Dating back to the 1800s, the Bethel White Quarry in Bethel, VT, is a staple among the sites owned and operated by Rock of Ages Corp. Currently, the quarry is undergoing an extensive development effort to maintain its long-standing history of high-quality production well into the future.
Now that we’re in the middle of “Trade Show Season” -
with StonExpo and Coverings taking place within a span of two months - I find
myself continually writing about the various seminar programs for the stone
industry.
An American Institute of Architects continuing education event gives architects a first-hand look at the stone-production process -- from quarrying to fabrication to installation.
For many stone fabricators in the U.S., the past few years have been the roughest on record. Not only have they been struggling to withstand an economic recession that has lingered far longer than expected, but they are also facing continued competition from low-cost competitors.
Taking place in locales across the U.S., the Marble Institute of America/Stone World “Stone Industry Education” program drew hundreds of fabricators, shop managers and business owners over the course of 2010, and it offered a diverse lineup of topics.
For several years, the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) has been conducting workshops for its members and guests at fabrication shops around the country. From October 7 to 9, the SFA expanded on that model by holding its first “Mega-Workshop” in the St. Louis suburb of Collinsville, IL.
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.
In this forum, members of the Stone Fabricators Alliance offer their candid views on how the stone industry is slowly recovering from a lingering recession.
With a mix of commercial and residential work, Stone Concepts of Brighton, CO, has been able to maintain a pattern of growth and continued investment, including a move to a new facility two years ago.
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.