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Held from September 25th to 28th, Marmomac 2019 marked the 54th year for the Verona, Italy-based exhibition, which draws a global crowd annually to display and view a plethora of stone products, machinery, tooling and accessories, and stone care and maintenance products.

As we approach the beginning of a new year, and a new decade, we are encouraging all of our Rockhead members to take a close look into their business and identify key areas of focus that will allow them to plan and scale their business based on present or potential economic cycles.

Leonardo Rapaj first started working with stone in his home country of Albania. He made his way through Greece, Italy, Switzerland and France, working with stone before finding his way to the U.S. In 2001, Leonardo’s Marble & Granite opened its doors in Farmington Hills, MI.

It’s hard to believe that we are officially in the holiday season and wrapping up 2019. What a year it has been. From the ramifications of tariffs on Chinese imports to new silica regulations to an update on the ANSI/NSC 373 Natural Stone Sustainability Standard, there has been a flurry of activity in our industry.

This Stone of the Month, Champlain Black marble, is supplied by Tennessee Marble Company of Friendsville, TN.  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.

Braxton-Bragg is the preferred national supplier for Emmedue Marble & Granite Machinery, and is one of only two suppliers in the U.S.

GK Naquin of Stone Interiors led an engaging morning presentation at the Tampa Stone Summit on October 10, 2019. The day-long event was one of 10 Stone Industry Education sessions organized by Stone World and the Natural Stone Institute across the U.S. This particular one was sponsored by MSI and drew 64 registered attendees.

In recent years, Continental Cut Stone has expanded its capacity while working to address environmental challenges. The company, located in Florence, TX, has added several fabrication machines to its production area, including a CNC, to increase efficiencies.

Waterjetting isn’t new to stone fabrication, though it is still not the norm. Due to being quick, accurate and safe, waterjets are starting to be featured more in stone shops working in the custom architectural and design fields.

Stone World’s “Industry Perspective” column has revolving articles by the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA), The Natural Stone Institute (NSI), and the Rockhead Group offering insight into the workings of each organization, and their place within the industry.