Click the arrow to play
TRANSCRIPT
00:00 Brought to You by Quantra Quartz
00:20 Intro
00:29 ISFA Seeks California Fab Licensing
02:51 A Word from Quantra Quartz
04:03 Cersaie ’26 Shows Mixed Results
05:41 Hieb Honored as Master of Stone
08:10 NSI Quarrier Award to Luther
09:42 Cambria Opens U.S. Quartz Processing
11:18 Vermont Quarries Sponsors NSF Tourney
12:57 Stone Update’s New Owners in 2027
14:39 Outro
15:06 Brought to You by Quantra Quartz
00:20
Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:29
The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) is proposing the licensing all surface fabricators in California in an action filed with the state’s workplace safety board at the end of September.
The request was sent to the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, asking it to adopt a new regulation that would require every countertop and surface fabrication shop in the state to hold a license and pass an independent third-party compliance audit.
ISFA officials believe the petition offers an alternative to the prohibition of selling or fabricating materials containing crystalline silica within the state. The licensing process would apply to all surface materials and stand along with the existing silica standard in the state’s code of regulation.
The move came after the state standards board accepted a petition earlier this year by the Western Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association (WOEMA) calling for a ban on the fabrication and installation of engineered stone.
Workplace-safety agency Cal/OSHA is currently developing emergency standards to ban fabrication and installation of surfaces containing more than 1% by weight of crystalline silica. The safety board’s next meeting is tomorrow in San Diego.
ISFA has asked to present its petition during the public comment period at the board’s Nov. 19 meeting. Public comments on the petition run through Nov. 13.
Under the ISFA proposal, a shop could fabricate countertop and surface materials only if it holds a license for each location; passes an independent audit by an ISO 45001 Lead Auditor; carries workers’ compensation for everyone who performs or supports fabrication; provides medical surveillance and reports exposure monitoring results to the division, and; stops fabricating immediately after a failed audit.
To provide actual workplace evidence, ISFA has created a program to collect grants to fund a six-month feasibility program, with a goal of involving 300 California shops including no less than 45 shops where audits will be conducted and qualified professionals will take air samples.
04:03
Cersaie 2026 reports a mixed result from its 43rd edition, which was held Sept. 21-25 at the Bologna Exhibition Centre in Bologna, Italy.
The show filled all 16 halls, covering a total of 145,000 square meters or 1,560,800 ft2 drawing 595 exhibitors, including 233 from 24 countries besides Italy. However, the show welcomed 92,352 attendees, down 2.4% from 2025.
Italian attendance fell by 3.7%, while international visitor numbers remained essentially stable – down less than 1%. Foreign visitors accounted for almost half of the attendees viewing ceramic tile, bathroom furnishings, and related businesses such as installation, raw materials, new surfaces, and services.
Augusto Ciarrocchi, chairman of Confindustria Ceramica, said Cersaie delivered a solid edition, despite the decline in numbers.
“In today’s difficult global climate, simply maintaining that level of normality is in itself an achievement,” he said. “Despite a slight decline in visitor numbers, Cersaie once again confirmed its position as the sector’s leading international exhibition.”
The 2027 edition of Cersaie will be held in Bologna from Sept. 27-Oct. 1.
05:41
An annual event at Marmomac, held last month in Verona, Italy, is the honoring of individuals who have brought prestige to the stone industry. Among this year’s five new Masters of Stone is Jim Hieb, CEO of the Natural Stone Institute (NSI).
The proclamation of the Masters of Stone dates back to the Ancient Free Guild of the Art of Stone, which was established in Verona in 1319 to bring together stonemasons, quarrymen, artists and masters of stoneworking.
Re-established in 1980 by a group of marble industry professionals and entrepreneurs, the Guild recognizes individuals who, through their work, have brought prestige to the stone industry.
“At the heart of everything we see in the Marmomac pavilions – from processed materials to technologies and design works – are, first and foremost, people,” says Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere. “The five new Masters represent diverse experiences united by their ability to put their knowledge and professionalism at the service of the entire supply chain.”
During the investiture ceremony, each new Master struck the ancient Lessinia bas-relief with a mallet and chisel, then received a cube of Rosso Verona marble bearing the insignia of Cangrande della Scala, the badge, the Guild’s plaque bearing a silver stonemason and a diploma.
Hieb has been active in the U.S. and international association system for more than 20 years. Under his leadership the institute has strengthened its activities focused on training, safety, professional standards and the promotion of natural stone, consolidating collaboration among industry professionals from various countries.
The other new Masters of Stone 2026 are:
*Flavio Marabelli, honorary president of Confindustria Marmomacchine;
*Joe Panzera, who helms CIOT and has contributed to the spread of natural stone in Canada and North America;
*Grazia Signori, a Euro-geologist and natural stone expert who now works at Mapei, and;
*Domenico Tommasi, a quarryman who has worked in the industry since 1963 and now salvages stone elements from the demolition of historic buildings.
08:10
Andy Luther of Fond du Lac, Wis.-based Rademann Stone & Landscape Co., Inc., is this year’s honoree of the Thor Lundh Quarrier Award from the Natural Stone Institute.
Established in 2024, the award is named for Thor Lundh, founder of Lundhs AS and a pioneer in the industrialization of natural stone quarrying in Norway. It recognizes an NSI member who has made an extraordinary contribution to quarrying natural stone. The award was presented during the 2026 Natural Stone Institute Vermont Study Tour.
A second-generation quarryman with more than 40 years in the industry, Luther began his career in 1985 and joined Rademann Stone in 1992. He was tasked with developing the company’s quarry stone division, and in 1996 helped open its first quarry operation.
Since then, Luther has played an integral role in expanding Rademann Stone’s quarry and fabrication operations. Today he oversees quarry extraction at three locations, finished goods production and a team of nearly 80 employees.
“Andy’s legacy extends beyond our operations and output,” says Reid Johnston of Rademann Stone & Landscape. “His mentorship and dedication have created a culture of excellence that will continue to guide our company long after his retirement.”
09:42
Cambria held the official grand opening of its new quartz processing center on Oct. 13. The facility began operating July 6 and, when fully operational, will employ between 50 and 70 team members.
The 61,000 ft2 plant is located in Randoph, Minn., and includes a customized rail center to receive bulk natural raw quartz from the company’s Canadian mines, which Cambria has owned and operated since 2018.
Once the raw quartz is processed to Cambria’s final specifications, it is sent to the company’s manufacturing facility in Le Sueur, Minn.
“Designing this facility required us to think differently about quartz and our processes,” says Marvin Bartlett, executive vice president of engineering for Cambria. “The team worked closely with R&D and Operations to create a system that delivers the precision and consistency Cambria products demand.”
Rather than adapting traditional aggregate processing methods, the team developed a system tailored for quartz, ensuring the material is prepared with precision, while also increasing material yield and maximizing the value of each ton.
“This new site represents an important step forward for Cambria,” says Dave Biron, Cambria senior vice president of operations. “It gives us greater control over a critical part of our supply chain while creating new opportunities for employees to grow their skills and expertise.”
11:18
The Natural Stone Foundation (NSF) announces Vermont Quarries will serve as the Presenting Sponsor for the Third Annual All-In for Natural Stone Poker Tournament.
The virtual fundraising event benefiting the Foundation’s education, scholarship and industry initiatives will take place Thursday, Nov. 12. Starting at 7 p.m. EST, the tournament is open to stone industry professionals and supporters from anywhere in the world. The Texas Hold ‘em-style event will be accessible from a phone, tablet or laptop.
“The goals of the natural Stone Foundation are very similar to those we have set for Vermont Quarries,” says that company’s Peter Prvulovic. “We believe there is a tremendous need for education in our industry, especially when it comes to promoting natural stone to the next generation of architects and designers.”
Since its inception in 2024, The All-In for Natural Stone Poker Tournament has raised tens of thousands of dollars benefiting both the NSF and the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Participants must be 21 years of age or older to play in the tournament and are responsible for ensuring their participation complies with all applicable laws.
Individuals and companies interested in registering, sponsoring or learning more about the tournament are encouraged to email foundation@naturalstoneinstitute.org, or go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/foundation for more information.
12:57
Finally, 2027 will bring a new owner to Stone Update, parent of the online Stone Update Magazine and Radio Stone Update.
Stone Chatter will purchase most of the assets of Stone Update electronic media, pending finalization of contract terms, to form a new media company called Stone Media Network.
The combination of the Stone Chatter website with Stone Update’s magazine, website and Slab & Sheet e-newsletter, is designed to give countertop fabrication shop owners broader access to timely reporting and practical perspectives on the issues affecting their businesses.
Stone Chatter intends to keep all acquired publications and platforms operating, preserve the Stone Update brand, and build on their complementary strengths in news, interviews and analysis.
Emerson Schwartzkopf, editor and publisher of Stone Update, will be retiring at the end of 2026.
“We’re excited to build on what Emerson has created and bring these resources together for the industry,” said Rich Katzman, co-owner of Stone Chatter. “Shop owners need reliable news and practical conversations that help them make better decisions. Combining Stone Update’s reporting with Stone Chatter’s discussions gives us an opportunity to deliver more of both.”
Said Schwartzkopf, “Stone Update has always focused on helping the industry stay informed. I know Rich and the Stone Chatter team will carry that work forward, preserve the publications our readers value and bring fresh energy and ideas to their future.”
14:39
Remember, for the latest in stone import data and analysis, go to Hard Surface Report at www.hardsurfacereport.com. For a transcript of today’s podcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com. I’m K. Schipper for Radio Stone Update, and we’ll see you here again soon.
