If the crowds in the aisles at Marmomac 2018 are an indicator of the state of the stone industry, it appears things are on the upswing. Throughout the four-day event, the halls on the fairgrounds of VeronaFiere in Verona, Italy, were filled with 68,000 stone industry professionals. In fact, show management reports a rise in attendees from the U.S., China, India and Russia.

“This edition of Marmomac once again achieved its objective of providing the world’s natural stone supply chain with the most effective tool for its development,” said Maurizio Danese, president of Veronafiere. “This is also thanks to the skills of such a leading international exhibition center as VeronaFiere in promoting a manufacturing sector through creativity, culture and innovation. And in this context, collaboration with institutions and trade associations was fundamental, in particular with the Ministry for Economic Development, the ICE Trade Agency and Confindustria Marmomacchine.”   

The role of Marmomac as a leading business platform is strengthened year after year because of an ever-increasing international presence, according to show management. More than 60% of the 1,600 exhibiting companies were from outside of Italy, and out of the 68,000 visitors, 62% were from foreign countries -- compared to a 60% share recorded in 2017. A new record was also set in regards to the number of countries represented -- up to 150 from 147 at the previous edition. Even countries sending business delegations involving top buyers and architects also increased, from 55 in 2017 to 65 this year.

“Marmomac is the true heart of the international stone industry community and the thermometer for this market,” said Giovanni Mantovani, director general of Veronafiere. “Over the four days of the event, feedback from companies and buyers attending the show highlights very positive responses in regards to business, which encourages us to be optimistic over the final balance for global trade at the end of the year. The 2018 edition also saw further growth in terms of quality of attendees, as well as of international arrivals -- up by 2% of the total visitor numbers. Yet we are already thinking about how we can consolidate the network of inter-related events abroad. In addition to the Vitória Stone Fair-Marmomac Latin America in Brazil, we are also working on further developments in the U.S., with TISE-StoneExpo Marmomac in Las Vegas, in agreement with our American partner, Informa Group.”

To learn more about the events, displays and programs that took place at Marmomac 2018, visit: www.stoneworld.com/keywords/1109. 

Robotic technology takes center stage     The machinery halls were humming with activity. Many exhibitor booths drew crowds of attendees to watch machine demonstrations. It was a positive sign to see “sold” signs on a few pieces of equipment. A main observation was that robotic technology continues to boom – offering fabricators an efficient automated way to run their production process.

Tenax introduces its “Wow is Now” campaign Tenax S.p.A., a leading Italian producer and distributor of mastics, resins, abrasives, surface treatments and tools to work with natural stone, quartz and ceramic, presented a new logo during Marmomac 2018. “Wow is Now” reflects tradition, innovation, quality, development and the future. It represents that Tenax has been working in the future to develop advanced technology and its customers will know now what products have come from the company’s research and development.

Tyrolit wins Best Communicator Award Tyrolit, an Austrian-based developer, manufacturer and marketer of abrasive products, was among the winners of this year’s Best Communicator Award. The company’s booth told a story of its history, as well as illustrating its fashionable side.

Product Innovations

Natural Stone Institute Hosts Member Reception The Natural Stone Institute once again held a member reception for its member companies that were attending Marmomac 2018. The event, which was sponsored by Stone World and Informa – owners of The International Surface Event, which includes StonExpo, dr