108
www.stoneworld.com March 2010 Museum of Liverpool Fabricator Issues & Solutions Coverings Show Preview

Stone World 201003

  • Upload
    lorin72

  • View
    748

  • Download
    8

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Stone World 201003

www.stoneworld.com

March 2010

Museum of LiverpoolFabricator Issues & Solutions

Coverings Show Preview

001 Cover.indd 1001 Cover.indd 1 2/22/10 10:18:14 AM2/22/10 10:18:14 AM

Page 2: Stone World 201003

Casanova

N A T U R A L S T O N E S

VERONA - ITALY

®®

BLOCKS & QUARRIES

®

Tel. +39 045 8875111 • Fax +39 045 8875155www.granitex.it

Casanova

granitexsw05094.indd 1granitexsw05094.indd 1 4/13/09 10:01:07 AM4/13/09 10:01:07 AM

Page 3: Stone World 201003

tekmarsw03104.indd 1tekmarsw03104.indd 1 1/25/10 2:52:49 PM1/25/10 2:52:49 PM

Page 4: Stone World 201003

www.ArtisanSinks.com Complies with ASME A112.19.3-2000

the StoneArtisan Sinks

and Stone Countertops. . .the Perfect Marriage

The New Premium Undermount

Kitchen Sink Collection

• Beautiful, durable and very affordable

• Heavy 16-gauge, 304 stainless steel

• 13 styles and 22 sizes

• Stain and corrosion resistant

eÉÅtÇv|Çz

artisansw03104.indd 1artisansw03104.indd 1 2/15/10 9:14:49 AM2/15/10 9:14:49 AM

Page 5: Stone World 201003

Call Now to Learn How to Become the AuthorizedDistributor in your Marketplace +1 (602) 438-1001

Profi t is achieved when Value is understood.

Features and Benefi ts + Price = Value

Your customers will appreciate the respect you display when you educate them with the details of quality.

Beauty…Durability…Clean-ability

Authentic Durango Stone™ is produced using the highest

standards in the industry and is designed to last a lifetime.

Experience the Authentic Durango Stone™ difference…..there’s only one!

WorldWideStone_SW0310.indd 1WorldWideStone_SW0310.indd 1 2/18/10 1:57:34 PM2/18/10 1:57:34 PM

Page 6: Stone World 201003

6 March 2010 | Stone World

Member:

®

Publisher Alex Bachrach, ext. 8615 [email protected]

Editor/Associate Publisher Michael Reis, ext. 8613 [email protected]

Managing Editor Jennifer Adams, ext. 8611 [email protected]

Associate Editor Alexis Fisher, ext. 8612 [email protected]

Production Manager Jennifer Karras, 248/202-0220 [email protected]

Senior Art Director Wendy Zaremba-Just, 248/244-6476 [email protected]

Office Manager Hilda Rowland, ext. 8610 [email protected]

Regional Advertising Managers Janelle Minghine, 734/340-5211 fax: 734/340-5212 [email protected]

Steve Smith, 617/909-5973 fax: 248/283-6531 [email protected]

European Sales Dee Wakefield, 44 207 937 4488 fax: 44 207 792 3331 [email protected]

Reprint Manager Jill DeVries, 248/244-1726 [email protected]

210 Route 4 East, Suite 203Paramus, NJ 07652

Phone: 201/291-9001Fax: 201/291-9002

E-mail: [email protected]: www.stoneworld.com

006-010 Masthead.indd 6006-010 Masthead.indd 6 2/22/10 10:20:09 AM2/22/10 10:20:09 AM

Page 7: Stone World 201003

www.granitedepot.us

Rea

ch u

s at

W

e w

ill b

e ha

ppy

to s

erve

you

][

(904

) 30

6-00

36

AZTE

CA

MAT

RIX

POLI

SH &

BRUSH

UBAT

UBA

TYP

HOON B

ORDEAUX

SOLA

RIU

S

MASCAREL

LO

JUPAR

AN

A BORDEAUX

CREM

A BORDEAUX

GREE

N G

OLD

COCO B

LUE

BALT

IC B

ROW

N

NACAR

ADO

BROW

NIE

We will do absolutely everything to guarantee your complete satisfaction, so

• We will bring you here to select

your slabs

• We will present to you a huge

selection of EXOTIC material

• Most competitive price in

“QUALITY” basic colors

• Best effi cient delivery time

• 12 years in business and more

than 1,500 containers delivered

• “AREA PROTECTION”

– no sales to your competitors

The The GRANITEDEPOTDEPOT Way Way[

Coming to Coverings?

Call us and we’ll arrange your trip! ]

Elected the Elected the Best Granite Best Granite Supplier bySupplier by HGTV!HGTV!

GraniteDepot_SW03104.indd 1GraniteDepot_SW03104.indd 1 2/17/10 11:13:54 AM2/17/10 11:13:54 AM

Page 8: Stone World 201003

pokarnasw03104.indd 1pokarnasw03104.indd 1 2/15/10 9:12:28 AM2/15/10 9:12:28 AM

Page 9: Stone World 201003

pokarnasw03104.indd 2pokarnasw03104.indd 2 2/15/10 9:12:35 AM2/15/10 9:12:35 AM

Page 10: Stone World 201003

10 March 2010 | Stone World

Classified Ad Sales Janelle Minghine, 734/340-5211 fax: 734/340-5212

[email protected]

Marketing Coordinator Kevin Hackney, [email protected]

Single Copy Sales Ann Kalb, 248/244-6499, [email protected]

Audience Development Coordinator Cassandra Haggard, [email protected]

Multimedia Coordinator Stephanie Hunt, [email protected]

Audience Audit Coordinator Kelly M. Carlson, [email protected]

List Rental POSTAL Robert Liska, List Manager, 800-223-2194 [email protected] EMAIL Shawn Kingston, Account Manager, 800-409-4443 [email protected]

For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: 847/763-9534 or fax: 847/763-9538, e-mail: [email protected]

Corporate Directors PUBLISHING Timothy A. Fausch PUBLISHING John R. Schrei AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Christine A. Baloga CUSTOM MEDIA Steve M. Beyer CORPORATE STRATEGY Rita M. Foumia INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Scott Kesler PRODUCTION Vincent M. Miconi FINANCE Lisa L. Paulus CREATIVE Michael T. Powell MARKETING Holly Banks DIRECTORIES Nikki Smith HUMAN RESOURCES Marlene J. Witthoft CONFERENCES & EVENTS Emily Patten CLEAR SEAS RESEARCH Beth A. Surowiec

Stone World Corporate OfficeBNP Media/Stone World

2401 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700Troy, Michigan 48084

248/362-3700www.stoneworld.com

BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information

JURALIMESTONEMADE INGERMANYOwn quarries! Own production! Special for: Slabs Floor tiles Cut to size

If you want to have more information please visit our website or contact us directly:Vereinigte Marmorwerke Kaldorf GmbH Auweg 6 | 85135 Kaldorf | [email protected] Phone +49 8423 / 99 11-0 | Fax +49 8423 / 99 11-40www.vm-kaldorf.de

California Agent TriStone & Tile Inc., Van Nuys CAPhone (818)997-9200 | Fax (818)997-9208www.tristoneandtile.com | [email protected]

006-010 Masthead.indd 10006-010 Masthead.indd 10 2/22/10 10:20:26 AM2/22/10 10:20:26 AM

Page 11: Stone World 201003

lasersw03104.indd 1lasersw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 3:39:57 PM2/17/10 3:39:57 PM

Page 12: Stone World 201003

T . 800-575-4401 • www.braxton-bragg.com • F. 800-915-5501

©20

10_0

17SW

Why pay more than $5 for a sink install kit, when you coulduse the Hercules® Universal Sink Harness and complete yourinstall project in minutes, with no return trip needed?

The new Hercules® Universal Sink Harness from Braxton-Bragg isanother great innovation that can save installers time and money.

The Hercules® Universal Sink Harness is a simple, ingenious alternativeto expensive brackets that only work on some installations, and a time–saving, more professional alternative to building a scrap wood support sys-tem to hold the sink in place while the caulk or adhesive dries. It installswithout drilling into expensive countertops or cutting notches into yourcustomer’s cabinets, and without using messy epoxies or relying on adhe-sives to secure sinks. One of the most immediately recognizable benefits isthat you won’t have to make a return trip to remove sink bracing or jury-rigged 2 x 4 supports.

The Hercules® Universal Sink Harness has been fabricator-and installa-tion-tested under demanding conditions. It can be used to install the mostpopular types of sinks, including ceramic, stainless steel, and even cast ironundermount. It is effective on either double bowl or single bar steel orceramic vanity sinks. Just imagine – one simple, inexpensive kit can do allof those sinks! Not only is the Hercules® Universal Sink Harness the fastestand most economical system available, it’s also the most versatile.

While the Sink Harness was being developed and tested, we discoveredanother notable benefit of the Sink Harness: it’s a great system to repairfailed undermount installations. Many fabricators are asked to repairsomeone else’s poor sink installation job and the Hercules® Universal SinkHarness will get the job done quickly, and provide you the opportunity tobe the one contractors and home owners in your area call for help.

Some clips and anchor systems rely on the counter top to support thesink – not so with the Hercules® Universal Sink Harness. Just like a suspen-sion bridge, the Hercules® Universal Sink Harness helps to provide multi-ple points of support and over-all strength to a countertop installation. Itactually transfers all weight to the cabinet and doesn’t add additional stressto the weakest and most easily damaged part of the countertop – the sinkcut out. It does its primary function admirably well – support the sinkunder the heaviest of loads.

Can a $4.95 product really solve an industry-wide problem?Braxton-Bragg wants to prove it to everyone who’s faced sink-installa-tion problem, or just plain wants to save money and keep their shopprofitable. Just call Braxton-Bragg and we’ll send you a Hercules®Universal Sink Harness FREE to try! Visit our new website for thecomplete Universal Sink Harness demo.

Step 2:Install Clips

Step 1: Determine Assembly Locations

Patent Pending

Step 3: Install Harness Wire

Step 4: Adjust Sink

Step 5: Tighten Bolt

Item # Description Low Intro Price17310 Hercules® Universal Sink Harness $4.95

One free Hercules® Universal Sink Harness per customer.

NEWUndermount

System!

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST SINK UNDERMOUNTSYSTEM – AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $4.95!

THE HERCULES® UNIVERSAL SINK HARNESSinstalls in minutes.

CALL FOR

A FREESAMPLE!

braxtonsw03104.indd 1braxtonsw03104.indd 1 2/12/10 10:17:20 AM2/12/10 10:17:20 AM

Page 13: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 13

March 2010 • Vol. 27, No. 3www.stoneworld.com

DEPARTMENTS 16 Stone Column 19 Newsline 24 Statistics 28 News 104 Calendar 105 New Products 106 New Literature 106 New Equipment 108 Stone of the Month 109 Machine of the Month 110 Marketplace 113 Classified 114 Ad Index

FEATURESFabricator Case Studies 34 Maintaining quality through technology 44 Maintaining a well-rounded stone operation

54 Coverings 2010 returns to Orlando

Fabricator Issues & Solutions 64 Is your workplace safe? 68 Working with recycled countertop materials 72 The “microshop” is born

Institutional Architecture 78 Sandstone and limestone form distinctive courthouse design 84 New Liverpool landmark is defined by Jura limestone

STONE WORLD Volume 27, Issue 3 (ISSN 1052-6994) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media, 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-4903. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualifi ed individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualifi ed individuals in the U.S.A.: $104.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualifi ed individuals in Canada: $137.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $154.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2010, by BNP Media. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offi ces. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: STONE WORLD, P.O. Box 2144, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to STONE WORLD, P.O. Box 2144, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or [email protected].

On the Cover: Slated for completion next year, the new Museum of Liverpool in the U.K. is being clad with a striking facade of Jura limestone from Vereinigte Marmorwerke (V.M.) Kaldorf GmbH of Germany, featuring geometric panels that were custom cut to form an intricate pattern. Architect: 3XN, Copenhagen, Denmark. Contractor: Pihl Galliford Try — a joint venture of E. Pihl & Søn A.S. of Lyngby, Denmark, and Galliford Try of Middlesex, England. Photo courtesy of E. Pihl & Søn A.S. Story on page 84.

Coming Next Month: In April, Stone World will take a look at some of the challenges that fabricators are facing today with an in-depth roundtable, featuring candid comments by stoneworking professionals from around the country. Our next issue will also include several “Fabricator Case Studies,” with an inside look inside the shops of several firms. Others articles will focus on commercial stone projects, and a Coverings Booth Preview will round out the issue.

44

68

78

013 Contents.indd 13013 Contents.indd 13 3/2/10 11:02:40 AM3/2/10 11:02:40 AM

Page 14: Stone World 201003

NATURAL STONE PROCESSORS

[email protected]

SUPREME BLACK from TAB INDIA The Powerhouse of Black Granites

INDIA OFFICE Tab India, 502, Apex Mall, Tonk Road, Jaipur 302015 India Ph +91.141.2744200 Fax +91.141.2744500

GRANITEMARBLESLATEMARBLMQUARTZITESLATESSANDSTONEQUARTZITEQUARTZITELIMESTONESANDSTONSANDSTON

TILESSLABSTILESTMOSAICSSLABSSLABSCUT TO SIZEMOSAICSMOSAIC

S u p r e m eNewest Discovery by Tab

The blackest granite from India and possibly the world. Tab owned and operated quarry.

Non-stainableInexhaustible

Massive production

From the Powerhouse of Black Granites, Tab India offers:More finishes, More types, More options-

20+ varieties of BLACK available

tabindiasw03104.indd 1tabindiasw03104.indd 1 2/12/10 11:08:32 AM2/12/10 11:08:32 AM

Page 15: Stone World 201003

US OFFICE 30 - 52nd Way, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55421 Ph +1.763.571.8400 Fax +1.763.571.8600

e B l a c k

Marmomacc 2009, Verona, ItalyHall 10 - Stand C4

tabindiasw03104.indd 2tabindiasw03104.indd 2 2/22/10 2:20:54 PM2/22/10 2:20:54 PM

Page 16: Stone World 201003

STONE COLUMNSEEING GREAT THINGS HAPPEN

In this job, I spend a lot of time talking to stone industry members. These days, of course, much

of the discussion is about the economy, and how soon it will be until we really see a difference out

there. It is a tedious, but necessary chore — sort of like brushing your teeth. You do it every day be-

cause you need to, but it’s not all that remarkable.

A refreshing break from this activity is when we get to work one-on-one with stone industry mem-

bers and see what is actually happening in the field. Despite how difficult times are for

this industry, there are some intriguing developments that can be found in terms of stone

processing and applications, and some examples can be found in this issue of Stone World.

We begin with a look at two fabricators, both of which have embraced modern stone-

working technology. The first “Fabricator Case Study” showcases Myrtle Beach Granite

and Marble Inc. of Myrtle Beach, CA, (page 34), and it not only shows the company’s latest

technology investments, but also the complex finished work that the shop is able to pro-

duce — including a one-of-a-kind project combining glass with two varieties of granite.

Our next “Fabricator Case Study” focuses on Marble Tech Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL,

which serves as a prime example of a shop that blends advanced stoneworking machin-

ery in the shop with digital technology in the office and on the jobsite. The company’s

equipment selection includes modern robotic cutting technology that was still on the

drawing boards a few years ago.

Of course, advanced technology is not limited to high-volume operations, and this is illustrated in

the “Microshop” feature on page 72. Showing real-life examples of parts being processed in his shop,

veteran fabricator Scott McGourley demonstrates how the latest generation of stoneworking technol-

ogy can be effectively utilized while averaging a production rate of 200 to 500 square feet.

Our opportunities to see the accomplishments of the stone industry here at Stone World go beyond

the fabrication shop, as evidenced by the features on two completed institutional projects — the

New Mexico Court of Appeals in Albuquerque, NM (page 78) and the Museum of Liverpool in the

U.K. (page 84). Both projects utilize modern stone installation systems, with the New Mexico Court

of Appeals exemplifying the use of stone in an adhered veneer system.

Meanwhile, at the Museum of Liverpool — where construction is ongoing — computer modeling

and an innovative stone assembly/installation system have allowed for a truly unique project where

stone panels angle outward from the building, creating a three-dimensional pattern. The stone was

precisely processed by Vereinigte Marmorwerke (V.M.) Kaldorf GmbH of Germany, and the museum

serves as an example of the innovations that can be accomplished through the collaboration of the

architects, contractors and stoneworking professionals.

At a time when our industry is still reeling from the effects of a multi-year recession, it is particu-

larly gratifying to sit back and review some of the success stories developing across our industry. I

invite you to do the same.

Michael Reis, Editor/Associate Publisher

016 StoneColumn.indd 2016 StoneColumn.indd 2 2/22/10 10:20:43 AM2/22/10 10:20:43 AM

Page 17: Stone World 201003

®

Diarex®

CNC Vacuum SystemDiarex® Vacuum Pods are precision manufactured in Italy to the exacting OEM specifications of the industry’stop stone machinery manufactures. Diarex vacuum pods feature anodized aluminum with vulcanized rubberon the top and bottom plates, with double sealed replaceable rubber gaskets and a modular design for lowshipping costs, easy replacement of damaged components, and the ability to assemble custom pod solutions.Diarex Vacuum Pods are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes; call your GranQuartz sales professionalfor more details. 1-800-458-6222

• Fully functioning/interchangeable vacuumplates on top and bottom for extra holdingpower and versatility (most systems feature asimple gasket design for the bottom plate).

• Modular design for lower shipping costs andno need to ship entire pods across the countryfor rework due to damage or wear.

• Individual pieces can be purchased andshipped quickly to your location.

• Vulcanized rubber plates with double sealedrubber gaskets that are easily replaceable (andmore wear resistant than foam gaskets foundon other systems.

Modular design for versatility- allparts are available separately.

Toll-Free 1 (800) 458-6222 Fax: (770) 621-9771 • www.granquartz.comStocking Locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Miami.

gq1sw03104.indd 1gq1sw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 11:20:16 AM2/17/10 11:20:16 AM

Page 18: Stone World 201003

Proliner, world’s leading digitizer in 2D & 3D measurements!

Service center424 4th Lane S.W., Vero Beach FL. 32962T: (+1) 772 - 293 - 9422 888 - 229 - 3328 toll [email protected]

Sales officeMr. John RichertsM: (+1) [email protected]

Proliner, world’s leading digitizer in 2D & 3D measurements!

For more information and demo movies, visit our website www.prodimusa.com

Measurements made fast, accurate and easy:Stairs, bathrooms, swimming pool edges, formed profiles, renovations, sinks, countertops, backsplashes

and all your other 2D and 3D objects

a product of

The Proliner offers us the best in precision measuring tech-nology. Novice users like us, without CAD experience, find the Proliner easy to use and simple to operate. It reduces waste and turnaround time by providing precise measure-ments quickly. Very pleasant process of purchasing the Pro-liner: local sales rep came out to jobsite and measured the whole job (over 200 square ft.). After fabrication everything fit. Good support. Our investment on the Proliner let us advance our learning curve of the CNCmachine we bought to a couple of weeks., instead of a few months like I was told. It added a level of professionalism to my shop that customers seem to notice. Thanks Prodim so far so good!

Jazz Toor - Paramount Granite and MarbleValdosta, GA

Proven the best and most accurate in 2D and 3D measurement!

Proliner® 8 Series 2D or 3DProliner® 6 Series 2D or 3D

Check out our websitewww.prodimusa.com

Finance available.Get your quote now!

prodimsw03104.indd 1prodimsw03104.indd 1 2/12/10 1:32:19 PM2/12/10 1:32:19 PM

Page 19: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 19

NEWSLINESTONE WORLD AND MARBLE INSTITUTE KICK OFF 2010 REGIONAL EDUCATION SERIES . . .

The 2010 MIA/Stone World seminar series kicks off in March with an emphasis on both residential and commercial projects. “Business Success for Fabricators – Don’t Let Revenue Slip Away!” was set for March 11 in Houston, TX, while “Using Natural Stone in Commercial Projects” was slated for March 17 in Washington, DC.

The schedule also includes events in Chicago, IL (April 15), Ft. Lauderdale, FL (June 9), St. Louis, MO (June 30), Calgary, Alberta, Canada (July 20), Denver, CO (July 22), San Francisco, CA (September 15), Minneapolis, MN (September 22), Vermont Quarry Tours (October 6 to 7) and New York, NY (November 10).

All of the 2010 programs will be held in wholesale slab distributor showrooms. MS International, Walker Zanger and Amsun & Ash have already committed to host 2010 seminars. Host site sponsorships are still available.

Registration is open for all 2010 events, and attendees can register online at www.stoneworld.com/miaeducation.Limited opportunities to serve on the host committee for each city also exist. Learn more at www.marble-institute.

com/getinvolved. Host committee members receive discounts to the seminars and other incentives, including $100 of free merchandise from the MIA bookstore.

Several leading equipment and supply companies are sponsoring the 2010 seminar series including: GranQuartz, Laser Products, Northwood Machine, Schechner Lifson Corp. and VIC International. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Learn more at www.stoneworld.com/miaeducation.

COVERINGS ANNOUNCES MOVE TO LAS VEGAS FOR 2011 . . .Coverings show management recently announced that the 2011 edition of the event will take place in Las Vegas,

NV. This year’s event will remain in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center, and it is scheduled for April 24 to 27.

While a previous announcement named Los Angeles as the Coverings 2011 location, show organizers jumped at the chance to make the switch to Las Vegas when the opportunity presented itself. Next year’s edition of Coverings will take place from March 14 to 17, 2011 at the Sands Convention Center.

“Coverings has had its eye on Las Vegas for years, so we’re thrilled that the show will be going to this truly singular city earlier than we had anticipated,” said Jennifer Hoff, President of Events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces Coverings. “Given Las Vegas’ unrivaled status as the number one venue for some of the world’s leading conventions and trade shows, we have no doubt that Coverings 2011 will rank as one of our most successful and memorable shows ever.”

The decision to take Coverings to Las Vegas is the latest development in show organizers’ plan to make a strategic move westward following this year’s upcoming show. Given that the West Coast is a key market for tile and stone, and also home to some of the world’s leading architects and designers, Coverings has long been keen to return to the region. The inaugural Coverings show was held 21 years ago in Los Angeles, CA, and then twice again in Anaheim, CA, in its early past.

“In Las Vegas, we have the best of everything: an incomparable resort city that’s not only an easy commute from the West Coast, but also a top draw for those from all over the country, and indeed the rest of the world as well,” said Hoff.

Coverings is sponsored by ASCER (Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain), Confindustria Ceramica (Italian Association of Ceramics), Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).

For more information on attending or exhibiting at Coverings 2010, or for information on Coverings 2011, visit www.coverings.com or contact NTP, Coverings Show Management, at 703-683-8500.

NEW MARBLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA OFFICERS CHOSEN . . . Brett S. Rugo, founder and president of Rugo Stone, LLC of Lorton, VA, and grandson of an Italian stone carver,

has been chosen as the new president of the Marble Institute of America (MIA).A native of Barre, VT, Rugo had more than a decade of experience in various aspects of stone industry sales and

project management when he started Rugo Stone in 1996. Rugo Stone has been widely recognized for its work, receiving over 45 regional, national and international craftsmanship awards. Rugo has served on the MIA Board of Directors for five years, and will now serve as president for a one-year term.

Other officers chosen by MIA’s Board of Directors at the association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV, in October are: Vice President, Gasper (G.K.) Naquin of Stone Interiors in Loxley, AL; Secretary, Michael A. Twiss of Columbia Stone, Inc. in Tualatin, OR; and Treasurer, Jonathan Zanger of Walker Zanger, Inc. in Perth Amboy, NJ.

Zanger, a veteran of more than 30 years in the stone business, was also elected as an MIA Director. Daniel J. Rea, a Senior Vice President for Cold Spring Granite of Cold Spring, MN, was also elected to the Board of Directors. Rea has been part of the stone industry for more than 30 years.

MORAWARE USER GROUP MEETS IN LAS VEGAS . . . LAS VEGAS, NV — Moraware JobTracker held a user group meeting on February 8 as part of the International

Countertop Expo. The session served as an educational forum, where users of the system offered some insight into how JobTracker has helped their specific model.

019-020 Newsline.indd 19019-020 Newsline.indd 19 2/22/10 10:21:15 AM2/22/10 10:21:15 AM

Page 20: Stone World 201003

20 March 2010 | Stone World

NEWSLINEAn introduction by Harry Hollander of Moraware included some useful links for help and staying connected:• Answers: http://answers.moraware.com• Help: http://www.moraware.com/help• Blog: http://blog.moraware.com• Facebook: http://facebook.com/Moraware• Newsletter: subscribe by emailing [email protected]

Following the introduction, the next presentation was “Tips and Tricks” by Roderick Bley of Fabricator’s Choice. “Roderick covered topics that are beyond the scope of how most people use the software and how we ever imagined people would use it, so it provided a great alternative to how we usually recommend using JobTracker,” Hollander said. “Roderick showed how Vaman Enterprises tracks vacations, machine maintenance, and how they deal with multiple shops that handle a huge volume of stone, solid surface and laminate jobs. “

This was followed by “How I use JobTracker” by Don Hinckley of NBC Solid Surfaces and Connecticut Soapstone. “Don went through how they track a job from start to finish: starting with a quote, turning it into a job, scheduling and tracking inventory,” Hollander said. “At NBC, Don hired a programmer to extract more detailed reports from Moraware into custom software, so he could have a very specific overview of the work in progress in his shop.”

Another “How I use JobTracker” presentation was offered by Scott Daily of Maxwell Counters. “Scott was instrumental in planning our meeting, and very clearly articulated his desire to have a community of Moraware JobTracker users,” according to Hollander. “Scott also took us on a live tour of how they manage their jobs, and though they have a business that is similar to that of the other speakers — multiple product lines servicing a large number of big dealers — their approach was very different. At Maxwell, their approach is intentionally simple. Unless they all agree that a particular addition to the software is useful, they leave it out.”

NORTHWOOD STONEWORKS SPONSORS SFA WORKSHOP . . .All stone fabricators are invited to join Northwood and the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) at Crowe Custom

Countertops in Acworth, GA, (near Atlanta) from March 25 to 27 for an inside look at both a high-volume production facility as well as small workcell production.

This industry event will feature three Northwood CNC machines running real parts, for real jobs for actual customers, as opposed to a typical sales demonstration. Attendees will be given an opportunity to see the machinery operate in a “real world environment,” creating countertops and making money.

During the event, Northwood will showcase two different scenarios for countertop manufacturing. First, the updated Ultimate FabCenter (SW138-UFC) will be sawing slabs in the morning using the high-torque SmartSaw and profiling edges in the afternoon — representing a small workcell all-in-one machine facility.

The other scenario features the dual-table SawJET technology feeding parts directly to the CNC router to be profiled — producing up to 500 square feet per day.

Besides the machinery, many interesting topics will be up for discussion throughout the three-day workshop. These topics include:

• Advantages of the digital workshop • The advantages of a laser templating system • Operation of a “fab only” shop • Sales and marketing, including the use of Internet tools • Efficient small workcell production using the SW138-UFC — Ultimate FabCenter • High-volume production management of up to 500 square feet per day utilizing the dual-table SawJET and

CNC router Contact Robbie Tidwell at Northwood Machine ([email protected] or 502-267-5504) for more

information, or register online with the Stone Fabricators Alliance at www.stonefabricatorsalliance.com.

ONE LINERS . . .Hanley Wood Exhibitions announced that StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces have changed the dates

of the 2011 shows, to be held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. The expos will now be held from January 25 to 27, 2011, with conferences running from January 24 to 27, 2011. “There are a few reasons we decided to shift the dates,” said, Dana Teague, Show Director for StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces. “Most importantly, we listened to our customers who said that a Tuesday-to-Thursday show works best for their busy schedules. It is also the most economical solution in terms of travel expenses for attendees and exhibitors alike.” For more information, visit www.StonExpo.com.

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) announced that Mapei Corp., a manufacturer of products for the stone, tile, flooring and concrete repair industry — will sponsor its prestigious Pinnacle Awards competition for 2010. Initiated 10 years ago, the Pinnacle Awards program honors natural stone companies, architects and designers worldwide for exemplary work in the residential, commercial and renovation arenas, resulting in significant global recognition for winners. The call for entries for the 2010 Pinnacle Awards will be issued in March, with entries due in mid-summer.

019-020 Newsline.indd 20019-020 Newsline.indd 20 2/22/10 10:21:22 AM2/22/10 10:21:22 AM

Page 21: Stone World 201003

rockofagesw03104.indd 1rockofagesw03104.indd 1 2/15/10 8:59:01 AM2/15/10 8:59:01 AM

Page 22: Stone World 201003

22 March 2010 | Stone World

ARAB EMIRATES 69,182 74 66,850 82

ARGENTINA 26,084 254 104,976 1,062

BELGIUM 39,401 64 9,320 4 8,925 1

BRAZIL 24,454,905 30,674 100,209 94 148,123 136,831 155

BULGARIA 68,951 55

CANADA 913,392 1,755 809,470 514 293,714 1,178,970 4,096

CHINA 14,572,843 19,581 5,085,873 4,690 1,745,282 515,307 754

COLOMBIA 89,020 120

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 89,827 245 333,507 509 12,683 16

EGYPT 20,930 22 469,005 848 3,034 20

FINLAND 10,487 8

FRANCE 687,437 385 74,154

GERMANY 5,984 2 172,904 122 39,834 14,319 2

GREECE 17,946 17 459,118 415

HONG KONG 65,229 103 3,563 1

INDIA 7,267,807 9,479 906,327 1,043 1,592,688 147,040 359

INDONESIA 334,835 424

ISRAEL 891,727 876 68,547 3,600

ITALY 10,074,994 6,258 6,251,289 3,888 65,473 69,130 85

LEBANON 2,909 1 271,264 23,216

MALAYSIA 5,840 7

MEXICO 25,796 36 4,493,003 5,246 22,857 429,265 3,866

MOROCCO 23,484 2

NETHERLANDS 13,438 8

NORWAY 45,781 31

PAKISTAN 224,803 98

PERU 24,631 17 810,398 777

PHILIPPINES 63,459 157 110,697 7,169 34,243 237

PORTUGAL 1,688,661 2,780

ROMANIA 5,642 1

SAUDI ARABIA 45,164 21

SPAIN 435,055 472 2,411,164 2,362 35,519

TAIWAN 2,194,364 2,005 312,032 138

THAILAND 2,988 1 5,694

TUNISIA 30,815 21

TURKEY 15,547,038 31,895 2,090 7,550 21

UNITED KINGDOM 12,020 2 39,724 47 85,219 46,984 16

URUGUAY 38,705 39

ZIMBABWE 3,645 13

OTHER 916,749 474 251,300 391 35,122 50,129 113

TOTAL NOVEMBER 2009 61,447,082 71,799 43,073,234 89,283 4,145,769 2,726,602 13,354

TOTAL NOVEMBER 2008 94,037,155 100,864 69,202,448 128,277 7,018,712 5,670,932 11,833

STATISTICSNovember 2009 | Imports to the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight

*includes marble, travertine, alabaster and other calcareous stone, **tonnage figures not available, ***includes dolomite, sandstone, quartzite, basalt, porphyry and other non-specific monumental or building stone SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ TONS

COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE* SLATE** OTHER***

022-024 Stats.indd 22022-024 Stats.indd 22 2/22/10 10:21:56 AM2/22/10 10:21:56 AM

Page 23: Stone World 201003

(tool holder not included)

1,001 Shapes of TheNinja REVEALED!(here are 3 to demonstrate the possibilities)

gq3sw03104.indd 1gq3sw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 3:37:41 PM2/17/10 3:37:41 PM

Page 24: Stone World 201003

24 March 2010 | Stone World

ANTIGUA 4,200 1 9,775 2ARAB EMIRATES 199,779 422 91,800 12ARGENTINA 7,640 40ARUBA 17,068 21AUSTRALIA 722,828 305 15,000 AUSTRIA 4,429 1 BAHAMAS 38,530 50 55,059 25 4,067 20,335 61BARBADOS 13,676 6 BELIZE 19,357 24 3,842 BERMUDA 56,331 54 BRAZIL 14,401 19 3,164 13 26,397 8BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 15,050 21 CANADA 1,968,656 3,358 782,666 11,210 207,943 2,077,690 8,474CAYMAN ISLANDS 4,145 1 9,220 24,640 20CHINA 659,783 2,350 8,506 17 COSTA RICA 18,162 19 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 110,593 249 ECUADOR 7,923 1FRANCE 3,547 9GERMANY 55,472 952 326,200 1,793HONDURAS 17,300 18 HONG KONG 35,314 14INDIA 47,241 154 INDONESIA 3,172 1IRELAND 17,568 19ITALY 433,425 1,466 15,250 1 26,578 17JAMAICA 2,705 2 JAPAN 3,700 1 16,383 2 21,171 8LUXEMBOURG 2,557 MEXICO 89,958 62 74,712 61 3,626 8MONTSERRAT 2,810 1 N. ANTILLES 23,756 9 7,692 5 2,960 20NEW ZEALAND 26,847 34NORWAY 3,000 PANAMA 12,730 12 15,992 1PORTUGAL 9,828 18 RUSSIA 7,438 2 SINGAPORE 84,200 SWITZERLAND 4,122 10UNITED KINGDOM 338,792 50 129,000 2,215 30,982 VENEZUELA 9,696 12 OTHER 7,784 2 63,779 69 12,943 19,263 40TOTAL NOVEMBER 2009 4,439,778 7,923 1,628,988 15,336 373,754 2,789,628 10,613TOTAL NOVEMBER 2008 6,017,662 11,362 1,650,637 11,872 318,997 8,651,836 18,268

STATISTICSNovember 2009 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight

*includes marble, travertine, alabaster and other calcareous stone, **tonnage figures not available, ***includes dolomite, sandstone, quartzite, basalt, porphyry and other non-specific monumental or building stone SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ TONS

COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE* SLATE** OTHER***

PRODUCT SOURCINGPRODU

Check out the 2010 Online Version of Stone World’s Stone Guide at

www.stoneworld.com/stoneguide

MADE EASY.

SEARCHABLE • COMPREHENSIVE • INFORMATIVE

SW_stoneguidestats_housead1209.indd 1 12/21/09 3:33:01 PM

022-024 Stats.indd 24022-024 Stats.indd 24 2/22/10 10:22:04 AM2/22/10 10:22:04 AM

Page 25: Stone World 201003

texastonesw03104.indd 1texastonesw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 11:44:51 AM2/17/10 11:44:51 AM

Page 26: Stone World 201003

26 March 2010 | Stone World

NEWSMARMO MECCANICA S.P.A. CONSOLIDATES ITS NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Marmo Meccanica S.p.A. has consolidated its North American operations to better serve its customers needs. Sales, Service, Parts and Tooling will now be operated out of the company’s Rochester Hills,

MI, location. Customers can call, fax or e-mail one number for all of their Marmo Meccanica machinery needs, reports the company.

The Rochester Hills location is stocked both with machines ready for delivery as well as a wide inventory of spare parts and tools.

The staff, which is already composed

of two North American area managers — Steve Collick and Nick McDonald — is now being complemented with two additional experienced members of the original Marmo Meccanica team. Howard Garvey is managing the Parts and Tooling department, and Mike Johnson is providing technical service.

At the same locat ion, Marmo Meccanica is able to carry out com-plete overhauls of machines of its own brand. Through this central-ized operation, Marmo Meccanica reports it can guarantee, better than ever, a direct presence in the North American marketplace. Since the cus-tomer is dealing with the factory, this can ensure competitive pricing and prompt service.

SAUDI ARABIAN PRODUCER ADDS NEW TILE PLANT

SAUDI ARABIA — A new plant for the production of modular granite tiles

1-800-350-1901www.miraclesealants.com

FREEcontractorrewardprogramBack by Popular Demand!Miracle Sealants will continue its industryfirst Contractor Reward Program.

Terms & Conditions:• In order to receive rebate, contractors must

have a membership number for processing.Go to: www.miraclesealants.com/contractor

• A copy of all product receipts must bemarked with the membership number and mailed within 30 days of purchase to Miracle Sealants, c/o Marketing Dept.,12318 Lower Azusa Road, Arcadia, CA 91006,or e-mailed to [email protected]

• Contractors must purchase products from aAuthorized Miracle Sealants Distributor.

• Program runs from January 1st to December15th each year.

• Contractor will need to renew each year andcan be done simply by going back on-line.

Start Now – Go To:www.miraclesealants.com/contractor

Qualified contractors willreceive a year-end

10% CASH REBATEon all Miracle Sealants purchases made overthe course of the year.

Marmo Meccanica North America’s facility is located in Rochester Hills, MI.

The Rochester Hills location is stocked both with machines ready for delivery and a wide inventory of spare parts and tools.

026-032 News.indd 26026-032 News.indd 26 2/22/10 11:14:24 AM2/22/10 11:14:24 AM

Page 27: Stone World 201003

The Difference is Black and White.The Original Quartz Surface. Only from CaesarStone®.There’s no grey area or comparison when choosing the fi nest quartz surface. CaesarStone not only invented the technology, but perfected the process and established the benchmark for design innovation and customer satisfaction. Learn more at www.CaesarStoneUS.com.

Pure White 1141

caesarstonesw03104.indd 1caesarstonesw03104.indd 1 2/5/10 11:19:18 AM2/5/10 11:19:18 AM

Page 28: Stone World 201003

28 March 2010 | Stone World

NEWS

JMSSW02074.indd 1 1/5/07 9:48:05 AM

has been started by Yamama Granite & Marble, a large stone manufacturer located in Saudi Arabia.

Yamama Granite & Marble now has a production capacity of nearly 1.1 million square feet of granite tiles per month, one-third of which will be produced with new equipment from Pedrini of Italy, according to the company.

Investments include three “Arco Di Trionfo” multi-blade cutting centers from Pedrini, along with one finishing line for polishing and cutting modular granite elements to size. The Pedrini Arco Di Trionfo simultaneously operates vertical and horizontal cut/unload-ing operations on different blocks. The resulting strips are then delivered to the dedicated finishing line.

Pedrini reports that the new tech-nology has been engineered to obtain a low cutting cost per square foot, high productivity and the potential to pro-cess small blocks.

MAPEI SUPPLIES SYSTEMS TO VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC VENUES

DEER FIELD BEACH, FL — In preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Mapei provided 41 different products that contractors used for con-crete restoration, surface preparation, waterproofing and flooring installation in six Vancouver venues, including: • Vancouver Olympic Headquarters

(Campus 2010) • Richmond Speed Skating Oval• Olympic/Paralympic Centre• Canada Hockey Place (GM Place)• Olympic and Paralympic Village

Vancouver• East and West buildings of the Main

Media Centre at Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre

“Mapei supplied the building prod-ucts that helped contractors meet their deadlines to bring the Olympics to British Columbia and British Columbia to the Olympic crowds,” said Luigi Di

A new plant for the production of modular granite tiles has been started by Yamama Granite & Marble, which will include three “Arco Di Trionfo” multi-blade cutting centers from Pedrini of Italy.

Yamama Granite & Marble now has a production capacity of nearly 1.1 million square feet of granite tiles per month.

026-032 News.indd 28026-032 News.indd 28 2/22/10 10:25:07 AM2/22/10 10:25:07 AM

Page 29: Stone World 201003

contstonebosssw02104.indd 1contstonebosssw02104.indd 1 1/15/10 9:09:45 AM1/15/10 9:09:45 AM

Page 30: Stone World 201003

30 March 2010 | Stone World

NEWSGeso, President and CEO of Mapei Americas. “In addition, this year we have expanded our facilities in Delta to handle the requirements of ongoing construction in the province.”

Mapei has been supplying concrete restoration and flooring installation systems to Olympic venues across the Amer icas and around the world

since 1972. The company opened its first manufacturing plant outside of Italy in Laval, Canada, after export-ing Ultrabond G19 to the contractors installing the rubber surface for tracks at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Ultrabond G19 (Adesilex G19 outside of North America) was also used on tracks at the Olympics in Munich, Barcelona,

Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and Beijing.Mapei’s role in providing materi-

als for the construction of Olympic venues in the Americas has grown over the years, embracing the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA, and the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT. Globally, Mapei’s products were most recently used on construction sites at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, and the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. In 2009, 33 years after the 1976 Olympics, Mapei surface preparation products and tile and stone installa-tion products were used to renovate the Olympic Pool at the Centre Sportif Claude Robillard in Montreal.

Additionally, Mapei products are already being used in the construction of sites for the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Byelorussia.

SOUTH CAROLINA FABRICATOR ACHIEVES MIA ACCREDITATION

BLUFFTON, SC — StoneWorks, Inc. of Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC, has earned the designation of Marble Institute of America (MIA) Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator.

chemcoresw06091.indd 1 5/14/09 10:42:58 AM

In preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Mapei provided 41 different products that contractors used for concrete restoration, surface preparation, waterproofing and flooring installation in six Vancouver venues.

026-032 News.indd 30026-032 News.indd 30 2/22/10 10:25:16 AM2/22/10 10:25:16 AM

Page 31: Stone World 201003

vermontsw10094.indd 1vermontsw10094.indd 1 9/15/09 12:55:08 PM9/15/09 12:55:08 PM

Page 32: Stone World 201003

32 March 2010 | Stone World

NEWSTo become an Accredited Natural

Stone Fabricator by the MIA, a company must have successfully completed three phases of application. Phase One is the completion of a lengthy application that requires the applicant company to provide various documents and refer-ences, which ensure that the company is in compliance with the 10 standards of accreditation as laid out by the MIA Accreditation Commission. Phase Two requires the company’s qualifying agent (the designated company representative responsible for filing and maintaining accreditation records for the applicant company) to pass an extensive exam. The exam tests the applicant’s knowl-edge and application of material usage, installation, fabrication, restoration, care and maintenance, administration, legal/contracts and jobsite and shop safety. Phase Three is a comprehen-sive site visit, which includes a facility review, document review and one or more installation site visits.

StoneWorks is the 35th natural stone fabricator to have achieved MIA accred-itation. “We are incredibly honored to have received this illustrious designa-tion, which is a direct reflection of the wonderful, professional staff and high standards at StoneWorks,” said John Baltzegar, III, owner of StoneWorks.

“StoneWorks, Inc. is now able to proudly display the accreditation logo, which symbolizes that they are among the finest in the natural stone industry

with respect to craftsmanship, safety and business practices,” said Garen Distelhorst, Accreditation Manager at the MIA.

StoneWorks is a family-owned com-pany established in 1987, supplying natural stone countertops and tile. StoneWorks has two showrooms in Hilton Head and Bluffton.

For further information, contact StoneWorks at 843-689-6980 or online at www.hiltonheadstone.com.

StoneWorks, Inc. of Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC, has earned the designation of Marble Institute of America (MIA) Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator.

026-032 News.indd 32026-032 News.indd 32 2/22/10 10:25:23 AM2/22/10 10:25:23 AM

Page 33: Stone World 201003

Insert straps under tile during installation.

Set and align tiles. After mortar sets, remove caps and straps.

Tighten caps and straps to virtually eliminate lippage from tile to tile.

1 2 3 4

800-969-5561 (U.S.A.) • 800-387-0008 (Canada) WWW.PEARLABRASIVE.COM

Passes standard industrial (TCNA Robinson) compression test.Very easy to learn and use at any skill level.Prevents tiles from moving while curing.More profitable for the installer.Re-usable caps.

Recommended for gauged tiles 12" or larger.Reduces installer fatigue/stress.Virtually lippage free, flat surface drastically reduces the need for grinding and polishing.

FEATURES and BENEFITS:

Patent pending

TIME IS MONEY.

For tiles of uniform thickness only (gauged tile).

2-piece system that virtually eliminates lippage during tile installation.

With

Supplied by:

pearlsw03104.indd 1pearlsw03104.indd 1 2/15/10 9:05:43 AM2/15/10 9:05:43 AM

Page 34: Stone World 201003

34 March 2010 | Stone World

Maintaining quality through technology

Staying on the forefront of new technology, Myrtle Beach Granite and Marble Inc. remains an active stone fabricator of the Myrtle Beach region of South Carolina

by Alexis Fisher

With the aid of the latest

advancements in equipment

and machinery, Myrt le

Beach Granite and Marble Inc. of Myrtle

Beach, SC, has continued a successful

course, reaping some benefits from a

slower economy. According to company

owner Joe Blackmon, the economic

downturn actually benefitted the

industry in his region.

“It has removed some of the granite

fabricators from the mix that were not

good for the industry,” he said. “They

produced low-quality countertops with

poor edgework, improperly installed

seams with improperly mounted sinks,

and [they were responsible for] many

other negative aspects that were giv-

ing natural stone the perception of an

everyday commodity material.”

Getting a start in the industry soon

Living by one of the company’s principles to stay on the cutting edge of new technology, Myrtle Beach Granite and

Marble of Myrtle Beach, SC, operates three Z. Bavelloni CNC router/edge profiling machines, including the Egar

450-4, the Egar 315-4 and the Egar 102S — all from Glaston North America of Greensboro, NC.

Fabricator Case Study

034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 34034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 34 2/22/10 10:27:45 AM2/22/10 10:27:45 AM

Page 35: Stone World 201003

granitozucchisw03104.indd 1granitozucchisw03104.indd 1 2/8/10 3:11:54 PM2/8/10 3:11:54 PM

Page 36: Stone World 201003

36 March 2010 | Stone World

after graduating from an MBA program

in 1988, Blackmon began working for a

company that engineered and manufac-

tured waterjets and CNC stone routing

machines along with laser, plasma and

oxyfuel cutting machines. After gaining

17 years of management and marketing

experience there, he went on to work

for Grassie Granite and Marble — now

operating as Myrtle Beach Granite

and Marble Inc, but still doing busi-

ness under its original name of Grassie

Granite and Marble. Two years later, he

and his wife, Laura — who worked as a

machine tools sales manager and later

a software-programming manager —

purchased the company in 2007.

Myrtle Beach Granite and Marble

produces countertops in all natural

stone types, quartz, solid surface, glass

and many recycled materials including

those made from glass and oyster shells.

In addition, the company produces cus-

tom pieces of furniture, tables, benches,

floor medallions, inlays, grave and other

markers and urns in stone. It also offers

laser etching and waterjet cutting for

countertops and other stone applications

as well as waterjet cutting in other mate-

rials such as all metals, plastic, wood,

etc., all of which is done in house.

To display some of its capabili-

ties, Myrtle Beach Granite and Marble

recently added two new showrooms,

giving the company a total of three.

Together they measure 8,500 square

feet in size.

Inside the shopAccording to the company, “a key

to providing the best quality and on

time delivery is to stay on the cutting

edge of new technology and having

equipment that gives us the ability to

complete large or small projects on an

uninterrupted basis.” Myrtle Beach

Granite and Marble maintains a line

Production is done under

a 16,500-square-foot shop,

which also includes a covered

inventory area.

Cutting in the shop is completed using one of three bridge saws, including one

manufactured by Pedrini of Italy.

Cutting is also completed on a Z. Bavelloni Sharp 500 saw from Glaston North

America.

034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 36034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 36 2/22/10 10:27:54 AM2/22/10 10:27:54 AM

Page 37: Stone World 201003

primestonesw02104.indd 1primestonesw02104.indd 1 1/15/10 10:52:26 AM1/15/10 10:52:26 AM

Page 38: Stone World 201003

38 March 2010 | Stone World

of state-of-the-art machinery inside its

16,500-square-foot production facil-

ity, which has a covered inventory area

housing over 1,500 slabs.

Cutting in the shop is completed

using three gantry bridge saws, includ-

ing an Astra bridge saw from Emmedue

Technology of Italy, another bridge saw

from Pedrini of Italy and a Z. Bavelloni

Sharp 500 saw from Glaston North

America of Greensboro, NC — its most

recent addition. Once slabs are cut to

size, further shaping is done with three

Z. Bavelloni CNC router/edge profiling

machines from Glaston North America,

including the Egar 450-4, the Egar 315-4

and the Egar 102S.

Adding a third gantry bridge saw

and a third CNC router were among

the latest investments to the shop.

“[Those investments] were made to

increase production and give us a total

of three of each type of machine,” said

Blackmon. “They definitely increased

our production by about 30%.”

The CNC routers mainly utilize

Diamut, Diarex or Glaston North

America diamond wheels, and pol-

ishing wheels in either rubber or clay

for polishing. Terminator blades from

Continental Diamond Products, Inc. of

San Carlos, CA, are generally used for

the gantry saws, and Diarex pads from

GranQuartz for hand polishing.

Intricate laser etching is handled by

the CamTech LMS151020 laser etcher.

Complex cutting is accomplished using

an ESAB Hydro Cut PR waterjet cutter

that can handle 7- x 13-foot material

sizes and is equipped with an SL IV-50

intensifier from KMT Waterjet Systems

of Baxter Springs, KS. Blackmon

believes the waterjet has been one of

the biggest advancements for his fab-

rication shop. “Waterjet cutting allows

us to cut complex, non-linear, custom-

ized countertops and other products

such as granite, marble, quartz, solid

surface and really any material except

tempered glass,” he said.

Straight line polishing is accom-

plished using a Comandulli Speedy

System polishing machine from Italy

as well as a Marmo Meccanica LCV

711 M straight line polisher from Italy.

Meanwhile, dimensional pieces and

slabs can be top polished using a Model

10P bed polisher from Sawing Systems

of Knoxville, TN. Moreover, the shop

utilizes two overhead Gorbel gantry

lifts, three forklifts and a mobile crane

to maneuver slabs.

A water f i ltering system from

GranQuartz of Tucker, GA, was also

recently put in place in the facility to

recycle the water coming from the

company’s three bridge saws. “The

Myrtle Beach Granite and Marble

has three showrooms, which

together total 8,500 square feet.

The two new showrooms that recently opened display stone fountains, handmade

bowls, statues, pedestal sinks, outdoor furniture and other unique items.

034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 38034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 38 2/22/10 10:28:08 AM2/22/10 10:28:08 AM

Page 39: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 39

water recycling system was utilized in

order to reduce our water consump-

tion, which in 2007 was about 360,000

gallons per month,” said Blackmon.

“We have greatly reduced our water

consumption by 60%, adjusted for the

slower economy in 2009.”

For templating, the company applies

Luan wood template material, a Stealth

Digitizing arm (now serviced by

Touchstone Instruments, LLC) or a

Laser Products LT-55 laser templator.

The type of templating method used

is determined by the type of job being

measured. “It just depends on the situ-

ation,” said Blackmon. “For instance,

the shape of the desired countertop

and the accessibility and surrounding

area of the cabinet or structure that is

to receive the tops.”

Acquiring top personnelIn order to obtain the most top-qual-

ity employees in the area, Blackmon

strives to maintain a highly regarded

work environment. “We have estab-

lished a reputation of treating our

The third showroom features furniture vanities, powder room

pieces and much more.The countertops in this kitchen completed by Myrtle Beach

Granite and Marble feature Juparana Fantasy granite, and the

island counter is finished with intricate detailed edgework.

Knowing how to choose the right tools means enhancing your job by obtaining the best results. Tenax abrasives offer the highest performance in the industry, guaranteeing unmatched results. On top of that, the extremely long life of Tenax products ensures the lowest operating cost and a wide operational range

are you sure you areusing the right tools?

Frankfurts, Sectors and Abrasives for every application

GRANITE, MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, CONCRETE,

Call Tenax t o d a y and let one of our techniciansfind the right abrasive for your machine and job application

1-800-341-0432 [email protected]

GLASS, SANDSTONE, QUARTZ

034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 39034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 39 2/22/10 10:28:24 AM2/22/10 10:28:24 AM

Page 40: Stone World 201003

40 March 2010 | Stone World

employees really well by offering and

assisting in paying for healthcare, pay-

ing for 50% of the tools that installers

use on the job, a 401K program, hav-

ing a heated shop with overhead lifts,

the latest equipment that is maintained

properly and providing a safe, secure

and technologically advanced environ-

ment for employees to work. With all

of these things in place and more, the

most talented employees in the area

gravitate to our shop, and we are able to

select and retain the best artisans that

this area has to offer. We have no short-

age of applications from stoneworkers

that would like to work at our facility.”

According to Blackmon, the major-

ity of the shop’s employees are cross

trained to run multiple types of equip-

ment. “For example, any of the three

CNC edge profiler operators can run

any of the three bridge saws,” he said.

“The bridge saw operators can also

install, hand fabricate, template or run

the laser-etching machine as needed.

The install crews are also trained in

templating, so we have a lot of versatil-

ity and can move personnel around as

needed in a tight economy.”

Additionally, new workers are

trained on the job alongside more

experienced peers, which Blackmon

has found to be more beneficial than a

formal training program. “We do send

employees out for specific training to

the manufacturer for a new material,

or periodically we may have a train-

ing class internally for a new piece of

equipment,” Blackmon added.

Production capabilities and market share

By establishing the proper equip-

ment and right personnel, Myrtle Beach

Granite and Marble is able to produce

1,500 square feet of material per week.

Broken down in terms of projects, it

can do a combination of 25 commercial

condo or residential projects.

Some of its most recent commer-

cial projects include the Hard Rock

Demonstrating the depth of its craftsmanship

In order to create a unique piece of furniture for a client, Myrtle Beach Granite and Marble recently took on the task of completing a 24-foot-long granite conference table that involved a middle layer of glass. “The design goal was to make a one-of-a-kind con-ference table for the customer, Active Glass and Mirror in Myrtle Beach,” said company owner, Joe Blackmon. “The purpose of the table is to serve as a conference table for visit-ing customers and company meetings.”

The top layer of the table features 3-cm Minotauras granite, with the middle layer being ¾-inch-thick glass and the bottom layer being 3-cm Ubatuba granite. “The initial challenge was to design the table to meet the customer’s expectation while using the characteristics and boundaries of natural stone, and marrying granite up with glass,” said Blackmon. “This was overcome by offsetting the seams of the top layer from the bottom two layers. By staggering the seams, it made the table stronger so the layer could help support itself.”

Aside from the initial challenge, Blackmon explained they needed to acquire the proper pattern and coloring from the five different exotic slabs that would be used in the table, and they all had to match at the six different seam locations. “This was done by careful planning and the layout of the five large pieces of the table prior to any cutting being done,” he said.

All cutting was then done with the company’s ESAB waterjet and Glaston North America Z. Bavelloni CNC edge profile machine, which involved accurately cutting pieces of a larger size on a continuous arc and then machining the edgework so that everything lined up properly.

Meanwhile, the company used its CamTech laser etcher to etch its company logo and the customer’s logo on the center glass insert pieces. Also, the glass layer in between the granite laminates is lighted for effect.

The company’s mobile crane was used to transfer the pieces onto the second floor of the building where the table would be located. Following, the five large slabs had to be supported onto only three bases, so they could be seamed properly and to give the stone support to not break over years of use, according to Blackmon. “This was overcome by carefully selecting the mounting locations for angle iron that was bolted into the concrete table bases,” he said.

Finally, the pieces were seamed, some being as long as 6 feet, which will allow them to last and hold over time. “We used flowing at the seams with biscuits in the stone along the inside of the seams to give the strongest and surest bond,” said Blackmon.

Accenting the table within the conference room is a 30-foot-long wet bar with match-ing Minotaurus granite.

Blackmon made the first drawing of the project design on May 18, 2009 and final com-pletion of the installation took place on October 10, 2009. “The customer is very happy with the end result,” said Blackmon. “All that have seen it are impressed by its size of 24 feet long by 6 feet wide. All are impressed by the way all of the edgework from all three layers and three different materials line up all of the way down the 24-foot-long arc.”

Myrtle Beach Granite and Marble recently completed a 24-foot-long x 6-foot-wide granite conference table that involved two different layers of granite — Minotaurus and Ubatuba — and a middle layer of glass.

Additionally, etched glass inserts feature Myrtle Beach

Granite and Marble’s logo as well as the customer’s logo.

034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 40034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 40 2/22/10 10:28:36 AM2/22/10 10:28:36 AM

Page 41: Stone World 201003

Showroom: 2450-W Sample Road, Suite 15, Pompano Beach, FL 33073 Phone: 954-969-7272Warehouse and Corporate Office: 1666 NW 82 Avenue, Doral, FL 33126 (New Location) Phone: 305-406-3600

www.compac.us · [email protected]

compacsw03104.indd 1compacsw03104.indd 1 2/19/10 9:30:49 AM2/19/10 9:30:49 AM

Page 42: Stone World 201003

42 March 2010 | Stone World

Theme Park (now called Free Style

Music Park), North Beach Plantation

condominiums, Mar Vista Grande

condominium, Towers on the Grove

condominiums, Wall of Service for

the City of Myrtle Beach — for which

the company has cut and etched about

1,600 granite nameplates — and Cinza

Spa. Additionally, it has been a par-

ticipant in ABC’s television program

“Extreme Home Makeover.”

“We templated, fabricated and

installed countertops in the kitchen,

laundry room, two baths and a fireplace

surround, completed in only a 17-hour

period,” Blackmon said of the “Extreme

Home Makeover” experience.

Given the slower economy, which

has resulted in a lack of commercial

condominium work for Myrtle Beach

Granite and Marble and other fabrica-

tors, Blackmon noted that the market

is calling for versatility and flexibil-

ity. “Our market for the most part is

within a 120-mile radius of the Myrtle

Beach, SC, Grand Strand Area,” he

said. “Although, we have done jobs

as far as Virginia for customers. In

those cases, we had done their vaca-

tion home here at the beach, and they

were so pleased that they wanted us

to provide the countertops for the per-

manent residence in their home state.

With today’s economy, we probably

would not turn down a job anywhere

in the continental U.S.”

And because of this, Blackmon has

no short-term plans for expansion,

but still sees a future in maintain-

ing the most current technology the

industry presents. “Long term, we

are looking to grow and keep updat-

ing our equipment to the latest that

the industry has to offer, and to keep

providing the highest quality prod-

ucts and promoting natural stone as

the ultimate and most sought after

countertop material,” he said.

“Also long term, we are investigating

expanding by supplying cabinets [in

addition to] countertops since we have

the resources and knowledge base in-

house to do this very easily, and it is a

good fit since we are currently engaged

in a lot of remodel business,” he contin-

ued. “As long as you have something to

offer such as quality, uniqueness and

customization, and compete on levels

other than simple low cost, you will

always have a customer base.” ❑

Myrtle Beach Marble and Granite Inc.dba Grassie Granite and MarbleMyrtle Beach, SC

Type of work: countertops in all natural stone, quartz, solid surface, glass and

many recycled materials such as those made from sea glass and oyster

shells; in addition, custom pieces of furniture, tables, benches, medallions,

inlays, grave markers and urns in stone; laser etching and waterjet cutting

for countertops and other stone applications

Equipment: Three Z. Bavelloni CNC routers, including the Egar 450-4, the

Egar 315-4 and the Egar 102S — all from Glaston North America of

Greensboro, NC; three gantry bridge saws, including an Astra bridge

saw from Emmedue Technology of Italy; one manufactured from Pedrini

of Italy; and a Z. Bavelloni Sharp 500 from Glaston North America; a

CamTech LMS151020 laser etcher; an ESAB Hydro Cut PR waterjet cutter

— equipped with an SL IV-50 intensifier from KMT Waterjet Systems of

Baxter Springs, KS; a Comandulli Speedy System edge polishing machine

from Italy; a Marmo Meccanica LCV 711 M straight line polisher from

Italy; a Model 10P bed polisher from Sawing Systems of Knoxville, TN;

tooling and accessories from Diamut, Diarex/GranQuartz of Tucker, GA,

Glaston North America and Continental Diamond Products, Inc. of San

Carlos, CA; two overhead Gorbel gantry lifts; three forklifts; a mobile

crane; a water filtering system from GranQuartz; a Stealth Digitizing arm

(now serviced by Touchstone Instruments, LLC of Plaistow, NH); a LT-55

laser templator from Laser Products Industries of Romeoville, IL

Number of employees: 25

Production rate: capacity for 1,500 square feet of material per week or a

combination of 25 commercial condo or residential projects a week

In addition to countertops,

the company processes

slab work such as bathtub

surrounds.

034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 42034-043 MyrtleBeachGranite.indd 42 2/22/10 10:28:52 AM2/22/10 10:28:52 AM

Page 43: Stone World 201003

• • NEW PRODUCTS • •

BLICK INDUSTRIES

2245 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 USA Website www.blickindustries.com

Please Call or email us with any questions! 949-499-5026 949-499-1398 Fax [email protected]

We are always innovating!!! As you read this we are in the process of creating and developing new products that will enable you to work more efficiently and productively. Please visit our website and see the new products section!

Blick Industries products provide superior workholding solutions for the stone fabricator. We have the largest selection of round, rectangular and shaped cups to cover any of your workholding needs. Have a need for a special part? Our in-house engineering and manufacturing capabilities allow us to create

custom fixturing in an affordable and timely fashion.

WHY BUY BLICK? Precision manufactured and assembled in the USA All parts stocked in the USA Available for immediate overnight

delivery* Complete service center in California available to handle repairs, technical support and custom fixturing Suction cups come assembled and ready to use All cups are trimmed to your machines height and are within (+/-.05mm) Easily Accessible Air fittings We have the lowest prices and haven’t raised them in over 10 years!

If you Don’t believe us, see what industry leading fabricators think... “Blick has always been a class act. Blick pods are... well are there really any other pods?!” -Miles Crowe owner of Crowe Custom Countertops in Atlanta, GA (Northwood CNC) home of the SFA workshop in March 2010. “Blick is by far the one of the best Fabricator Supply Companies in our industry” -Dustin Broadway owner of Cape Fear Marble and Tile in Wilmington, NC (Denver CNC) “We’ve been using Blick Pods and Pin Stops and they are the only suckers allowed in my shop!“ -James Donaire owner of Perfection Connection in Carson City, NV (Northwood CNC) Featured on the cover of the January 2010 Issue of Stone World Magazine *Extra fees may apply

Do your customers want vein matched splashes… But don’t want 3cm thickness? Try our Vertical Splash Cups!

Venturi Manifold Bonded Tubing Vertical Splash Cup

Expand your Bridge Saws Capabilities A Venturi Manifold, the Vertical Splash Cup and compressed air line is all you need to make you splashes thinner. No vacuum pump needed!!!

Setup

Saw

3cm trimmed down to 2cm…

BLICK INDUSTRIES • • The Authority in Vacuum Workholding • •

blicksw03104.indd 1blicksw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 9:19:16 AM2/17/10 9:19:16 AM

Page 44: Stone World 201003

44 March 2010 | Stone World

Maintaining awell-rounded

stone operationWith 11 showrooms throughout Chicagoland as well as a state-of-the-art

stone fabrication facility, Marble Tech Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL, has shown serious growth in all aspects of its business

by Jennifer Adams

As the owner of Marble Tech

Inc. i n Cr ysta l Lake, IL,

Tom Gu st h a s ove r s e e n

m a ny t r a n s f o r m at io n s f o r h i s

company. Initially, the business was

based out of Barrington, IL, and

operated as a f looring contractor.

But due to the growing demand

for stone countertops in the early

1990s, Gust made the decision to

advance his company to the next

level by purchasing a bridge saw

and offering stone fabrication and

installation services. Through the

years, Marble Tech Inc. continually

evolved, and today it functions out

of a 105,000-square-foot fac i l it y

e qu ipp e d w it h s t ate - of- t he -a r t

machinery. Additionally, it runs 11

retail showrooms strategically placed

throughout the Chicagoland area.

Marble Tech Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL, utilizes 60,000 square feet of a 105,000-square-foot facility for its stone

fabrication operation.

Fabricator Case Study

044-052 MarbleTech.indd 44044-052 MarbleTech.indd 44 2/22/10 10:38:50 AM2/22/10 10:38:50 AM

Page 45: Stone World 201003

theslabsw03104.indd 1theslabsw03104.indd 1 2/19/10 9:04:58 AM2/19/10 9:04:58 AM

Page 46: Stone World 201003

46 March 2010 | Stone World

With a staff of 50, Marble Tech has

come a long way from when it first

started with a five-person team. Of

the 50 employees, 35 are involved in

the fabrication, measurement and

installation processes, including four

installation crews. According to Gust,

the company processes residential and

commercial slab applications from nat-

ural stone and man-made material as

well as installing tile and hardwood.

“At full capacity, we can finish as many

as 25 kitchens per day,” he said.

To complete this volume of work,

the shop, which encompasses 60,000

square feet of the entire 105,000-square-

foot space, houses a full line-up of

fabrication equipment, including three

CNC stoneworking centers, three in-

line edge polishing machines, two

bridge saws, a RoboCut waterjet/saw

A key component of Marble Tech’s

stone fabrication process is a

Robocut, which was purchased

from its sister company, USG

Robotics. The Robocut — a cutting

system that integrates a waterjet

and a saw in one machine — was

engineered to minimize space

in cutting areas and to ensure

minimal waste.

Due to the efficiency

of the Robocut as well

as other machinery

in the shop, Marble

Tech has the capacity

of producing up to 25

kitchens per day.

A waterjet from

Flow International

of Kent, WA,

is also an

integral part of

the production

process.

The slab edges are

polished on one of three

in-line polishers that are

owned by the company.

044-052 MarbleTech.indd 46044-052 MarbleTech.indd 46 2/22/10 10:39:00 AM2/22/10 10:39:00 AM

Page 47: Stone World 201003

carmelsw08094.indd 1carmelsw08094.indd 1 7/20/09 9:04:08 AM7/20/09 9:04:08 AM

Page 48: Stone World 201003

48 March 2010 | Stone World

from Marble Tech’s sister company,

USG Robotics of Barrington, IL, and a

waterjet from Flow International Corp.

of Kent, WA. The company purchases

its hand tools and accessories from

Braxton-Bragg of Knoxville, TN, and

also utilizes a JobTracker system from

Moraware of Reno, NV.

Most recently, Marble Tech added

new software — Virtual Inventory

Management and VeinMatch — from

USG Robotics. “Virtual Inventory

Management is an online database of

calibrated slab photos that allows the

sales staff from our 11 showrooms and

our customers to browse our current

inventory,” explained Gust, adding that

the company stocks about 3,000 slabs

that have all been photographed. “It

also gives our sales staff the ability to

assign material via the Internet. It has

helped us by giving our sales staff the

ability to see what material we have

in stock and allowing them to close

the sale in the showroom. We have set

up a 50-inch LCD flatscreen television

in every showroom. It has eliminated

the necessity for customers to visit the

warehouse, and the calibrated pho-

tographs give production and our

customers the ability to do full digital

layouts using VeinMatch — showing

exact placement of pieces and seam-

alignment before cutting.”

With VeinMatch, production and

the company’s customers are given a

Shop workers use hand tools,

which are purchased from

Braxton-Bragg of Knoxville, TN,

to complete finishing work.

A file of a digital drawing can be sent from the jobsite directly to the shop —

increasing efficiency of production.

Marble Tech recycles approximately 300,000 gallons of water daily using a water

recycling system that it constructed itself.

044-052 MarbleTech.indd 48044-052 MarbleTech.indd 48 2/22/10 10:39:26 AM2/22/10 10:39:26 AM

Page 49: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 49

preview of how all the pieces will look,

and how they will come together to

form the final job, according to Gust.

“As an integral part of USG Robotics, it

also ties into our RoboCut waterjet/saw

and allows us to guarantee that we cut

the pieces in the exact same position as

on the layout,” he said. “The layouts are

completed and saved before the slab

ever gets to the saw table, thus saving

the operator valuable time.”

For templat ing, the company’s

me a su r er s u s e a n LT- 55 L a s er

Templator f rom Laser Products

of Romeovil le, IL, and a Prodim

Proliner from Blick Industries of

Laguna Beach, CA. “Our shop would

not be the same without these prod-

For templating, the company’s install crews use an LT-55 Laser Templator from Laser Products of Romeoville, IL, (pictured on the

left) and a Prodim Proliner from Blick Industries of Laguna Beach, CA (pictured on the right). “Our shop would not be the same

without these products, which give us the ability to make clean and accurate files for use with all of our machinery,” said company

owner Tom Gust.

044-052 MarbleTech.indd 49044-052 MarbleTech.indd 49 2/22/10 10:39:47 AM2/22/10 10:39:47 AM

Page 50: Stone World 201003

50 March 2010 | Stone World

ucts, which give us the ability to

make clean and accurate files for use

with all of our machinery,” said Gust.

“The LT-55 is especially helpful when

it comes to f inishing f i les on the

jobsite — allowing for a good double-

check of final piece measurements.”

Presently, Marble Tech runs one

shift from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. It recycles

approximately 300,000 gallons of water

daily using a water recycling system

that it constructed itself. Moreover, the

company recycles about 50,000 pounds

of scrap material a week, which is

crushed and sold as gravel.

Marble Tech’s market spans all

of Illinois, southern Wisconsin and

northern Indiana. According to Gust,

approximately 99% of the company’s

sales come from installed countertop

applications and the other 1% accounts

for tile and fabrication-only jobs. “Most

of our recent projects come from home

remodels, but we also just remodeled

the local Kyoto Sushi Restaurant, the

bar at Chicago Prime Steakhouse, and

we are currently finishing up 50 new

local condos,” he said. “Due to a solid

customer base and referral system, we

remain stable in an obviously adverse

economy. In recent times, we have

taken an inward look at our company,

To ensure that jobs are completed

efficiently and on time, the company

utilizes a JobTracker system from

Moraware of Reno, NV (an example of

which is pictured).

Original Quarry, Everlasting

(802) 767-4421 vtverde.com

V E R M O N T

A N T I Q U EW O R L D ’ S F I N E S T S E R P E N T I N E

Beauty

044-052 MarbleTech.indd 50044-052 MarbleTech.indd 50 2/22/10 10:40:01 AM2/22/10 10:40:01 AM

Page 51: Stone World 201003

NEW REASONS TO ATTEND COVERINGS 2010

APRIL 27–30, 2010 | ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA

REGISTER TODAY FOR FREE AT WWW.COVERINGS.COMBe sure to enter VIP Code ASW3Z when registering online to be entered into a drawing to win great prizes!

REASON #1: COVERINGS SELECTView the hottest new products and trends on the exhibit floor from this competition open to all contracted Coverings exhibitors. Only Coverings provides the latest trends and best inspiration for your tile + stone business!

REASON #2: FEATURED SESSIONSEach year, Coverings seeks out some of the best speakers in the industry and 2010 is no different. Whatever your area of interest, you’ll find a speaker to provide business-building resources and boost your bottom line!

REASON #3: INSTALLATION/DESIGN SHOWCASEThe new Installation/Design Showcase is an interactive live demonstration area where designers are paired with installers to create five custom tile + stone bathroom spaces right on the show floor!

REASON #4: GREEN CONFERENCE CERTIFICATECoverings recognizes the importance of learning about sustainable trends and products, and after attending our FREE green programming sessions, you can earn a certificate of completion.

REASON #5: HAPPY HOUR ON THE SHOW FLOORMix and mingle with other attendees and exhibitors during our new Happy Hours! Make new connections and network with peers.

REASON #6: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTOR PAVILIONThe Regional Distributor Pavilion features local distributors and will introduce you to their products and services and how they can help your business.

REASON #7: PROJECT: GREENPROJECT: Green will highlight some of the best sustainable projects featuring tile + stone. Walk away with great ideas and concepts for your next green project.

REASON #8: SHOW SPECIALSRegister today to take advantage of exhibitor show specials at Coverings and receive great deals and discounts on the best tile + stone trends and products.

REASON #9: COVERINGS CONCIERGE SERVICECoverings 2010 is pleased to present a new concierge service available to all attendees. Receive discounts and deals on dining, sports and entertainment while in Orlando.

REASON #10: THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAMBecome a Coverings Ambassador and you can win great prizes! Refer friends to Coverings and encourage them to attend the Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience.

FOR YOU. YOUR BUSINESS. YOUR SUCCESS.COVERINGS IS

And, Coverings still offers you the products, trends, networking opportunities, live demonstrations and FREE conference education that you’ve come to

expect from the Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience.

Be the strongest and smartest competitor in your market and takeadvantage of all the reasons to attend.

coveringssw03104.indd 1coveringssw03104.indd 1 2/12/10 11:14:45 AM2/12/10 11:14:45 AM

Page 52: Stone World 201003

52 March 2010 | Stone World

trying to find ways to adjust to our

customers’ needs, keep the end quality

of our products high and keep unnec-

essary costs to a minimum. We hope to

see a gradual increase in home remod-

eling and commercial development,

but for now, we are simply attempting

to maintain our connections with the

community and our commercial and

home developers. As for the future, and

as it has been the case in the past, we

will always strive to continue expand-

ing and building upon our previous

success through the expansion of our

sales force, showroom locations and

fabrication throughout.” ❑

Marble Tech Inc.Crystal Lake, IL

Type of work: residential and commercial

Machinery: three CNC stoneworking centers, three in-line edge polishing

machines, two bridge saws, a RoboCut waterjet/saw from USG Robotics

of Barrington, IL, a waterjet from Flow International Corp. of Kent, WA,

hand tools and accessories from Braxton-Bragg of Knoxville, TN, Virtual

Inventory Management and VeinMatch software from USG Robotics, a

JobTracker system from Moraware of Reno, NV, an LT-55 Laser Templator

from Laser Products of Romeoville, IL, a Prodim Proliner from Blick

Industries of Laguna Beach, CA, and a water recycling system

Number of Employees: 50 (35 involved in fabrication, measurement and

installation)

Production Rate: as many as 25 kitchens a day when running at full capacity

An inventory of

approximately 3,000 slabs

is maintained at Marble

Tech’s facilities.

Approximately 99% of the company’s sales come from

installed countertop applications and the other 1% accounts

for tile and fabrication-only jobs.In addition to its fabrication operation, Marble Tech runs

11 retail showrooms strategically placed throughout the

Chicagoland area.

044-052 MarbleTech.indd 52044-052 MarbleTech.indd 52 2/22/10 10:40:12 AM2/22/10 10:40:12 AM

Page 53: Stone World 201003

www.sandvik.com

With the introduction of the RT300 series of bits for surface bench drilling and underground long-hole

drilling, Sandvik presents a new, innovative bit design that offers superior rock crushing properties, more

efficient flushing and improved impact energy transmission.

All the new bits feature the unique Sandvik XT48 cemented carbide (XT for Extra Tough), imbedded

in a face design that combines the former flat-face and drop-center to form a single, universal front design

– Uniface. To handle varying formations, the Uniface bits come in tailored design combinations with the

appropriate type of button inserts (full spherical or robust ballistic), insert patterns and the type of skirt

(regular or Sandvik’s unique Retrac).

Born to be optimally and uniformly worn, the new Sandvik RT300s up front on your drilling

equipment will reward you with outstanding performance – with up to 20 percent longer bit life in difficult

rock conditions – in addition to streamlined worksite logistics.

Boost your drilling with a facelift

The Uniface RT300 bits are available for hole diameters from Ø51 to 152 mm (2” to 6”).

sandviksw03104.indd 1sandviksw03104.indd 1 1/25/10 9:52:54 AM1/25/10 9:52:54 AM

Page 54: Stone World 201003

54 March 2010 | Stone World

Coverings 2010 returns to Orlando

With the largest exhibit of stone and tile in the U.S. and an in-depth seminar program, Coverings is set to

take place from April 27 to 30 in Orlando, FL

Co v e r i n g s , t h e p r e m i e r

international trade fair and

expo dedicated exclusively to

showcasing ceramic tile and stone, has

grown to be the largest show of its kind

in the U.S., featuring exhibitors from

more than 50 countries and attracting

thousands of distributors, retailers,

fabricators, contractors and specifiers,

architectural and design professionals,

builders and real estate developers.

This year’s event will take place from

April 27 to 30 at the Orange County

Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Coverings is the stage for introduc-

ing some of the most innovative tile

and stone products in the world. For

the stone industry, Coverings offers a

product lineup that includes a range

of stone tiles and slabs, including exot-

ic materials from around the world.

National pavilions of stone-producing

companies have also typically been a

staple of Coverings, including group-

Coverings 2010 is set to take place from April 27 to 30 in Orlando, FL, featuring a large-scale exhibit of stone and

tile and an in-depth seminar program.

054-062 Coverings.indd 54054-062 Coverings.indd 54 2/22/10 10:41:32 AM2/22/10 10:41:32 AM

Page 55: Stone World 201003

Revere® sinks by Elkay® enhance the beauty of countertopmaterials, by creating a fluid, graceful line.Revere undermount sinks complement a countertopand deliver years of outstanding performance.Don’t minimize the beauty of a natural stonecountertop by choosing a low-grade sink.

Revere sinks are made of 18 gaugestainless steel for superior durability(the lower the gauge number thethicker the steel).

With its graceful lines and elegantfinish, a Revere undermount sink isan ideal match for all countertopmaterials. Remember, an undermountsink will be a permanent installation.Choose wisely!

REVERE® STAINLESS STEELUNDERMOUNT SINKSBY ELKAY®

TOLL-FREE 1 (800) 458-6222 FAX: (770) 621-9771 • WWW.GRANQUARTZ.COMSTOCKING LOCATIONS IN ATLANTA, CHICAGO, DENVER, HOUSTON AND MIAMI.

NOW AVAILABLE FROM

gq2sw03104.indd 1gq2sw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 11:22:07 AM2/17/10 11:22:07 AM

Page 56: Stone World 201003

56 March 2010 | Stone World

ings of companies from Italy, Brazil,

Spain, Turkey, China and other nations.

Many stone suppliers at Coverings

use the event as a platform to intro-

duce new materials to the marketplace,

including varieties of stone never seen

before. Stone can be found in slab and

tile format as well as intricate mosaics,

waterjet-cut designs and complex, cut-

to-size pieces.

On the machinery side, stone fab-

ricators can find a full spectrum of

equipment such as bridge saws, pol-

ishing machines, CNC stoneworking

centers, laser-etching equipment, water-

jets, air and water treatment systems,

material handling equipment, digital/

electronic templating systems, software

and more. Many manufacturers and

representatives of these machines rely

on Coverings for new equipment intro-

ductions. This is also true in the tooling

and accessories sector, as many suppli-

ers of blades, bits, cupwheels and other

tooling will be present at Coverings.

Also related to the stone industry,

major manufacturers and suppliers of

stone installation, cleaning and main-

tenance products will be present at

Coverings, with many companies

offering hands-on demonstrations on

the show floor.

A vast seminar programIn addition to the exposition, Coverings

also serves as a valuable resource for con-

tinuing education for all categories of

attendees — with informative, accredited

seminars and live demonstration sessions

conducted throughout the four days and

all free of charge.

This year’s featured session, sched-

The event will showcase

varieties of stone from

around the world, and many

international companies

were organized in national

pavilions.

On the machinery side, stone fabricators can find a full spectrum of equipment at

Coverings.

054-062 Coverings.indd 56054-062 Coverings.indd 56 2/22/10 10:42:40 AM2/22/10 10:42:40 AM

Page 57: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 57

uled for April 30, is “Stone in Green

Building: Moving the Stone Industry

Towards Sustainability.” It is a three-

hour workshop offering a “crash

course” in this critical subject. Led

by Jack Giebig of the Center for Clean

Products at the University of Tennessee,

it will examine the use of stone materi-

als in building applications, as well as

the industry’s ongoing effort to assess

the sustainability of natural stone.

“We’re proud of the reputation

Coverings has earned over the years

for quality educational programming,

and are excited to offer another stel-

lar lineup of sessions in 2010,” said

Jennifer Hoff, President of Client

Events for National Trade Productions

(NTP), which manages and produces

Coverings. “The professional develop-

ment opportunities presented by the

seminar sessions, coupled with the

broad array of cutting-edge products

to be found on the show floor, make

Coverings a trade show like no other.”

Also of note, outstanding and

visionary use of tile and stone in sus-

tainable projects will be recognized at

Coverings 2010 with a brand new pro-

gram, PROJECT: Green.

Coverings is sponsored by ASCER

(Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association

of Spain), Confindustria Ceramica

(Italian Association of Ceramics), Tile

Council of North America (TCNA),

Ceramic Tile Distributors Association

(CTDA) and National Tile Contractors

Association (NTCA).

For more information on attending

or exhibiting at Coverings 2010, visit

www.coverings.com or contact NTP at

1-703-683-8500.

Coverings also serves as a valuable

resource for continuing education

for all categories of attendees

— with informative, accredited

seminars and live demonstration

sessions conducted throughout the

four days and all free of charge.

054-062 Coverings.indd 57054-062 Coverings.indd 57 2/22/10 10:42:53 AM2/22/10 10:42:53 AM

Page 58: Stone World 201003

58 March 2010 | Stone World

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Going Digital — New Operational

Metrics Gained for Natural Stone

Business Owners

You have taken portions (or all) of your

shop into the digital age: digital templating,

inventory management and accounting sys-

tems are now in place. Now, how do you use

this technology to quantify, measure and

analyze better information about the costs

of doing business? This session is geared

directly to business owners, and will explain

how to produce better cash flow, yield and

a host of other financial benchmarks which

are now possible by “going digital.”

Speaker: Paul Menninger, Capitol

Granite & Marble

1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Challenges to Natural Stone Tile

Installations

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is

partnering with the National Tile Contractors

Association (NTCA) and Tile Council of North

America (TCNA) to publish a supplement

to the TCA Handbook on Natural Stone Tile

Installations. In this very important session,

MIA Technical Director Chuck Muehlbauer

will present key takeaways.

Speaker: Chuck Muehlbauer, Marble

Institute of America

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Safety and Profitability: How Safety

Can Raise Your Bottom Line

Many contractors di l igently str ive to

maintain a profitable business during these

troubled economic times. Unlicensed com-

petitors, bidding wars, rising material costs

and price-conscious consumers all exert

pressure on profits that were more easily

gained in years past. Cost-cutting measures

such as minimizing material waste, reducing

transportation costs and utilizing time-sav-

ing practices and tools all help bolster the

bottom line. One other beneficial practice

that should not be overlooked is an effec-

tive safety program. Accidents, injuries and

illnesses reduce production and employee

morale and increase insurance premiums

and out-of-pocket expenses. This session

will discuss the importance of an effective

safety program and provide a guide to rec-

ognizing the hazards, evaluating exposure

to them and controlling their impact through

training, mitigation and leadership.

Speaker: Juan F. Garcia, Redrock Tile &

Stone

Providing CEUs to Architects &

Interior Designers For Natural Stone

Want to expand your outreach to archi-

tects and interior designers? Consider

providing CEUs (continuing education

units) to the design community. This ses-

sion will showcase how the CEU program

works and how to position your company

as the leading expert on natural stone in

your marketplace. It will also provide an

overview of the various CEU programs

(AIA, ASID, IDC, IDEC, I IDA and others)

and explain how to get started on giving

presentations, putting you squarely on the

CEU-provider path.

Speaker: James Hieb, Marble Institute of

America

Inventory Management and Pricing

Strategies

Increasing your personal wealth was one

of your goals when you became a business

owner. Achieving a higher return on invest-

ment (ROI) from your floor covering business

is the fastest way to improve your personal

wealth. In this program, Bob Langdon, CPA

and author of Managing Your Business for

Profit, will show you proven techniques to

increase gross margin, cash flow and ROI,

all while retaining your best customers. The

session covers:

• Ascertaining price sensitivity for your

products.

• Improving your ROI with better inven-

tory control.

• Evaluating when to buy additional

inventory to receive a quantity

discount.

• Selectively increasing prices, while

retaining your best customers.

• Differentiating your product and ser-

vice in the marketplace.

Speaker: Robert Langdon, CPA

Less Chaos, More Cash — Reducing

Confusion and Improving Profits in

Your Business

Many small businesses struggle to deliv-

er their products and services on time.

Owners spend their time putting out fires

instead of growing the business, and they

are plagued by costly mistakes. These

bus inesses are in chaos. Chaos exists

when important work and critical tasks

fall through the cracks as they are either

performed incorrectly, at the wrong time

or simply not at all. This happens for two

reasons: “The Fatal Assumption” or “The

Change Chain Phenomenon.” Join Aaron

Crowley as he introduces you to these

two common mistakes and the s imple

solution you can implement in your small

business to reduce confusion and avoid

costly errors.

Speaker: Aaron Crowley, Crowley’s

Granite Concepts, Inc.

Digital Templating & Much More

What are the three most common reasons

why fabricators fail in today’s market? Hear

from the perspective of a supplier who has

worked with thousands of fabricators over

the years. Learn about digital templating

(non-vendor specific) and gain insight into

best and worst practices through several

case studies.

Speaker: Dan Louis, Laser Products

Selected Conference Sessions at Coverings 2010

(Editor’s Note: The full lineup of Coverings 2010 seminars can be found at www.coverings.com.)

054-062 Coverings.indd 58054-062 Coverings.indd 58 2/22/10 10:43:02 AM2/22/10 10:43:02 AM

Page 59: Stone World 201003

regentsw03104.indd 1regentsw03104.indd 1 2/22/10 3:16:07 PM2/22/10 3:16:07 PM

Page 60: Stone World 201003

60 March 2010 | Stone World

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

The Forensics of Tile Failures

When it comes to what went wrong on a

job, everyone seems to have an opinion.

Some are based on assumed facts, others

based on time-honored (sometimes inac-

curate) theories. When the facts need to be

established beyond a reasonable doubt,

forensic investigation is often used to estab-

lish a quantitative basis of opinion relative to

the cause of failure. There is no hiding facts

when you use the means, methods and

equipment afforded us by the world of stan-

dards and science. This seminar will review

five typical installation failures and dem-

onstrate how scientific methodology firmly

establishes their cause.

Speaker: David Gobis, CTC, CSI, Ceramic

Tile Consultant; other speakers TBA

Proper Use and Understanding of

Medium-Bed Mortars

When do you need to use a medium-bed

mortar instead of a thinset mortar? What

are the differences between the two? What

is the new standard regarding medium-bed

mortars and large-format tile installations?

Join this session to get the answers to these

questions and more.

Speaker: Representative of the Materials

Methods and Standards Association

8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Super Charge Your Web site: Being in

the Right Place When Customers Look

for a Stone Contractor

How are consumers finding you online?

During this fast-paced seminar, you’ll pick

up tips to help you maximize your market-

ing presence, including demonstrations of

proper keyword and tag usage and critical

insight on how to target your audience to

increase Web site traffic and obtain custom-

ers via search engine rankings. Gain new

insight into online search capabilities and

what you should be discussing with your

Web master. You’ll be better prepared to

make sure you’re in the right place on the

Web when customers are looking for a stone

contractor in your market.

Speaker: Marty Gould, Focalize Now

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

Smart Growth Strategies: Becoming a

Fully Digital Fabrication Shop

The buzz in the industry is focused on digi-

tal technology. What does it mean to be a

fully digital shop? Is now the right time to

adopt this technology? What impact will

digital technology have on your operations

and how will it affect your bottom line? This

seminar will define what digital technol-

ogy is in the countertop industry and will

provide you with a methodology for analyz-

ing whether or not you should take the fully

digital leap in fabrication. In addition, the

seminar will help you identify any pitfalls that

may arise as a fully digital shop, so that they

can be side-stepped to ensure profitability

and succes.

Speaker: Stuart Young, The Granite Shop;

Rob Bromley, Park Industries

Transition from Countertop-Oriented

Work to Light Commercial

This session will focus primarily on natural

stone veneer installations and will help you

obtain useful information for making the

transition from countertop-oriented work to

light commercial stone work. Case studies

of actual installation failures with MIA- rec-

ommended typical installation details,

ASTM guidelines and Building Code require-

ments will be examined. This session will also

discuss the causes of failures and help you

understand the recommended remediation

anchorage and techniques. Finally, several

alternate details that can be used in lieu of

failed anchorages will be examined.

Speaker: Rodney Harvey, Curtain Wall

Design

Linear Drain Shower Systems/ADA

Compliant Showers

This seminar will address safe, design-

oriented and ADA-compliant specification

and the selling and installing of linear/trench

drain shower systems. Waterproofing meth-

ods and products for sustainable installations

will also be discussed. Bring your questions.

S pea ker : M i tche l l B . Louch , wed i

Corporation

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Natural Stone: Protection,

Maintenance, & Restoration

This fast-paced session will cover stone

origins and processing; coatings versus

impregnators; stone installations and vari-

ous protection/maintenance challenges;

and restoration. Gain insight from an indus-

try veteran into a subject that is critical long

after the initial stone installation.

Speaker: Joe Salvo, Miracle Sealants

Introducing Social Media into Your

Stone Company’s Marketing Plan

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other

social media tools are engulf ing the

world of communication today, and user

demographics show that it’s not just the

20-something age group taking advan-

tage of these networking tools. This session

will cover some “easy to implement” strat-

egies to propel your stone business into the

social media world. Several case studies will

be presented to showcase “best practices”

that will demonstrate how to get started

and manage existing and new relationships

through social media.

Speaker: Garen Distelhorst, Marble

Institute of America

Thursday, April 29, 2010

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Ultimate Waterproofing Techniques

This session will describe the methods used

by master installer Michael Byrne to provide

maximum waterproofing and crack isolation

protection for residential and light commer-

cial tile installations. It will cover all types of

waterproofing membranes.

Speakers: Michael Byrne, MB&A; David

Gobis, CTC, CSI, Ceramic Tile Consultant

8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Stone Trends 2010

Gain a valuable overview of the market

and market trends by attending this 11th

annual “State of the Industry” presentation

on the dimensional stone market in America.

This session will cover information, sourc-

ing, marketing and application trends in the

stone industry over the last year, including

examples of award-winning projects that

have been recognized for their use of natural

stone. It’s especially recommended for com-

panies that hold or aspire to obtain Marble

Institute of America (MIA) Accreditation.

Speaker: Vince Marazita, Marazita &

Associates

Fabricators Forum

This open forum is designed to provide

fabr icators with answers to quest ions

or problems they may have in regard to

operating successfully in today’s business

economy. In the present economic cli -

mate, diversification is a critical step many

fabricators are taking. This panel is well

versed in both the residential and com-

mercial arenas and what it takes to excel

054-062 Coverings.indd 60054-062 Coverings.indd 60 2/22/10 10:43:10 AM2/22/10 10:43:10 AM

Page 62: Stone World 201003

62 March 2010 | Stone World

in both. Costs, stone supplier relationships,

collections, employee development and

meeting customer expectations are just a

few of the business-related topics that will

be addressed.

Moderator: GK Naquin, Stone Interiors

Speakers: Rafael Bernal, Great Lakes

Granite & Marble; Michael Twiss, Columbia

Stone, Inc.; Brett Rugo, Rugo Stone LLC,

Natural Stone & Mosaic Contractors; and

Guido Gliori, Grazzini Brothers & Co.

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

Exterior Stone Adhered Veneer

Standards - An Industry Update

This sess ion wi l l provide an industry

update on adhered natural stone veneer

systems. As various groups debate the

merits of engineered design versus empir-

ica l des ign, indust ry-wide consensus

doesn’t appear to be in the near future.

This sess ion wil l of fer an overview of a

number of the contentious topics that are

currently stall ing development of stan-

dards for this widely used system of stone

attachment. Substrate rigidities, adhesive

contact, stone varieties and known paths

to failure will be addressed.

Speaker: Chuck Muehlbauer, Marble

Institute of America

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Wholesale/Slab Distributors Forum

Back by popular demand, this will be the

third annual discussion of strategic issues

critical to running successful wholesale/slab

distribution companies. This open discussion

will cover a host of operational issues, includ-

ing building strong fabricator relationships,

networking with the design community,

freight issues and many more. An update

on how distributors are supporting the gran-

ite industry on the radon/radiation front will

also be included.

M o d e rato r : S cot t La rd n e r, Ro c k y

Mountain Stone

Speakers : Jonathan Zanger, Walker

Zanger; Saket Hans, OHM International; Rup

Shah, MS International

Fabrication —

Do You Know Your Cost?

As a fabricator, do you know your true

cost of doing business? How much are

you making on each job? Can you ana-

lyze your cost by each component of your

business (template, fabrication, instal l,

overhead, etc.)? How does a new piece

of equipment affect your ultimate profit?

It isn’t rocket science, but if you haven’t

taken a course on this subject, this is a

seminar you can’t miss. Learn how to get

started so that you can get a handle on

the factors affecting your bottom line.

Speaker:GK Naquin, Stone Interiors

The Science of Sealing: What to

Know, What to Use and Why

This seminar focuses on the science

behind stone and tile types and the com-

patibility of different sealers and their overall

performance. Different stones and tile have

varying densities, porosities, mineralogy and

finishes that exaggerate these differences.

Learn how to select which sealer types

to use for optimum sealing performance,

explore the advantages of water-based ver-

sus solvent-based sealers and discover what

sealers do and what they don’t do.

Speaker: Rod Sigman, Aqua Mix

Friday, April 30, 2010

8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Stone in Green Building: Moving the

Stone Industry Towards Sustainability

This three-hour workshop should be on

every natural stone professional’s l ist of

business critical sessions to attend. During

the presentation portion of this workshop,

you will explore the use of stone materi-

als in building applications, learn more

about the activities of the industry’s effort

to assess the sustainability of stone, obtain

information about environmental profiles

for stone materials as compared to other

material alternatives (pre-cast concrete,

aluminum, etc.) and learn more about

the results of l ife-cycle assessment that

compares common materials used for

external cladding.

During the panel discuss ion por t ion

of this workshop, you will gain perspec-

tives on why the work on natural stone

sustainabil ity is critical to the evolution

of building codes around the world, ask

quest ions and provide input into the

ongoing effort and share perspectives

from projects you have worked on.

After this sess ion, you wil l be better

positioned to speak with clients about sus-

tainability, get involved with this vital industry

initiative and position your company to be

at the forefront of this effort.

Speakers: Jack Giebig, Center for Clean

Products at the University of Tennessee;

and several members of the Natural Stone

Industry’s Sustainability Committee

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Trends in the Use of Tile and Stone

in the Landscape: A Showcase of

Various Landscape Works Across the

Globe that Embrace Culture, Theme

and Sustainability

This seminar will address the applications

of stone and tile in landscape architec-

ture, from hotels and resorts to campuses

and urban settings. Pools and water fea-

tures, sculptures, porte cocheres, walls

and columns and custom works are just

some of the applications in which tile and

stone will be showcased via case studies

during this presentation. Sustainability and

applications related to sustainable design,

the use of local materials in projects and

the use of recycled materials in projects

will also be addressed.

Speaker: Rob Hutcheson, ASLA, EDSA

Commencing at 10 a.m.

Your Fabrication Shop — Nuts & Bolts

Fabricators Forum

This workshop blends three aspects impor-

tant to every fabricator and concludes

with a traditional fabricator’s forum of your

industry peers responding to questions. The

presentation will focus on:

Being OSHA-compl iant and operat-

ing a safe shop environment. You’ll learn

more about the steps necessary to bring

your shop into compliance today, as well

as find out how many thousands of dol-

lars of potential f ines may be s it t ing in

your shop. A safer workplace - the goal of

every fabricator.

Identifying the right infrastructure for water

recycling. Hear about the differences in the

various water recycling systems that are

currently available and learn how you can

benefit from using the best water cycling

system that fits the needs of your shop, from

a fabricator’s perspective.

Learn how important it is to have the right

compressed air system and infrastructure

for your fabrication shop. See why so many

shops are going “all wet,” and why the right

air system enables fabricators to be more

efficient and save money on tool repairs

and energy costs.

Moderator: Kevin Padden, AZ School of

Rock

Speakers: Scott Lardner, Rocky Mountain

Stone Co.; other speakers TBA

054-062 Coverings.indd 62054-062 Coverings.indd 62 2/22/10 10:43:17 AM2/22/10 10:43:17 AM

Page 63: Stone World 201003

The general rule of diamond tools is that the faster it works the less life you’re going to get. The all new Cyclone High Speed Finger Bit is a total re-design to be the excep-tion to this general rule. Twin action segments work in tandem to remove material for faster stock removal and longer life. The leading segment aggressively cuts the stone while the trailing larger segment removes the stock left behind. At 5000rpm this process is repeated 15000 times per minute. Segments that work together are just better, longer, faster. Call your authorized Cyclone dealer today.

949 W Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | 888.449.0502 | www.diamaxinc.com

Recommended parameters 15”-25”/minute at 5500-6000 RPM. For best performance we recommend 4.5 to 5.5 gallons of water feed per minute.

BY DIAMAX

diamaxsw03104.indd 1diamaxsw03104.indd 1 2/23/10 10:44:17 AM2/23/10 10:44:17 AM

Page 64: Stone World 201003

64 March 2010 | Stone World

Is your workplace safe?

Most accidents in the stone fabrication shop are avoidable when an operation develops a culture of safety and prevention

by Daniel Samaniego

Working in a stone fabrication

shop is one of the jobs

that, by nature, implies

that employees wil l be working

u nder d i f f icu lt condit ion s t hat

require complete attention to detail.

Stone fabrication is a demanding

job that involves heavy equipment,

slab/material handling, electricity,

compressed air, work in high or

confined spaces and the use of blades,

grinders and chemicals. Moreover, the

environment may include dust, noise

and wet conditions.

Far too often, employees are not

aware of some of the conditions that

are safety risks to employees and visi-

tors. Often, this happens because “we

never have had an accident.” During

the eight-hour workday, shop employ-

ees are generally thinking about the

kitchen or vanity they need to finish

and not safety in the workplace.

Look for problematic conditions

We should see our stone fabrication

shop with different eyes, under another

perspective — using critical thinking

and trying to find potential risks. In

Slab organization is one of the most important aspects in fabrication shop safety — no matter what

the size of the space. One of the first steps to achieving this is to throw away material that you have

been keeping for years and will probably never use.

Fabricator ISSUES & SOLUTIONS

064-067 ShopSafety.indd 64064-067 ShopSafety.indd 64 2/22/10 10:47:41 AM2/22/10 10:47:41 AM

Page 65: Stone World 201003

StonExpo booth #1216

Slabsmith.com(315) 287 - 2877

Slabsmith™ is a product of Northwood Designs, Inc., Antwerp, NYThe slab in the background is a Slabsmith™ digital slab™ created with Slabsmith’s advanced photostation calibration.

watch the video at:

Slabsmith.comThe future is now

slabsmithsw09094.indd 1slabsmithsw09094.indd 1 8/17/09 9:23:22 AM8/17/09 9:23:22 AM

Page 66: Stone World 201003

66 March 2010 | Stone World

our hands are many decisions that

could be the difference.

We know the consequences that

can result from an accident offer — not

only a financial loss, but also emotion-

al impact to families. Most industrial

accidents are preventable and happen

because of the repetition of unsafe acts

or prolonged “unsafe conditions.”

Simply stated, an “unsafe act” is grind-

ing without goggles, while continually

working on a muddy/wet floor is an

example of “unsafe conditions.” Some

accidents are extraordinary, under cir-

cumstances out of the common, but

most of them are clearly preventable.

Safe machinery operationWith such a broad range of machin-

ery involved in the fabrication process

— bridge saws, cranes, vacuum lifters,

routers, edge profile machines, water

pumps, air compressors, electric/

pneumatic tools, CNC stonework-

ing centers and dust collectors — it

is the responsibility of the employer

to designate someone to ensure that

this equipment is in the best condi-

tion in terms of safety and operability.

They also need to make sure that the

safety devices for each machine have

not been removed or disabled to make

their operation easier for the user.

Equipment manufacturers design

machinery with the safety system as

a priority, and shop mangers/owners

are responsible to ensure that these

systems are not bypassed.

Asking questionsSafety implies education. It is a

culture that should be a priority. We

should ask our people in the shop

about safety, and try to identify the

risks. Some examples of questions to

ask are:

• Do we know if safety systems such

as fire extinguishers or eyewash sta-

tions are in good condition?

• Are they ready to use?

• Does everybody know how to use

them?

• Does the shop have safety signage?

• Are we having safety meetings?

• Are machine operators using person-

al protection equipment, including

steel toe boots?

• Are they actually wearing their eye/

ear protection at all times?

Steps for preventionEveryone — including owners,

managers, technicians, sales team

and clerical employees — needs to

share in the responsibility for safety.

Unfortunately, too many times, this

isn’t addressed until there is an acci-

dent. The best firefighter isn’t the one

who extinguishes the most fires; rath-

DOMAIN INDUSTRIES INC.

064-067 ShopSafety.indd 66064-067 ShopSafety.indd 66 2/22/10 10:47:50 AM2/22/10 10:47:50 AM

Page 67: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 67

Here, we see the water

channels for the recycling

system lacking a cover, which

creates a bad falling risk.

er, the one who achieves prevention.

By stressing organizat ion and

cleanliness in the shop, a shop man-

ager/owner is better able to detect the

possible risks. Some conditions are

very difficult to change (lack of space,

old equipment, etc.), but they can still

be addressed. Surprisingly, some of

the simple items in the shop — such

as electrical cords — are often in very

bad condition.

In terms of maintaining the shop

itself, slab organization is very impor-

tant — no matter what the size of the

space. One of the first steps to achiev-

ing this is to throw away material that

you have been keeping for years and

will probably never use.

The second step is to completely

clean the floor and to create “respon-

sibility areas” according to different

sections — workstations, bridge saw

1, bridge saw 2, final revision, etc. The

boundaries for these areas should be

clearly marked on the floor, and you

should also clearly demark the fork-

lift route at the same time. Once this is

achieved, it becomes the responsibility

of each employee to keep their assigned

area in the best possible condition.

This not only increases safety, but

the result is a shop that you will be

proud to show to architects, design-

ers, customers and visitors. If you are

selling beauty, you should keep your

workplace attractive and offer the prop-

er impression of your business. ❑

Although cleanliness should also be a priority in stone fabrication shops, it is often

disregarded as employees focus solely on production. By establishing boundaries for

different “responsibility areas” of the shop — and clearly marking them on the floor

— it becomes the responsibility of each employee to keep their assigned area in the

best possible condition.

Daniel Samaniego has a background as a stone machinery technician and industrial safety specialist. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In some stone fabrication shops, the floor is always muddy and wet. The water used

during the fabrication process should always run to channels.

064-067 ShopSafety.indd 67064-067 ShopSafety.indd 67 2/22/10 10:47:57 AM2/22/10 10:47:57 AM

Page 68: Stone World 201003

68 March 2010 | Stone World

Working with recycled countertop materials

In this question-and-answer session, Cosentino explains how fabricators can work with its ECO line of

countertop materials, which features 75% recycled content

What is ECO by Cosentino?

What is it made from, and

what are the environmental

benefits of the material?

ECO by Cosentino is a revolu-

tionary new line of countertop and

surfacing material composed of 75%

recycled material. The launch of ECO

by Cosentino sets an unprecedented

standard for the green building and

sustainable design industries. The

result of a $6 million research and

development investment, this inno-

vative new product caters to the

envi ron menta l ly con sc ious a nd

design-oriented architect, designer and

consumer by providing high perfor-

mance, design and sustainability.

ECO by Cosentino is composed of

75% post-industrial and post-consum-

er recycled raw material, including

mirrors salvaged from houses, build-

ings and factories; glass from windows

and bottles; granulated glass from

consumer recycling practices; por-

celain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets

and decorative elements; and indus-

trial furnace residuals from factories

in the form of crystallized ashes.

ECO by Cosentino is a new line of countertop and surfacing

material composed of 75% recycled material.

Fabricator ISSUES & SOLUTIONS

068-071 ECO.indd 68068-071 ECO.indd 68 2/22/10 2:11:22 PM2/22/10 2:11:22 PM

Page 69: Stone World 201003

R e l i a b l e R o b o t i c S o l u t i o n s F o r S t o n e F a b r i c a t o r s

www.usgrobo t i cs .com

in fo@usgrobo t i cs .com

TEL: 800-999-3025

FAX: 847-304-1239

RobocutRobocut

VeinMatch will change the way you do business

If you’ve had a customer ask how their seams are going to look then you need our RoboCut system.

usgrinsertsw12094.indd 1usgrinsertsw12094.indd 1 11/17/09 2:58:22 PM11/17/09 2:58:22 PM

Page 70: Stone World 201003

70 March 2010 | Stone World

By utilizing these recycled materials,

Cosentino is “upcycling” products that

have reached the end of their lifecycle

— meaning that they cannot be incorpo-

rated in to any other industrial product

and would otherwise collect in landfill

sites. Each year, the production of ECO is

expected to utilize the equivalent of:

• 60 million glass bottles

• 2 million standard size bathroom

mirrors

• Approximately 540,000 square feet of

ceramics

Reutilizing this significant amount

of material prevents it from building up

at landfills year after year, and reduces

the need to mine for new resources.

Moreover, for every square foot of ECO

by Cosentino utilized, consumers are

helping to save the same amount or

more of natural resources.

How many colors are available?

At launch, ECO by Cosentino is

available in two sophisticated color

palettes — the Revive collection and

the Green collection — totaling 10 indi-

vidual designer colors, suitable for both

commercial and residential projects. It

is also available in both a polished and

a matte Leather TextureTM finish.

What is the typical slab size?

ECO by Cosentino is available in

jumbo slabs of 63 x 128 inches and stan-

dard tile sizes of 12 x 12, 18 x 18 and

24 x 24 inches. The jumbo slabs allow

for a higher square footage of material

per container, therefore minimizing

the product’s carbon footprint, and

they provide a higher yield of material

during fabrication, minimizing seams

and waste. The slabs are available in

a 1.2-cm, 2-cm and 3-cm thickness to

respond to varying market needs.

W h e n f a b r i c a t i n g E C O b y

Cosentino, what practical concerns are

required when cutting the material?

Do I need a specialized blade? Do I

need to run my saw at a specific rpm?

When cutting on a saw, ECO by

Cosentino can be cut with a regular

diamond blade at 3,500 to 3,800 rpm.

If cutting on a waterjet, fabricators

can cut at the speed rate of 40 inches

per minute.

I understand that some engineered

stone/quartz surfacing slabs “pinch”

the blade when plunge cutting. Do I

need to cut the material from the out-

side, or can I plunge cut?

Cutting the material from the out-

side is best; however, plunge cutting

is another option for fabricating, just

like with quartz surfacing. Fabricators

should plan for cuts to release tension

prior to plunge cutting.

When working the edges of the

When cutting on a saw, ECO by Cosentino can be cut with a regular diamond blade at

3,500 to 3,800 rpm. If cutting on a waterjet, fabricators can cut at the speed rate of 40

inches per minute.

ECO by Cosentino is composed of 75%

post-industrial and post-consumer

recycled raw material, including

mirrors salvaged from houses, building

and factories; glass from windows

and bottles; granulated glass from

consumer recycling practices; porcelain

from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and

decorative elements; and industrial

furnace residuals from factories in the

form of crystallized ashes.

068-071 ECO.indd 70068-071 ECO.indd 70 2/22/10 10:49:46 AM2/22/10 10:49:46 AM

Page 71: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 71

material, do I need to work with special

tooling or a specialized rate of speed?

Edge polishing should be treated the

same as quartz surfacing.

Will the edge of the material match

the surface once it is processed, or

does additional finishing need to take

place (as is the case with some resin-

treated materials)?

Unlike concrete-based counter-

tops, ECO is a non-porous surfacing

material and does not require seal-

ers. ECO by Cosentino matches the

sophist icated look, feel and high

performance of quartz composite sur-

faces and natural stone surfaces such

as marble and granite.

Do the slabs have any problem

with UV light, or can I store/install the

material outside in direct sunlight?

ECO by Cosentino is recommended

for indoor use only.

W hen install ing counter tops

made with ECO by Cosentino, are

there any major differences to con-

sider as opposed to installing granite

countertops?

We recommend strip decking rather

than full decking when installing ECO

by Cosentino. Also it should not be

installed tight against the wall; a small

gap of 1/8 inch should be consider for

every 10-foot run.

How smooth is the finished edge

once cut, as compared to the typical

edge of cut granite? Do the edges at

the seams need to be further treated

or “roughed up” to make them work

effectively with the seam adhesive?

Granite behaves differently —

depending on the type of granite. ECO

by Cosentino does not cut as cleanly

as quartz surfacing. It behaves more

like the most brittle granite. The type

of blade, plenty of water and the speed

of the blade are all key for a crisp cut.

Nevertheless, ECO is not going to expe-

rience heavy chipping as it behaves

much better than your typical cement-

based, recycled glass material.

What types of adhesives seem to

work best with ECO by Cosentino?

We recommend a polyester-based

resin or an epoxy, although your typi-

cal solid surface acrylic-based glues

also work well.

Do the seams at a cooktop or sink

need to be rodded, as is typical with

granite? Are there other special rein-

forcements needed?

ECO by Cosentino has a better flex-

ural strength than granite. Therefore, it

is not absolutely necessary to rod either

cut-outs or seams, although it is always

good practice to rod either. ❑

068-071 ECO.indd 71068-071 ECO.indd 71 2/22/10 10:50:30 AM2/22/10 10:50:30 AM

Page 72: Stone World 201003

72 March 2010 | Stone World

The “microshop” is bornWhen properly equipped with today’s technology, small fabrication

shops can produce the same amount with less manpower, and it is possible to profitably operate a “microshop” with just an owner and a helper

by Scott McGourley, Kasco StoneTampa, FL

Sometime in 2005 in Fredrikstad,

N o r w a y, J a n W a e r n e s s

contemplated a new stone

fabricat ion model. He wanted to

digitally fabricate stone in the most

efficient manner by himself; however,

there were no machines out there that

are set up for this task. After doing

some research, he decided to convert a

4-axis CNC machine with a saw blade

into what will eventually become the

FabCenter. With a little ingenuity and a

fistful of patience, he set up his one-man

shop that would evolve into the very

first “microshop.” These were the seeds

that drifted onto the Stone Fabricators

Forum at www.StoneAdvice.com, and

it set off a chain reaction of events that

would have three major manufacturers

developing this type of machinery and

dozens of microshops popping up all

over the country.

What is a microshop?While you can classify a number

of small fabrication shops in this cat-

egory, the following criteria will define

this microshop. First of all, as the name

implies, it is a small fabrication shop

— with 5,000 square feet of space or

less. The second important component

is a FabCenter (mine is from Breton of

Italy). While it may be possible to digi-

tally fabricate stone efficiently with

other types of fabrication equipment,

the added labor and material handling

— coupled with the cost of purchas-

ing and maintaining more than one

machine — excludes most combina-

A “microshop” is defined as a a small fabrication shop — 5,000 square feet of space or less — equipped with a FabCenter that

fabricates between 200 and 500 square feet of installed product per week, with occasional stints of up to 1,000 square feet.

Fabricator ISSUES & SOLUTIONS

072-076 MicroShop.indd 72072-076 MicroShop.indd 72 2/22/10 10:51:44 AM2/22/10 10:51:44 AM

Page 73: Stone World 201003

www.amerisink.com

Factory Direct

ASME & cUPC CERTIFIED

East & West Coast Distribution Center

National Builder Specified Products

877.500.SINK(7465)

AS109

amerisinksw02101.indd 1amerisinksw02101.indd 1 1/18/10 11:31:03 AM1/18/10 11:31:03 AM

Page 74: Stone World 201003

74 March 2010 | Stone World

tions from this model. The third major

defining factor is scope. The scope

of the business must be to fabricate

between 200 and 500 square feet of

installed product per week, with occa-

sional stints of up to 1,000 square feet.

Why is this a good idea?Those of you who already run a

stone shop know how difficult and

costly this business can be. Up to this

point, there was no middle in the busi-

ness. Either a shop can stay manual

and avoid the price tag of automation,

or they can embrace it. Manual fabri-

cation costs are more or less linear. It

costs roughly the same per square foot

to produce 100 square feet of finished

product as it does 1,000 square feet.

A typical small shop consists of

five individuals. Usually they wear

many hats and manage to fabricate

and install somewhere on the order

of 250 square feet per week. Now, if

that same shop invests in a CNC, they

still need the same number of people.

They can certainly do more work, but

will the work be there? An automated

shop can generally lower their expendi-

tures with increases in volume. Those

that invest in CNC technology usually

gravitate toward more volume because

they can, and they may quickly evolve

into a “large” shop. This is great as long

as sales meet the demands of the day.

But as evidenced by the hundreds of

shop closures in the last year, a slowing

economy can be the death blow to even

the healthiest of shops.

The microshop is able to pro-

duce the same amount with one less

worker. With the reduction of just one

full-time employee, you can pay for

more than half of your CNC payment.

This is significant when operating

in the lower-volume range. It is less

important with higher volume. In

fact, there is a point where it would be

more efficient to employ a dedicated

digital cutting solution and just run

the FabCenter as a CNC. It is possible

to profitably operate this kind of shop

all the way down to just an owner and

a helper — due to the almost complete

eradication of labor. It is also possible

to add labor as needed and run dou-

ble shifts in order to enjoy maximum

productivity for short time periods

in order to cover large contracts or

unusually high periods of sales.

Why can a microshop operate with one less employee?

This is because of the gains achieved

by utilizing a digital cutting solu-

tion, along with digital templating

and reduced material handling. With

a manual saw, usually the fabricator

has to lay his wooden templates on the

slab and try various layouts in order to

achieve the desired end. This becomes

increasingly difficult as the number

of slabs in the job increases. It is not

unusual to spend hours laying out a

difficult four-slab job. Usually these

tasks are accompanied by a crowd of

fellow workers that feel compelled to

give their input on how the layout can

work — usually to the dismay of the

guy trying to concentrate on the task

at hand. He then has to proceed to saw

manually — with a limited ability to

cut complex shapes — and then trans-

port the parts to the CNC.

Meanwhile, the microshop employs

a programmer in an air-conditioned

office who can try multiple layouts in

any weather in minutes. This allows

him to achieve better material utili-

zation because of his ability to easily

try various possibilities. Most systems

include a dynamic digital render-

ing of the completed job, which takes

some of the question marks out of the

process. The ability to digitally cut

complex shapes saves material when

the cutting is done.

FabCentering is all about quickly

splitting the slab or parts. Here

we simply run the finger across

the slab to split the two parts.

The one in the foreground did

not move, and we cut the line

on the sink cutout, leaving

1.5 mm overmaterial. On the

other part, we will finger it once

it is moved so we don’t have to

add overmaterial, then add it

again once it has been relocated.

072-076 MicroShop.indd 74072-076 MicroShop.indd 74 2/22/10 10:51:56 AM2/22/10 10:51:56 AM

Page 75: Stone World 201003

Partner Level Sponsors: Gold Level Sponsor:

March 11 • Houston, TX & April 15 • Chicago, ILBusiness Success for Fabricators – Don’t Let Revenue Slip Away!

Analyzing the cost of doing business

Benchmarks for financial performance

Discussion on diversifying your operations

Equipment needs

Showcasing techniques and tips for templating, fabrication, and installation

Marketing your company

Value of being an MIA accredited natural stone fabricator

Networking

Visit www.stoneworld.com/miaeducation for a complete agenda, registration, and much more!

From the classroom... to the shop... to the quarry!High quality educational programming for natural stone professionals!

Stone Industry Educationbrought to you by

and

Upcoming Seminars:June 9 : Ft. Lauderdale, FL • June 30 : St. Louis, MO • July 20 : Calgary, AB

July 22 : Denver, CO • September 15 : San Francisco, CA • September 22 : Minneapolis, MNOctober 6-7 : Vermont Quarry Tours • November 10 : Edison, NJ

Save the Date!RegistrationNOW OPEN!

miaeducatsw03104.indd 1miaeducatsw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 3:35:04 PM2/17/10 3:35:04 PM

Page 76: Stone World 201003

76 March 2010 | Stone World

With some systems, the parts are

not removed from the table, they are

simply “floated” apart in order to

gain tool clearance, and the routing

begins immediately. The operator

can normally accomplish other tasks

while the machine is running. It is

very easy for one man to process a

slab with the help of a vacuum lift-

er. In both cases it is troublesome to

move odd-shaped parts, and in such

cases, parts are usually left on the

table until help arrives.

Another important byproduct of

the microshop is the ability to share

critical information with only a few

key individuals. For example, the

owner can sell and template the jobs,

and the programming and machine

operation can be done by another.

Most of the key information is privy

to these two individuals. The other

employees generally do not need to

know what size radius the corners

get, what sink will be used, what

edge, how deep should the edge be

run, whether or not a piece needs

under-polishing and a seemingly

endless list of other queries. This

leads to a lot less responses that start

with “I thought.”

FabCenters seldom call out sick,

whine about overtime and will work

for very little once the payment cycle

has concluded. They are also not sub-

ject to Workers’ Compensation.

The “digital showroom”Some of the other cr iter ia for

defining this microshop is a digital

showroom. It is normally not pos-

sible for a small shop to have vast

inventory of slabs or large show-

rooms. Therefore, f lat-screens and

large computer monitors are utilized

to display slabs, remnants, examples

of various installations and consum-

er education. While it is necessary

for the client to view the actual slabs,

this process significantly reduces the

time it takes to narrow choices. This

is especially true with remnants,

as they do not show well and are

generally packed into an almost un-

viewable configuration. An overhead

crane and vacuum lifter are other

required elements for a microshop.

While there are other components,

most can be found in any fabrication

shop, so I will leave them out for the

purposes of this discussion.

The advantages of the micro-

shop are many. One is the reduced

dependence on skilled labor. Tooling

costs are also reduced over a manual

operation. A microshop can also be a

stepping stone to a large shop. A ded-

icated digital cutting solution can be

added easily — doubling the amount

of out put that can be ach ieved.

Profitability can be maintained in

just about any market condition. The

microshop appears to the customer

as a small, but highly organized and

capable modern shop. The ability to

operate in a hub spoke or in nodes for

a company with multiple locations is

another possibility. A large shop in a

busy metropolitan area — surround-

ed by a small network of microshops

— can satisfy just about any market

demand. Probably the most important

gain is the sanity that an organized

and highly automated process brings

to an otherwise insane business. ❑

With the half-slab part, you can

move it with one hand. It works

by the process of elimination;

you cut, remove scrap, pods, cut

some more, remove material, etc.

Eventually the table is empty,

and you have finished parts.

Scott McGourley is Owner/Operator of Kasco Stone in Tampa, FL. This small shop, while typical in size to the average shop found across our country, has over the past four years transformed itself from a dry cutting manual operation to a fully digital microshop. McGourley is an active mem-ber of the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) embracing the group’s mission, and work-ing to raise the bar for quality in his region.

072-076 MicroShop.indd 76072-076 MicroShop.indd 76 2/22/10 10:52:09 AM2/22/10 10:52:09 AM

Page 77: Stone World 201003

Reinventive Design.

Almost Endless Possibilities.

Yellow Dream

Perlado

Tuscany Brown

Bottachino

Soapstone

Carnelian

Piazza Carrara

Crystal Ash

US Warehouse Locations

Anaheim, CA - 714.520.4100 | Boston, MA - 508.393.9600 | Charleston, SC - 843.928.3307Chicago, IL - 708.780.9700 | Dallas, TX - 214.256.9700 | Denver, CO - 303.895.3450Detroit, MI - 734.946.4079 | Houston, TX - 281.207.4500 | Miami, FL - 954.486.2379Phoenix, AZ - 480.763.9400 | San Marcos, CA - 760.741.8000 | Seattle, WA - 206.762.8221Silver Spring, MD - 301.563.1433 | Spokane, WA - 509.893.3698 | St. Louis, MO - 314.426.1466St. Paul, MN - 651.602.3200 | Van Nuys, CA - 818.785.1100 | Willingboro, NJ - 609.877.1008

CANADA

Ontario - 734.946.4077 | Quebec - 819.876.7111British Columbia - 604.852.8125

MEXICO

Mexico - 011.52.55.21665202

©2009 Cosentino N.A. Silestone trademark and logo are the property of Cosentino N.A. under exclusive license from Cosentino, SA.www.cosentinonorthamerica.com

The Nations Largest Stone Importer is Now a Little Closer to You.

TM®

M A R L I Q U Em a r b l e

b y c o s e n t i n o

cosentinosw06094.indd 1cosentinosw06094.indd 1 5/14/09 10:45:40 AM5/14/09 10:45:40 AM

Page 78: Stone World 201003

78 March 2010 | Stone World

Sandstone and limestone form distinctive

courthouse designThe new facility for the New Mexico Court of Appeals in Albuquerque

features a facade of sandstone and limestone -- giving it a dignified presence while reflecting the warm tones of its surroundings

by Jennifer Adams

While the design intent for

the new home of the New

Mexico Court of Appeals

was to match the architecture of its

neighbor, The University of New

Mexico (UNM) Law School, it was also

important that the design emphasize

that the structure is a government

institution. To achieve just the right

balance, the design team turned to a

palette of sandstone and limestone —

supplied by MS International, Inc. of

Orange, CA — for the exterior facade.

“Although there was a desire for

the new facility to have a connection

to the UNM Law School and fit in to

the campus, it also needed to have

its own distinct image,” explained

Project Manager Tina Sanchez of NCA

Architects of Albuquerque, NM. “It

could not be a casual relationship, with

Located next door to the University of New Mexico Law School in Albuquerque, NM, the new building for the

New Mexico Court of Appeals reflects the existing architecture on campus while maintaining a strong look

of a government institution. A palette of Teakwood sandstone and Uxmal limestone — both supplied by MS

International of Orange, CA — were chosen for the exterior design.

Ph

oto

s co

urt

esy

of

NC

A A

rch

itect

s

InstitutionalArchitecture

078-082 Appeals.indd 78078-082 Appeals.indd 78 2/22/10 10:52:39 AM2/22/10 10:52:39 AM

Page 79: Stone World 201003

morawaresw01091.indd 1morawaresw01091.indd 1 10/22/09 9:36:34 AM10/22/09 9:36:34 AM

Page 80: Stone World 201003

80 March 2010 | Stone World

students just wandering around the

building. It was to visually look like a

court and should not be mistaken for

another campus building.”

Additionally, the architectural image

of the new Court of Appeals build-

ing needed to convey “New Mexico,”

explained Sanchez. “The image needed

to be something that is recognized —

something to do with New Mexico and

something that is dignified,” she said.

“The court facility also was to be secure

as a result of the nature of the judicial

actions that take place there.”

The selection processThe choice of Teakwood sandstone

and Uxmal limestone for the building’s

exterior facade was believed to be the

right decision to meet the design crite-

ria. “One of the main reasons behind

choosing the material was having the

warmth and the aesthetic value of a

natural stone,” said Sanchez. “Uxmal

and Teakwood have an exceptional

color palette that offers a warm and

unique pattern that blends with the

New Mexico architecture. They also

complement each other and create a

distinctive and timeless look.”

According to Sanchez, the client was

involved in the design and construc-

tion of the building every step of the

way. “During the value engineering

process, it was considered changing the

stones for ceramic tile to bring the proj-

ect to budget, but the Court of Appeals

design committee decided on cutting

down and deleting other items to keep

the stone,” she said.

A large portion of the exterior

facade of the Court of Appeals build-

ing is clad in Teakwood sandstone — a

yellowish/orange stone from India.

Approximately 20,000 square feet of the

material was supplied for the project,

with pieces measuring 24 x 24 inches.

The Uxmal limestone, which features

a deeper rust color and was quarried in

The warm colors of the stone

reflect the building’s natural

environment.

In total, approximately 20,000 square feet of 24- x 24-inch tiles of Teakwood sandstone,

which exhibit hues of yellow and orange — was utilized for the exterior facade. The

deeper rust shade of the Uxmal limestone provides a nice contrast.

The exterior stone was installed with an “Exterior Stone System” from Laticrete

International of Bethany, CT.

078-082 Appeals.indd 80078-082 Appeals.indd 80 2/22/10 10:52:50 AM2/22/10 10:52:50 AM

Page 81: Stone World 201003

OgyuSW0509.indd 1OgyuSW0509.indd 1 4/21/09 2:06:04 PM4/21/09 2:06:04 PM

Page 82: Stone World 201003

82 March 2010 | Stone World

Mexico., adds a nice contrast to the front

of the building. Roughly 12,000 square

feet of 12- x 24-inch tiles were utilized

in the building’s exterior design.

The installationDue to the varying shades of color

found in each stone tile, mock-ups

were done prior to installing the stone,

according to Sanchez, who added that

the design team spent a great deal of

time on site monitoring the installa-

tion. The exterior stone was installed

with the “Exterior Stone System” from

Laticrete International of Bethany, CT.

“The system consists of Hydro-

Ban waterproofing, 254 Platinum

mortar and PermaColor grout,”

said Vice President Gerald Lucero

of Ray’s Flooring Specialists Inc. in

Albuquerque, NM, the installer for

the project. “The structure was a steel

frame with a cement board face. All

joints were taped and bedded with the

254 Platinum mortar bed.”

According to Lucero, the most chal-

lenging aspect of the installation was

the numerous windows that were

designed to fit into a 24-inch modular

design. “The design was based on an

actual 24-inch tile, but the stone was

23 7/8 inches,” he explained. “This created

a need to lay out each bank of windows

individually. We had to cut or make

adjustments to the joint width in order

to accommodate the windows. This was

made more challenging by the fact that

we were not able to lay out the whole wall

since the structure was only partially

framed when we needed to start.”

Ray’s Flooring Specialisis Inc. began

work on the stone installation in June of

2009, and it was finished in September

of that same year. The install crew

included five journeymen and eight to

10 apprentices. Overall, construction of

the almost 34,000-square-foot building

took 16 months.

“The reaction to the aesthetics and

the overall building’s appearance has

been outstanding,” said Sanchez.

“The building has brought up a lot

of interest amongst various groups

of people. We have received a lot of

requests for touring the building —

from young architects and the New

Mexico Native Plant Society to differ-

ent state agencies and UNM faculty

members.” ❑

Overall construction of the almost 34,000-square-foot building took 16 months.

New Mexico Court of AppealsAlbuquerque, NMArchitect: NCA Architects, Albuquerque, NM

Stone Installer: Ray’s Flooring Specialists Inc., Albuquerque, NM

Stone Supplier: MS International, Inc., Orange, CA

Installation Products Manufacturer: Laticrete International, Inc., Bethany, CT

078-082 Appeals.indd 82078-082 Appeals.indd 82 2/22/10 10:53:04 AM2/22/10 10:53:04 AM

Page 83: Stone World 201003

30 2010 INTERNATIONAL FAIR MARBLE TECHNOLOGIES DESIGN

Business on the Move

ORGANIZZATO DA/ORGANIZED BY:

SPONSOR UNICO BANCARIO

di Carrara S.p.A.

Cassadi Risparmio

GRUPPO BANCA CARIGE

SOLE SPONSORING BANK

INTERNAZIONALE

MARMI E MACCHINE

CARRARA SpA

PROMOSSO DA/PROMOTED BY:

Viale Galileo Galilei, 133

54033 Marina di Carrara (MS) Italy

Tel +39 0585 787963

Fax+39 0585 787602

CarraraFiere Srl

e-mail: [email protected] www.carraramarmotec.com

thetis -

desig

n: nic

ola

ped

rini

Maggio_May, 19/222

CARRARAMARMOTEC

2010Carrara, Italy

PROM OZ ION E

ISTITUTO NAZIONALE PER IL COMMERCIO ESTERO

ITALIAN INSTITUTE FOR FOREIGN TRADE

CON IL PATROCINIO DI/SUPPORTED BY:

carrarasw01104.indd 1carrarasw01104.indd 1 11/5/09 2:18:02 PM11/5/09 2:18:02 PM

Page 84: Stone World 201003

84 March 2010 | Stone World

New Liverpool landmarkis defined by Jura limestone

Slated for completion next year, the new Museum of Liverpool in the U.K. is being clad with a striking facade of Jura limestone from Germany,

featuring geometric panels that were custom cut to form an intricate pattern

by Michael Reis

When it is finally completed

in the early part of 2011, the

new Museum of Liverpool

in the U.K. represents an opportunity

for the city to be not iced on an

international level, and this fact has

not been lost on the museum’s trustees,

who expect the facility to set “the

global benchmark for museums of its

kind.” To help meet these lofty goals,

the museum is being outfitted with

a striking design that includes Jura

limestone as a key element.

Constructed at a cost of more than

$116 million (72 million British Pounds),

the Museum of Liverpool is the larg-

est newly-built national museum in

Britain for over a century. It is also the

world’s first national museum devoted

to the history of a regional city, reflect-

ing Liverpool’s “global significance”

The new Museum of Liverpool in the U.K. is being touted as a “global benchmark for museums of its kind.”

Scheduled to open in 2011, the building’s design features 70,000 square feet of Jura limestone from Vereinigte

Marmorwerke (V.M.) Kaldorf of Kaldorf, Titting, Germany.

ph

oto

co

urt

esy

of

Nati

on

al

Mu

seu

ms

Liv

erp

oo

l

InstitutionalArchitecture

084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 84084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 84 2/22/10 10:57:19 AM2/22/10 10:57:19 AM

Page 85: Stone World 201003

THIS EVENT FEATURES

CUTTING

FOR

REAL MACHINES

REAL KITCHENS

Advantages of the Digital Workshop

Operation of a “Fab Only” shop

Sales and Marketing including use of Internet tools

Small Workcell Production (Live Production withUltimate FabCenter)

High-Volume Production up to 500 sqft/day(Live Production with SawJET and CNC Router)

Northwood Machine Manufacturing Co., 11610 Commonwealth Dr., Louisville, KY 40299

Phone: 502-267-5504 Fax: 502-267-2332 Email: [email protected]

Brought to you by: &

Hosted by Crowe Custom Countertops Atlanta, GA

FREEEvent

Registration

ContactRobbie Tidwell at

Northwood Machinefor Registration

Informationor Register online at

Discussion Topics

High-Volume Production Machinery

+

is Proud to Sponsor

this industry event!

SFA Workshop - Atlanta, GASFA Workshop - Atlanta, GA

Small Workcell Machinery

25-27

March

2010

[email protected]: 502-267-5504

Live

Demos

Live

Demos

Live

Production

Live

Production

Live

Demos

Live

Demos

Live

Production

Live

Production

Live

Demos

Live

Demos

Live

Production

Live

Production

Visit www.northwoodmachine.com or www.StoneFabricatorsAlliance.com for more details

ACTUAL

CUSTOMERS

ACTUAL

CUSTOMERS

www.StoneFabricatorsAlliance.com

stonenorthsw03104.indd 1stonenorthsw03104.indd 1 2/18/10 2:27:52 PM2/18/10 2:27:52 PM

Page 86: Stone World 201003

86 March 2010 | Stone World

through its unique geography, history

and culture.

The architect for the project is 3XN

of Denmark, and the firm released a

design statement that reads: “The new

Museum of Liverpool ambitions to

become the world’s leading city history

museum, showcasing social history

and popular culture and will look at

Britain and the world through the

eyes of Liverpool. It is estimated that

the new museum will attract at least

750,000 visitors on a yearly basis, and

that Liverpool, with the museum as a

symbol of Liverpool’s ongoing regen-

eration, will be elevated into the front

rank of European tourist destinations,

as well as providing a brilliant place

for local families to find out about their

own history.”

The museum is located at a note-

worthy site within Liverpool, and with

this in mind, 3XN’s design needed to

be distinctive while also fitting into the

overall context of the area. “Located

at the UNESCO World Heritage Site

between the Albert Dock and the Pier

Head, and next to a row of prominent

historic buildings dubbed ‘The Three

Graces’ the museum building is con-

ceived as inclined or elevated platforms,

gradually forming a sculptural struc-

ture,” stated 3XN. “Fully accessible, it

will contribute to the public promenade

flow along the Docks. Situated at the

Pier Head, the museum will be visible

from both the river and the city.”

Use of stoneThe exter ior of the Liverpool

Museum is characterized by geometric

panels of Jura limestone from Germany.

The design by the architects at

3XN called for the stone panels

to be cut into a range of shapes,

including elongated triangular

shapes for much of the facade.

Much of the stone cladding was

installed in a system that allows

panels to angle outward from

the building — creating a three-

dimensional pattern.

The Jura Beige limestone was taken from “Layer 17” of V.M. Kaldorf’s quarry, and it

was furnished with a “Kratzschliff” (scratched) surface finish.

In addition to the triangular pieces, the stone panels at the base and around the large

window openings were specified in a rectangular format.

ph

oto

co

urt

esy

of

Nati

on

al

Mu

seu

ms

Liv

erp

oo

lp

ho

to c

ou

rtesy

of

E.

Pih

l &

n A

.S.

ph

oto

co

urt

esy

of

Nati

on

al

Mu

seu

ms

Liv

erp

oo

l

084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 86084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 86 2/22/10 10:57:33 AM2/22/10 10:57:33 AM

Page 87: Stone World 201003

Register online at www.aia.org/convention

The AIA 2010 National Convention and Design Exposition will explore the theme of Design for the New Decade–highlighting how design knowledge, vision, and leadership contribute to creating lasting buildings and cities. Design will permeate every aspect of the convention–keynote presentations, seminars, workshops, roundtable discussions, exhibits, materials, and tours.

Join more than 22,000 architecture and building and design professionals as we address the new challenges that arise from an emerging and more modern economy. Help shape the future of the profession in the next decade by recommitting to our discipline's primary mode of thought and action–design.

AIA Convention 2010 offers value, education, and quality.

Register by April 26 and save. www.aia.org/convention

C O N V E N T I O N 2 0 1 0 J U N E 1 0 – 1 2 M I A M I

DESIGN FOR THE NEW DECADE

aiasw02104.indd 1aiasw02104.indd 1 1/13/10 3:25:42 PM1/13/10 3:25:42 PM

Page 88: Stone World 201003

88 March 2010 | Stone World

The material was quarried and pro-

cessed by Vereinigte Marmorwerke

(V.M.) Kaldorf of Kaldorf, Titting,

Germany — in the heart of Bavaria’s

stoneworking region. Waldemar Ruff of V.M. Kaldorf explained that the Jura

Beige limestone was taken from “Layer

17” of the quarry, which is part of the

upper section of the site. The stone

was furnished with a “Kratzschliff”

(scratched) surface finish, and V.M.

Kaldorf supplied a total of 70,000

square feet of material for the project.

The design by the architects at 3XN

called for the stone panels to be cut

into a range of shapes, including elon-

gated triangular shapes for much of the

facade. According to Ruff, these trian-

gular pieces required special attention

during fabrication. “The technical exe-

cution in our factory to do the special

diagonal cuts at the long edges [were a

challenge],” he said.

In addition to the triangular pieces,

the stone panels at the base and around

the large window openings was speci-

fied in a rectangular format.

Installation detailsThe contractor for the Liverpool

Museum is Pihl Galliford Try — a

joint venture of E. Pihl & Søn A.S. of

Lyngby, Denmark, and Galliford Try

of Middlesex, England. “The facade is

covered with natural stone, interrupted

by some large glass panels, which elim-

inates the boundary between indoors

and outdoors,” explained architect

Mogens Hedegaard Andersen, head of

the Pihl Architectural Design Office.

“The [joint venture] project includes the

A range of installation methods

are being used by the contractor,

Pihl Galliford Try — a joint

venture of E. Pihl & Søn A.S. of

Lyngby, Denmark, and Galliford

Try of Middlesex, England.

ph

oto

s co

urt

esy

of

E.

Pih

l &

n A

.S.

For the protruding sections at the upper portions of the facade, the stone pieces were

assembled onto steel trusses, which were then installed over a steel frame system.

A computer rendering was made for each assembled component, and the stone had to

be fabricated to precise specifications.

084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 88084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 88 2/22/10 10:57:49 AM2/22/10 10:57:49 AM

Page 89: Stone World 201003

Visit us at COVERINGS, Orlando Stand 1718

TECH

LAM

® C

endr

a

Levantina USA - Dallas 11180 Zodiac Lane Dallas, Texas 75229 Ph: 972.488.2800 Fax: 972.488.2850 [email protected] - Atlanta 2499 Newpoint Pkwy Suit 300 Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Ph: 678.436.5439 Fax: 678.376.5078 [email protected] - Baltimore 8215 Wellmoor Court Jessup, MD 20794 Ph: 301.617.2935 Fax: 301.490.9030 [email protected] - Chicago 850 Devon Bensonville, IL 60106 Ph: 630.361.6600 Fax: 630.238.3116 [email protected] - New Orleans 25405 Hwy 40 Folsom, LA 70437 Ph: 985.796.1400 Fax: 985.796.1406 [email protected] Spain - Autovía Madrid-Alicante, Km 382 03660 Novelda (Alicante) Spain Ph. +34 965 60 91 84 Fax +34 965 60 91 09 [email protected] - www.levantina.com

More than Natural Stone

levantinasw03104.indd 1levantinasw03104.indd 1 2/22/10 11:07:07 AM2/22/10 11:07:07 AM

Page 90: Stone World 201003

90 March 2010 | Stone World

construction of works consisting of con-

crete foundations, steel structures and

natural stone facade cladding as well

as electrical and plumbing. The design

supply and installation of natural stone

facades is being performed by the Pihl

Architectural Design Office and the

Pihl Natural Stone Department.”

Pihl reports that it has used Jura

stone on a number of projects in

Northern Europe, and it has proven

to be resistant to environmental fac-

tors such as frost, salt, pollut ion

and other elements. The stone was

specified in a range of thicknesses,

primarily 3 and 4 cm.

Much of the stone cladding was

installed in a system that allows panels

to angle outward from the building —

creating a three-dimensional pattern.

The resulting “shadowing effect” adds

The assembled

panels were then

shipped to the

jobsite to await

installation.

ph

oto

s co

urt

esy

of

E.

Pih

l &

n A

.S.

A steel frame system was used to fix the

assembled panels to the building.

084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 90084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 90 2/22/10 10:58:24 AM2/22/10 10:58:24 AM

Page 91: Stone World 201003

resourcessw03104.indd 1resourcessw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 9:21:44 AM2/17/10 9:21:44 AM

Page 92: Stone World 201003

92 March 2010 | Stone World

life to the facade, as the color and tone

of each stone panel will vary depend-

ing on its placement on the wall.

A range of installation techniques

were used for affixing the stone to the

building. For the protruding sections

at the upper portions of the facade,

the stone pieces were assembled onto

steel trusses, which were then installed

over a steel frame system. Meanwhile,

the stone at the base of the building

was installed over a concrete backup

wall. Finally, the vertical stone panels

around the large window openings

were installed on a steel rafter system.

The steel framing beneath the stone

cladding contains 2,100 tons of struc-

tural steel, and the steel structure

allows the museum’s largest exhibition

spaces — which are 130 feet long x 92

feet wide — to be column free, ensur-

ing that the galleries and public spaces

are maximized.

A worldwide attraction According to the Board of Trustees,

the Museum of Liverpool will attract

more than 750,000 visitors per year,

including 100,000 learning visits, and

it will provide at least 500 construc-

tion jobs and 73 direct permanent

jobs. “The new Museum of Liverpool

will be one of the world’s leading city

history museums, setting the global

benchmark for museums of its kind

and raising social history as a muse-

um discipline to an international

scale,” stated the Board. “The muse-

um wil l demonstrate Liverpool’s

unique contribution to the world and

will showcase popular culture while

tackling social, historical and con-

temporary issues.”

Construction of the museum began

in January of 2008, and the project will

be fully completed in early 2011. ❑

photos courtesy of E. Pihl & Søn A.S.

Museum of LiverpoolLiverpool, England

Client: The Board of Trustees of National Museums and Galleries on

Merseyside, Liverpool, England

Architect: 3XN, Copenhagen, Denmark

Contractor: Pihl Galliford Try — a joint venture of E. Pihl & Søn A.S. of

Lyngby, Denmark, and Galliford Try of Middlesex, England

Stone Quarrier/Fabricator: Vereinigte Marmorwerke (V.M.) Kaldorf GmbH,

Kaldorf, Titting, Germany

The “shadowing effect” adds life to the facade, as the color and

tone of each stone panel will vary depending on its placement

on the wall.

The vertical stone panels around the large window openings

were installed on a steel rafter system.

084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 92084-092 LiverpoolMuseum.indd 92 2/22/10 10:59:10 AM2/22/10 10:59:10 AM

Page 93: Stone World 201003

Rugo StoneLorton, VArugostone.com

Consolidated Kitchens & FireplacesOmaha, NEconsolidatedkitchens.comDMI Tile & Marble, Inc.Birmingham, ALdmi-tmt.com DuraciteFairfield, CAduracite.com European Stone ConceptsTroy, VAeuropeanstoneconcepts.net Ferazzoli Imports of New EnglandMiddletown, CTgalleriastone.com Fine Line PacificKent, WAfinelinepacific.com GraniterraSt. Louis, MOgraniterra.netGreat Lakes Granite & MarbleRedford, MIgreatlakesgm.comInnovative Surfaces, Inc.Hastings, MNinnovativesurfaces.comJohnson GraniteMount Airy, NCjohnsongraniteinc.com

Bangor Wholesale LaminatesBangor, MEbangorwholesalelaminates.comB.C. Stone, Inc.Everett, PAbcstone.comBedrock Quartz SurfacesWest Jordan, UTbedrockquartz.comBlock Tops, Inc,Anaheim, CAblocktops.comBlume’sFreeport, PAblumes.netCapitol Granite and MarbleMidlothian, VAcgandm.com CogswellStonePalmyra, VAcogswellstone.com Creative CountertopsLas Vegas, NVcreativesurface.com

Malisani, Inc.Great Falls, MTmalisaniinc.com Marble EmporiumNorthbrook, ILmarbleemporiumchicago.comMARBLEXFairfax, VAmarblexinc.comNBC Solid SurfacesSpringfield, VTnbcsolidsurfaces.com Northstar Granite TopsMaple Lake, MNnorthstargranitetops.comPremier SurfacesAlpharetta, GApremiersurfaces.com Quality Granite & Marble, Inc.Wichita, KSqualitygraniteandmarble.comRadtke Tile & MarbleCarson City, NVradtketileandmarble.comRICON, Inc.Baton Rouge, LARocky Mountain StoneAlbuquerque, NMrockymountainstoneinc.comRozelle Stone Company, LLCEasley, SCrozellestone.com

Rugo StoneLorton, VArugostone.comSolid Surfaces, Inc.Rochester, NYsolidsurfacesny.com SolidTopsEaston, MDsolidtops.com Stone InteriorsLoxley, ALstoneinteriors.comStone Interiors EastGaston, SCstoneinteriors.comStoneWorks, Inc.Hilton Head Island, SChiltonheadstone.comSurface ProductsCornelius, NCsurfaceproducts.net Surfaces in Stone, LLCWest Hartford, CTsurfacesinstone.comTop MasterKansas City, KStop-master.com Wood Dimensions, Inc./Rocksolid Stone WorksCleveland, OHwooddimensionsinc.com

Rocky Mountain StoneAlbuquerque, NMrockymountainstoneinc.comRugo StoneLorton, VArugostone.com

DMI Tile & Marble, Inc.Birmingham, ALdmi-tmt.com Grazzini Brothers and Co.Eagan, MN grazzini.com

Booms StoneRedford, MIboomsstone.com

MIA Accreditation for natural stone fabricators and commercial contractors recognizes thosecompanies that meet the industry’s highest standards for business activities and ethics, product knowledge, safety, finance, technical expertise, fabrication and installation.The MIA only accredits the BEST in the stone industry.

www.marble-institute.com/accreditedcompanies

miaaccredsw03104.indd 1miaaccredsw03104.indd 1 2/17/10 3:31:38 PM2/17/10 3:31:38 PM

Page 94: Stone World 201003

94 March 2010 | Stone World

CALENDARFor all seminars and a more complete calendar of stone industry events, visit www.stoneworld.com.

April 6 to 9, 2010

StoneTech Shanghai, Shanghai New International

Exhibition Center, China. Organizer: CIEC Ex-

hibition Co. Ltd., Shanghai, 1/F, No.6, E. Beisan-

huan Rd., Beijing, China; Phone: 8610 84600802;

84600319; Fax: 8610 84600346; E-mail: luyu@

ciec.com.cn; Web site: www.stonetech.org.cn.

April 16 to 18, 2010

2009 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) & Con-

ference (conference begins on April 15), McCor-

mick Place, Chicago, IL. Contact: VNU Exposi-

tions; Phone: (800) 933-8735 or (770) 291-5409;

Fax: (770) 777-8700; E-mail: kbiscustomerser-

[email protected].

April 27 to 30, 2010

Coverings 2010, Orange County Convention Cen-

ter, Orlando, FL. Contact: Coverings/National

Trade Productions, 313 S. Patrick St., Alexandria,

VA 22314; Phone in the U.S.: (866) 285-3691 or

International: +1-703-706-8257; Fax: (703) 836-

4486; Web site: www.coverings.com.

May 19 to 22, 2010

CarraraMarmotec, Carrara, Italy. Organized by

CarraraFiere Srl, Viale Galileo Galilei 133, 54033

Marina di Carrara (MS), Italy; Phone: +39-0585

787963; Fax: +39-0585 787602; E-mail: info@

carraramarmotec.com; Web site: http://www.

carraramarmotec.com.

June 10 to 12, 2010

American Institute of Architects National Conven-

tion and Design Expo, including the Stone and

Tile Pavilion, Miami, FL. Contact: M/C Com-

munications LLC, 380 Stuart Street, 6th Floor,

Boston, MA 02116; (888) 242-1824; E-mail: ai-

[email protected] or visit: www.aia.org.

September 29 to October 2, 2010

Marmomacc 2010, the International Exhibition of

Marble, Stone and Technology and Building Ma-

terials Show, Verona, Italy. Contact: Veronafiere

at 39-045-829-8111 (phone); 39-045-829-8288

(fax) or visit www.marmomacc.it/home_en.asp.

September 28 to October 2, 2010

Cersaie 2010, Bologna Exhibition Centre, Bolo-

gna, Italy. Contact: P.O. Box 103-40050 Center-

gross, Bologna, Italy. Phone: 39 051 6646000;

Fax: 39 051 862514; Web site: www.cersaie.com.

January 25 to 27, 2011

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, Mandalay Bay

Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Conference

sessions beginning January 24. For more details

on attending or exhibiting, call (866) 550-6808

or (972) 536-6440 or visit www.StonExpo.com.

January 25 to 27, 2011

Surfaces 2011, Mandalay Bay Convention Cen-

ter, Las Vegas, NV. Conference sessions begin-

ning on January 24. Owned and operated by

Hanley-Wood Exhibitions. Sponsored by the

World Floor Covering Association. Contact:

1-800-547-3477; International calls contact:

1-972-536-6400; Fax: 1-972-536-6401; Web site:

www.SurfacesExpo.com.

March 14 to 17, 2011

Coverings 2011, Sands Exposition Center, Las

Vegas, NV. Contact: Coverings/National Trade

Productions, 313 S. Patrick St., Alexandria, VA

22314; Phone in the U.S.: (866) 285-3691 or In-

ternational: +1-703-706-8257; Fax: (703) 836-

4486; Web site: www.coverings.com.

094 Calendar.indd 94094 Calendar.indd 94 2/23/10 11:47:44 AM2/23/10 11:47:44 AM

Page 95: Stone World 201003

IS YOUR BUSINESS POSITIONED TO SURVIVE?

No matter the size of your business, by investing in the Natural Stone Council, you unify and strengthen our industry by bolstering

preference for Genuine Stone® over synthetic materials. To learn more about how you can do your part, visit naturalstonecouncil.org.

NSC-7748-SW-SH n3.indd 1 7/23/08 11:35:58 AMnscsw0509.indd 1nscsw0509.indd 1 4/20/09 2:44:09 PM4/20/09 2:44:09 PM

Page 96: Stone World 201003

96 March 2010 | Stone World

NEW PRODUCTSDomain Industries, Inc., a nationwide

supplier of kitchen and bath products, has announced the introduction of its Santa Fe Bronze Sink Collection, accentuating 14 different models with heavy-duty construction and nature-inspired design.

Santa Fe Bronze is a unique approach to bathroom sinks — fusing a rare

and rustic feel to t radit ional design. These s i n k s a r e c l a s s i f i e d a s work s o f a r t and designed t o e n h a n c e

any l iv ing space that requires a distinctive, sculptural quality sink, the manufacturer reports.

Examples include the Rios and Chalice models, both layered with texture and naturally occurring Earth-like qualities. These rugged designs contain small reservoirs and imperfect

grooves, flowing water so uniquely, as to create a fusion of both elements.

Hand crafted from Domain’s bronze foundry, each sink boasts superior casting technology that contains top-performing raw materials. Tested for strength, durability and corrosion resistance, the detailed manufacturing process al lows for easy care and maintenance, allowing the sinks to look great for years to come, according to Domain.

www.domainindustries.com

Granite City Tool has introduced several new products, including the SA Ogee Backer Pad, Rival Pads and Tornado Turbo Blades. According to Granite City Tool, the SA Ogee Backer Pad used with 4-inch diamond pads is a popular way to polish ogee edges. It has a rubber-coated edge for extra flexibility and a four-way water separator to distribute the water flow. The Velcro bottom holds the diamond

pad . I t i s 3 . 2 5 inches in diameter and has a 5/8-inch-11 female thread. Rival Pads are the latest generation o f d i a m o n d technolog y and wil l replace the company’s X-CEL, EAGLE and Dura-Plus pads. Tornado T u r b o B l a d e s o f f e r s u p r e m e per for mance in fast cutting of hard materials like stone and hard pavers,

reports Granite City Tool. Extremely smooth, clean finish to the cut, all sizes can be used wet or dry. These blades are inexpensive yet outperform blades that cost much more, reports the manufacturer.

www.granitecitytool.com

Domain Industries’ Santa Fe Bronze Sink Collection

Granite City Tool’s SA Ogee Backer Pad

Granite City Tool’s Rival Pads

Granite City Tool’s Tornado Turbo Blades

096-098 NP, NE, NL.indd 96096-098 NP, NE, NL.indd 96 2/22/10 11:06:51 AM2/22/10 11:06:51 AM

Page 97: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 97

NEW EQUIPMENT

anversw10094.indd 1 9/1/09 3:37:18 PM

The Eagle Edger Jr.™ attachment for the Blue Ripper Jr. rail saw from Omega Diamond, Inc. is now being offered through Braxton-Bragg. This innovative tool gives any owner of a Blue Ripper Jr.™ manufactured after

January 2009 the opp or t u n it y to have a mini linear e d g e m a c h i n e . Indicator marks a r e s c r i b e d a t both 45 and at 0 degrees (0 degrees m e a n i n g t h e

spindle is perpendicular to the surface of the stone), but the unit is capable of being positioned at any angle between 46 degrees forward and 46 degrees back. The operator will be able to cut a perfect beveled edge, or even a bevel-miter lamination edge.

With the included 90 -degree extension and snail lock adapter, fabricators can grind and polish a

virtually flawless edge at 90 degrees for a flat profile. The extension is also capable of going up to 91 degrees for those who prefer to polish their seams. A snail-lock adapter is included, which can be used with the spindle to polish a 45- or 30-degree bevel. Standard 7/8-inch bore router bits can be mounted to the spindle to grind straight profiles

without the need for a bearing. The router bit can also be tilted to get edge profiles. Designed

for use with a Makita 9564CV or 9565CV right-angle grinder, it also includes a Water Shield and a Replacement Water Manifold for the Blue Ripper Jr.™.

www.braxton-bragg.com

The 2010 model Seam Setter VCM is Omni Cubed’s newest manual pump seam setter. The Seam Setter VCM is an innovative “three-in-one” installation tool used for joining seams, leveling

seams and stabilizing backsplashes. The product features durable hand-pump vacuum cups, which provide full-contact reliable hold, and if needed, the cups can be re-pumped without losing the remaining vacuum, reports the manufacturer. The two leveling components slide on rails for custom placement on each side of the seam, and feature non-spinning, leveling feet with vinyl caps to prevent scratching of countertop surfaces. The extended rail-ends have soft vinyl caps, which

make the tool a suitable solution f o r b a c k s p l a s h s t a b i l i z a t i o n . Made in the U.S. from long-lasting

anodized billet aluminum and stainless steel components, the product offers a reliable and convenient solution to achieve the finest seams between stone pieces, according to Omni Cubed.

www.omnicubed.com

Omni Cubed’s 2010 model Seam Setter VCM

The Eagle Edger Jr.™ attachment for the Blue Ripper Jr. rail saw from Omega Diamond, Inc. is now being offered through Braxton-Bragg.

Accessories for the Eagle Edger Jr.™

096-098 NP, NE, NL.indd 97096-098 NP, NE, NL.indd 97 2/22/10 11:07:01 AM2/22/10 11:07:01 AM

Page 98: Stone World 201003

98 March 2010 | Stone World

NEW LITERATUREGranite City Tool’s 2010 catalog

is now available and is packed with the newest, innovative equipment and supplies for stone countertop fabrication. Look for the company’s new Rival Line of products. New CNC

tooling, diamond blades, antiquing brushes and d i a m o n d p o l i s h i n g tools a re h ighl ighted th roughout the text . New saws , pol i sh i ng m a c h i n e s , l i f t i n g equipment, tables, carts

and general supplies are also featured in the catalog. Call 800-328-7094 for a free catalog.

www.granitecitytool.com

The Marble Inst itute of America (MIA) recently completed its second Per for ma nce A na lys i s Rep or t for natural stone fabricators. The survey, conducted in 2009, contains an evaluation and interpretation

of f inancia l data sol ic ited f rom fabricators. Like its 2007 predecessor, this report provides one of the most comprehensive sets of f inancia l per formance benchmarks in the natural stone fabrication industry, according to the MIA. The report is designed to provide fabrication shops with a tool to evaluate existing performance and identify new ways to create improvement.

The 17-page report contains the following sections, each designed to assist managers in specific areas of inquiry: • Executive Summary — provides an

overview of the study results, with emphasis on the difference between the typical firm and the high-profit company.

• Detailed Results — in-depth reporting of return on investment, income statement , ba lance sheet and financial and productivity ratios. M a n a ge me nt c o m me nt a r y i s

provided to focus on the importance of these operating statistics.

• Appendix — provides an overview of t he su r vey met hodolog y a nd de t a i l e d i n for mat ion on t he calculation of the financial ratios used in the report.

As seen in 2007, the Profit Planning Group, the well-regarded association profitability and compensation analysis firm, managed the survey. Members’ proprietary financial data was kept strictly confidential.

T he su r vey resu lt s and f ina l reports were provided at no cost to those f i rms that par t ic ipated in t he s t udy. T he Pe r for ma nce A na lys i s Repor t i s ava i lable to non-participants through the MIA Bookstore. MIA Members pr ice is $299.00 U.S. (non-members $549.00). For further information, go to the MIA Bookstore Web site and click on the “Business Management” tab.

store.marble-institute.com

Granite City Tool’s 2010 Catalog

096-098 NP, NE, NL.indd 98096-098 NP, NE, NL.indd 98 2/22/10 11:07:09 AM2/22/10 11:07:09 AM

Page 99: Stone World 201003

BESTSELLERS LIST

REMOVING SCRATCHES AND POLISHING

ENGINEERED STONE DVDby Fred Hueston - $79.95This new 30-minute video shows how to polish and match the factory fi nish of most engineered and quartz surface stone. This can be tricky. The techniques and polishing procedure is very diffi cult as compared to granite. This video will show you the technique as well as the type of abrasives to use. It also shows several tips including how to remove surface scratches without refi nishing and fi lling small holes and pits.

FACE POLISHING GRANITE COUNTERTOPS DVDby Fred Hueston - $79.95This DVD shows how to remove a scratch from a black absolute countertop and blend the fi nish into the remaining surface. Also shows several tips including how to remove metal marks and repair small scratches and chips. These techniques have taken years to develop and every fabricator and restoration contractor should be aware of these tricks. Specify VHS, DVD, or DVD PAL format.

ARCHITECTURAL STONE:

FABRICATION, INSTALLATION AND SELECTION $140.40Provides building professionals with everything needed to select, design with, and install the full range of natural stone on any project. From his-tory of stone use, to explanations of quarrying process and fabrication techniques, this book is a one-stop resource for building professionals. Contains over 100 photographs and illustrations.

HOW TO POLISH & RESTORE MARBLE

FLOORING DVDby Fred Hueston - $79.95This DVD will show you step-by-step how to resurface and polish marble fl ooring from grinding and removing lippage and scratches to achiev-ing a highly refl ective polish. Reference manual, resource directory, equipment overview and troubleshooting guide included.

STONE REFINISHING &

MAINTENANCE BIBLEby Fred Hueston - $160.00The most complete work of its kind. Filled with nearly 500 pages of information for the refi nishing, polishing, sealing and mainte-nance of stone fl ooring. Contents include: 1-Geology and Stone Identifi cation; 2-Quar-rying & Fabrication; 3-Stone Floor Refi nishing & Polishing; 4-Procedures and Techniques; 5-Stone Maintenance; 9-Equipment; 10-Bids & Estimates; 11-Marketing; 12-Safety; 13-FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions; 14-Special Reports/Contract Forms/Appendix; 15-Resource Direc-tory; 16-Glossary-Common Industry Stone Terms & Defi nitions. 500 pages.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU

SAVING ON YOUR STONE MAINTENANCE? By Tom McNall - $285.00Images of the destruction caused by re-crystallization of marble and stone fl oors by inexperienced technicians. Each page comes with a description of the damage and direct questions for the property owner/manager to refl ect on. Great for hotels, casinos and malls to see what can happen by taking the lowest bid. This is the same book that Tom uses to educate his commercial maintenance specifi ers on the dangers of crystallization and low budget stone care. Direct questions and vivid full color pictures help them to realize where they are sacrifi cing their investment for band-aid fi xes. Leave the album with executives and managers for one week to compare case studies with their own fl oor and they will immediately see the damage in their own buildings before their very eyes. A picture speaks a thousand words. This pictorial journey will speak tens of thousands of dollars to your bottom line. Anyone who knows what is best for stone, the customer and how to polish properly will easily see the value in this money making sales tool.

Go online to www.AECStore.com topurchase or return this

coupon with payment to:

Stone World

Stephanie Weingartz2401 West Big Beaver,

Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084Phone: 248/244-1275

Fax: 248/[email protected]

Please indicate how many copies of each book you would like. Please add additional $8.25 shipping & handling charge for the 1st item and $4.25 for each additional item there after. Canadian and International orders will incur higher s&h charges — email [email protected] for exact s&h charges.

___ Removing Scratches and Polishing Engineered Stone DVD

___ Stone Refi nishing & Maintenance Bible

___ How Much Are You Saving on YOUR Stone Maintenance?

___ How to Polish & Restore Marble Flooring DVD

___ Face Polishing Granite Countertops DVD

___ Architectural Stone: Fabrication, Installation and Selection

Please send payment of total books ordered. Checks should be payable in US

dollars on a US bank.

VISA MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS CHECK ENCLOSED

CREDIT CARD NUMBER: _______________________________________________

NAME: _________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________

CITY: _____________________________ STATE: _____________ ZIP: ___________

COUNTRY: _____________________________________________________________

PHONE: _______________________________________________________________

E-MAIL: ________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________________________

This form MUST be signed in order to be processed.AEC STORE

SW_ToolsOfTrade_Promo.indd 1SW_ToolsOfTrade_Promo.indd 1 3/16/09 1:00:09 PM3/16/09 1:00:09 PM

Page 100: Stone World 201003

Stone

This Stone of the Month supplied by La Ponte Marmi, Grezzana, Verona, Italy. 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. To submit your own Stone of the Month, send a high-resolution digital image, along with the relevant technical data, to [email protected].

www.laponte.it

Wasabi GreenCountry of origin ...........................................................................................Iran

Specific mass ....................................................................2,750 to 2,770 kg/cu.m

Flexural strength ................................................................. 250 to 270 kg/sq.cm

Water absorption ........................................................................................ 0.10%

Compressive strength .................................................... 1,100 to 1,200 kg/sq.cm

of the monthof the month

100 SOTM.indd 100100 SOTM.indd 100 2/22/10 11:07:57 AM2/22/10 11:07:57 AM

Page 101: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 101

Machineof the month

VIC International recently announced the newest machine in its comprehensive range of stone fabrication products, the Fab King,

a precision 3-axis workstation with open gantry. This unit is designed to produce bowl holes fast and accurately, and it also profiles edges using standard manual router tooling. Linear guides on gantry rails insure smooth travel of the X and Y axis. An added feature of this machine is the ability to surface polish, which allows the user to make repairs on scratched stone.

The Fab King is driven by a powerful 3-horsepow-er, variable-speed (2,700 to 10,000 rpm) motor. The 220-volt, single-phase power requirement allows the Fab King to be added to any stone fabrication shop. Moreover, the open gantry design allows for process-ing of large projects.

Made in the U.S., the Fab King features adjust-able table height and water flow with center and halo water feed. The machine was designed to be easy to install and operate, and it also offers dust-free opera-tion to help meet OSHA requirements. Spare parts, tooling and support is readily available.

www.vicintl.com

102 MOTM.indd 101102 MOTM.indd 101 2/22/10 11:08:28 AM2/22/10 11:08:28 AM

Page 102: Stone World 201003

102 March 2010 | Stone World

MARKETPLACEAlways providing a quality product,

made from the best materials from

around the world, at an affordable price.

150 Industrial Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27406Phone: 336.273.0223 • Fax: 336.273.0699

[email protected]

1-866-656-7188www.legacysink.com

LEGACY SINK INC.BEST QUALITY. LOWEST PRICES.

18 Gauge • 304 Stainless steelO

$69AS LOW AS

LegacySink0210SW.indd 1 1/18/10 9:18:43 AM

STONE TOOLS

www.qualitystonetool.com | 908.627.3688

Polishing pads, milling bits, cutting blades, stone edge processing machines and much more. Good quality stone tools at whole sale prices

4” wet polish pad...$3.50/pc • 5” turbo blade...$9.50/pcand much more, please visit our website

QualityStoneTool_SWMarketplace1009.indd 1 9/21/09 9:27:44 AM

RATES: $1175 per six month insertion, $1950 per twelve month insertion. Call 734/340-5211, fax 734/340-5212 or e-mail: [email protected] for more information.

Your top source for high quality tool-holders for Marble and Stone manufacturing. We carry all major

brands including: Breton, Northwood, Brembana, Bavelloni, CMS, Intermac, Marmo, and Park. All our tool-holders are corrosion resistant, hardened, and

precision ground. Ask for a quote today!

T-Tool USA, LLCwww.t-toolusa.com

2850 Glades Circle, Suite 11 — Weston, FL 33327Phone: 954-358-6071 — Fax: 954-358-6073

[email protected]

TTool_SWMarketplace1009.indd 1 9/21/09 1:24:23 PM

102-104 Marketplace.indd 102102-104 Marketplace.indd 102 2/23/10 11:53:20 AM2/23/10 11:53:20 AM

Page 103: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 103

MARKETPLACE

Over many years we have learned what our customers need and we provide it. They demand consistent product quality which is our main goal. They want personalized person to person service so we provide Regional Sales Manager dedicated to your account. Finally we invest in a large and well stocked inventory so we have the product when you need it. Please call for our monthly Special.

AmeriSink Inc, San Leandro, CA 94577 Tel: 877-500-SINK(7465) Fax: 510-667-3775 www.amerisink.com

Value for Life is our goal!

Proliner®, world’s leading digitizer in 2D & 3D measurement:

Measure stairs, bathrooms, swimming pool edges, formed profi les, renovation, sinks, countertops, backsplashes and all your other 2D and 3D objects.

PRODIM USA - Sales offi ce USA - Mr. John RichertsM. +1 678 699 0732 | E. [email protected] | I. www.prodimusa.com

PRODIM INTERNATIONAL - Sales offi ce Europe - Lage Dijk 26, 5705 BZ Helmond – NLT. +31 (0)492 579050 | F. +31 (0)492 579059 | E. [email protected] | I. www.prodim.eu

Prodim1209SW.indd 1 11/25/09 10:27:25 AM

MADE IN GERMANYOwn quarries! Own production!Special for: Slabs, Floor tiles, Cut to size www.vm-kaldorf.de California Agent TriStone & Tile Inc., Van Nuys [email protected]

VMKaldorf.indd 1 7/8/09 10:13:24 AM

Custom Display and Sample Boards

"Take your product to the customer."uct to the customer."

d

330-262-0712www.danroc.com

G L A S S O S®

CRYSTAL WHITESLABS TILES CUT-TO-SIZE

Available from stock or full containers direct

CCS Stone, INC9-11 Caesar PlaceMoonachie, NJ 07074 www.ccsstone.com

Looks like Thassos, harder t han granite Tel 201-933-1515800-227-7785

Fax 201-933-5744

CCSStone_marketplace0909.indd 1 7/28/09 3:56:44 PM

ONLY THE BEST

Tel. +39/045887 51 11 • Fax +39/045887 51 55www.granitex.it

102-104 Marketplace.indd 103102-104 Marketplace.indd 103 2/23/10 11:53:33 AM2/23/10 11:53:33 AM

Page 104: Stone World 201003

104 March 2010 | Stone World

MARKETPLACE

w w w. a n t o l i n i . i tmarble granite travertine limestone onyx and precioustone

TENAX: For more than 50 years the World Wide Leader in Stone Consumables Products: Adhesives, Sealers, Epoxy, Waxes, Sealers, Diamond Abrasives, Calibrators, Polishing Bricks, Cutting Tools.Tenax USAwww.tenaxusa.com

1408 Center Park [email protected]

Charlotte, NC 28217Ph. 704-583-1173

Call for a Free Catalog | T. 800.575.4401 | F. 800.915.5501

Braxton-Bragg will offer the lowest prices and thebest service, delivered by the friendliest peoplefor the tools and materials that you want.

Reserve your space in next month’s

MARKETPLACE SECTION

Call Janelle Minghine at 734.340.5211 or

[email protected] more information

1-800-350-1901 • 1-626-443-6433www.miraclesealants.com

1335 Lakeside Dr.Romeoville, IL 60446

www.LaserProductsUS.comToll Free 866-539-0052

PRODUCTSLASERindustries

The LT-55 Precision Laser Templator - Visit our website to watch our full training video so you can actually see it working. We believe in allowing our coustomers to know what they are buying.

THE FINEST PRODUCTS FOR STONE WORKINGSTONE BOSS INDUSTRIES

15-01 Pollitt Dr. Unit #2Fairlawn, NJ 07410

888-868-BOSS | www.stoneboss.com

C O R P O R A T E H E A D Q U A R T E R S

StoneBoss_Marketplace_SW0210.indd 1 1/14/10 1:31:53 PM

102-104 Marketplace.indd 104102-104 Marketplace.indd 104 2/23/10 11:53:48 AM2/23/10 11:53:48 AM

Page 105: Stone World 201003

Stone World | March 2010 105

CLASSIFIEDS

The leading nationwide distributor of natural stone

slabs and tiles is seeking a branch manager and

outside salespeople for the South Florida region.

Experience servicing the natural stone industry in

the region is required. MSI offers an environment for

growth, a team atmosphere, competitive compensation

and a full benefi ts package. All candidates must be

hardworking, determined, enthusiastic, a team player

and very comfortable with computers.

Please email resumes to: [email protected]

M S International, Inc.

MSInternational_SW0609.indd 1 5/20/09 3:38:43 PMFOR SALE

POSITIONS

$82,000.00 of High end slab inventory and slab racks included for sale for $38,000.00 located in Easton, Maryland you pick up [email protected] BAVELLONI 450 EGAR CNC: brand new within 18months. Includes all tooling and spare parts. New within 18 months. Currently in operation. Showroom condition, low hours. 208 3 phase New $ 226,904.00 — $ 155,000.00 You pick up. Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected] BAVELLONI ALPHA 315 CNC: New within 8yrs. Includes all tooling. Showroom condition and very low hours. Currently In operation. You pick up. 208 3 phase New $ 220,000.00 — $98,000.00 Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected] CMG TAURUS INLINE EDGER PROFILER: Brand new in 18months. Robust for heavy fast edging. Show-room condition and currently in operation. 208 3 phase w transformer New $160,000.00 — $113,500.00 Very low hours. You pick up. Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected] FLOW DUAL TABLE WATER-JET: 65,000 Ultra Pierce Hyper- Jet This machine is in showroom condition and has very low hours and 18months old. Less than 300hrs.Included with machine, there are two water veyers and hoppers for cleaning main tanks. Oversized Garnet hopper is included. Many spare parts and extras. Spare High pressure pump assembly. Machine is in current operation. Transformer included. You pick up. Best offer. 208 3 phas4e w transformer fr 408 New $ 270,320.00 — $160,000.00 410-829-2352 [email protected] DELL POWEREDGE 2900 SERVER with mirrored drives. 2 heavy cad and graphics work stations with 20” fl at screen monitors. New computers, New Server, Full Global Stone Pro Software packages, bidding, estimating inventory, labeling, tracking, purchase ordering, Digistat and custom digistat vertical table Digitizing Software You pick up. New $104,000.00 — $50,800.00 410-829-2352 Best offer. [email protected] OVERHEAD BRIDGE CRANES AND REMOTES: One crane is 5 ton and the other is 1 ton. Both are brand new. You will have to disassemble and relocate. New both are $86,000.00. $40,000.00 Please make Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected] TOYOTA 12,500LB FORKLIFT: Brand new 18 month old with dual front tires. Includes l0,000 lb lifting bar with mess chains for bundles. Includes snow plow attachment. Excellent condition. 300hours. You pick up. New $ 60468.00 — $46,500.00 Best offer. 410-829-2352 [email protected]

ON ALL 18 MONTH OLD EQUIPMENTTotal Liquidation SALE

All Machines are in Mint “NEW” Condition and they are located in Easton, Maryland.

ALL MUST GO. NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED. CALL 410-829-2352

MikeSeger_SW0210_LiquidationSale.indd 1 1/20/10 9:42:19 AM

IN BRAZILI inspect the slabs here at the

granite factories in Brazil.So you get the quality you

need and pay for!

Call Gary at 011-55-28-3518-9559or e-mail at [email protected]

AMERICANSLAB INSPECTOR

GaryEbel.indd 1 6/3/09 3:30:25 PM

SERVICES

Reserve your space in next month’s

CLASSIFIED SECTION

Call Janelle Minghine

at 734.340.5211

or [email protected]

for more information

Call Janelle Minghine at 734.340.5211 or

[email protected] for more information

TRAINING

Reserve your space now for the April Issue

105 Classifieds.indd 105105 Classifieds.indd 105 2/23/10 1:55:06 PM2/23/10 1:55:06 PM

Page 106: Stone World 201003

106 March 2010 | Stone World

ADVERTISER INDEX ADVERTISER PAGE NO INTERNET ADDRESS PROMO PHONE

ABC Stone Trading 32 www.abcworldwidestone.com 516-997-9412AIA-American Institute of Architects 87 www.aia.org 800-242-3837AmeriSink 73 www.amerisink.com 877-500-7465Antolini Luigi 107 www.antolini.it +39 045 6836611Anver 97 www.anver.com 800-654-3500Artisan 4 www.ArtisanSinks.com 973-286-0080Bestview International 6 www.bestviewintl.com 630-594-1816Blick Industries 43 www.blickindustries.com 949-499-5026Braxton-Bragg 12 www.braxton-bragg.com 800-575-4401Cactus Stone 50a www.cactusstone.com 602-914-2202CaesarStone 27 www.CaesarStoneUS.com 877-978-2789Caribe International 49 www.caribestone.com 800-224-8453Carmel Stone 47 www.carmelimports.com 888-633-0669Carrara Show 83 www.carraramarmotec.com +39 0585 787963Chemcore 30 www.chemcore.com 866-243-6267Compac Stone 41 www.compac.us 954-969-7272Cosentino 77 www.cosentinonorthamerica.com 800-291-1311Coverings 51,74a www.coverings.com 866-285-3691Diamax 63 www.diamaxinc.com 404-817-3232Dipomar 71 www.dimpomar.com +351-268-408 128Domain Industries 66 www.FreeDomainCatalog.com 866-385-7775G-Clip 98 www.braxton-bragg.com 800-575-4401GMM S.p.A. 61 www.gmm.it +39 0323 849711Granite Depot 7 www.granitedepot.us 904-306-0036Granitex S.p.A. 2 www.granitex.it +39 045 8875111GranQuartz 17,23,55 www.granquartz.com 800-458-6222IGM-International Granite & Marble 108 www.igmcorp.com 800-446-2677JMS 28 www.juramarble.com +49 8421 3061Laser Products 11 www.LaserProductsUS.com 866-539-0052Levantina 89 www.levantina.com 972-488-2800Marble Institute of America 75,93 www.marble-institute.com 440-250-9222Miracle Sealants 26 www.miraclesealants.com 800-350-1901Moraware 79 www.moraware.com 866-312-9273MS International 50b,50c www.msistone.com 714-685-7500Natural Stone Council 95 www.naturalstonecouncil.org 800-210-3916Ogyu Manufacturing 81 www.ogyu.co.jp 81-48-222-4226Omni Cubed 57 www.omnicubed.com 877-311-1976Pearl Abrasive 33 www.pearlabrasive.com 800-969-5561Pokarna Limited 8,9 www.pokarna.com 91 40 2789 7722/6361Primestone 37 www.primestone.ca 905-669-2999Prodim 18 www.prodimusa.com 888-229-3328Regent Stone Products 59 www.regentistore.com 800-624-8210Resources Business Management 91 [email protected] 781-706-6813Rock of Ages 21 www.rockofages.com 802-476-3121Sandvik Mining & Construction 53 www.sandvik.com +46 0 26 260000Slabsmith 65 www.slabsmith.com 315-287-2877Stone Boss/Terminator 29 www.ContinentalDIA.com 800-595-1237Stonework/Northwood 85 www.northwoodmachine.com 502-267-5504Tab India 14,15 www.tabindia.com 763-571-8400Tekmar 3 www.tekmarble.com +90 212 3372800Tenax U.S.A. 39 www.tenaxusa.com 800-341-0432Terminator 50d www.ContinentalDIA.com 800-595-1237TexaStone Quarries 25 www.texastone.com 432-354-2569The Slab Depot 45 www.slabdepot.com 888-SLAB-NOWU.S. Granite Robotics 69 www.usgrobotics.com 800-999-3025Vermont Quarries 31 www.vermontquarries.com 802-775-1065 Vermont Verde 50 www.vtverde.com 802-767-4421VM Kaldorf 10 www.vm-kaldorf.de +49 8423/9911-0Wilson Industrial Electric 96 www.wilsonsaws.com 706-213-6725Windy Ridge Corp. 98 www.jetstik.com 800-639-2021World Wide Stone Corp. 5 www.durangostone.com 602-438-1001Zucchi Granite 35 www.granitozucchi.com.br 55 27 3243-9666

106 Advertiser Index.indd 106106 Advertiser Index.indd 106 3/2/10 11:08:27 AM3/2/10 11:08:27 AM

Page 107: Stone World 201003

EARTH GLITTER I GRANITE

www.antolini.it

antolinisw03104.indd 1antolinisw03104.indd 1 2/11/10 10:00:20 AM2/11/10 10:00:20 AM

Page 108: Stone World 201003

igmsw03104.indd 1igmsw03104.indd 1 2/22/10 11:52:00 AM2/22/10 11:52:00 AM