Marble Institute Cutting Edge Newsbriefs

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Campus-Based Transportation Facility Relies on Granite
Stone World (04/01/08) ; Stinnard, Michelle

A new, regional transportation facility has been completed at the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University in New York City. The five-story facility in the Bronx contains 1,546 parking spaces. To help the structure blend in with the rest of the campus, a prefabricated panel system of thin-sawn granite veneer was used. "Other buildings on the campus feature this exact stone, including the adjacent one, so it was an obvious choice of material to use on the parking facility as well," according to Jeff Bartelson, project manager of Easter Exterior Wall Systems, the Pennsylvania-based firm that assembled the panels and executed the installation. An estimated 40,000 square feet of Corinthian granite in an ashlar pattern was procured from Warrensburg, N.Y.-based Champlain Stone Ltd. Company employee Jane Bennett said the stone was sent to Eastern Exterior so that the thin-sawn ashlar stone could be cut into more manageable sizes. These pieces were then secured to 10-foot by 16-foot cemented panels and delivered to the campus using hydraulic cranes, she said. Project Architect Doug Hyde of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering said the installation required six workers at a time--five installers and a crane operator. Bartelson with Eastern Exterior noted that, "Essentially, there was an 8- x 8 1/2-inch shelf angle already designed into the precast. We used metal inserts and T-bolts to adhere the stone to the building." Corinthian granite was also used for a bridge linking the parking facility to a campus dormitory.
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MIA Issues Call for Entries for Bigger, Better Pinnacle Awards
Marble Institute of America (04/09/08)

The Marble Institute of America has issued a call for entries for the 2008 Pinnacle Awards competition, which are being expanded to include a best-of-show "Grande Pinnacle Award," and a trip to Verona, Italy for its winner. "With the addition of the Grande Pinnacle Award to our traditional categories of interior commercial, exterior commercial, residential interior/exterior and restoration/renovation, there are even more compelling reasons to enter this year's Pinnacle Awards competition," said Gary Distelhorst, executive vice president of MIA. The Grande Pinnacle Award will be bestowed on the best entry among all of the category winners. The new award is sponsored by Marmomacc, the world's largest stone show, held each year in Verona, Italy. The award is being designed and crafted in Verona by Tobia Scarpa, an award-winning architect, designer, and restoration specialist. The Pinnacle Awards competition is open to all MIA member companies. Project teams must include at least one MIA member company. Entries submitted must comply with standards as defined in the MIA Dimension Stone Design Manual. To be eligible, projects must have been completed within the past three years: January 2005-July 2008. Multiple entries are encouraged and accepted. Entry deadline for the stone industry's most prestigious competition is July 10, 2008. Winners will be announced at StonExpo in Las Vegas, NV on October 17, 2008. Winners also receive global publicity in international trade press, recognition in a special MIA awards brochure, and coverage on the Stone News Channel, MIA's quarterly video magazine. All winning entries are also displayed on the MIA website which receives more than one million hits a month. For more information go online to www.marble-institute.com or call MIA at 440-250-9222.
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Norway Opens First Opera House, After 127 Years of Waiting
Independent (London) (04/14/08) ; Soares, Claire

Norway has dedicated its first opera house, a shimmering white marble wonder built on the waters of Oslo's Bjoervika fjord. The building is being lauded as one of the most significant structures to go up in the country since the beginning of the 14th century. The opera house's most innovative component is the "fifth wall," a flat sloping roof fitted with 36,000 pieces of marble, on which visitors can walk while looking at Oslo and the water. Observers say the opera house's white marble and glass construction invokes images of Norway's icebergs and large wintry areas. The main auditorium holds over 1,300 patrons, who will be able to enjoy the opera house's first production in August.
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Friendsville Marble Adorns Newseum in Washington D.C.
Daily Times (04/04/08) ; Laney, Rick

The Newseum, a recent $450 million addition to the Washington, D.C., market, features a 175-ton marble tablet on its exterior. The 74-foot by 52-foot tablet is engraved with the 45 words of the First Amendment. The stone came from the Tennessee Marble Co. in Friendsville, the exclusive supplier of Tennessee pink marble. Over 10,000 cubic feet of marble was mined from the company's four quarries across the state in order to produce the 2,000-cubic-foot tablet. "A tremendous amount of Friendsville marble has made its way to the nation's capital," according to Tennessee Marble owner Monica Gawet. "It's amazing that a small, family-owned business with 35 employees who live and work here are still supplying natural stone for projects like this here in the states." Tennessee Marble has also provided marble used for the interior stone of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center as well as for the renovations of the National Archives and Grand Central Terminal.
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U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Renews Safety Alliance with Marble Institute of America, Enhanced Workplace Safety and Health are Top Priorities
Marble Institute of America (04/04/08)

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Marble Institute of America (MIA) in Cleveland have renewed their alliance to provide MIA members and others with information and training resources that will help them continue to protect employees' safety and health. "The alliance will continue to demonstrate our commitment to finding cooperative ways to prevent workplace accidents," said Rob Medlock, area director of OSHA's Cleveland office. "It already has proven very successful, and we want to continue the excellent relationship that has helped so many companies in the natural stone industry." During the initial two-year alliance, OSHA and MIA worked successfully together to develop and communicate information to help the institute's member employers and employees recognize and prevent job-related hazards, including exposure to silica and hazards related to handling slabs of stone. The alliance also has developed training and education programs for employers and employees. "MIA's alliance with OSHA has had a very positive impact on the safety awareness of the natural stone industry and on the tools made available to help train employees and improve job safety," affirmed Gary Distelhorst, MIA's executive vice president. "We are committed to continuing our efforts with OSHA to achieve greater employee safety."
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All Bases Covered; Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo
Sydney Sun Herald (AU) (04/13/08) ; Lau, Kristie

In an unique twist for the country, Australia's newest tile and natural stone exhibition welcomed the general public as well as industry insiders. Consumers were invited to the Sydney Showground on the final day of the April 17-19 event, which was billed as a trade show for the first two days. All visitors to the first Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo were treated to the largest presentation of natural stones and ceramic tiles ever showcased under one roof in Australia. Along with the display of the latest and best products, industry professionals and members of the public received insight on the hottest trends and newest manufacturing processes as well as expert advice and live demonstrations on installation. The durability of natural stone, in addition to its beauty and versatility, has boosted its popularity in Australia. According to Full Frontal organizer Anthony Stock, the use of natural stones and ceramic tiles in the country is up threefold from 1993.
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Black Pearl Granite Enhances Modern-Age Museum Design
Stone World (04/01/08)

Faced with the task of laying 40,000 square feet of Black Pearl granite floors at the Denver Art Museum's new Frederic C. Hamilton building, Ryan and Company Inc.--the firm charged with completing the project--decided to install the floors in a non-bonded, wire-reinforced mortar bed using the Tile Council of North America's method F111 for stone over concrete. However, the large size of the job, the threat of seismic activity in the area, and concrete's natural tendency to shrink as it cures made it impossible to pour all of the concrete in one day. After the mortar bed had been prepared, Ryan and Company set and grouted all of the recessed pieces of the Black Pearl granite floors. Again, the nature of the building made this part of the project difficult. Since there were no plumb walls inside the building, an intricate pattern of granite had to be grouted at a 103-degree angle. In order to accomplish this, the granite slabs had to be cut into pieces that were either 12x9 inches, 12x6 inches, 12x12 inches, or 12x18 inches. These pieces were then placed in a random linear patter that repeated itself every 20 feet. Although the complexity of the project meant that the building ended up being finished 10 months behind schedule, it has a beauty that has to be seen in order to be believed, according to Ryan and Company owner Pat Ryan. "It is hard to really explain this project to anyone who hasn't seen it," he said. "You almost have to come out and visit to be able to believe it. Just seeing this building is an emotional event in itself." Others have hailed the project as one of the most unique structures to rise in the United States in the past four decades.
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New Award Added to MIA Competition
Kitchen and Bath Design News (04/02/08)

The "Pinnacle Awards" competition of the Marble Institute of America (MIA) will include a Grande Pinnacle Award in 2008. While the Pinnacle Awards recognize the best in genuine stone projects and craftsmanship from around the globe, MIA explains that the Grande Pinnacle Award was created to honor the top winning entry across all categories. Marmomacc--the world's biggest natural stone expo, held each year in Verona, Italy--is the sponsor of the Grande Pinnacle Award. The winner of this year's competition will receive round-trip airfare for one, a four-night hotel stay, meals, and registration to next year's Marmomacc event. Winners of the Pinnacle Awards and the Grande Pinnacle Award will be announced at StonExpo 2008 in Las Vegas this October.
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Going With Stone Throughout Your Home for Rock-Solid Impact
Cleveland Plain Dealer (OH) (03/27/08) ; Hebert, Melissa

Different types of natural stone are being used to beautify both the inside and outside of the home, observes Leslie Albery-Ortman, president of Great Lakes Marble & Granite in Mentor, Ohio. "Each slab of stone--whether it be granite, marble, sandstone or limestone--has uniqueness to it, giving it a different appearance in each application," she says. Albery-Ortman adds that blending stone with glass, metal, wood, or other materials can impart either a modern or traditional look and can give a home a character all its own. Marble tends to provide a more formal look, granite or slate are more casual, and onyx or amethyst provide a more high-end effect. In addition to countertops, flooring, and fireplace surrounds, stone is now being used even for range hoods and tabletops in some cases. Patios, meanwhile, are being outfitted with broken sandstone and flagstones. The aim is to harmonize the colors, sizes, and shapes to yield a natural yet coordinated look, says Jack Kinzie, owner of Cactus Jack Landscaping in North Ridgeville, Ohio. "Stones are irregular, not cookie-cutter or modular like pavers." However, to ensure uniform color, stone needs to be ordered from the same quarry lot.
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Granite Fabricators Launch Granite With Lifetime Warranty
Surface Fabrication (03/08)

The Artisan Group, whose inspectors already check stone slabs for imperfections before they even leave the quarry, is expanding its commitment to quality by offering a lifetime warranty for its granite countertops. Now available in the United States and Canada, the granite countertops in the Artisan Stone Collection are sealed with the exclusive Firstline Sealer--which provides superior stain protection technology. "We are confident homeowners will embrace our lifetime warranty and will appreciate the fabrication and service Artisan Group provides," says Sid Mackay, a board member of the Artisan Group. The independent organization is made up of national fabricators committed to raising the bar for quality and craftsmanship in the granite countertop industry. "We combine decades of experience with the quality granite, the latest technologies and great customer service to ensure that our customers have confidence in their granite countertops," adds Don Hinckley, another board member. The specific membership criteria of the selective group includes accreditation by the Marble Institute of America, verifiable industry experience and expertise, a solid reputation for quality and service in their market area, and sound and ethical business practices. The Artisan Group offers granite countertops in basic to more exotic colors and at affordable prices.
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Marble Industry Develops in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba
Escambray (03/21/08) ; Penton, Carmen Rodriguez

The Cuban province of Sancti Spiritus is preparing to increase the production of marble extracted from the local Cariblanca marble bed. One local engineer expects the output to be significant enough to replace any previous business with foreign providers. The cream-colored stone mined from the Cariblanca quarry is quite popular, and experts rate it as a high-quality product. It can be produced into centimeter-thick blocks, and the crystallization process requires only a few imported items for polishing. The marble bed is expected to be sustainable for at least 50 years.
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Mortgage Crisis Hits Turkish Marble Sector
Turkish Daily News Online (03/20/08) ; Dogan, Sinan

The slowdown in the U.S. construction sector extends even to Turkey, where natural stone distributors are no longer able to capitalize on what had been a bustling American housing market. The United States is Turkey's largest marble and stone export market, accounting for almost $400 million out of $1.2 billion worth of sales in 2007. According to industry followers, sales have tumbled 40 percent; and distributors do not expect the U.S. market to rebound for at least another year. While production of tract homes, which incorporate inexpensive natural stone, has come to a virtual standstill, Americans are still building million-dollar homes but now are importing less-expensive stone from countries other than Turkey. Not only is demand dropping, but Turkish companies are seeing sales losses as more and more natural stone distributors crowd the marketplace. More than 10 quarries in Sivas decided to forego production this spring because they would operate at a loss, according to Sivas Natural Stone and Miners Association Chairman Zeki Ozdemir, while quarries in other regions including Anatolia are closed down indefinitely. In the meantime, Turkish vendors with storages in the United States are beginning to close those operations and hold clearance sales.
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Marketing, Sales, & Pricing Strategies, and Innovating Every Day on Tap for Pre-Coverings Workshop in Orlando
Marble Institute of America (03/12/08)

The Marble Institute of America is pleased to announce the that its third annual leadership workshop will be held Monday, April 28, the day before Coverings, in Orlando, Florida. The speakers and the content are outstanding, and attendance by senior level executives and business owners is certainly worth serious consideration. If you're attending Coverings, this session is not only convenient, but can add great value to your travel to Orlando. If you hadn't planned on attending Coverings, this seminar is worth the trip by itself. Two heavy-hitting leadership training experts make this pre-Coverings event a must attend. R. Sam Bowers will kickoff the event with "Marketing, Sales, and Pricing Strategies for the New Economy." If your company has questions about its current sales, marketing and pricing models in a more competitive and buyer driven world, then this presentation is a strategic eye opener. The afternoon session will feature Holly Green and her presentation, "Innovating Every Day." This is an interactive and upbeat approach to incorporating innovation into your company, and almost everything you do. This presentation will enable you to see the world in a multitude of ways so that innovation becomes an every day activity; not just something you do when you are brainstorming with a team. "The MIA Leadership Workshop was informative and a learning experience for me. I will apply some of these theories not only to my professional life but also in my personal life," said Kathy Frank of Atlantic Granite & Marble, Rochester, N.Y. This event is sponsored in part by: VIC International, OHM International, Daltile, and Stone Restoration Services. For more information about registration, contact MIA at (440) 250-9222, e-mail MIAinfo@marble-institute.com, or visit http://www.marble-institute.com/education/orlando042808_leadership.cfm.
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Great Future for Granite Quarrying
Siasat Daily (03/13/08) ; Reddy, B. Satyanarayana

The Khammam district in India's Andhra Pradesh state is becoming a center for granite production. With just five quarries in operation until five years ago, the district now boasts 315. The number of granite units has experienced similar growth, expanding from 50 to 400 over the same time span. There is high demand for the jet black soft granite produced in Khammam's quarries; and 20 percent of the district's production is exported to countries such as the United States, Singapore, Japan, and Russia. The remaining 80 percent is reserved for domestic use. The expansion of the district's granite industry is due in part to the state government, which has encouraged entrepreneurs to establish granite units in Khammam by making the quarry-leasing procedure easier and more flexible. According to M. Balas Das, the district's assistant director of mining, applicants for mining leases in Andhra Pradesh get their applications processed within 60 days, compared to more than a year elsewhere in India.
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