MacLaren Fabrication, Inc. of West Chester, PA, has come a long way since it first opened shop in 1986. Initially, the business, which was founded by Company President Andrew MacLaren, started out as a DuPont Corian specialty shop. Since that time, the operation has significantly blossomed in size and capabilities. In addition to Corian, MacLaren Fabrication now produces natural stone and DuPontTM Zodiaq® countertops, and its most recent expansion is the opening of the “Verona Exotic Stone Gallery” - an upscale showroom catering to designers, custom builders and high-end homeowners.

The Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park is among the newest high-rises to join Manhattan’s world-famous skyline. The 55-story building, which encompasses a total of 2.2 million square feet, was designed by Cook + Fox Architects, LLP of New York, NY, with the objective of becoming the most environmentally responsible high-rise office building in the U.S. Contributing to the building’s distinctive stature is an extensive amount of stone from India - supplied by Hindustan Granites Inc. of Hauppauge, NY - which was employed throughout the building’s public spaces as well as for exterior paving.

In only four years, Stone Services, LLC of Chattanooga, TN, has expanded far beyond its owners’ expectations. The company, which was founded in June 2004 by Tony Allen and Keith Porter, has grown from four employees to its current staff of 26, and it has also significantly increased the size of its fabrication area as well as opening a showroom in Knoxville, TN. Moreover, recent investments in state-of-the-art equipment, including digital templating technology, have further contributed to the overall success of the business.

Til-Mar Designs of Philadelphia, PA, has experienced several transformations since it first opened for business in 1996. Owned by the father-and-son team of Thomas Giordano Sr. and Thomas Giordano Jr., the company initially concentrated its efforts on tile sales and installation. The business then expanded nearly four years ago, when the owners decided that it would be more productive to fabricate their own countertops rather than relying on subcontractors. Approximately a year and a half ago, Til-Mar Designs once again transitioned by opening its 2,000-square-foot showroom to place added focus on homeowners.

For nearly 80 years, Texas Quarries has been a reliable source of Texas limestone. With two quarries and a large-scale fabrication mill, the Cedar Park, TX-based operation has been producing Cordova and Lueders limestone since 1929. The company is owned by Acme Brick and is a subsidiary of Berkshire-Hathaway.

When building a spec home in Austin, TX, Steve Wauson of Craftsman Homes of Austin adhered to a few design objectives. Above all, it was a priority to utilize as many natural materials as possible - making for environmentally friendly architecture. In doing so, an assortment of natural stone - including several regional varieties - was employed throughout the home’s interior and exterior spaces.

Built in 1939, a private estate located on LaGorce Island - an upscale residential development in Miami Beach, FL - was recently renovated. The primary design intent for the project was to preserve the character of the home, while developing a more contemporary living space. The desired look was achieved with the use of natural stone.

Designed as a six-story office building with underground parking, Cherapa Place in Sioux Falls, SD, is a throwback to the city’s 19th-century architectural materials as well as a testament to modern construction. The structure, which features a two-story base of regional quartzite, was created with the intention of achieving Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). And the stone used throughout the exterior and interior of the project - quarried and fabricated by Jasper Stone Co. of Sioux Falls, SD, a subsidiary of L.G. Everist, Inc. - contributed to meeting the overall goals for LEED certification.

After two successful runs last year, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) set out on another “Quarry Tours and More” expedition in March 2008 - this time visiting several of the many granite and limestone sites in Texas. The two-day trip, which was held on Wednesday, March 19, and Thursday, March 20, was attended by a group of industry professionals from across the U.S. who were looking forward to learning more about the quarrying and fabrication processes in the southwest region. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to witness the carving skills of some incredibly talented sculptors at their shop in Florence, TX.

Those traveling through the new South Terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami, FL, will be greeted by more than security gates and baggage claim carousels. Within the new structure is literally a work of art, which was created by sculptor Brad J. Goldberg of Dallas, TX. Titled “Coral Eden,” the project features two expansive Italian travertine walls - each stretching approximately 100 feet tall and 30 feet wide and intricately carved to resemble Brain Coral.