Click the arrow to play
TRANSCRIPT
K. SCHIPPER: Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:31
In a developing story out of Washington, the U.S. Commerce Department review of unfair-trade tariffs on quartz surfaces from India is recommending a stunning increase from less than 4 percent to more than 160 percent for most manufacturers.
The U.S. International Trade Administration – the USITA — published its proposal in last Friday’s edition of the Federal Register, the U.S. government’s official journal. A 30-day period for affected companies to appeal the USITA’s recommendation began with the Journal publication.
The USITA proposal is for anti-dumping duties assessed to Indian quartz-surface exports to the United States. The tariff review would revise duties for most exports from slightly more than 3 percent to 161.56 percent.
The new figure is an average of revised tariffs for two entities – Pokarna Engineered Stone Limited, which went to 0 percent from 0.33 percent, and a group of three Indian companies where the duties went from single digits to 323.12 percent.
This is a developing story. For the latest, go to www.stoneupdate.com
01:55
A granite structure as enigmatic as its inspiration is no more. The so-called Georgia Guidestones near Elberton, Ga., were seriously damaged by an explosion early July 6, and later destroyed in the interest of public safety.
The structure, often compared to Stonehenge, was built by an anonymous benefactor in 1980 and consisted of four granite slabs connected to a center pillar, with a capstone on top. Surveillance video captured the explosion, and later showed a car leaving the scene. Both the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.
The Guidestones were located in a field approximately nine miles outside of Elberton and made from local granite. It’s unclear why the 19-foot granite slabs were there, or what they meant. Only one man claimed to know the identity of the benefactor who paid for them. The slabs displayed a 10-part message espousing the conservation of mankind for future generations in 12 languages.
It also served as an astronomical calendar. It was designed so that every day at noon the sun would shine through a narrow hole in the structure, illuminating the day’s date.
The mysterious structure drew mixed reviews over the years. Some conspiracy theorists claimed that the stones’ messages, including the idea to keep the planet’s population below 500 million – stood for an elite plot to depopulate the globe.
However, the structure became a local tourist attraction over the years, and many local businesses are offering their time and resources to rebuild it.
03:34
Kaeser Compressor recently celebrated the first anniversary of manufacturing with 100 percent green energy and matching consumption in its home country of Germany and renewable energy resources in the United States.
The milestone is actually a composite of three programs. Early last year parent Kaeser Kompressoren SE installed a photovoltaic system which generates approximately 650-mWh for its main manufacturing plant in Coburg, Germany. Second, Kaeser purchased renewable energy credits for its remaining manufacturing facilities.
And Fredericksburg, Va.-based Kaeser Compressors, Inc is part of Dominion Energy’s Green Power Program and pays a premium per kWh for its headquarters building to match energy consumption with renewable resources. For the more than 20 branch locations across the U.S., as well as teleworkers, the company bought renewable energy certificates – or RECs – from Dominion Energy exceeding the amount of power consumed.
Says Frank Mueller, president of Kaeser Compressors, “We are committed to lowering our carbon footprint by manufacturing with green energy, to support renewable energy through Dominion Energy’s Green Power Program and to demonstrate community leadership in this immediate and sustainable way.”
06:12
MS International, Inc., — MSI – opened two new showroom/distribution centers in the eastern United States late last month. A new facility in Rochester, N.Y., opens a new market upstate for the company, while a location in Columbus, Ohio, expands MSI’s reach in that state to three locations.
In New York, the new 83,000-square-foot facility in the Rochester suburb of West Henrietta is expected to serve that market, as well as Buffalo and Syracuse. The 78,000-square-foot space in Columbus joins MSI showroom/distribution centers in Cleveland and Cincinnati in serving both residential and commercial clients in Ohio.
Both facilities feature dedicated, well-lit, climate-controlled areas for trade professionals and consumers. Both also have state-of-the-art slab areas featuring natural stone and the company’s Q Premium Natural Quartz, Everlife LVT and Arterra Porcelain Pavers.
Orange, Calif.-based MSI is a leading supplier of flooring, countertop, wall tile, and hardscaping products. MSI maintains more than 30 showrooms and distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada.
07:33
The Natural Stone Institute announces two new continuing education unit – CEU – courses comparing the use of natural stone versus man-made materials in exterior and interior applications.
Both courses assess the versatility, performance characteristics and green-building considerations for both natural stone and man-made materials. Understanding these key points will prepare participants with knowledge for design concepts, applications and how to educate clients.
Daniel Wood, the institute’s CEU committee chair, says that the content will help the design community understand the differences between natural stone and man-made materials, their environmental footprints and allow them to make more informed specification decisions.
To learn more about becoming a certified CEU speaker through the Natural Stone Institute, go to www.naturastoneinstitute.org/CEU
08:37
Inside Out with Belgard, a new podcast series on outdoor living from the hardscape manufacturer, recently premiered its first two episodes.
Hosted by Joe Raboine, outdoor design expert and Belgard’s director of residential hardscapes, the podcast dives into the latest trends in outdoor living and how contractors can maximize their business. In each episode, Raboine speaks with fellow industry experts and shares knowledge on the latest in outdoor design, products, business practices, tools and more.
Episode One features John Lea, founder and CEO of Decksouth, to explore the evolution of outdoor living contracting from siloed installation to full-service design and construction. Episode Two explores biophilic design with Mike Peterson, an expert in the science of design and the importance of incorporating nature into everyday life.
Raboine says that, as a former contractor, he understands the challenges facing the profession today, and he’s honored to have the opportunity to sit down and talk about everything involving outdoor living and then sharing it with customers and contractors.
Belgard is part of Oldcastle APG and offers a complete collection of paver and wall products for outdoor living spaces, walkways, driveways, parking areas and retaining walls. The first two episodes of Season One are available now at Belgard.com/InsideOut and on independent podcast platforms.
In other news around the hard surfaces industry….
10:19
Louisville Tile Distributors Inc., appoints Morgan Tiemann as chief marketing officer, a new role for the organization. Tiemann comes to Louisville Tile Distributors from Louisville’s Limestone Bank, Inc., and brings a diverse marketing background with an emphasis on brand strategy and corporate communications. Her hire marks the 10th strategic hire for Louisville Tile in recent months as the company seeks to achieve its goal of market leadership.
10:49
No, it’s not stone, but The International Surface Event – TISE – is hitting the road for three regional events that will choose the finalists in both wood flooring and carpet installation for next year’s TISE event. The regional events will be held July 31 and Aug. 1 in Orlando, Sept. 29 and 30 in St. Louis, and Oct. 27 and 28 in San Leandro, Calif.
Any installer in the U.S. may enter regardless of years in the industry or location. Judges will select the top 10 installers for each city who will compete live in the regional competitions. Finals will be Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 at TISE 2023 in Las Vegas. For more info, go to www.intlsurfaceevent.com
11:44
Bostik, manufacturer of specialty adhesives and flooring installation systems, launched Bostik Academy, a free online education resource providing training and information about industry trends, product features and benefits and installation guidelines.
Included on the site are online training modules that provide basic product knowledge, webinars, technical videos, product information and the opportunity to sign up for customizable hands-on product training and to attend physical Bostik Academy locations around the U.S. To learn more, go to bostik.com/us/en_US/bostik-academy/
12:30
And, Charles McGrath, who served as chief staff director of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute for the past 24 years, retired on June 30th. During that time the organization has grown from 157 members to more than 1,200, with a budget of almost $4 million. He also led the launch of Hardscape North America, a national hardscape tradeshow that the Natural Stone Institute will help sponsor for the first time this fall.
Remember, our online newsletter, Slab & Sheet, appears on alternate Wednesdays. For notes and a transcript of this podcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com.
For Radio Stone Update, I’m K. Schipper, and we’ll see you here again soon.
