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Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:29
The world’s largest natural stone quarrier will have new leadership as it heads into 2024. Québec City-based Polycor Group announced Jan. 8, that Patrick Perus will be stepping down as CEO.
Replacing Perus as CEO and executive chair will be Brian McManus, a Polycor board member since 2022. He will be joined by Anthony Pagano as president.
In making the announcement, Perus called his 20 years with the company, “The most-remarkable adventure of my life.” In a LinkedIn message, he noted that there comes a time when one must turn the page and embark on the next chapter and that moment has arrived for him.
Perus became president of Polycor in 2003 as it acquired Georgia Marble Co. from French multinational mining company Imerys. Under his leadership, Polycor acquired several natural -stone properties, including Indiana Limestone Co., Rock of Ages, Swenson Granite and ROCAMAT. That expansion allowed the company to place natural stone at the forefront of the building industry.
When Perus assumed the role of CEO in 2012, Polycor’s annual revenue hovered around $30 million. Today, the company stands close to $300 million in revenue. Polycor operates more than 80 quarries, and 24 manufacturing plants and employs approximately 1,500 people.
Said Perus, “I take pride in our collective achievements and am pleased to leave the company in excellent shape despite the challenges posed by the complex economic environment.” He added that during his time at Polycor he developed a deep appreciation for natural stone, the dedicated individuals within the company, the industry itself, and the profound human values embodied by natural stone.
McManus comes to Polycor after serving as CEO of Uni-Select, a Boucherville, Québec-based distributor of automotive coatings and aftermarket parts in North America and the United Kingdom. Before that, he served as a partner in Cafa Financial Corp., a Montreal private investment bank, and more than 18 years as president and CEO of Stella-Jones Inc., a leading North American producer of industrial pressure-treated wood products.
Pagano also comes to Polycor from Uni-Select, where he served as CFO, a position he previously held at Terrapure Environmental Ltd., a recycler of batteries and plastics. He also filled several senior positions at Restaurant Brands International.
03:12
Yellowstone Automation LLC of St. Louis announced the launch of an exclusive line of CNC stone fabrication equipment. The new product line is designed to bring cutting-edge technologies to U.S. fabricators at reasonable prices.
The company’s product offering includes bridge saws, work centers, waterjet machines, robotic engravers, edge polishers and related supporting equipment. Founded in 2023, Yellowstone Automation’s management team boasts 75 years of collective experience in CNC manufacturing.
The team’s in-depth understanding of CNC technology, coupled with advanced engineering and extensive global partnerships positions the company has a presence in the CNC equipment market. Alex Elzein, Yellowstone’s founder and CEO, says that after representing Italian CNC manufacturers for 15 years, the decision was made to independently design and market its own line of high-quality CNC equipment.
At the same time, the company offers a vertically integrated approach to fully support its customers, taking full responsibility for installing and servicing its machines. Says Elzein, “We have meticulously crafted a product mix that meets the evolving needs of the industry.” For more information, go to www.Yellowstonecnc.com
05:47
U.S. manufacturer BACA Systems and Castelleone, Italy-based Comandulli, have announced a new partnership. The alliance places BACA Systems as the exclusive sales agent for Comandulli products in the United States.
The collaboration brings together BACA Systems robotic cutting systems for the stone industry, and Comandulli, a world-renowned manufacturer of line-polishing equipment for stone fabricators.
By combining cutting-edge technology and expertise, customers will benefit from a comprehensive solution that integrates BACA Systems’ state-of the-art Robo SawJet for cutting with Comandulli’s world-class polishing equipment for edging and polishing, says Chuck Russo, CEO of BACA Systems, who adds he’s excited about the partnership.
He notes that for years the two companies have seen the synergies in shops who use both companies’ machines. Says Russo, “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to helping customers reduce labor and elevate the quality of their products.”
Mara Comandulli, president of Comandulli North America, also expressed her excitement about the partnership. “We believe this will be instrumental in servicing the United States market for years to come,” she says.
07:08
This year’s Natural Stone Institute Stone of the Year, Calacatta Lincoln® marble, is a relatively new material from the western United States.
Calacatta Lincoln®, from Colorado Stone Quarries, will be featured on 2024 member certificates, membership pledges, and association marketing materials throughout the year.
Discovered in 2012 with the opening of a new portal – the Lincoln® Gallery at the Colorado Yule marble mine outside Marble, Colo. — Calacatta Lincoln has an elegant and delicate veining with a warm white background. Its unique vein structure sets it apart from other marbles, creating a look that is both modern and timeless.
To learn more about Calacatta Lincoln marble and the NSI Stone of the Year program, go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/stoneoftheyear.
08:02
The International Surface Fabricators Association – ISFA — welcomes three new members to its board of directors for 2024. Fabricators Todd Scott of Smokey Mountain Tops in Knoxville, Tenn., and Troy Ellsoos of The Countertop Factory Midwest in Addison, Ill., will serve as directors. Meagan Hegland from Park Industries will serve as associate member representative.
ISFA Executive Director Marissa Bankert calls all three excellent additions to ISFA’s board of directors. “With strong backgrounds in fabrication and proven track records with successful business growth and development, they are well-positioned to lead our association and the membership in 2024,” Bankert said.
Executive officers for this year are Ted Sherritt, president; Austin Maxwell, immediate past president; Travis McDermott, vice president; Jessica McNaughton, treasurer; and Mike Schott, secretary. Continuing as directors are Joe Duszka, Laura Grandlienard, Mike Henry, and Rodrigo Valazquez. Frank Sciarrino continues as associate member representative.
Bankert said that all of the board members are keenly aware of the challenges faced by today’s fabricators and other professionals across the industry, and dedicated to developing resources, programs and events that will enable members to find success.
For more information on the International Surface Fabricators Association, go to www.ISFAnow.org.
In other new around the industry….
09:46
The Rockheads Group – RHG — announces that industry veteran Eric Behrends joins the organization as director of connectivity and engagement. In that role, Behrends will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships between members and vendors while also focusing on enhancing their overall experience. He began his new job on Jan. 2.
Behrends brings more than 20 years of experience to the position and has worked for countertop shops on the East Coast for the last 10 years, filling multiple roles and learning how shops operate. Rich Katzmann, executive director of the Rockheads Group says that, in addition to his deep understanding of shop sales and operations, Behrends also brings a love and understanding of how social media and communication can help the group.
10:36
OHM International is partnering with Virginia Tile to distribute its exclusive quartz-surface brand Valiant Surfaces. Initially the products will be available at Virginia Tile’s locations in Troy and Farmington Hills, Mich. Collaborating with Virginia Tile as a distributor will contribute to expanding the brand’s reach and market presence.
Known for its unique designs, the Valiant Quartz Collection will be promoted by Virginia Tile to both residential and commercial customers seeking surfacing materials for countertops, walls, vanity tops, desks and more. Virginia Tile, with almost 100 years of experience, is renowned for its dedication to service and influence on design. The expansion of Valiant Surfaces to all Virginia Tile locations will occur throughout the year, with an initial focus on Michigan.
11:30
And Lesley Goddin, editorial director and senior writer for the National Tile Contractors Association’s TileLetter and TileLetter ARTISAN, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Tile Heritage Foundation, or THF. Goddin replaces Riley Doty, who retired from the board after two decades of service.
THF advocates for the ceramic arts and mosaics, as well as the preservation of significant installations. Its library serves as a resource for tile makers, academics, the public and those in the tile industry. It also serves as the custodian of more than 40,000 documents, 44,000 digital images and 4,000 American ceramic tiles dating back to the late 19th century. Its website is at www.tileheritage.org.
The January/February issue of Stone Update Magazine is now available electronically at http://www.stonemag.com/. 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.
