Madison, WI -- Quarra Stone of Madison, WI, a company that supplies and fabricates natural stone for signature architectural and restoration projects throughout the country, has launched a comprehensive database that identifies dimensional stone quarries throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The database is designed to enable architects who are specifying natural stone in their projects to earn points towards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Current guidelines call for the award of one point towards LEED certification for builders who use dimensional stone that is quarried within 500 miles of construction.
JACKSON, MS -- The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), the largest professional tile contractors association in the world, has introduced "Tile-TV" as another creative tool to enhance the experience of its active tile and stone contractor members and other industry professionals with this monthly news and information-sharing vehicle available on line at www.tileletter.com.
NEW YORK, NY -- At the beginning of 2005, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) presented a challenge for Spanish tile manufacturer Alcalagres via its "Art For Transit" department: to capture on porcelain tile the works of one of the fathers of conceptual art and minimalism from the past century, Sol LeWitt.
Now in its 17th year, the Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition celebrates the outstanding residential, commercial and institutional work of North American architects and designers who use Italian ceramic tile in their products.
MENDON, VT - Vermont Quarries has announced its achievement of Greenguard Indoor Air Quality and Greenguard Children & Schools SM Certification for marble surfacing. Greenguard-certified products must meet stringent emissions requirements set by the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI), such as being screened for more than 10,000 chemicals. Greenguard Certified products are recognized, referenced or preferred by many retailers, companies, institutions, government agencies, environmental programs, standards and specifications around the globe. All certified products can be found in a free online product guide at www.greenguard.org.
DALLAS, TX -- Hanley Wood Exhibitions has announced that StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces will co-locate beginning in January of 2011. Both exhibitions will be held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, January 26 to 28, with conferences beginning on January 25.
VALENCIA, SPAIN -- Currently, Tile of Spain is looking for architects and designers to participate in its annual trip to Spain. Ideal candidates would be architects or interior designers who have an affinity for ceramic tile and can travel from February 5 to 13, 2010.
U.S. fabricators have an optimistic for the stone industry in 2010 and beyond, according to a Fabricator Market Survey conduced by BNP Media (Stone World's parent company). The survey polled fabricators from all regions on the country, and the following is a brief summary of the results.
The U.S. Court of International Trade recently ordered the U.S. Department of Commerce to issue and publish anti-dumping duty orders and order the collection of cash deposits on subject diamond saw blades from China and Korea. The move is in response to a petition from the "Diamond Sawblades Manufacturers Coalition," and as a result, the Department of Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation and collect cash deposits on diamond saw blades from China and Korea at ad valorem rates.
CLEVELAND, OH -- Terry O’Neill, Columbia Marble Company of Pittsburgh, PA, has been awarded the 2009 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA).