3 Myths about Sealing Granite and Marble

By Ryan Burden, CountertopSpecialty.com The topic of sealing granite and marble countertops, floor tile or any natural stone surface invariably creates questions, concerns and confusion in the minds of consumers, homeowners and sometimes even those working in the stone industry. Honestly, it’s no surprise when misleading, incomplete, conflicting, or incorrect … Read more

Freight Classification to Change for LTL Stone Shipments

Freight rates will likely increase in April 2013 for stone blocks, pieces or slabs NOT mounted diagonally or vertically on lift truck skids, pallets, platforms, shipping carriers or racks, according to a press release issued by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Rates were last raised in April 2012. Proposed amendments … Read more

New Sales Manager Hired By Global Vacuum Presses

Global Vacuum Presses, a supplier of thermoforming equipment for solid surface material, has hired a new sales manager. Patrice Montignier is now responsible for the company’s sales department on both a national and international level.

Toto Honored For Sustainability Efforts

Toto, supplier of faucets and related products, was recognized by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper with a Best in Business Class award for its efforts to reduce water use in Atlanta by partnering with local government and businesses to upgrade outdated plumbing fixtures. Accepting the award was bill Strange, senior vice president of Toto, … Read more

Five Valuable Advertising Tips

Advertising is one of the most important aspects of a successful business. And if you are selling countertops directly to the public, you should consider how you are going to reach them. Of course, the advertising must be backed up with a quality product and friendly, reliable service, but if … Read more

Solid Surface, Cultured Marble Supplier Cocan Opens U.S. Office

Chinese supplier of solid surface and cultured marble Cocan Surfaces is opening a U.S. office near Atlanta in April. The facility in LaGran, Ga., includes a warehouse for displaying and stocking products, including solid surface panels, cultured marble products and shower pans. The company will also be displaying its products at the … Read more

MIA To Release Stone Documentary

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been working on a full-length documentary that will be released in 2013. The documentary, titled “The History of Man and Stone: A Documentary,” will first be shown at the Surfaces/StonExpo show in January, and according to Gary Distelhorst, executive vice president of the … Read more

Saint Gobain Donates Countertops To Charity

Saint-Gobain donated Grenite engineered stone countertops, along with some green building expertise, to YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School and the Akron Summit Community Action YouthBuild Program. The programs help young people from low-income backgrounds earn high school diplomas while also picking up job skills while building sustainable and affordable housing. YouthBuild Philadelphia built a LEED-certified … Read more

New Brochures Offered by Schultz Forming

Three new brochures are now being offered by Schultz Forming Products. The full-color brochures provide information about the company’s laminate and solid surface forming equipment. One offers information on the Shultzform clamshell solid surface oven, one provides info on the company’s laminate Slotformer, and the third brochure gives information on the company’s … Read more

Benefits and Risks of Cloud ERP Software

The cloud has finally emerged as a viable option for businesses when it comes to data, webhosting and enterprise server solutions, but many business owners are hesitant when it comes to adopting this technology. One of the types of software that is now becoming popular in business cloud hosting is … Read more