Click the arrow to play
TRANSCRIPT
00:00 Brought to You by Quantra Quartz
00:27 Intro
00:37 USITC Recommends Safeguard Remedy
02:17 A Word from Quantra
03:30 Silicosis Verdict in Coloradp
06:22 Coverings Draws 1000s to Vegas
08:12 Brazil Nets Almost $16M at Coverings
09:55 NSI Accepts Awards Entries
11:26 Hurley New Cambria CCO
12:46 ISFA Adds Coffey for Events
13:25 Martinez 2026 TCNA Person of Year
14:57 Outro
15:22 Brought to You by Quantra Quartz
00:27
Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:37
The United States International Trade Commission – the USITC –made its recommendations last week on a Section 201 — or Safeguard – action sought by U.S. quartz-surfaces manufacturers, and its proposal would include a variable tariff, but not an annual cap on volume.
The USITC agreed last month with the Quartz Manufacturers Alliance of America (QMAA) and its Safeguard petition citing serious injury to domestic production due to imported surfaces.
The USITC proposal includes a tariff-rate quota to slow the volume of quartz-surface imports. To do that, tariffs would be 25% up to a certain level, after which they would increase to 40%
The proposal – which covers four years — would set the annual quota at 140 million ft2 for the first year. However, the USITC also recommends that the quota be divided by quarters, so the higher tariff would become effective when imports pass 35 million ft2 in a given three-month period.
In the following three years, the rate-quota level would increase, while the two tariff levels would decrease annually by 1%. The proposal would also exclude countries with current free-trade agreements with the United States, including Canada, Mexico, Singapore and South Korea.
The solution is also only a proposal, since it must be forwarded to Pres. Donald Trump by May 18. The president has the option to accept the USITC recommendation or come up with his own solution that could include import tariffs, quotas and possibly trade agreements.
03:30
A Colorado quartz-surface/silicosis case yielded a split decision on April 30. A Denver jury awarded Tyler Jordan $16.8 million in damages but placed 63% of the responsibility on his employer – his family’s fabrication shop.
The jury ruled that engineered-stone products caused his silicosis and other serious health conditions, but only three companies, including Jordan Marble & Granite LLC, were responsible. The jury also cited surface manufacturers Cambria Company LLC and Hyundai L&C USA. Cambria was determined to be 32% at fault, and Hyundai at 3%.
Three other defendants, Caesarstone USA, DuPont and Makita USA, were absolved of responsibility.
Following a three-week trial, the jury also awarded Tyler Jordan’s spouse, Caitlin, $600,000 in non-economic damages. It’s the first silicosis-related legal decision on quartz surfaces rendered outside of California.
Jordan worked solely at his family’s shop for a decade before being diagnosed with silicosis in August 2022. Since then, he has received a kidney transplant in 2024 due to end-stage renal failure, and he also suffers from autoimmune vasculitis. When the case was filed in 2024, he was 29 years old.
The case alleged that a variety of industry manufacturers of engineered stone either didn’t offer any warnings or provided inadequate information on crystalline silica exposure. It also accused tooling and machine manufacturers of failing to warn about silica-based hazards.
The defendants questioned the adequacy of dust suppression at the Jordans’ shop and argued that they supplied ample information about silica hazards and ways to decrease dangerous levels at the workplace.
The jury in its 37-page verdict, didn’t find any design flaws in the products that would contribute to Jordan’s condition. However, they did find that both Cambria and Hyundai L&C did, “misrepresent a fact concerning the character or quality of the engineered stone that would be material to potential purchasers or users of the product,” and that Jordan and the shop reasonably relied on such misrepresentation.
An attorney for Cambria noted the company’s products are not defective and employees are protected if following Occupational Safety and Health (or OSHA) standards. Cambria indicated it plans to appeal the verdict.
The initial lawsuit named other companies and persons, but the jury verdict only includes five companies. Nine other companies came to settlements with Jordan before and during the trial, but none of those were found to be responsible by the jury. Six other companies were not found to be at fault by the jury.
06:22
Coverings 2026 brought thousands of industry professionals from around the world to the Las Vegas Convention Center March 30 through April 2 for what’s billed as the largest international tile and stone event in North America.
Some 750 exhibitors from nearly 40 countries participated in the event, which drew a mix of architects, builders, contractors, designers, distributors, fabricators, installers, retailers and other professionals.
Organizers noted that attendance from California and Nevada increased by 412% from Coverings 2025, which was held in Orlando, Fla. Architect and designer attendance was up 24% from Coverings 2022, which was the last time the show was held in Las Vegas.
Highlighting the show was the keynote session featuring actor Gary Sinise, whose Gary Sinise Foundation funds and builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes for seriously disabled veterans and first responders. He was joined by Bart Bettiga, executive director of the National Tile Contractors Association, and Jim Hieb, Natural Stone Institute CEO, to talk about serving veterans through skilled craftsmanship.
The presentation emphasized how tile and stone professionals can contribute to those specially adapted homes.
Another popular feature was the Coverings Lounge. Besides serving as a networking hub, the lounge also hosted the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Architecture, which designed and installed a suite of mosaic-tiled furniture during the show.
Those interested in attending Coverings 2027, scheduled for April 6-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando can sign up to be notified when event registration opens at www.coverings.com.
08:12
From a Brazilian perspective, Coverings 2026 proved to be more for less. Although the number of visitors was lower than expected, the South American stone exporter reported consistent results and optimism for next year.
Participants in the Brazilian Pavilion ended the show with $15.9 million US in business deals negotiated during the event, with an additional $42.9 million US expected over the next 12 months. That came from 2,184 business contacts, 556 of which were new, mostly from the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Thirty-nine companies covering around 8,800 ft2 of exhibit space represented the Brazilian contingent through the It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone program developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association Centrorochas in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency ApexBrasil.
Brazilian officials attributed the reduced numbers to several factors, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Coverings proximity to the show in Xiamen, China, held in mid-March.
Many visitors to the Brazilian booths were already loyal customers who maintain an ongoing relationship with the exhibiting companies. The vice president of Centrorochas, Fabio Cruz, noted that the economic context helps explain this behavior.
“Las Vegas tends to anticipate signs of a slowdown in the U.S. economy as it depends heavily on tourism, entertainment and conventions,” says Cruz. “A slower pace of life in the city generally reflects caution in consumption and investment.”
09:55
The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Pinnacle and Tucker Awards recognizing excellence in the use of natural stone.
The Pinnacle Awards honor stone companies for outstanding fabrication and installation, showcasing craftmanship, technical execution and the ability to bring complex projects to life.
The Grande Pinnacle Award is presented annually as the jury’s top honor, recognizing the best overall project across all Pinnacle Award categories. The award represents the highest achievement in natural stone, honoring exceptional execution, innovation, and collaboration.
Tucker Awards celebrate design professionals who have incorporated natural stone into the built environment. They honor creativity, design intent and innovative applications in architectural and interior design.
Submissions for the 2026 Pinnacle Awards are open to Natural Stone Institute members. Tucker Awards are open to design professionals partnering with NSI members on their projects. Entries are due by June 20 and must feature projects completed within the last three years.
Award recipients will be honored at the Natural Stone Institute Awards Ceremony held during StonExpo at tise in Las Vegas in February 2027. For submission guidelines, and entry details, go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/programs/awards.
11:26
Cambria announces Elizabeth Hurley is now its chief commercial officer. In her new role, Hurley will oversee Cambria’s entire sales organization, including residential and commercial segments and field sales teams.
Additionally, she will be responsible for developing long-term strategies that deepen relationships, ensuring that growth serves both the business and Cambria’s partners and customers.
Andrew Eich, COO and president of Cambria, says Hurley brings a proven track record of building high-performing sales organizations and developing strategies that generate meaningful, sustainable growth.
“Her leadership and industry experience will be instrumental as we continue to develop our partnerships, serve our customers and expand our presence across the market,” Eich said.
Hurley comes to Cambria with more than 20 years of progressive sales leadership experience in the building products and surfaces industry. Most recently, she served as the senior vice president of retail sales at Shaw Industries.
“Cambria’s offering goes well beyond beautiful surfaces,” Hurley said. “We offer something enduring, backed by a company that earns trust the same way it makes products: with integrity, hard work and a commitment to doing things right.”
12:46
The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) announces the hiring of another new employee. Mikaela Coffey is the organization’s new director of events.
Coffey brings more than eight years of experience creating conferences and programs, and a reputation for collaboration and attention to detail. Her background spans everything from large-scale conventions to educational workshops.
A graduate of George Mason University with a major in tourism and event management, she has previously worked for the Virginia School Boards Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
13:25
And, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) has named Eugenio Martinez Serna as the 2026 TCNA Tile Person of the Year.
Martinez, the president and general director of Grupo Daltile, is honored for his more than four decades of leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing the ceramic tile industry in North America.
He joined the Daltile organization in 1985, and in 1995 was appointed general director of Daltile Mexico. He became president and general director in 2006. Grupo Daltile has more than 5,000 associates, eight manufacturing plants, and an annual production capacity of 66 million meters2 (more than seven billion ft2).
A board member of TCNA since 2005, Martinez supported the organization’s transition to the Tile Council of North America and establishment of TCNA – Mexico, He has also contributed to the development of installation standards, installer training programs, the TCNA – Mexico testing laboratory and the creation of the Obra Blanca tradeshow in Mexico City.
“Eugenio exemplifies the very best of our industry,” says TCNA Executive Director Eric Astrachan. “His leadership has not only driven the success of Grupo Daltile but has also strengthened the entire tile community through his commitment to collaboration, standards of development and mentoring future leaders.”
14:57
Remember, the latest edition of Hard Surface Report is now available at www.hardsurfacereport.com. For a transcript of this podcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com. I’m K. Schipper for Radio Stone Update, and we’ll see you here again soon.
