner Jon

Lancto explained that the company

Originally established as a solid surface fabricator, Surface Products of Cornelius, NC, expanded into quartz and

natural stone. In addition to residential stone processing, it has also made inroads into the commercial sector.

Fabricator Case Study

CNC TECHNOLOGY USERS

044-050 Surfaces.indd 44044-050 Surfaces.indd 44 4/20/10 9:34:03 AM4/20/10 9:34:03 AM

OgyuSW0509.indd 1OgyuSW0509.indd 1 4/21/09 2:06:04 PM4/21/09 2:06:04 PM

http://www.stone3000.com/


http://www.ogyu.co.jp/

http://www.ogyu.co.jp/



made a natural progression into stone.

“I was in the solid surface business,

and I ventured into stone based on cus-

tomer demand. More and more often,

customers were asking for stone.”

In selecting machinery for stone

processing, Lancto consulted his col-

leagues in the solid surface trade who

had also expanded. “I was the origi-

nal Founding President of ISSFA [the

International Solid Surface Fabricators

Association] and I had friends within

the industry that already made the

jump over to stone, so I had a lot of

help in that regard,” he said.

A primary piece of equipment in

the shop is a Destiny CNC stonework-

ing center from Park Industries of St.

Cloud, MN. Lancto explained that

when Surface Products invested in

this machine, there was an adjustment

A primary piece of equipment

in the shop is a Destiny CNC

stoneworking center from Park

Industries of St. Cloud, MN. The

machine features laser projection

to assist with pod placement.

Jobs are templated using LT-55 laser templating

technology from Laser Products of Romeoville, IL

(an example of which is pictured).

The company has specially outfitted

trucks for carrying finished work to

the jobsite.

Stone is maneuvered around the

shop using a Gorbel overhead

crane system, which is equipped

with Manzelli vacuum lifters from

GranQuartz of Tucker, GA.


diamaxindustriessw05104.indd 1diamaxindustriessw05104.indd 1 4/13/10 10:19:26 AM4/13/10 10:19:26 AM

http://www.diamaxinc.com/

http://www.diamaxinc.com/


from its existing line of solid surface

technology. “It is a little more compli-

cated because of the water involved,

and the tooling is a lot more expensive,

of course,” he said. “In solid surface, we

are working on a flat table with a vac-

uum. The stone industry has vacuum

pods, which are different, but we have

the Destiny model with laser projection,

which tells you where the pods go.”

In addition to the Destiny CNC, the

stoneworking shop at Surface Products

features a Park Yukon bridge saw for slab

cutting and a Park Velocity edge proces-

sor, which can work pieces ranging from

2 to 12 feet in length and 4 to 12 feet in

width. Stone is maneuvered around the

shop using a Gorbel overhead crane sys-

tem, which is equipped with Manzelli

vacuum lifters from GranQuartz of

Tucker, GA. Jobs are templated using

Advanced technology in the shop allows Surface Products to process a wide variety of countertop shapes.

The company has processed countertops for a range of kitchen styles and layouts.



Sur face Products is par t of the Ar t isan Group, a national organization of independent granite fabricators that have jo ined together to of fer the Ar tisan StoneTM Collection, the first and only brand of granite wholly owned by Artisan Group, which has a comprehensive lifetime warranty. The group also of fers Heritage Wood TM

countertops and Kohler® sinks and faucets.

“I was a founding member of Artisan,” said Jon Lancto of Surface Products. “We are getting close to 40 fabricators from across the country. It has become a great ‘best practices’ group. We trade a lot of information

because we are all working towards the same goal in non-competitive situations.”

Group members average more than 20 years of fabrication experience in the counter top industry. Moreover, a l l Ar t isan Group members have achieved — or have begun the process to achieve — full accreditation with the Marble Institute of America. The group is among the first granite fabricators in the world to be working towards this

distinction. Artisan Group also provides a complete line of granite care products including: FirstlineTM Sealer, FirstlineTM

Clean & Restore and FirstlineTM Shine.

The Artisan Group

LT-55 laser templating technology from

Laser Products of Romeoville, IL.

In terms of capacity and finished

applications, Surface Products has

shifted a portion of its production to the

commercial market. “We were doing 20

to 25 kitchens per week when we were

at the peak of our production builder

work,” Lancto said. “Since the recession,

we are more heavily into commercial

work. We are currently doing five dif-

ferent hospitals in the Southeast. On

the residential side, we are only doing

maybe 12 to 15 kitchens per week.”

The company employs between

40 and 45 workers, depending on the

workload at a given time, and many are

cross-trained to work in either the solid

surface or hard surface shop. When

bringing in new employees, the compa-

ny has established a training program

to help workers learn the trade.

Speaking on challenges in the mar-

ketplace, Lancto said that it is critical to

educate customers — in the residential

sector as well as commercial clients.

“The biggest challenge is having cus-


http://caribestone.com/

http://caribestone.com/


Partner Level Sponsors: Gold Level Sponsor:

June 9 • Ft. Lauderdale, FLJune 30 • St. Louis, MOJuly 20 • Calgary, ABJuly 22 • Denver, CO

Business Success for Fabricators – Don’t Let Revenue Slip Away!Analyzing the cost of doing businessBenchmarks for financial performance

Discussion on diversifying your operationsEquipment needs

Showcasing techniques and tips for templating, fabrication, and installationMarketing your company

Value of being an MIA accredited natural stone fabricatorNetworking

Visit www.stoneworld.com/miaeducation for a complete agenda, registration, and much more!

From the classroom... to the shop... to the quarry!High quality educational programming for natural stone professionals!

Stone Industry Educationbrought to you by

and

Upcoming Seminars:September 15 : San Francisco, CA • September 22 : Minneapolis, MN

October 5-6 : Vermont Quarry Tours • November 10 : Edison, NJ

Save the Date!RegistrationNOW OPEN!

marbleinstitutesw05104.indd 1marbleinstitutesw05104.indd 1 4/15/10 10:29:14 AM4/15/10 10:29:14 AM

http://www.stoneworld.com/miaeducation

http://www.stoneworld.com/miaeducation


palinsw12094.indd 1 11/23/09 3:00:47 PM

Surface ProductsCornelius, NC

Type of work: Fabrication of stone, quartz and solid

surface products for the residential and commercial

sector, including healthcare facilities

Machinery: Destiny CNC stoneworking center router

with laser production from Park Industries of St.

Cloud, MN; Park Yukon bridge saw; Park Velocity

edge processor; Gorbel overhead crane system

with Manzelli lifters from GranQuartz of Tucker,

GA; LT-55 laser templating technology from Laser

Products Industries of Romeoville, IL

Number of Employees: 40 to 45 (including solid surface)

Production Rate: 12 to 15 kitchens per week, plus a range

of commercial projects

Among its high-profile projects, Surface Products fabricated

countertops for the “Gridiron Club” inside Bank of America

Stadium, home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

tomers understand the product,” he said. “On the commercial

side, most architects don’t realize the limitations of the prod-

uct. On the residential side, customers don’t understand the

variations within a stone or the seam placement. So there is a

learning process on every job.” ❑


http://www.palingranit.com/

http://www.palingranit.com/



Leaving a lasting legacy in stone

For nearly a quarter-century, Sigma Marble, Granite and Tile has been installing and fabricating stone for a range of prominent architectural works that are recognized on an international level

by Michael Reis

After working as a civil engineer

in general construction for

a number of years, George

Kanaan decided to open his own stone

contracting firm in Dallas, TX, in 1986.

Over the years, Sigma Marble, Granite

and Tile has completed stonework

for scores of high-profile projects

— including NFL stadiums, hotels,

commercial spaces and residences —

and it also opened a second facility

in Houston, TX. With a range of

stoneworking equipment that includes

both standard and CNC technology, the

firm continues to process and install

stone for prominent architectural

projects in Texas and beyond.

In addition to George Kanaan,

the company Founder and President,

leadership at Sigma includes Ramzi

Kanaan, Vice President, and Simon

Founded in Dallas, TX, in 1986, Sigma Marble, Granite and Tile has completed stonework for dozens of high-profile

projects — including NFL stadiums, hotels, commercial spaces and residences.

Fabricator Case Study

CNC TECHNOLOGY USERS

052-062 Sigma.indd 52052-062 Sigma.indd 52 4/21/10 1:24:01 PM4/21/10 1:24:01 PM


http://www.blickindustries.com




Kanaan, President of Sigma Marble,

Granite and Tile Houston — which

is also a full-service fabrication and

installation facility in Houston.

George Kanaan explained that

he selected Dallas as the company

headquarters because of the city’s

energy and potential for growth, and

he reports steady growth over the

years — due to Sigma’s status among

contractors, architects and design-

ers. “We understand the needs of the

building industry, and we are able to

provide a turn-key operation by offer-

ing a full-service shop that includes:

material selection, drafting, design

services and in-house fabrication

using top-of-the-line waterjet and

CNC technology,” he said.

Ramzi Kanaan joined the com-

pany in 1986 as a general partner,

and his responsibilities ranged from

measuring, est imating and proj-

ect management to purchasing and

accounting. In 2007, he began a high-

end residential division of the company,

with a focus on working with builders,

architects and designers specializing

in complex, large-scale homes.

Sigma’s operations moved beyond

Dallas in 1991, when Simon Kanaan

began the Houston division. In 2002,

Sigma Houston was awarded the

Reliant Stadium project, which is

home to the NFL’s Houston Texans

as well as the Super Bowl, NCAA

Final Four, National Rodeo and other

national and international events.

This gave the company the opportu-

nity to show its capabilities to deal

with a high-profile, multi-million

Austin, TX866-243-6267

CALLTOLL FREE

Faucets too!

CRUONISEHT

BESTCUSTOMER

SERVICEBEST SELECTION

LOWEST PRICEAll Guaranteed!!!

SAME DAYSHIPPING

HUGE PRICE CUTS

NO MINIMUMS

Atlanta, GA866-645-2007

$58STAINLESS STEELKITCHEN SINKS

For advanced edge processing,

the Park Titan CNC router is

used, and it works on pieces

of all sizes. This machine was

purchased in 2007.

052-062 Sigma.indd 54052-062 Sigma.indd 54 4/20/10 9:48:26 AM4/20/10 9:48:26 AM

http://www.chemcore.com/

organized by

w w w.marmomacc.com

45th International Exhibition of Stone Design and Technology

the other side of stone

MARBLE, STONE AND DESIGNSTONE AN UNPROCESSED STONE TOOLS AND CHEMICALSMACHINERY AND EQUIPMENTRY AND EQ

VERONA - ItalyVERONA - Italy

29 th SEPTEMBER - 2 SEPTEMBER - 2ndnd OCTOBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010

from Wednesday to Saturdayfrom Wednesday to Saturday

10-04-0067 MARMO STONE WORLD.indd 1 14/04/10 09:13

enteautonomosw05104.indd 1enteautonomosw05104.indd 1 4/14/10 11:16:07 AM4/14/10 11:16:07 AM

http://www.marmomacc.com



dollar commercial job that dealt with

challenging schedules and extensive

coordination of materials and fabrica-

tion from overseas.

Dallas operationsIn Dallas, Sigma has worked on

high-profile commercial projects such

as Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX,

the Bass Performance Hall in Ft. Worth,

TX, the Winspear Opera House in

Dallas, the Emerald Grande in Destin,

FL, and countless others.

Current commercial work includes

the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, FL, Dean

Foods in Dallas, and JW Marriot in San

Antonio, TX. In the residential sector, it

has completed the stonework for grand

upscale homes owned by celebrities

and athletes. When working on resi-

dential projects, Sigma’s work generally

goes beyond the kitchen and bathroom

countertops. Additional work in a

home will include slab showers, custom

Complex cutting is done using a Calypso waterjet, which utilizes a pump and cutting nozzle from KMT Waterjet Systems of Baxter

Springs, KS (pictured on the right).


http://www.usgrobotics.com/

http://www.usgrobotics.com/

Yellow Dream

Perlado

Tuscany Brown

Bottachino

Soapstone

Carrara

Piazza Carrara

Giallo Quarry

US Warehouse Locations

Anaheim, CA - 714.520.4100 | Boston, MA - 508.393.9600 | Charleston, SC - 843.928.3307 | Chicago, IL - 708.780.9700 | Dallas, TX - 214.256.9700 | Denver, CO - 303.895.3450Detroit, MI - 734.844.9990 | Houston, TX - 281.207.4500 | Miami, FL - 954.486.2379 | Phoenix, AZ - 480.763.9400 | San Marcos, CA - 760.41.8000 | Seattle, WA - 206.762.8221Spokane, WA - 509.893.3698 | St. Louis, MO - 314.426.1466 | St. Paul, MN - 651.602.3200 | Van Nuys, CA - 818.785.1100 | Willingboro, NJ - 609.877.1008

CANADA

Ontario - 905.857.6006 | Quebec - 819.876.7111 | British Columbia - 604.852.8125

MEXICO

México - 011.52.55.21665202

©2010 Cosentino N.A. Silestone trademark and logo are the property of Cosentino N.A. under exclusive license from Cosentino, SA.

www.cosentinonorthamerica.com

Reliable and Direct Distribution

is Now a Little Closer to You.

M A R L I Q U Em a r b l e

b y c o s e n t i n o

cosensw04104.indd 1cosensw04104.indd 1 3/16/10 2:43:12 PM3/16/10 2:43:12 PM

http://www.cosentinonorthamerica.com



entryways and foyers, complex stair-

cases and other applications. “Our work

has been in Architectural Digest a num-

ber of times,” said Ramzi Kanaan. “We

generally work on houses ranging from

$500,000 to $5 million, but even some

of the super high-end customers have

scaled back. Although they are wealthy,

they are still affected by the money they

have in the stock market. Right now,

the issue we face is pricing. We still are

competitive in terms of margins.”

Typically, the production break-

down is 85% commercial and 15%

residential, and the actual rate of pro-

duction depends on the types of project

being processed at any given time. A

total of 80% of the company’s work is

in Texas, and it also processes work

in locales such as Florida, Oklahoma,

New Mexico and Nevada.

The Dal las shop operates two

shif ts and it employs 20 people,

including three draftsmen and five

supervisors in addition to fabrication

personnel. It also has a full est i-

mating and CAD department. “We

haven’t had much turnover,” Ramzi

Kanaan explained. “When we do hire

new employees, recruiting can be a

challenge. Some of our new employ-

ees have experience, but most are

trained in-house. We look for math

skills, logic skills, common sense

and a vision on how things will look

when they are completed.”

John Hein, production manager

at Sigma’s Dallas office, reported

that the fabrication process at Sigma

utilizes a combination of digital and

manual techniques. “Square” work

tends to be more standardized, while

more complex work utilizes digital

and CNC technology.

Given Sigma’s diverse range of fin-

A Park Fastback processes the edges of smaller workpieces.

Straight cutting is done using two bridge saws — an Accu-

Cut and a Prodigy — both from Park.

A Pro-Edge II is

used for straight-

edge polishing.



Material is maneuvered around

the shop using an overhead

crane system as well as boom

cranes, and they are fitted

with Manzelli lifters from

GranQuartz of Atlanta, GA.

RobocutRobocut

V I M (Virtual Inventory Management)

V e i n M a t c h

R o b o E y e s

lower l abo r cos ts i nc reased p roduc t ion exce l l en t RO I

www.usgrobo t i cs .com

in fo@usgrobo t i cs .com

TEL: 800-999-3025

FAX: 847-304-1239

Guided by Roboeyes software, the only true vision system in the stone industry

Vein-Match software for the perfect seam

VIM—web-based slab inventory system

ished products, it has equipped its

shop with a wide variety of machin-

ery. Straight cutting is done using

two bridge saws — an Accu-Cut and a

Prodigy — both from Park Industries

of St. Cloud, MN. Meanwhile, more

advanced cutting is done using a

Calypso waterjet, which utilizes a

pump and cutting nozzle from KMT

Waterjet Systems of Baxter Springs, KS.

Sigma’s Dallas shop also has mul-

tiple methods for edge polishing, and

equipment includes a Pro-Edge II edge


http://www.usgrobotics.com




profile polisher as well as a Fastback

straight line polisher for smaller work,

both of which are from Park.

For advanced edge processing, the

Park Titan CNC router is used, and

it works on pieces of all sizes. This

machine was purchased in 2007.

Material is maneuvered around the

shop using a Gorbel overhead crane

system from Global Crane of Irving,

TX, as well as boom cranes, and they

are fitted with Manzelli lifters from

GranQuartz of Atlanta, GA.

Templating is completed using one

of two LT-55 laser templaters from Laser

Products Industries of Romeoville, IL.

Project flowIn addition to projects completed

in-house, some of Sigma’s work is fab-

ricated overseas. “Whatever we can

fabricate overseas, we will. This way,

we are not shipping waste,” Ramzi

Kanaan said. “On all of the jobs,

though, we use the shop for something

because there are always modifications

or adjustments.”

In all cases, George Kanaan said

that the flow of a project is critical to

its success. “This begins with esti-

mating and project management,”

he said. “The flow of information is

very important, and that’s where we

can really compete. We developed

our own technology in-house, and

all purchase orders are electronically

generated. We have one person just

working on information systems. Shop

drawings are done in-house, and the

project managers work directly with

the project engineers. Everyone has

a specialty — whether it is interiors,

hotels or residential work.”

This emphasis on procedure goes

beyond the shop itself. “We have

Sigma also prides itself on its

hand craftsmanship. Pictured is

a workpiece in Stellar White for

a commercial project. Although

the piece looks solid, it is mitered

in two places, with a 1/64-inch

lamination.

S o a p s t o n e L L C

MIRASOL BLACK OILED

FOREST OILED

SPYDER OILED

MIRASOL BLACK HONED

MIRASOL SOAPSTONE LLC - 426E 1600N - Vineyard 84057 - UTAH - USA - Tel. +1 801 4373893 Mob. +1 212 9918894 - [email protected] - www.mirasolsoapstone.com

DISTRIBUTED BY:

ELEMAR NEW [email protected]/7823544

ELEMAR [email protected] 503/6928020



GLOBAL granite & [email protected] 314/4261466








http://www.mirasolsoapstone.com


morawaresw05104.indd 1morawaresw05104.indd 1 4/15/10 10:32:19 AM4/15/10 10:32:19 AM

http://www.moraware.com/



developed several programs,” George

Kanaan said. “We have a step-by-step

program used by all project managers,

and everyone follows the same model.”

Sigma also places an emphasis on

safety, and it has an in-house “class-

room” to teach safety procedures, OSHA

regulations and other topics. “There is a

30-hour OSHA course,” George Kanaan

said. “We need our employees to be as

well-versed as the general contractors.

Every job has an MSDS/PDS book that

remains on site.”

The company also has a transpor-

tation manager in place and a range

of vehicles in its fleet, including box

trucks, pick-up trucks and flatbeds. ❑

Among its recent high-profile projects, Sigma was responsible for the countertops

in the suites and public areas of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. The stone was

supplied by Stone Marketing International of Houston, TX.

Sigma Marble, Granite and Tile

Dallas, TX, and Houston, TX

(Dallas Facility Summary)

Type of work: large-scale contract

work in the commercial sector;

high-end residential

Machinery: Titan CNC router

from Park Industries of St.

Cloud, MN; two Park bridge

saws — an Accu-Cut and a

Prodigy; Calypso waterjet,

with pump and cutting nozzle

from KMT Waterjet Systems

of Baxter Springs, KS; Park

Pro-Edge II straight-edge

polisher; Park Fastback edge

polisher; Manzelli lifters from

GranQuartz of Atlanta, GA;

two LT-55 laser templaters from

Laser Products Industries of

Romeoville, IL

Number of Employees: Varies,

depending on contracts being

completed

The company also has a

transportation manager in place

and a range of vehicles in its

fleet, including box trucks, pick-

up trucks and flatbeds.


primesw04104.indd 1primesw04104.indd 1 3/17/10 9:34:42 AM3/17/10 9:34:42 AM

http://www.primestone.ca/

http://www.primestone.ca/




CNC discussion:Volume and “microshop”

productionThe CNC and digital technology in today’s marketplace allows

for both high-volume and small-shop production, and representatives from each sector recently shared their experiences with the industry

transcribed by Michael Reis

When CNC technology was

first introduced to the stone

industry, a common thought

was, “When will my volume reach the

point that I will need this technology?”

Today, while large-scale operations are

continuing to advance their utilization

of CNC equipment, smaller-volume

fabricators are also finding that CNC

and digital technology can be the

central component of their process.

At a recent Stone Fabricators

Alliance (SFA) Workshop, two veteran

stone fabricators presented both sides

of the CNC spectrum. Scott McGourley

from Kasco Stone of Tampa, FL, rep-

resented smaller “microshop” CNC/

digital production, while Miles Crowe

of Crowe Custom Countertops of

Acworth, GA, discussed large-volume

production using CNC technology.

At a recent Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) Workshop,

veteran stone fabricators discussed using CNC and digital

technology for smaller “microshop” operations as well as

large-volume production. To showcase microshop production

at the workshop, a Northwood SW138-UFC Ultimate

FabCenter was brought in to demonstrate how small-scale

fabricators can utilize a single CNC machine for both

cutting and routing needs.

064-073 CNC2.indd 64064-073 CNC2.indd 64 4/20/10 9:50:09 AM4/20/10 9:50:09 AM

www.amerisink.com

Factory Direct

ASME & cUPC CERTIFIED

East & West Coast Distribution Center

National Builder Specified Products

877.500.SINK(7465)

AS109

amerisinksw02101.indd 1amerisinksw02101.indd 1 1/18/10 11:31:03 AM1/18/10 11:31:03 AM

http://www.amerisink.com


“Microshop” CNC productionMcGourley began his presenta-

tion on microshop production with an

explanation of how many shops are ini-

tially formed. “Most people start with

a rail saw or a bridge saw and then

figure it out,” he said. “We started man-

ual, and I was never able to do enough

to make the profit that I wanted while

also not doing hack work. Then I read

about a producer in Norway who was

cutting slabs on a four-axis machine.

At the presentation, Scott

McGourley from Kasco Stone

of Tampa, FL (left), represented

smaller “microshop” CNC/digital

production, while Miles Crowe

of Crowe Custom Countertops of

Acworth, GA, discussed large-

volume production using CNC

technology.

anversw10094.indd 1 9/1/09 3:37:18 PM


http://www.anver.com/




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]

With experience and passion, DELLAS guides each professional in choosing the right instrument to work and cut stone. Quality results always follows quality instruments. Precision and reliability from the wide range of DELLAS diamond tools is recognized in the whole world and receives this affirmation from a growing audience of professionals. Demand DELLAS for your most

spectacular performances.

delsw04104.indd 1delsw04104.indd 1 3/16/10 2:50:05 PM3/16/10 2:50:05 PM

http://www.dellas.it




He was a one-machine shop, and he

was making it work.”

According to McGourley, a micro-

shop is small in terms of size as well

as production rate, but it is equipped

with CNC and digital technology. “I

consider a microshop to have 5,000

square feet of space or less, to have two

to four employees and to produce 500

square feet or less per week. I person-

ally do two slabs a day to make 400

square feet per week,” he said. “You

need a digital cutting solution and digi-

tal renderings, and you are bringing

everything down to the minimum. Just

having a CNC router without a separate

bridge saw is not a digital cutting solu-

tion. You still would need a saw man,

so you are still dependent on manual

labor. If you’re a small manual shop

with three workers, it can be crippling

if one guy doesn’t show up for work.

Meanwhile, a machine is steady in its

performance and the time to complete a

task, so the level of quality and costs are

maintained.”

At Kasco Stone, employees include

Scott McGourley — who does the tem-

plating and programming, and his

wife, who runs the showroom. He also

has two employees, both of whom can

run the machine, which is a Breton

Fabcenter, and one of whom can pro-

gram if needed. “We also have contract

installers and a commissioned sales-

person,” he said.

Addressing the investment and

costs of CNC technology, McGourley

explained how a microshop can actu-

ally lower its monthly outlay. “Looking

at tooling costs, we all know that CNC

equipment is costly, but my tooling

Kasco Stone utilizes a Breton Fabcenter

for its routing and cutting operations,

and it averages 400 square feet of

production per week.

ph

oto

co

urt

esy

of

Bre

ton

McGourley also stressed the need

for a digital rendering program in

a microshop operation.

ph

oto

co

urt

esy

of

Bre

ton



costs went through the floor,” he said.

“We only purchase CNC tooling and a

new saw blade once in awhile. A set of

CNC tools is $3,000 or even a little less,

but they last forever when you’re only

doing 400 square feet per week. Our

electricity costs have gone up, but our

monthly outlay has gone down overall.

A CNC is a lot of money on the initial

investment, but when you look at our

monthly outlay, it begins to make sense.

You also have growth options. You can-

not seriously do volume in a manual

operation, but going from a microshop

to a volume shop is possible with the

addition of a digital cutting solution.

Of course, a breakdown is very bad

when you’re completely relying on one

machine, so this is why finding a com-

pany with good service is key. You also

have to pick the right machine for the

right situation. This [Breton Fabcenter]

is my solution.”

When operat ing a microshop,

McGourley said that maintaining a

proper image is critical. “People come

to my 3,500-square-foot shop and

400-square-foot-showroom, and it may

not look like much, but then they see

the machinery, the digital renderings

and the imaging, and their image goes

up,” he said. “The digital inventory and

showroom help narrow things down.

We are able to quickly go through the

different materials and edge details.”

The process at Kasco Stone also allows

McGourley to work directly with his

customers. “In a microshop, the owner

controls the quality. I am the templater

right now, and that allows me to control

the process,” he explained. “Digital ren-

derings allow you to show the kitchen

to the customer before cutting. It is also

a way to check for errors. The customer

might say that the sink is wrong, or that

there are three faucet holes instead of

two, or something like that. You cannot

let the customer sit down and ‘design’

the kitchen, however, because they will

sit there all day tweaking everything.

If they want that, we offer the design

option for $25 an hour.”

McGourley referred to Kasco Stone

as a “linear flow shop” in terms of its

processing. “We have a five-day turn-

around from template to install, and

we do one job at a time,” he said. “Jobs

come in, they are quickly produced,

and they go out. We can tell exactly

how long it will take to do a particular

job. We also have the speed to quickly

fix situations. If breakage occurs, we

can re-make a top quickly.”

At the time of his presentation,

McGourley said that his company is

booked two months in advance. “We

are now at the point where we can

pick which customers we want to work

with, because a small volume of work

sustains our business model,” he said.

“We can also select customers who are

willing to pay higher margins for qual-

ity and service. We are not dependent

on the customers who are comparing

you to the guy down the street charg-

ing $29 per foot.”

High-volume CNC productionSpeaking on the operations at Crowe

Custom Countertops, Crowe began by

saying that he began as a much smaller

shop. “I never planned on being a pro-

duction shop,” he said. “We were doing

two kitchens per week seven years

ago,” he said. “And now we are doing

40 kitchens per week.”

Initially, Crowe invested in a CNC

stoneworking center from Northwood

Machine Corp. as a way to reduce his

shop’s reliance on manual labor. “As

we grew, I got tired of people always

asking for a raise,” he said. “You sort

of expect to be able to get rid of every-

one when you invest in CNC, but we

were getting more and more work, so

we kept everyone on.”

After establishing itself as a small, manual shop, Crowe Custom Countertops invested in a CNC stoneworking

center from Northwood Machine Corp. to reduce the shop’s reliance on manual labor. However, the shop’s volume

quickly grew after the investment.



The next investment came in

November of 2007, when Crowe Custom

Countertops added a dual-table SawJet

from Northwood, which provided the

shop with a digital cutting solution.

“We still weren’t doing large volume,

but the SawJet just seemed to be a good

way to do it,” he said. “But that was just

when the economy tanked, so we had

to figure out a way to make everything

work. A customer came in asking for us

to complete a 100-square-foot job in two

days. We always want to say ‘yes’ here,

so we did it. It was put into production

at 10 a.m. and by 5 p.m., it was sitting

on a dolly. At that moment, it occurred

to me what we really could do. Our

costs were the same, but the volume

could increase. Our whole business

model shifted at this point, and this is

why knowing our costs per square foot

were critical. We learned that profits

came from working at capacity.”

With this new business model in

place, Crowe’s sales techniques had to

change as well. “We had to find the

volume and devise creative ways to

sell,” he said. “We also were able to find

wholesale customers. I knew that I could

produce granite cheaper than 75% of the

shops out there, and once we got people

to understand that, we could be success-

ful. We also took over two shops, so we

picked up their volume as well.”

However, Crowe stressed that the

company does not sell on the basis of

price. “We truly feel like we have a

system for the most inexpensive pro-

duction, but that is not how we sell,” he

said. “With volume, we aren’t desper-

ate to sell a job. We don’t have to lower

our retail prices because of the volume

we get through wholesale production.

One helps the other.”

The next investment for Crowe

Custom Countertops came in

November of 2007, when it added a

dual-table SawJet from Northwood,

which provided the shop with a

digital cutting solution. “When we

first added the SawJet, we were

cutting with an old saw that didn’t

even have a tilting table,” Crowe said.

“Now with the SawJet in place, we

don’t even have any layout time. It is

all done digitally. It has increased our

yield on slabs by about 10% across

the board, and it has also reduced our

hand fabrication tremendously.”


http://kmtwaterjet.com/

http://kmtwaterjet.com/



Ultimately, Crowe said that the shop succeeded because it

had the technology in place to set it apart from heavy competi-

tion in the Atlanta area during a down economy. “By having

the SawJet and CNC, it turned out to be the best decision I ever

made,” he said. “Atlanta has gone down from 300 shops to

150, but the last two years have been awesome for us. We have

great opportunities in terms of purchasing material as well as

not having downtime. We bought the first CNC when we were

at 700 square feet of production per week, and now we are

booked out for six weeks and can do 500 square feet in a shift.”

The addition of the SawJet ultimately changed the dynam-

ic of Crowe’s shop. “Our CNC router runs 12 to 16 hours per

day, and the SawJet actually can cut more than two CNCs

could handle,” he said. “When we first added the SawJet,

we were cutting with an old saw that didn’t even have a tilt-

ing table. Now with the SawJet in place, we don’t even have

any layout time. It is all done digitally. It has increased our

yield on slabs by about 10% across the board, and it has also

reduced our hand fabrication tremendously. The inside and

outside corners are stamped out like a cookie-cutter.”

For Crowe Custom Countertops, the investments ultimate-

ly presented the company with an opportunity to expand in

size and scope. “My philosophy is based on growth,” he said.

“We’ve grown because we were forced to grow and we had the

capacity to do it. But there is a point of diminishing returns

— for example, when overtime or Saturdays come into the

equation to keep up. Also, selling the jobs comes with a cost.

We now have four polishers working with us, and we also

added a shop foreman and a quality control specialist.”

With a relatively large staff in place on the shop floor,

Crowe said it is important that everyone is certain of all

the specific details on a job. “No one in the shop can make

a decision or an assumption on something,” he said. “If the

type of radius isn’t listed, they need to go look it up rather

than decide on their own. We have a digital sales, templating,

information flow and fabrication, and we have the Moraware

JobTracker system in place to keep track of everything.”

Crowe Custom Countertops also completes “fab-only”

work for outside companies. “Everything is sent around

digitally, and your quality-control manager is key,” Crowe

said. “Approximately 40 to 45% of our work is fab-only

on a square-foot basis. Of course, the revenue from fab-

only is less than that, but that’s the percentage that goes

through the shop.” ❑

“We have a digital sales, templating, information flow and

fabrication, and we have the Moraware JobTracker system in place

to keep track of everything.” said Crowe.

The Northwood SawJet

utilizes a waterjet pump and

cutting nozzle from KMT

Waterjet Systems of Baxter

Springs, KS.



Is your workplace clean?by Daniel Samaniego

Marble and granite fabrication

shops are places where

c lean l i ness i s a lways a

challenge, but it is possible to keep these

locations in excellent condition, more

importantly, less prone to accidents or

employee health issues. Our employees,

customers and visitors will be the direct

beneficiaries if we create a cleanliness

culture in our workplace.

When you think of the nega-

tive mental impact that comes from

walking through a muddy or dusty

workplace, that depressive condition

could influence the decision-making of

your customers.

Customers who are spending thou-

sands of dollars on stonework for their

design may well want to see the shop

in which it will be fabricated, and we

need to look at the fabrication shop as

an extension of the showroom. Is every-

thing clean and organized? Are loose

scraps discarded in the shop and in the

yard? What about our offices? Are we

giving to our customers a good mes-

sage? Remember that a customer's first

impression is a lasting impression.

Dust controlMuch publicity has been given to

the dangers connected to the dust that

is produced during stone processing. If

a shop is unable to work 100% wet, then

the dust needs to be controlled to not

only ensure the health of your employ-

ees, but also your machinery. Simply

using fans is not enough; controlling

this dust requires one or more pieces

of the following machinery — water

curtains, filters, dust collectors, ventila-

tion, vacuums and specialized, directed

blowing systems. Many of these sys-

tems have been developed specifically

for the stone industry.

Waste and garbageWhen deal ing with scraps of

marble, granite and other materials,

waste should be sent to a designated

Dumpster or other receptacle, and

under no circumstances should it be

mixed with normal garbage. Recycling

is a compromise that all shops need to

make, and we need to set an example

for our employees and customers.

Hazardous garbage is not only limited

to the fabrication shop, as it also includes

toner and printer cartridges, batteries,

oil/lubricants, computers, screens, print-

ers and propane tanks. When disposing

these items, you have two options: call a

specialized company to pick up hazard-

ous material or drop it off at the nearest

municipal recycling center.

Being eco-friendly is no longer a

novelty for a stone fabrication shop; for

many customers, it is expected. A fab-

rication shop should maintain a list of

all the measures it takes to minimize

its impact on the environment, and it

could even be included in your custom-

er literature. You might be surprised

how effective it could be.

Water recyclingMany shops have also become more

conscientious in terms of their water

recycling as a means to be eco-friendly,

while also keeping a clean workplace

and reducing water bills. There are a

range of systems out there for shops of

all sizes, from three-man shops to large-

scale production shops. However, it is

critical that shop employees do not dump

consumable liquids — coffee, soda, juice,

etc. — into the water recycling system.

Depending on the pH of the water,

it may be necessary on occasion to add

either a bleach tablet to the clear water

tank or to completely shock the sys-

tem — a gallon in the collection pit in

the floor, a gallon in the trenches and

a gallon in the clear water tank. This

may be necessary a couple times per

quarter. Many factors are involved that

may precipitate the need to add bleach.

Stagnant water can be one, along with

heat and humidity in the shop and

other trace liquids accidentally intro-

duced to the system.

Regular pH tests are recommended

A muddy floor is a serious slip-and-

fall risk in a stone fabrication shop

— for your employees as well as your

customers.

Slippery areas of the shop should be

immediately cleaned, and the source of

the water should be addressed.

Cleanliness also means keeping

everything organized and storing

everything in a designated space.

Nothing should be abandoned.

072-073 CleanWorkplace1.indd 72072-073 CleanWorkplace1.indd 72 4/20/10 9:53:53 AM4/20/10 9:53:53 AM


for any closed loop system for the ben-

efit of the water quality, workers’ skin

and machinery components.

If you see an influx of mosquitoes

in your workplace, it may be a sign

that there is a problem with your water

treatment system, and this will only

increase in warm weather.

Clean workstationsFar too many shop floors are littered

with items such as discarded paper,

masking tape, steel wool, razor blades,

cups and other garbage. In order to

eliminate littering among shop employ-

ees, assign a specific work area to each

employee. Place a garbage can at each

workstation, and make sure each

employee knows that it is their respon-

sibility to empty it on a regular basis.

Having demarked work areas helps

establish individual responsibilities.

A bench fabricator uses blade discs,

grinding wheels or diamond cups with

pneumatic/electric tools, and this work

requires adequate space, cleanliness

and proper lighting. Make sure that

your fabricators have all of this in place

on a consistent basis.

Moreover, it is the responsibility of

the manager/owner to regularly evalu-

ate the overall process. Once a plan for

workplace cleanliness is in place, the

manager/owner needs to regularly

meet with all employees and listen to

ideas. If your workers feel they are part

of a team where their voices are heard,

overall wellness and productivity will

be increased. ❑

Pictured is a good example of

organization. Having your slab inventory

in proper order offers the customer a clean

and safe environment to select material.

Daniel Samaniego has a back-ground as a stone machinery technician and industrial safety specialist. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

4707 Oak Bend Road Cecil, AR 72930

(479) 667-2121

Visit our website to view our full line of natural stone products

Introduces

MAGNUM CUTS“Because size does matter”

Specializing in thin veneer with face heights up to 22”

072-073 CleanWorkplace1.indd 73072-073 CleanWorkplace1.indd 73 4/20/10 9:54:11 AM4/20/10 9:54:11 AM

http://slimrock.com/




CarraraMarmotec to draw an international crowd

CarraraMarmotec will take place this month in the historic stoneworking center of Carrara, Italy, featuring an exposition of natural stone and stoneworking technology as

well as a range of cultural initiatives for the stone industry and design community

by Michael Reis

Now taking place every two

years, CarraraMarmotec will

be held from May 19 to 22 in

the historic stoneworking region of

Carrara, Italy. Since its last edition,

show management has literally traveled

the globe to attract the attendance

of international delegations of stone

industry members.

The exposition will include a full

range of natural stone products,

including displays of the area’s

world-renow ned W h ite Car rara

marble as well as other varieties of

marble, granite, onyx and other mate-

rials in the form of blocks, slabs, tiles,

mosaics and architectural elements.

Addit ional ly, ex h ibitors wi l l be

showcasing stoneworking machine-

ry such as saws, polishers and CNC

technology as well as products for

CarraraMarmotec is set to take place

from May 19 to 22 in the historic

stoneworking region of Carrara, Italy.

Stone fromEurope

074-077 Carrara.indd 74074-077 Carrara.indd 74 4/20/10 9:55:54 AM4/20/10 9:55:54 AM


stone maintenance, installation and

restoration.

According to show organizer

CarraraFiere, a record number of

foreign delegations — including indu-

stry members, buying agents, architects

and designers — have been confirmed

to attend the fair.

“[It has been] a very delicate and

Exhibits will include displays of

the area’s world-renowned White

Carrara marble in block form as

well as other formats.

Marble can also be found in slab form at the event.

In addition to granite and marble, displays of exotic materials —

including backlit stone — will be in place at CarraraMarmotec.


http://www.abcworldwidestone.com/


time-consuming job of organization

that we have been carrying out in

Italy and abroad together with the

ICE [the Italian Trade Commission],

the Chambers of Commerce and

trade associations in the stone-tech-

nology industry,” said CarraraFiere

Chairman Giorgio Bianchini. “And

the results are concrete and visible.

We will be hosting important groups

at the fair both in terms of numbers

and make-up. The groups are compo-

sed of professionals interested in the

entire range of products on offer at

CarraraMarmotec: from materials to

technology; from design to services;

from design and engineering to pro-

cessing. The 30th year of the trade fair

comes at a very difficult time for the

industry, but CarraraMarmotec and

the entire Apuo-Versilian area still

appear to be essential for both Italian

and foreign industry players.”

T h e e v e n t s o n t h e a g e n d a

have been joi nt ly orga n ized by

CarraraFiere along with the Italian

Inst it ute for Foreig n Trade, the

Tuscan Regional Government, Lucca

Chamber of Commerce and Lucca

Promos, with particular attention to

the selection of delegates. Moreover,

specific programs will be tailored for

architects and also for industry mem-

bers. In all, over 500 architects and

industry representatives are expec-

ted as part of official groups and

delegations.

U.S. participationAmong the various delegations

slated to attend CarraraMarmotec,

participants from the U.S. have confir-

med their presence at the event. This

includes delegates from the Marble

Institute of America (MIA), which

will conduct its mid-year meeting of

the MIA board at the event. Another

group of 20 Restoration Industry

Association companies will be visi-

ting the fair and the area during their

“Marble Week” tour. A third delega-

tion composed of industry players,

architects and distributors from the

U.S., Canada and Gulf countries—

30 professionals in all — has already

established a full agenda of meetings

with experts and professionals from

the industry.

Beyond U.S. participation, del-

gations will represent virtually all

regions of the world. A group of 25

architects and designers will be arri-

ving from Germany, the U.K., France,

Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong

and China to study natural stone and

its applications.

Moreover, a group of 48 dele-

gates will be coming from Poland,

Russia, South America, Saudi Arabia,

the Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait,

Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey

— all of whom are either importers

or distributors of stone materials.

Cultural programOne of the most prominent events

in the concurrent educational/cultural

program is the Marble Architectural

A range of international

delegations of attendees will

be at CarraraMarmotec 2010,

and a number foreign stone

producers have also formed

international pavilions.

Producers will be showing cut-to-size stone

materials for architectural applications as

well as residential elements.In addition to stone products, exhibitors will be showcasing

stoneworking machinery as well as products for stone

maintenance, installation and restoration.



The organizers of CarraraMarmotec have long been a leader

in providing statistics regarding Italy’s standing in the worldwide

stone market, and they offered a synopsis of the nation’s stone

trade for 2009.

According to statistics processed by IMM Carrara, Italy

exported 2.042 million tons of marble and granite from

January to September 2009, including raw materials and fin-

ished products to a value of $1.47 billion — a 14.47% drop in

quantity and a 21.27% drop in value compared to the same

period of 2008. This is a very drastic reduction, since the

2008 figures also take into consideration the months before

the serious crisis hit all markets, starting with the decline

in the U.S. real estate market — which was a solid market

for value-added finished products in marble and granite.

Whereas raw marble materials managed to hold their ground

(increase in exports of 0. 65% in quantity, but down 3.5%

in value), the largest reductions were recorded in the fin-

ished products segments of marble (down 22% in quantity

and 21% in value) as well as finished granite (down 26% in

quantity and 27% in value).

The first nine months of 2009 were also very difficult for the

two main production areas of Tuscany-Liguria (with companies

in the provinces of La Spezia, Lucca and Massa Carrara) and

Veneto (Verona and Vicenza).

On the positive side, white marble recorded an increase in

raw material exports of 12%, both in quantity and value.

Carrara’s stone industry by the numbers

Awards (MAA) ceremony. The 2010

Awards celebrate their 25th anniver-

sary with a special “Silver Awards”

competition open to architects and

designers from all over the world.

This is an opportunity for schools and

international offices to compete in a

prestigious international competition,

which aims to promote the use of nat-

ural stone on an international level.

The winners, chosen by an inter-

national jury, will be called upon to

illustrate their work at a conference held

during CarraraMarmotec to present

the winning projects along with those

of two other competitions: the Dressed

Stone Design Award and the Innovative

Design Technology Award. ❑


http://www.marmomeccanica.com/







Capitalizing on specialty stones

In business for more than 40 years, Marmi Graniti Favorita of Vicenza, Italy, has developed into a specialist for one-of-a-kind

stone materials, including rare varieties of granite, marble and onyx

by Michael Reis

Founded by Orazio Conterno

more than 40 years ago, and

still operated by the Conterno

family today, Marmi Graniti Favorita

of Vicenza, Italy, initially quarried

and processed marble — typical of

the stoneworking operations of its

time. Over the years, it expanded into

the production of finished and semi-

finished products in granite and other

stones. Today, the company specialty is

processing one-of-a-kind materials. It

works with a range of unique materials

from around the world, including a

broad variety of onyx slabs as well as

unique materials in granite and sought-

after white marbles such as Calacatta. In operation for more than 40 years, Marmi Graniti Favorita of Vicenza, Italy, now

specializes in unique materials, which it exports to a worldwide client base.

Stone fromEurope

078-083 Favorita.indd 78078-083 Favorita.indd 78 4/20/10 9:58:30 AM4/20/10 9:58:30 AM


Currently, 70% of Marmi Graniti

Favorita’s production is granite, and

30% is onyx and marble.

During the slab-production process,

stone blocks are processed on one of

four Italian-made gangsaws, includ-

ing three from Barsanti and one from

Simec. The company is also planning

to invest in a multi-wire system for cut-

ting blocks into slabs.

Raw slabs are then calibrated on an

18-head honing line from Simec, and

once calibrated, they are delivered to

the resin-treatment line as needed.

This line includes large-scale units

The production process begins

with blocks, which are brought in

from quarries around the world.

Blocks are processed on one of four

Italian-made gangsaws, including three

from Barsanti and one from Simec.

Knowing how to choose the right tools means enhancing your job by obtaining the best results. Tenax abrasives offer the highest performance in the industry, guaranteeing unmatched results. On top of that, the extremely long life of Tenax products ensures the lowest operating cost and a wide operational range

are you sure you areusing the right tools?

Frankfurts, Sectors and Abrasives for every application

GRANITE, MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, CONCRETE,

Call Tenax t o d a y and let one of our techniciansfind the right abrasive for your machine and job application

1-800-341-0432 [email protected]

GLASS, SANDSTONE, QUARTZ



http://www.texastone.it


from Simec that allow for treatment

of many slabs at once. The calibrated

slabs first enter a drying unit, and then

resin products from Tenax of Italy are

applied either automatically or by hand,

depending on the material being pro-

cessed. The resin-treated slabs are then

placed in an automated curing unit that

can accommodate 40 slabs at once, and

after the curing process is complete, the

slabs receive their final polish on one of

two Simec polishing lines.

Among the resin products in use at

the plant, Marmi Graniti Favorita utiliz-

es an anti-bacterial epoxy resin coating

from Tenax. The treatment provides an

optimal level of resistance to bacteria,

which is particularly important for res-

idential kitchen applications.

Additionally, the plant uses a new

Tenax resin technology, Glaxs, which

The slabs receive their final

polish on one of two Simec

polishing lines.

Typically, one of the

polishing lines is for resin-

treated material, while the

other is for untreated slabs.

Raw slabs are then calibrated on an 18-head

honing line from Simec, and once calibrated,

they are delivered to the resin-treatment line

as needed. This line includes large-scale

units from Simec that allow for treatment of

many slabs at once.

The resin is either applied automatically or by

hand, depending on the material being processed.



Marmi Graniti Favorita also

processes stone tiles, and blocks are

first processed into strips on one of

several Simec blockcutters, and the

strips are then processed into tiles on

a complete Simec tile line.

protects the material from yellowing

when exposed to UV rays. Tenax has

also developed a special formulation of

Glaxs for softer stone materials.

In all, approximately 40% of the slab

material processed at Marmi Graniti

Favorita is treated with resin.

The use of new technology is con-

sistent with the company’s goal to

www.BarrancaDiamond.com Torrance, CA 310.523.5867 800.630.7682 fax 310.257.3063

Professional Tools for FabricationBD-5000 Wet Air Grinder

Heavy-duty rear exhaust pneumatic wet grinder for use with 4"-5" diamond cup wheels.

BD-360T Turbo Cup Wheels

These grinding turbo cup wheels employ a unique turbo-style segment designed for fast, clean grinding action and smooth fi nishes on rough stone.

BD-5000

BD-360T

Diamond polishing discs are used to achieve a high-quality fi nish on straight or contoured edges. These diamond discs are used for polishing granite, hard marble and porcelain. BD-400P

The BD-2321WR is one of the most durable tools of its kind on the market for polishing stone. Rear air vent removes exhaust through a hose protector, away from operator's hands.

BD-2321WRPneumatic Rear Exhaust Wet Polisher

BD-400P Professional Grade Resin Diamond Polishing Discs

BD-2321WR

078-083 Favorita.indd 81078-083 Favorita.indd 81 5/3/10 3:24:10 PM5/3/10 3:24:10 PM

http://www.BarrancaDiamond.com

http://www.BarrancaDiamond.com


continually improve its production

methods. “Updated development

strategies give us new opportuni-

ties of research and investigation of

materials and processing techniques,”

s tated Ma r m i Gra n it i Favor ita.

“Efficient procurement of raw materi-

als and organization of the production

system have been reached thanks

to important alliances with leading

[stone technology] companies.”

In addition to producing slabs,

Marmi Granit i Favorita also pro-

cesses stone tiles. In this operation,

blocks are first processed on one of

several Simec blockcutters, which cut

the blocks into workable strips. The

strips are then processed into tiles on

a complete Simec tile line and pack-

aged for shipment.

In terms of marketing, Marmi

Exotic granite varieties

include materials with

shades of blue, such as

Glacial Eyes.

Onyx varieties offered by Marmi Graniti Favorita include

Kilamanjaro and Meile, and the slabs can also be backlit.

The company maintains a large

inventory of products at its

facility, and approximately 40%

of production is resin treated.

Among the resin products in

use at the plant, Marmi Graniti

Favorita utilizes an anti-bacterial

epoxy resin coating from Tenax.

It also uses a new Tenax resin

technology, Glaxs, which protects

the material from yellowing

when exposed to UV rays.



The company also processes

sought-after marble varieties,

including Calacatta.

A total of 100% of exotic production

is exported, and markets include

nations in Europe as well as the U.S.

Graniti Favorita is targeting growth in Italy

and beyond. “The company is st rongly

engaged, now more than ever, in a policy of

commercial expansion on the national and for-

eign markets,” stated Marmi Graniti Favorita.

As evidence of the company’s commitment to

the international marketplace, 100% of exotic

production is exported, and markets include

nations in Europe as well as the U.S. ❑


http://www.wilsonsaws.com/



An experienced producerof Breccia Pernice With roots in the stone industry dating back to the 1600s,

Essegi Marmi maintains a successful quarrying and processing operation in the Volargne stoneworking region of Northern Italy

by Jennifer Adams

While the beginning of Essegi

Marmi dates back to 1963,

the ownership’s fami ly

history in the stone industry can be

traced to the 1600s. Specializing in the

quarrying and production of Breccia

Pernice, Essegi Marmi is located in

the Volargne stoneworking region

of Northern Italy. The company has

supplied its unique material to high-

profile projects around the world such

as Trump Tower in New York City.

Breccia Pernice is extracted from

the same mountain that contains

the Rosso Verona and Pietra della

Lessina quarries, according to Paolo

Savoia of Essegi Marmi, adding that

the higher elevations of the moun-

tain are where Breccia Pernice is

found. “Well-maintained roadways

facilitate travel,” he said. “Blocks are

Essegri Marmi is a producer of Breccia Pernice, which is quarried in the Volargne stoneworking region of Northern

Italy.

Stone fromEurope

084-087 Essegi.indd 84084-087 Essegi.indd 84 4/20/10 10:00:38 AM4/20/10 10:00:38 AM


transported to the factory on flatbed

trucks.”

Savoia went on to explain that

the translation for the Italian word

Breccia is “fragmented rock.” Breccia

Pernice is composed of fragments of

red, pink and white limestone, and it

is alternately referred to as a marble

or a limestone. “In a sense, it is a new

material because it was discovered in

the early 19th century,” he said. “It is

new compared to Rosso Verona. “It’s

similar to the red French limestone

that was used a lot for churches at

the time. It competed with that.”

Breccia Pernice is offered in three

variations, which include Chiara,

Medio and Classico. While the Classico

variety is very red in color, the Medio

— or “Medium” — variety consists

more of shades of pink. Chiara, which

The Breccia Pernice quarries developed

along a large fault in the mountain

known as the “tectonic zone.” The

fragmented material is offered in three

variations, which include Chiara (clear),

Medio (pink) and Classico (red).

At the time of Stone World’s visit,

Essegri Marmi was quarrying its

Medio and Classico varieties.

Blocks are cut with a diamond wire saw

in approximately one hour.



means “clear” in Italian, is light in color.

“The geological structure is always the

same — only the color is different,” said

Savoia. “The only difference is the aes-

thetic value of the material.”

The material consists of different-

sized fragments — both small and

large. “They are not round,” said

Savoia. “They are irregular — usually

angular.” And due to Breccia Pernice’s

low resistance to the freeze/thaw cycle,

it is better suited for interior applica-

tions, according to Savoia.

The quarry formationThe Breccia Pernice quarries devel-

oped along a large fault in the mountain

known as the “tectonic zone,” accord-

ing to Dott. Geol. Annapaola Gradizzi,

an Italian geologist. “When you move

from the fault, which is the heart of

the quarry, the material gets lighter in

color,” she said.

At the time of Stone World’s visit,

Essegi Marmi was operating three

Breccia Pernice quarries. These quarries

sit 3,000 feet above sea level, and they

were developed in “trenches” along

the tectonic zone, which is 300 meters

deep. “It is more difficult to quarry

this material because you have to dig

a trench,” said Gradizzi. “It is a really

interesting material though because of

its fragmentation.”

During Stone World’s trip to Essegi

We’ve got you covered.When it comes to cutting granite, Diamant Boart’s new Rambo 26 and 360 PT blades were specially developed to cut all types. The Rambo 26 blade is high performing with 15+ horsepower saws. It features thehighest segment height on the market, 26mm, which ensures a long life. The 360 PT blade is versatile enough to work with nearly any saw and the silent core reduces the noise level of the blade. Another addition to the blade line is the Magnum GTX, a superior smooth cutting smalldiameter turbo blade with 8mm high segments and quad holes.

The Rambo 26 and 360 PT blades feature Patterned Diamond Technology in which diamonds are equally distributed in layersthroughout the segment resulting in consistent,fast cuts throughout its life.

HUSQVARNA CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS17400 West 119th Street • Olathe, Kansas 66061 • T 800-845-1805 • F 800-872-1125

www.dbstone.comCopyright © 2010 Husqvarna AB (publ.). All rights reserved. Husqvarna is a registered trademark of Husqvarna AB (publ.).

The Breccia Pernice

quarries operate year

round, with between four

to five workers on site.


http://www.dbstone.com



Marmi’s Breccia Pernice quarries, the

company was not producing the light-

colored variety of the stone because it

was deep inside the mountain. On aver-

age, a typical quarry face consists of 20

meters of Classico, 50 meters of Medio

and 20 meters of Chiaro.

Extraction methodTo extract the Breccia Pernice from

the quarry, the company uses a “soft

blast” technique. A hole is first made

with a drilling rig and then a soft blast

is put inside the hole. The rest of the cuts

are made with a diamond wire saw.

The first cut is made from the bed

up to the first bench, according to

Gradizzi. Next, two lateral cuts are

made. The final step includes making

three main cuts to produce three to

four large blocks. “The spacing of the

joint is really big, so they can produce

big blocks,” said the geologist.

In total, a diamond wire saw can

cut a block in about one hour. The large

blocks are then cut into smaller blocks

that are transported to the production

facility. On average, the blocks measure

between 2 and 2 ½ meters.

Essegi Marmi operates its quarries

year round. Typically, there are four to

five workers on site. Once a quarry is

no longer used for extraction, some are

re-filled with waste and used for agri-

culture, including vineyards. ❑ Chiara, which means “clear” in Italian, is light in color.

While initially large blocks

are extracted from the quarry,

they are then cut into smaller

blocks that are transported

to the production facility. On

average, the blocks measure

between 2 and 2 ½ meters.

Breccia Classico is deep red in color, and it is located in the heart of the quarry —

closest to the fault.



enhances high-rise’s Fossil stone

Stone fromEurope

088-094 Freeport.indd 88088-094 Freeport.indd 88 4/20/10 10:02:36 AM4/20/10 10:02:36 AM


Selected for the lobby of the Freeport-McMoRan Center in Phoenix, AZ, Jura Marble creates a cool, yet inviting atmosphere for its patrons

by Alexis Fisher

desert surroundings

As one of the first new high-rises built in eight years in Phoenix, AZ,

the Freeport-McMoRan Center demonstrates great levels of architecture

in terms of innovation, research and teamwork — featuring in its lobby,

fossilized Jura Marble from the Franken-Schotter quarry in Germany.

photos by Bill Timmerman



As one of the first new high-rises

built in eight years in Phoenix,

AZ, the Freeport-McMoRan

Center demonstrates great levels of

architecture in terms of innovation,

research and teamwork. Fitted with

high-speed elevators, environmentally

friendly mechanical systems and strong

structural support, it was important for

the building to make a bold statement

in the lobby — which features Jura

Marble from the Franken-Schotter

quarry in Germany.

“The choice to use stone in the

lobby was intended as an extension of

the effort to relate the overall building

design to our immediate environment,”

said the Design Principal for the project,

Mark Roddy of SmithGroup in Phoenix,

AZ, which served as the architect. “In

order to respond to the desert environ-

Beige-colored Jura Marble tiles in an 18- x 36- x ¾-inch format were employed for the lobby floor.



ment and keep the building cool, a series

of design strategies was implemented:

shading, an energy efficient curtain

wall system and a high performance

mechanical system. Each of the design

strategies is incorporated throughout

the entire building, beginning with the

lobby as the main threshold.”

As with most lobbies, a primary

goal was to make it as comfortable and

inviting as possible, while also con-

necting to its surrounding climate and

environment. “We wanted the lobby

to feel cool and inviting as a contrast

to the 110-degree summer day,” said

Roddy. “It was really important for

us to make it a personal connection

for the people coming in the lobby.

Often you see granite used in a class-

A office building, but we felt the stone

we selected related more to our natural

environment. Our goal was to balance

the relationships to both the urban and

desert environment.”

Selecting Jura MarbleThe decision to use Jura Marble

came in part due to the stone’s organic

feel. “The particular [stone] from that

region [of Germany] has a lot of fos-

sils, something we were really taken

by,” said Roddy. “The fossils were a key

design element that led to the selection

of this specific stone.”

For the preliminary stone selection

phase, the design team had originally

been attracted to an Egyptian limestone

that was lighter in color. “We soon

changed our minds when we vis-

ited the factory in Germany,” said

the architect. “We picked a gray- and

beige-colored stone with fossils, saw

the stone in person and looked at the

feel of the stone altogether. We clearly

realized the Jura Marble from Germany

was more appropriate.”

Roddy, along with the contractor

and client, traveled to Germany to hand

select the stone slabs for the project,

The concierge reception desk

is made from gray-colored

Jura Marble, as opposed to the

beige color found on the floor

and walls. “The stone has the

same type of texture; one just

happens to be beige, while

the other is gray,” said Design

Principal Mark Roddy of

SmithGroup in Phoenix, AZ,

which served as the architect

for the project. “It made the

project more cohesive.”



paying special attention to the appear-

ance and size of the fossils contained

within each slab. “We didn’t think any

fossils should be larger than four inch-

es in length or diameter,” said Roddy.

“The cut tiles had to contain whole fos-

sils and be held from any cut edge a

minimum of one inch. We set criteria

with the manufacturer, so they knew

our expectations.”

A precise installationBeige-colored Jura Marble in an

18- x 36- x ¾ -inch format covers the

floor and walls of the lobby. Because

the stone had variation in color, the

mason did layouts of the floor and wall

before installation.

“The mason laid out the individual

stone tiles for our review to insure

there weren’t any fossils that didn’t

The material additionally extends into the elevator area to connect it to the lobby.

088-094 Freeport2.indd 92088-094 Freeport2.indd 92 5/3/10 3:26:15 PM5/3/10 3:26:15 PM


meet our criteria,” said Roddy. “Those were challenges we

faced, but we worked closely with the mason. They knew

what our expectations were, and we reviewed a layout prior

to [the installation].”

The same material continues into the elevator floors to

enhance the feel that they are part of the lobby.

The lobby also features gray-colored Jura Marble tiles for

the base of the concierge desk, and the same color material

can be found as the countertops in the restrooms. “The stone

has the same type of texture; one just happens to be beige,

while the other is gray,” said Roddy. “It made the project

more cohesive.”

Additionally, thicker pieces of Jura Marble — in a dif-

ferent texture to avoid slippage — extend beyond the lobby

glass to the exterior as pavers for the entrance. “This provides

a seamless visual connection of the lobby to the street,” said

Roddy. “The lobby experience starts before you even enter the

building.”

Roddy went on to explain that everything pertaining to

the stonework was extremely precise. “The stone tile joints

align with the glazing joints at the front door,” he said.

“Everything was very well thought out.

“What it required from the design team was making

sure we coordinated with all aspects of the job,” he con-

tinued. “Obviously, the stone is laid out in tiles, and we

can control that. Then you have a different trade putting

up adjacent bamboo [paneling for the ceiling and walls],

Thicker pieces of Jura Marble — in a different texture to avoid

slippage — extend beyond the lobby glass to the exterior as

pavers for the entrance.

With a complete installation system

comes complete confi dence.

Introducing new installation solutions for: Manufactured Stone,

Masonry Veneer, Veneer Panels, Division 4

TVIS features:4 premium mortars7 pointing mortar colorsVeneer waterproofi ng membraneMasonry mortar admixPenetrating masonry sealer

For over 40 years, Custom Building Products has been manufacturing high quality, innovative building materials for the commercial and residential markets.

www.customTVIS.com800-272-8786

Thin Veneer Installation System

088-094 Freeport2.indd 93088-094 Freeport2.indd 93 4/23/10 9:27:44 AM4/23/10 9:27:44 AM

http://www.customTVIS.com


and they don’t care what the mason

is doing. We spent a lot of time docu-

menting our drawings and making

sure all of the subcontractors lined up

the joints. Everything played off the

dimensioning of the materials. It was

a challenge for the subcontractors.

The lobby was one of the last things to

get done in the building. The general

contractor got it, and became the big-

gest advocate for ‘alignment.’”

Design plans for the entire project

began in August of 2005, and con-

struction was completed in December

of 2009. The lobby encompasses 3,600

square feet of the 495,000-square-foot

facility.

“The client is very happy, very

proud of the project, and we are as

well,” said Roddy. “The building is

completely leased, so from a market

standpoint, it ’s an indication that

people like the building.”

Moreover, the Freeport-McMoRan

Center, formally known as One Central

Park East, received an American

Institute of Architects (AIA) Western

Mountain Region Design Citation

award in the un-built category for “its

simple planning and rigorous articula-

tion of facades in response to the desert

environment.” ❑

“This provides a seamless

visual connection of the lobby

to the street,” said Roddy of

the exterior stone pavers. “The

lobby experience starts before

you even enter the building.”

Freeport-McMoRan Center Phoenix, AZArchitect: SmithGroup, Phoenix,

AZ

Stone Supplier: Franken-Schotter,

Munich, Germany

Stone Installer: Sun Valley

Masonry, Phoenix, AZ

The decision to use Jura Marble

came in part due to the stone’s

organic feel. “The particular

[stone] from that region [of

Germany] has a lot of fossils,

something we were really taken

by,” said Roddy. “The fossils

were a key design element

that led to the selection of this

specific stone.”

088-094 Freeport2.indd 94088-094 Freeport2.indd 94 4/22/10 3:11:15 PM4/22/10 3:11:15 PM


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

May 19 to 22, 2010CarraraMarmotec, Carrara, Italy. Organized by CarraraFi-ere Srl, Viale Galileo Galilel 133, 54033 Marina di Carrara (MS), Italy; Phone: +39-0585 787963; Fax: +39-0585 787602; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.carraramarmotec.com.

June 10 to 12, 2010American Institute of Architects National Convention and De-sign Expo, including the Stone and Tile Pavilion, Miami, FL. Contact: M/C Communications LLC, 380 Stuart Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02116; (888) 242-1824; E-mail: [email protected] or visit: www.aia.org.

September 29 to October 2, 2010Marmomacc 2010, the International Exhibition of Marble, Stone and Technology and Building Materials Show, Verona, Italy. Contact: Veronafiere at 39-045-829-8111 (phone); 39-045-829-8288 (fax) or visit www.marmomacc.it/home_en.asp.

January 25 to 27, 2011StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2011, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Conference sessions beginning on Janu-ary 24. For more details on attending or exhibiting, call (866) 550-6808 or (972) 536-6440 or visit www.StonExpo.com.

January 25 to 27, 2011Surfaces 2011, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Conference sessions beginning on January 24. Owned and operated by Hanley-Wood Exhibitions. Sponsored by the World Floor Covering Association. Contact: 1-800-547-3477; International calls contact: 1-972-536-6400; Fax: 1-972-536-6401; Web site: www.SurfacesExpo.com.

February 15 to 18, 2011The Vitória Stone Fair 2010, Carapina Expo Center, Serra, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Contact: Milanez & Milaneze, +55 27 3337-6855; Fax: +55 27 3337-4011; Web site: www.feiradomarmore.com.br.

March 6 to 9, 2011The 11th China Xiamen International Stone Fair, Xiamen Inter-national Conference and Exhibition Center; Phone: 86-592-5959616 / 5959618; Fax: 86-592-5959611; Web site: www.stone-fair.org.cn; E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

March 14 to 17Coverings 2011, Sands Exposition Center, Las Vegas, NV.Contact: Coverings/National Trade Productions, 313 S. Pat-rick 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.

095 Calendar.indd 95095 Calendar.indd 95 4/21/10 10:26:14 AM4/21/10 10:26:14 AM




http://www.aia.org

http://www.marmomacc.it/home_en.asp

http://www.StonExpo.com

http://www.SurfacesExpo.com

http://www.feiradomarmore.com.br

http://www.stonefair.org.cn



http://www.coverings.com

http://www.carraramarmotec.com

http://www.carraramarmotec.com

http://www.stonefair.org.cn

http://gclip.co.uk/

http://gclip.co.uk/

http://www.jetstik.com/

http://www.jetstik.com/


NEW PRODUCTSA r a n ge o f q u a r t z - g r a i ne d

sandstone products are available f rom Mine ral Tech of Per u. The

material can be found in a range of colors — including shades of tan, rust and light orange — and the company reports that it features optimal slip resistance, weather and corrosion resistance, high-mechanical strength, low porosity and low absorption. It can be used for applications such as exterior cladding, roofing, sills,

pavers, fireplaces, countertops and other architectural elements.

Mineral Tech reports that it is currently extracting stone from a deep reserve of material, and it also operates a stoneworking facility in Peru.

www.mineraltech.com

CaesarStone , a quar t z sur face manufacturer, recently launched “Pure White” (1141). Pure White, the “Whitest White” in quartz surfaces, features a silk finish and is ideal for hospitality designs, smart office spaces and kitchen countertops to match white lacquer cabinets, shower walls, bar tops, custom-made furniture and more, according to the manufacturer.

“Since our products are made from 93% natural quartz, naturally, there are varying shades and undertones even in the lightest of quartz,” said Arik Tendler, President of CaesarStone.

Pure White, like all CaesarStone surfaces, is scratch, stain, crack and heat resistant. It is also resistant to most household chemicals and is nonabsorbent, nonporous and mold and mildew resistant, reports the manufacturer. Additionally, CaesarStone offers a Lifetime Residential Warranty

and a 10-year Limited Commercial Warranty.

www.CaesarStoneUS.com

A new, more efficient polishing system is now offered by Braxton-Bragg. Since most polishing systems have six, seven or eight steps, the new Viper® 3-Step System cuts polishing time by 50%, while achieving the superior polish for which Viper® is known, according Braxton-Bragg.

The pads are made with high-quality diamonds, which have multiple angles and a “polycrystalized” internal shape. The diamonds are easily broken during polishing to continuously expose new angles, giving longer life to the pad, reports the manufacturer.

Diamond concentration is 60% of the pad weight in the new Viper® 3-Step System. This is the highest d iamond concentrat ion possible with current technology, reports the manufacturer. Bond strength has been increased to hold the higher diamond concentration, insuring that the diamonds are fully used in the polishing process. By eliminating half the gr its normally used for smooth polishing without scratching, the Viper® 3-Step System shortens the polishing process by 50%.

In addition to reducing labor costs, the Viper® 3-Step System reduces inventory complexity and simplifies ordering. This system is available in a wet pad design, which will achieve a gloss meter reading of 95-98. A wet/dry pad version is also available that will achieve a gloss meter reading of 90-95. The Viper® 3-Step System is designed for granite and other hard stone.

www.braxton-bragg.com

CaesarStone’s “Pure White” (1141)

The Viper® 3-Step System available from Braxton-Bragg

The material is also suitable for countertops.

Mineral Tech reports that it is currently extracting stone from a deep reserve of material.

A range of quartz-grained sandstone products are available from Mineral Tech of Peru and can be used for a range of applications, including surrounding a kitchen grill.

096-097 NP, NE, NL.indd 96096-097 NP, NE, NL.indd 96 4/21/10 10:10:32 AM4/21/10 10:10:32 AM

http://www.mineraltech.com




NEW EQUIPMENTTo clarify the “Machine of the

Month” item published in the March 2010 issue of Stone World, the Fab King is manufactured by RYE Corp. of Lenoir City, TN, and it is distributed by: GranQuartz, Granite City Tool, Regent Stone Products, Eastern Marble, Diaco Innovations and VIC International.

The Fab King is a precision 3-axis workstation with open gantry. This unit is designed to produce bowl holes fast and accurately, and it also profiles edges using standard manual router tooling. Linear guides on gantry rails insure smooth travel of the X and Y axis. An added feature of this machine is the ability to

surface polish, which allows the user to make repairs on scratched stone.The Fab King is driven by a powerful 3-horsepower, variable-speed (2,700 to 10,000 rpm) motor. The 220-volt, single -phase power requirement allows the Fab King to be added to any stone fabr icat ion shop. Moreover, the open gantry design allows for processing of large projects.Made in the U.S., the Fab King features adjustable table height and water flow with center and halo water feed. The machine was designed to be easy to install and operate, and it also offers dust-free operation to help meet OSHA requirements. Spare parts, tooling and support are readily available.

www.rye-corp.com

The 2010 model Sink Hole SaverTM VCM is Omni Cubed’s newest manual-pu mp vac uu m c up cou nte r top strengthener, which protects finished stone pieces from breakage during l i f t ing, moving and instal lat ion.

The product is suitable for shower walls or curved and “bump-out” countertops, and can be combined with the original Sink Hole Saver™ st reng then ing ra i l (mechanica l clamp version) for added versatility dur ing insta l lat ions, reports the manufacturer. The product features large 6-inch vacuum cups, which can be re-pumped without removal or loss of remaining suction. The cups quickly slide and lock in the rail for custom placement on shower walls or around sink holes. All Sink Hole Saver™ models are available in 4-, 6- and 8-foot lengths.

www.omnicubed.com

Domain Industries, Inc., a nationwide supplier of kitchen and bath products and fabr icat ion accessor ies, has announced that it is now a stocking distributor for the Voodoo line of Premium Diamond Tooling. Voodoo adds to Domain Industries’ growing line of stone fabricator tools.

“Voodoo Diamond Tool ing is a new era of h igh-per formance diamond tooling, designed exclusively for professional stone and granite fabricators,” said James Synnott, Domain Industries Vice President of Product Development. “We are excited to be the first to bring on this line of quality tooling. The mark of distinction with Voodoo is its use of the newest, most innovative and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, combined with high-quality raw materials and precision industrial design to bring fabricators a complete range of premium diamond products.”

Voodoo offers a range of options

for fabricators, including blades, core bits, nine types of polishing and finishing pads, cup wheels, vacuum brazed profilers, antiquing brushes and backer pads.

Included in Voodoo’s lineup is the introduction of the Houdini Col lect ion, a revolut ionary new pad that has been brought to life with sophisticated interlayer metal technology. After a multi-year R&D effort, Houdini is an aggressive and resilient stock removal pad hitting the market, reports Domain Industries.

Also featured is Hex, an advanced collection of ultra-premium turbo dry-cutting blades, providing chip-free cuts on granite, engineered stone and hard marbles, featuring an 8-mm segment height for a lengthened lifespan and a narrow tooth design.

Voodoo Diamond Tooling can be found in the latest Domain Industries wholesale catalog. Fabricators can request a free catalog by visiting Domain’s Web site.

www.BelieveInVoodoo.comwww.DomainIndustries.com

Fab King by RYE Corp.

Omni Cubed’s 2010 model Sink Hole SaverTM VCM

Domain Industries is now a stocking distributor for the Voodoo line of Premium Diamond Tooling.

Voodoo’s Hex Collection of ultra-premium turbo dry-cutting blades is now distributed through Domain Industries.

096-097 NP, NE, NL.indd 97096-097 NP, NE, NL.indd 97 4/21/10 10:54:14 AM4/21/10 10:54:14 AM

http://www.rye-corp.com

http://www.omnicubed.com

http://www.BelieveInVoodoo.com

http://www.DomainIndustries.com

IS YOUR BUSINESS POSITIONED 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.

NSC-7748-SW-SH n3.indd 1 7/23/08 11:35:58 AMnscsw0509.indd 1nscsw0509.indd 1 4/20/09 2:44:09 PM4/20/09 2:44:09 PM

http://www.naturalstonecouncil.org/

http://www.naturalstonecouncil.org/

Stone

This Stone of the Month supplied by Dimpomar Rochas Portuguesas, Lda., Vila Viçosa, Portugal. 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.dimpomar.com

Branco Rosal limestone/marbleAbsorption by weight ..........................................................................................3.05%

Density ......................................................156 pounds/cubic foot (2,498.88 kg/cu.m)

Compressive strength ......................................................................... 10,005 (69 MPa)

Flexural strength .......................................................................... 1,450 psi (10.7 MPa)

Abrasion resistance ............................................................................................... 16.83

of the monthof the month

099 SOTM.indd 100099 SOTM.indd 100 4/21/10 10:11:17 AM4/21/10 10:11:17 AM


http://www.dimpomar.com


Machineof the month

As an alternative to V-grooving systems or a bridge saw with a 45-degree inclined blade, Marmo Meccanica has recently tested a new system called “V/O” cutting, with the latest version of its LCV famous edge polisher type.

Maintaining the features of an edge polisher for flat edges and chamfers up to 60 mm thick, the new version LCV M-V/O is a simple machine that was engi-neered for affordability. The machine can polish backsplashes in a continuous mode, with workpiece sizes a minimum of 45 mm wide and a maximum of 30 mm thick. It can also produce narrow strips with the same dimensions ready to be glued on “L” bordered kitchen tops.

www.marmomeccanica.it

100 MOTM.indd 100100 MOTM.indd 100 4/21/10 10:11:31 AM4/21/10 10:11:31 AM

http://www.marmomeccanica.it


TechnologyUpdate

www.dellas.it

As the leader in the diamond tooling sector for over 35 years, Dellas S .p.A . has

recently developed specific products for CNC machines, particularly for machining engineered stone. The new CEF (Cut EasyFast) line has been des ig ned to exceed per formance standards. Del las repor ts that most users today prefer tools that can operate at high cutting speeds, a feature that normally does not ensure long-life of the cutter. Addressing this,

Dellas has focused its research on the most important tool for CNC machines — the cutting mill.

According to Dellas, this tool is considered by many users as one of the most critical, often seen as the “machining bottleneck.” One of the main problems is its difficulty in reaching high cutting speeds on artificial products such as engineered stone.

Dellas has developed the CEF line — consisting of cutting mills with five segments inclined at 10

degrees and correctly positioned on the body — in order to allow precise water distribution and assist swarf clearance. Dellas reports that testing on the tools has shown that the new CEF line cutting mills are able to machine at processing speeds higher than reference benchmarks, while still maintaining yield.

The reduction of machining cycle times due to higher cutting speeds results in lowered machining costs and added value in the finished product, Dellas reports.

101 Technology Update.indd 101101 Technology Update.indd 101 4/20/10 10:09:29 AM4/20/10 10:09:29 AM



MARKETPLACE

1-866-656-7188www.legacysink.com

LEGACY SINK INC.BEST QUALITY. LOWEST PRICES.

18 Gauge • 304 Stainless steelO

$69AS LOW AS

LegacySink0210SW.indd 1 1/18/10 9:18:43 AM

STONE TOOLS

www.qualitystonetool.com | 908.627.3688

Polishing pads, milling bits, cutting blades, stone edge processing machines and much more. Good quality stone tools at whole sale prices

4” wet polish pad...$3.50/pc • 5” turbo blade...$9.50/pcand much more, please visit our website

QualityStoneTool_SWMarketplace1009.indd 1 9/21/09 9:27:44 AM

RATES: $1175 per six month insertion, $1950 per twelve month insertion. Call 734/340-5211, fax 734/340-5212 or e-mail: [email protected] for more information.

Your top source for high quality tool-holders for Marble and Stone manufacturing. We carry all major

brands including: Breton, Northwood, Brembana, Bavelloni, CMS, Intermac, Marmo, and Park. All our tool-holders are corrosion resistant, hardened, and

precision ground. Ask for a quote today!

T-Tool USA, LLCwww.t-toolusa.com

2850 Glades Circle, Suite 11 — Weston, FL 33327Phone: 954-358-6071 — Fax: 954-358-6073

[email protected]

TTool_SWMarketplace1009.indd 1 9/21/09 1:24:23 PM

Custom Display and Sample Boards

"Take your product to the customer."uct to the customer."

d

330-262-0712www.danroc.com

102-104 Marketplace.indd 102102-104 Marketplace.indd 102 4/21/10 3:17:36 PM4/21/10 3:17:36 PM


http://www.qualitystonetool.com

http://www.legacysink.com

http://www.t-toolusa.com

http://www.t-toolusa.com


http://www.euromarmol.com/


http://www.atlantafaucet.com/

http://www.atlantafaucet.com/

http://www.craigbakermarble.com/

http://www.craigbakermarble.com/


http://www.danroc.com

http://www.danroc.com


http://www.figgsdesign.com/

http://mextone.com/

http://mextone.com/


http://www.stone-tool.com

http://www.stone-tool.com


http://www.bromerinc.com/

http://www.xmdragon.com/

http://www.xmdragon.com/

http://www.legacysink.com



MARKETPLACEAlways providing a quality product,

made from the best materials from

around the world, at an affordable price.

150 Industrial Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27406Phone: 336.273.0223 • Fax: 336.273.0699

[email protected]

G L A S S O S®

CRYSTAL WHITESLABS TILES CUT-TO-SIZE

Available from stock or full containers direct

CCS Stone, INC9-11 Caesar PlaceMoonachie, NJ 07074 www.ccsstone.com

Looks like Thassos, harder t han granite Tel 201-933-1515800-227-7785

Fax 201-933-5744

CCSStone_marketplace0909.indd 1 7/28/09 3:56:44 PMTENAX: 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 USAwww.tenaxusa.com

1408 Center Park [email protected]

Charlotte, NC 28217Ph. 704-583-1173

Call for a Free Catalog | T. 800.575.4401 | F. 800.915.5501

Braxton-Bragg will offer the lowest prices and thebest service, delivered by the friendliest peoplefor the tools and materials that you want.



http://www.malavegranite.com

http://www.ccsstone.com

http://www.tenaxusa.com


http://continentaldia.com/



http://www.earthstonecorp.com/

http://www.earthstonecorp.com/


http://www.pearlabrasive.com/





http://www.caesarstoneus.com/

http://www.braxton-bragg.com/


MARKETPLACE

Reserve your space in next month’s

MARKETPLACE SECTION

Call Janelle Minghine at

734.340.5211 or

[email protected]

for more information

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

1335 Lakeside Dr.Romeoville, IL 60446

www.LaserProductsUS.comToll Free 866-539-0052

PRODUCTSLASERindustries

The LT-55 Precision Laser Templator - Visit our website to watch our full training video so you can actually see it working. We believe in allowing our coustomers to know what they are buying.

Proliner®, world’s leading digitizer in 2D & 3D measurement:

Measure stairs, bathrooms, swimming pool edges, formed profi les, renovation, sinks, countertops, backsplashes and all your other 2D and 3D objects.

PRODIM USA - Sales offi ce USA - Mr. John RichertsM. +1 678 699 0732 | E. [email protected] | I. www.prodimusa.com

PRODIM INTERNATIONAL - Sales offi ce Europe - Lage Dijk 26, 5705 BZ Helmond – NLT. +31 (0)492 579050 | F. +31 (0)492 579059 | E. [email protected] | I. www.prodim.eu

Prodim1209SW.indd 1 11/25/09 10:27:25 AM

ONLY THE BEST

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

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, San Leandro, CA 94577 Tel: 877-500-SINK(7465) Fax: 510-667-3775 www.amerisink.com

Value for Life is our goal!

MADE IN GERMANYOwn quarries! Own production!Special for: Slabs, Floor tiles, Cut to size www.vm-kaldorf.de California Agent TriStone & Tile Inc., Van Nuys [email protected]

VMKaldorf.indd 1 7/8/09 10:13:24 AM

w w w. a n t o l i n i . i tmarble granite travertine limestone onyx and precioustone

THE FINEST PRODUCTS FOR STONE WORKINGSTONE BOSS INDUSTRIES

15-01 Pollitt Dr. Unit #2Fairlawn, NJ 07410

888-868-BOSS | www.stoneboss.com

C O R P O R A T E H E A D Q U A R T E R S

StoneBoss_Marketplace_SW0210.indd 1 1/14/10 1:31:53 PM

www.msistone.com

Farmers Branch, TXPh: 469-522-0300

Elk Grove Village, IlPh: 847-758-0556

Pompano Beach, FLPh: 954-977-8984

Austell, GaPh: 678-803-0800

Braintree, MAPh: 781-794-0100

Orange, CAPh: 714-685-7500

Hayward , CAPh: 510-266-5200

Edison, NJPh: 732-650-1815

Jessup, MDPh: 410-799-9631

Phoenix, AZPh: 602-393-6330

Houston , TXph: 281-449-8822

MSI.indd 1 4/15/10 1:48:17 PM


http://www.a





http://www.LaserProductsUS.com




http://www.prodim.eu



http://www.stoneboss.com

http://www.msistone.com

http://www.antolini.it/


http://www.igmcorp.com/


http://www.durangostone.com




Stone World | May105 2010 105

CLASSIFIEDS

The leading nationwide distributor of natural stone

slabs and tiles is seeking a branch manager and

outside salespeople for the South Florida region.

Experience servicing the natural stone industry in

the region is required. MSI offers an environment for

growth, a team atmosphere, competitive compensation

and a full benefi ts package. All candidates must be

hardworking, determined, enthusiastic, a team player

and very comfortable with computers.

Please email resumes to: [email protected]

M S International, Inc.

MSInternational_SW0609.indd 1 5/20/09 3:38:43 PM

FOR SALE POSITIONS

ON ALL 18 MONTH OLD EQUIPMENTTotal Liquidation SALE

All Machines are in Mint “NEW” Condition and they are located in Easton, Maryland.

ALL MUST GO. NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED. CALL 410-829-2352BAVELLONI 450 EGAR CNC: brand new within 18months. Includes all tooling and spare parts. New within 18 months. Currently in operation. Showroom condition, low hours. 208 3 phase New $226,904.00 — $155,000.00 You pick up. Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected]

CMG TAURUS INLINE EDGER PROFILER: Brand new in 18months. Robust for heavy fast edging. Showroom condition and currently in operation. 208 3 phase w transformer New $160,000.00 — $113,500.00 Very low hours. You pick up. Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected]

DELL POWEREDGE 2900 SERVER with mirrored drives. 2 heavy cad and graphics work stations with 20” fl at screen monitors. New computers, New Server, Full Global Stone Pro Software packages, bidding, estimating inventory, labeling, tracking, purchase ordering, Digistat and custom digistat vertical table Digitizing Software. You pick up. New $104,000.00 — $50,800.00 410-829-2352 Best offer. [email protected]

OVERHEAD BRIDGE CRANES AND REMOTES: One crane is 5 ton and the other is 1 ton. Both are brand new. You will have to disassemble and relocate. New both are $86,000.00. $40,000.00 Please make Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected]

HEAVY DUTY 10,000LB FORKLIFT BOOM $1500.00 and industrial 10,000lb lifting bridge with “2” sets of cabled chains $2800.00 together $4,300.00. Contact Mike 410-829-2352 or [email protected] DIAREX FIXED WORKBENCH “2” for $700.00. Contact Mike 410-829-2352 or [email protected] HEAVY DUTY VERTICAL STEEL RACK for setting slabs to be photographed or digitated along with global stone pro digistat computer. Rack only is $1800.00. Contact Mike 410-829-2352 or [email protected]

MikeSeger_SW0410_LiquidationSale.indd 1 4/13/10 10:27:19 AM

IN BRAZILI inspect the slabs here at the

granite factories in Brazil.So you get the quality you

need and pay for!

Call Gary at 011-55-28-3518-9559or e-mail at [email protected]

AMERICANSLAB INSPECTOR

GaryEbel.indd 1 6/3/09 3:30:25 PM

SERVICES

stoneworld.comsstttoonneewwoorrlllddd ccoommsssttoonneewwoorrlldd..ccoomms o e o d co

Seeking candidates with direct stone/tile sales exp. Send resume to

[email protected] or fax to 210-733-8850. No phone calls please. See our website for locations. www.mstoneandtile.com

EEOC.

Materials Marketing

MStone&Tile_SWCLassified0510.indd 1 4/8/10 1:35:52 PM

Reserve your space now for the June Issue!

Granite Outlet & the Cabinet Design Centre is seeking Sales Professionals for several

showrooms in the DC metro area. Applicants should be highly motivated self starters that can successfully close and are driven by the desire

to make money. An excellent communicator, organized and have prior sales experience

selling natural and man made stone.

For the right individuals this is a $100k + plus opportunity. Dental, health, 401K, strong support

system, paid training, all leads provided.

Sales professional only should send their resumes to [email protected]

or fax them to (703)842-8952.

GraniteforLess_SWCLassified0510.indd 1 4/8/10 1:27:47 PM

AVANTI STONES INC. Avanti Stones, a leading distributor of

Natural Stone in Houston, Texas, is seeking experienced, aggressive Salespeople with a

proven track record of sales in the stone industry for Houston, West Texas, Louisiana,

Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Experience in servicing accounts in the

region is required. Must be computer literate. Position offers competitive salary plus

commission and a full benefi ts package.

Please send resume to: [email protected]

AvantiStonesInc_SWCLassified0510.indd 1 4/13/10 10:10:45 AM

Call for more information!

Janelle Minghine at 734/340.5211 or [email protected]

YOUR AD CANBE HERE SEENHERE FOR THEJUNE ISSUE

“Agents” to enhance sales of our Granite and other Stone products in USA and EU segments.

Candidates having Strong channel network with Distributors, Wholesalers and Retailers in

Granite and Stone industry need only apply. Attractive commissions/incentives are assured. Please Email resumes to [email protected]

WANTED

ShanthariExports_SWCLassified0510 copy.indd 1 4/6/10 9:20:25 AM

Call Janelle Minghine at 734/340.5211 or

[email protected] for more information

105 Classifieds.indd 105105 Classifieds.indd 105 4/21/10 3:19:02 PM4/21/10 3:19:02 PM












http://www.mstoneandtile.com





http://www.stoneworld.com/


ADVERTISER INDEX ADVERTISER PAGE NO INTERNET ADDRESS PROMO PHONE

ABC Stone Trading 75 www.abcworldwidestone.com 516-997-9412AmeriSink 65 www.amerisink.com 877-500-7465Antolini Luigi 107 www.antolini.it +39 045 6836611Anver 66 www.anver.com 800-654-3500Artisan 35 www.ArtisanSinks.com 973-286-0080Barranca Diamond 81 www.barrancadiamond.com 800-630-7682Bestview International 6 www.bestviewintl.com 630-594-1816Blick Industries 53 www.blickindustries.com 949-499-5026Braxton-Bragg 12 www.braxton-bragg.com 800-575-4401 Cactus Stone 50a www.cactusstone.com 602-914-2202 CaesarStone 37 www.CaesarStoneUS.com 877-978-2789Caribe International 49 www.caribestone.com 800-224-8453Chemcore 54 www.chemcore.com 866-243-6267COMPAC The Surfaces Company 21 www.compac.us 305-406-3600Cosentino 57 www.cosentinonorthamerica.com 800-291-1311 Custom Building Products 93 www.customTVIS.com 800-272-8786 Daltile 42,43 www.daltileproducts.com 800-933-8453Dellas 67 www.dellas.it +39 045 8801522Diamax 47 www.diamaxinc.com 888-449-0502Dimpomar 34 www.dimpomar.com +351-268-408 128 Domain Industries 40 www.FreeDomainCatalog.com 866-385-7775Fila Industria Chimica S.p.A. 11 www.filachim.com 305-513-0708G-Clip 95 www.braxton-bragg.com 800-575-4401GMM S.p.A. 33 www.gmm.it +39 0323 849711Granite Depot 7 www.granitedepot.us 904-306-0036Granitex S.p.A. 2 www.granitex.it +39 045 8875111GranQuartz 17,23,39 www.granquartz.com 800-458-6222Husqvarna Construction Products/Diamant Boart 86 www.dbstone.com 800-845-1805IGM-International Granite & Marble 108 www.igmcorp.com 800-446-2677JMS 36 www.juramarble.com +49 (0) 8421 3061KMT Waterjet Systems 70 www.kmtwaterjet.com 800-826-9274Laser Products 41 www.LaserProductsUS.com 866-539-0052Marble Institute of America 50 www.marble-institute.com 440-250-9222Marmo Meccanica S.p.A. 77 www.marmomeccanica.com 39-0731-60999Miracle Sealants 38 www.miraclesealants.com 800-350-1901Mirasol Soapstone LLC 60 www.mirasolsoapstone.com 801-437-3893Moraware 61 www.moraware.com 866-312-9273MS International 50b,50c www.msistone.com 714-685-7500Natural Stone Council 98 www.naturalstonecouncil.org 800-210-3916Ogyu Manufacturing 45 www.ogyu.co.jp 81-48-222-4226Palin Granit 51 www.palingranit.com +358 207 909 300Pearl Abrasive 27 www.pearlabrasive.com 800-969-5561Pokarna Limited 8,9 www.pokarna.com 91 40 2789 7722/6361Primestone 63 www.primestone.ca 905-669-2999Prodim 18 www.prodimusa.com 888-229-3328Red Sea Mining 29 www.redseamining.com 996-2-620-4749Saudi Marble & Granite 31 www.smg.com.sa +966 1 4735350Slimrock 73 www.slimrock.com 479-667-2121Tab India 14,15 www.tabindia.com 763-571-8400Tekmar 3 www.tekmarble.com +90 212 3372800Tenax U.S.A. 79 www.tenaxusa.com 800-341-0432Terminator 50d www.ContinentalDIA.com 800-595-1237 U.S. Granite Robotics 56,59 www.usgrobotics.com 800-999-3025Vermont Quarries 4 www.vermontquarries.com 802-775-1065Verona Fair 55 www.marmomacc.com 011390 458 298 111VM Kaldorf 10 www.vm-kaldorf.de +49 8423/9911-0Vulcano Export 25 www.vulcanoexport.com.br 973-714-6376Wilson Industrial Electric 83 www.wilsonsaws.com 706-213-6725Windy Ridge Corp. 95 www.jetstik.com 800-639-2021World Wide Stone Corp. 5 www.durangostone.com 602-438-1001

106 Advertiser Index.indd 106106 Advertiser Index.indd 106 4/23/10 9:26:01 AM4/23/10 9:26:01 AM

http://www.abcworldwidestone.com


http://www.antolini.it

http://www.anver.com

http://www.ArtisanSinks.com

http://www.barrancadiamond.com

http://www.bestviewintl.com



http://www.cactusstone.com


http://www.caribestone.com

http://www.chemcore.com



http://www.customTVIS.com

http://www.daltileproducts.com


http://www.diamaxinc.com

http://www.dimpomar.com

http://www.FreeDomainCatalog.com

http://www.filachim.com


http://www.gmm.it

http://www.granitedepot.us




http://www.igmcorp.com

http://www.juramarble.com

http://www.kmtwaterjet.com

http://www.LaserProductsUS.com

http://www.marble-institute.com

http://www.marmomeccanica.com



http://www.moraware.com

http://www.msistone.com

http://www.naturalstonecouncil.org

http://www.ogyu.co.jp

http://www.palingranit.com

http://www.pearlabrasive.com

http://www.pokarna.com

http://www.primestone.ca


http://www.redseamining.com

http://www.smg.com.sa

http://www.slimrock.com

http://www.tabindia.com



http://www.ContinentalDIA.com


http://www.vermontquarries.com




http://www.wilsonsaws.com

http://www.jetstik.com


AZUL MACAUBAS I QUARTZITE

www.antolini.it

TM

antoliniluigisw05104.indd 1antoliniluigisw05104.indd 1 4/9/10 9:54:03 AM4/9/10 9:54:03 AM

http://www.antolini.it

http://www.antolini.it/

igmsw03104.indd 1igmsw03104.indd 1 2/22/10 11:52:00 AM2/22/10 11:52:00 AM



Stone World 201005

Documents

Transcript of Stone World 201005