The 45th edition of Marmomacc - held in Verona, Italy, from September 29 to October 2 - enjoyed significant increases in international exhibitors and visitors, helping to consolidate the show’s position as the most important annual global event for the stone industry.

Diasant introduces its new 4-horsepower, heavy-duty portable edge profiling and polishing machine, available from Regent Stone Products. The Diasant 6000 HD is a two-speed (3,000 or 6,000 RPM), hydroplaning, continuous-duty router capable of working granite edge profiles up to 10 cm thick.

The use of the diamond wire technology has always been considered the new frontier in the stone industry, leading Pellegrini Meccanica to produce the relevant equipment for both quarry exploitation and stone processing factories.

Copper Dune granite was supplied by Antolini Luigi & C., Sega di Cavaion, Verona, Italy. 

Bass Studio Architects, based in Columbus, OH, selected the Black Gold Blend from the Tivoli series by Hakatai for the new Thaijindesu Thai and Sushi Bar, a contemporary fusion-style restaurant in beachside Newport News, VA. The iridescent glass mosaic tile, which is produced with recycled content, was employed for the face of an enclosed half-circle bar and two hosting stations in the lounge as well as an island-style service station in the main dining room.

Iberê Plantus was supplied by Pemagran Pedras Mármores e Granitos Ltda., Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

At a time when the international stone industry is scrambling on a global level - where it seems that no port is safe from this economic hailstorm - Italy has managed to ride out the crisis by maintaining its position as an innovator in all things stone.

The SX5 from Scandinvent is an an interpolated, give axis, powerful (15- to- 21-horsepower spindle) fully automated stone CNC saw.

Authentic Durango Veracruz Vein-Cut Travertine was supplied by World Wide Stone Corp., Scottsdale, AZ.

Let’s face it - even in good times, it was tough to really get a firm handle on the growth (or, unfortunately, the decline) of the U.S. stone industry.