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TRANSCRIPT
00:22
K. SCHIPPER: Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:33
Ceramic-tile use in the United States last year dropped 7.3% from 2022, according to the Tile Council of North America – the TCNA.
In the release of a market update late last month, the industry group reported that 2.84 billion ft2 were consumed domestically. The figure marks the largest year-over-year decline in five years, and the lowest annual amount of U.S ceramic-tile use since the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, annual U.S. tile use topped 3 billion ft2.
Also down from 2022 are U.S. ceramic-tile imports, which totaled 2 billion ft2 last year, down 8.4%. India dominated U.S. imports last year, with 409 million ft2, or a year-over-year increase from 2022 of 42%.
India accounted for 20.3% of all tile imports into the U.S. last year. It was also the only one of the top five exporting countries to show any increase in shipments to this country. At the end of April, the TCNA announced that a group of U.S.-incorporated producers would file unfair-trade claims against India and seek protective tariffs on that country’s ceramic-tile exports to the U.S.
Italy recorded the highest value for ceramic-tile exports to the United States last year at $722 million in off-the-dock value, an 18.7% decrease from 2022. India’s import value increased by 5% to $258.8 million.
Italy also led the top five ceramic-tile-exporting countries in value-per-square foot, at $2.41. It was followed by Spain at $1.89, Brazil and Mexico, which tied at 8 ¢ and India at 64¢.
02:41
Park Industries® is joining Washington’s summer tourists this June when it takes its Digital Stoneworking Expo™ to the nation’s capital. The event, scheduled for June 26-27, will take place in Herndon, Va., near Washington’s Dulles International Airport.
Meagan Hegland, national sales director at Park Industries says, “We’re thrilled to bring this education and networking event to the vibrant East Coast fabrication community.”
As with previous Digital Stoneworking Expos, next month’s event will include a combination of presentations, networking and a tour of a digital fabrication shop. The event also includes an optional certification session on the afternoon of June 26 on silica and slab safety by the Natural Stone Institute – the NSI.
The digital fabrication shop hosting the tour is Richstone Surfaces, located in Chantilly, Va. Richstone is opening a new 25,000 ft2 facility this month and will demonstrate Park CNC equipment, including the first production JAVELIN™ CNC Sawjet.
Fabricator Tarek Merhebi of The Granite and Marble Depot in Aurora, Ill., will also present “Developing a Shop for Success” during the event. Other activities include breakout sessions and a roundtable Q&A.
Other than the shop tour, all sessions will be held at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport. There is no charge to attend the Digital Stoneworking Expo, but space is limited. To register, go to www.parkindustries.com/dse. A separate registration is required for the NSI certification program.
05:40
Registration is also now open for the next International Surface Fabricators Association – the ISFA — Fabricator Forum. The event is scheduled for June 11-13 in Sacramento, Calif.
Sponsored by Cosentino, FreePower and Park Industries, the Sacramento Fabricator Forum kicks off at Cosentino Center, where attendees will have a peer-to-peer discussion about recent changes to California’s silica safety regulations.
On June 12 and 13, the event will include presentations and roundtable discussions about California’s new regulations on silica; understanding the lifecycle of a project including a panel discussion with architects and designers, as well as fabricators; using artificial intelligence to tap into growth opportunities, and; the power of upselling.
During that time, ISFA will also conduct two fabricator shop tours, which will include an OSHA overview designed to identify common oversights. Also included with be live demonstrations featuring FreePower’s wireless changing solution for countertops, and repair techniques for sintered materials.
ISFA Fabricator Forums are open to all fabricators, including non-ISFA members. Registration starts at $300 and includes all programing and meals. Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a spot as soon as possible at www.ISFAnow.org/fabricator-forums.
ISFA’s third Fabricator Forum will be held September 11-12 in St. Louis. Registration for that event will open this summer.
07:31
Woody Sanders is the recipient of the National Tile Contractors Association – the NTCA – Ring of Honor award for 2024. The honor is bestowed on individuals making significant contributions to the tile industry.
Sanders founded D.W. Sanders Tile and Stone in 1994 in Marietta, Ga. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, A.W. Cook, who established his own tile-contracting business in 1929. As a certified tile installer, Sanders has dedicated himself to advancing the industry’s technical and educational standards.
He serves on NTCA’s Technical and Educational committees and is a regional evaluator for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation – the CTEF. In 2021, Sanders was honored with the Dan Hecox Service Award by the CTEF in honor of his financial and volunteer contributions to the organization and his dedication to advancing tile education and training.
Sanders has also partnered with NTCA First Vice President Rod Owen of C.C. Owen Tile in Jonesboro, Ga., to support the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia and the SkillUSA Program to provide resources and mentorship to high school students interested in pursuing careers in tile.
As the current NTCA second vice president, Sanders has authored numerous documents for the NTCA Technical Committee and Methods and Standards Committee, advocating for adherence to TCNA and ANSI standards.
09:08
And now, here’s Jim Hieb, CEO of the Natural Stone Institute
JIM HIEB: Preventing silicosis is front of mind for all of us in the stone industry right now. That’s why the Natural Stone Institute has introduced the Silica and Slab Safety Certificate, an online training tool for fabricators, installers, and other stone professionals. The certificate covers silica safety, safe slab handling, and creating a safety program for employees and the natural stone industry. Find it online at natural stone institute.org/safety certificate. This program was underwritten by the Natural Stone Foundation.
You may also be interested in attending an in-person version of this training offered by one of our distribution or supplier members. Look for announcements for a workshop coming to a city near you, whether online or in person. This training is a great resource for stone professionals.
K. SCHIPPER: In other news around the industry…
10:18
Arizona Tile announces three new promotions within its executive management team:
Beth Gaughan is now the senior vice president, sales and marketing. In her new role, Gaughan will lead the implementation of sales strategies in the field and showrooms, including the management of nine regional sales managers.
She will also oversee the development of new showrooms, the remodel of existing showrooms and serve as part of the product design team for all products.
She will also work with and oversee the marketing team in the development of sales tools for showrooms and outside sales teams, as well as marketing and digital initiatives.
Jared Ekas is the new vice president of commercial sales. In his new role, he works with regional sales representatives to develop and execute strategic plans as well as leading the hiring, training, and development of Arizona Tile’s commercial sales team.
Chad Raymond is now the vice president, west region. Formerly a regional sales manager, he managed all outside sales representatives and internal sales teams for the greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and Inland Empire regions. In his new position, his responsibilities expand to encompass all of California.
11:36
Louisville Tile Distributors Inc. announces two key promotions in its management team. Tammy Henry has been promoted to national director of architecture & design sales, while Guy Ventimiglia is the company’s new regional sales director south.
Henry has spent more than 31 years with Louisville Tile, beginning in the showroom, where her design skills and talent for sales quickly became evident. She says she wants to see her team flourish and claims, “Their success is my winning.” In her new role she’s focused on coaching and mentoring her team.
Ventimiglia brings more than 30 years of experience in the tile and flooring industry to his new role, having worked in various segments from installation to operations and now distribution. Says Ventimiglia, “My goal is to empower my team with the resources and support they need to thrive.”
12:33
And, the Tile Council of North America – the TCNA — presented its Tile Person of the Year award to the Schluter family – Werner, Barbara, Udo, and Marc. The presentation was made during the Coverings 2024 show in Atlanta.
The award is reserved for individuals whose contributions have significantly impacted the North American tile industry.
In making the award, TCNA Executive Director Eric Astrachan said, “Their family’s unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and commitment to advancing the craft of tile have left an indelible mark on our industry. This accolade is a testament to their commitment to excellence….”
Speaking on behalf of the Schluter family, Udo Schluter said they were truly humbled by the recognition. “Being integral to the tile community is a privilege and our commitment to supporting installers and propelling the tile industry forward is at the core of our mission.”
Werner Schluter established his own tile installation business in 1966. A decade later, he developed and began manufacturing Schluter®-SCHIENE, a profile for protecting tile edges. Demand from other installers prompted him to open Schluter Systems as a sideline to his installation business, first in Europe, and in 1989 in North America.
14:00
Remember, for up-to-date information on all hard surfaces imports go to Hard Surfaces Report at www.hardsurfacesreport.com. For a transcript of this broadcast, to go www.radiostoneupdate.com. For Radio Stone Update, I’m K. Schipper and we’ll see you here again soon.
