With an extensive showcase of stoneworking equipment, accessories and materials to go along with a comprehensive education program, StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas was able to draw stone industry buyers from around the country - despite the overall economic crisis.
Once again, the stone industry looked to the
Marmomacc exhibition in Verona, Italy, and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas
in Las Vegas, NV, for the latest introductions in stone
products, stoneworking equipment and supplies and installation and maintenance
products.
A groundbreaking effort is being made by the Natural Stone Council to develop and finance the Natural Stone Research and Promotion Board, which will generically advocate natural stone products.
Given the growing concern and public attention of the link between radon and granite, Partner Engineering and Science (Partner) teamed with a wholesale granite distributor in Southern California to undertake a full-scale sampling of all of the company’s granite inventory that includes some 250 different types of granite imported from quarries located all around the world.
As one of the charter members of the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) and a frequent user of the StoneAdvice.com Forum, I have had ample opportunity to see what the end users biggest complaints are. Customers are continually complaining about the seams in their new countertops.
Installed decades ago at various times, the slate products used for several Granville, NY, schools - quarried locally along the New York/Vermont slate belt - have admirably retained their beauty over the years.
U.S. imports of stone from India have practically doubled over the last five years -- despite a slight decline in 2007 -- and the material is being used extensively for residential and commercial applications.