After launching a successful Lunch Connection program this past April at Ricciardi Marble & Granite in Hyannis, MA, Park Industries’ New England sales team planned another one for September 12, 2019, which was hosted by Ripano Stoneworks in Nashua, NH, who also happens to be Stone World’s 2006 Fabricator of the Year. The three-hour event drew attendees from as far as six hours away, and provided several short educational sessions, as well as live machinery demonstrations and an opportunity for friendly competitors to network.

At the heart of Quality Stone Concepts’ business is an appreciation for a team environment and sense of community. Owned by M. Ryan Culicerto, Terry J. McClaskey and Tony Pirrone, the Virginia Beach, VA-based fabrication company has widely transitioned since it was founded in 2007.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross on the campus of Jesuit High School in Tampa, FL, is now housed in a beautiful new building that is adorned with a host of natural stone varieties, including Indiana limestone, Pennsylvania Bluestone and Italian marble.

I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up the issue of shop safety after recently hearing about another tragic accident where falling slabs took the lives of two shop workers. It was just another day for these workers until the unimaginable happened.

As a way of offering further service to its customers, CMS has added a fully functional display area to its facility for machine demonstrations and hands-on training

My favorite thing to say about us is: ‘We are not the best stone company in Chicago because we are the oldest. We are the oldest, because we are the best,’” said Tom Van Etten, when speaking about his family owned business Galloy & Van Etten, which was started in 1899.

Established in 1996 by master stone sculptors Amy Brier and Frank Young, the Indiana Limestone Symposium is founded on the Greek model of gathering for discussion and celebration and continues the tradition of sculpture symposia that is common in Europe and Asia.

Recently, Stone World had the opportunity to tour this region, which remains a viable source of limestone. The quarries and mills that we visited were busy with activity – many working on multiple projects, including some high-profile ones.

It only took me 23 years, but I finally made it out to visit the Indiana Limestone Belt. I’d have to say it was long overdue. A big “thank you” goes to my friend Todd Schnatzmeyer at the Indiana Limestone Institute who made my excursion possible, along with all of the companies that graciously welcomed me into their quarries and mills.

Recognizing the demand in the market for premium stone products and services, Gautam Chand Jain, chairman and managing director, established Pokarna Limited in 1991. In the 28 years since its origin, the company has grown to become one of the largest exporters of finished granite in Asia.