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00:19
Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:29
Efforts to recognize natural stone worldwide as a sustainable building product were a hot topic for discussion last month in Verona, Italy, as stone associations from around the globe met at Marmomac.
The Natural Stone Strategic Alliance – the NSSA – brought together European, North American and South American groups to discuss strategy, including the publication of region-specific Environmental Product Declarations – or EPDs – on natural stone.
Representatives from 12 associations agreed to participate in the Global EPD Collaboration initiative, advancing regional publication of the documents in phases, with a goal of a global EPD by early 2026.
The natural stone EPDs will seek to advance natural stone as a low-carbon building material and strengthen the industry’s position within the building sector, particularly as global efforts intensify to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to combat climate change.
Compared with other building materials that often involve more complex manufacturing processes, multiple ingredients and potential health hazards, natural stone stands out as a sustainable option.
“The design community is increasingly focused on combatting climate change and the natural stone industry has a significant opportunity to position itself as a sustainable choice,” said Sarah Gregg, sustainability leader for the U.S.-based Natural Stone Institute.
At the meeting, representatives from 10 countries – Brazil, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Spain and the United States – committed to participating in the Global EPD Collaboration initiative.
The next steps involve reaching out to additional countries and encouraging their involvement. Each participating association will appoint a local program operator to contribute to this effort, beginning with submitting feedback on a draft PCR Guidance document.
For information on the U.S. effort, go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org
03:51
Distributor Color Marble, Inc., was ordered dropped from a high-profile California case earlier this month involving silicosis and engineered stone, negating payment of a possible $1.3 million in penalties.
The Diamond Bar, Calif.-based distributor was one of three defendants who went to trial earlier this year over claims they were responsible for the case of silicosis developed by former fabricator Gustavo Reyes-Gonzales. Reyes-Gonzales has undergone a double lung transplant and was awarded $52.4 million by a Los Angeles jury back in August.
The jury found that Color Marble was guilty of negligence and set a percentage of cause of 2.5 percent, which worked out to the distributor being responsible for $1.31 million of the total award.
However, Judge William Fahey dropped Color Marble from the case, citing a lack of substantial evidence concerning the distributor. Specifically, Fahey noted the lack of evidence that Color Marble actually provided materials harmful to Reyes-Gozales. Reyes-Gonzales and two co-workers, according to the judge, offered only vague testimony that they had worked on slabs sold by Color Marble and its employees.
Fahey also noted Color Marble received information on potential harm associated with its sale of engineered stone slabs two years after Reyes-Gonzales was diagnosed with silicosis, and more than a year after his lung-transplant surgery.
Although most of the defendants in the case settled out of court, the jury verdicts against Caesarstone USA and Cambria Company LLC remain in place, although they also are appealing the August verdict.
05:39
Stone distributor/manufacturer Marble Systems, Inc., will invest $9.7 million to expand its operations in Fairfax, Va. Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin announced Oct. 11 that the expansion will include 59 new jobs.
“Marble Systems’ decision to expand in Caroline County underscores Virginia’s commitment to fostering homegrown business,” said Youngkin. He called the move a win for the state’s construction and design industries while cementing the Commonwealth’s reputation as a hub for high-quality stone product manufacturing.
Marble Systems CEO Munir Turunc thanked the Caroline County Economic Development Department, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Port Authority for their efforts in making the project come together with a strong portfolio of incentives.
Marble Systems is a manufacturer and distributor of premium stone products, specializing in cut-stone and stone-product manufacturing. The expansion will include the establishment of a new warehouse and distribution center, as well expanding manufacturing facilities.
The company also considered sites in South Carolina, New Jersey and Georgia for the project.
06:55
Neolith promotes James Amendola to CEO of the Americas, effective immediately. Amendola has served as vice president of Neolith North America Since 2020. He succeeds Daniel Sanchez, the former CEO and Group CCO.
In his role of executive vice president, Amendola was instrumental in driving impressive growth alongside Sanchez, achieving double-digit expansion in just nine months for the sintered stone surfaces manufacturer.
Amendola brings a 360-degree view of the industry, encompassing the entire supply chain, from fabricators to installers and construction. His focus extends beyond growth, emphasizing the importance of fostering a people-first culture.
As CEO, Amendola will focus on fostering this team-first culture while expanding Neolith’s market presence, customer relationships and commitment to sustainability and innovation across key markets in the Americas, including the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
Currently Neolith is focused on growth in North America, where it has three distribution centers and partners with distributors across the Americas.
08:07
Australia and the United States aren’t the only countries facing the issue of airborne crystalline silica in stone fabrication shops. The United Kingdom’s health and safety workplace watchdog is drafting new rules to protect fabricators amid rising numbers of stone workers suffering from silicosis.
The first cases were diagnosed last year, prompting an update from the Health and Safety Executive – the HSE – to the head of the chartered body for workplace health protection. The draft guidance highlights the dangers of cutting without water suppression tools to dampen dust containing crystalline silica.
At least 11 cases have been reported since 2023, the majority immigrants operating in poor working conditions. The average age of the men is 34, and one has died. Two others have been referred for lung transplants, and doctors warn that case numbers are expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
In July, Australia became the first country in the world to ban engineered stone after scores of workmen fell ill with silicosis. Dr. Jo Feary, who is treating the UK’s first engineered stone worker with silicosis, is among senior doctors calling for that government to consider a similar ban.
Experts from the HSE have met with the Worktop Fabricators Federation – the WFF – and the industry’s main trade body, to discuss the new draft safety guidelines. The HSE is also reviewing the use of engineered stone and global evidence to consider what additional actions might be necessary.
09:39
“Destination São Paulo” is the new initiative for the inaugural Marmomac Brazil, which will be held from Feb. 18-20, 2025.
The initiative, announced during Marmomac in Verona, Italy, last month, will position the Brazilian event as a new reference for the natural stone and processing technologies chain of Central and South America, along with seeking new opportunities in the United States market.
Marmomac Brazil is the evolution of the Vitoria Stone Fair, held annually through this year in the capital of the State of Espirito Santo. By moving the show to São Paulo, Veronafiere seeks to grow the event and present Brazil to a more-international audience.
Federico Bricolo, president of the Veronafiere Group, owner and organizer of Marmomac, said, “The goal is to continue working together with our colleagues, institutions and Brazilian partners to make Marmomac Brazil a fair capable of generating over $200 million in commercial exchanges.”
Bricolo noted that Brazil is one of the world’s leaders in the stone industry, with a great diversity of stone from more than 1,500 active quarries. It is the fourth-largest producer and the fifth-largest global exporter of ornamental stones.
10:58
Cosentino Group announces the grand re-openings of its City showrooms in Miami and Los Angeles following renovations to both properties to create an immersive experience that includes cutting-edge technology with interactive digital slab displays.
Cosentino’s Los Angeles City showroom, located in the West Hollywood Design District, has undergone a $500,000 remodeling of its existing 4,000 ft2 space. While maintaining its original size, the renovation includes updates to display areas and millwork, as well as an outdoor patio, designed by L.A.-based designer Claudia Afshar.
Cosentino City Miami is located in the city’s Design District on Biscayne Blvd. The renovated 3,000 ft2 showroom now features an expanded space that incorporates a previously dedicated office area. The $1 million transformation features all bathroom displays, also designed in collaboration with Afshar.
In addition to the Miami and Los Angeles showrooms, Cosentino will soon open a new City location in Dallas, and a Honolulu City in 2025, to bring the total Cosentino City showrooms to 14 in North America. In total, Cosentino has more than 40 centers from coast-to-coast.
In other news around the industry…
12:23
Premier Granite & Stone of Grandville, Mich., has new owners – the company’s 120 employees. At the end of August, the fabrication company transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership plan or ESOP, according to President Matt VanTil.
VanTil and business partner Dave Bleyenberg founded the company in 2008 and grew it to service all of Michigan and northern Indiana. From facilities in Grandville and Michawaka, Ind.
Making their 120 employees co-owners came after evaluating succession strategies. VanTil, who will remain as company president, said, “Employee ownership safeguards this mission, rewarding the very people who helped us build this successful business.”
13:12
Two of Neolith’s silica-free sintered surfaces have been honored by Good Housekeeping magazine. The company’s new Abu Dhabi White and Arctic White were named as winners in Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Home Reno Awards in the category of sustainability innovators.
By removing crystalline silica, Neolith underscores its dedication to health, safety and sustainability. Abu Dhabi White draws inspiration from white marble with its golden-grayish veining, while Arctic White provides a sleek, cool white finish. Both products will soon be available in the United States.
13:51
Park Industries® officials described the company’s latest Digital Stoneworking Expo (DSE) in Honolulu as “highly successful.”
The event drew 74 fabricators from the U.S. and Canada. Although many came from local Hawaiian shops, others attending traveled from as far away as New Hampshire for the event, which kicked off with a traditional luau.
Besides the opportunity to meet with fellow fabricators, attendees were treated to live machine demonstrations, including Park’s JAVELIN™ CNC Sawjet and SlabVision™ Scanner. Hands-on training took place at two local shops: Todd Branson Stoneworks and Top Priority, Inc.
Keynote speaker Joseph L. Sine, a construction litigation attorney, spoke on silica safety regulations and OSHA compliance. Park Industries has committed to continuing its Digital Stoneworking Expos in 2025. For more details go to www.parkindustries.com/dse.
14:55
And BACA Systems announces a very special open house event – The BACA BASH — for Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The event will celebrate the company’s 10-year anniversary as a manufacturer of robotic automation and technology solutions for the stone fabrication industry.
The event is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at BACA Systems’ headquarters in Orion Township, Mich., with a sneak peek event from 3-7 p.m. the day before.
BACA BASH 2024 offers an opportunity for customers and potential clients to visit BACA Systems’ facility and see live demonstrations of the company’s lineup of machinery.
Attendees of BACA BASH 2024 are asked to RSVP at either www.backsystems.com/event/baca-bash-celebrating-10-years/ or at 248-791-3060.
16:00
Remember that Stone Update’s digital newsletter, Slab & Sheet, comes out on alternate Wednesdays. For a transcript of this broadcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com. For Radio Stone Update, I’m K. Schipper and we’ll see you here again soon.
