I ran across an interesting article on Kitchen & Bath Business today highlighting some apparent trends in countertops. It also has a photo slideshow to go with it. I’m not sure if I agree 100 percent on all of the points being made here, but there are some insights offered, … Read more
Far from an optimist, particularly facing what is now being termed as “The Great Recession,” I have to say all of the signs are pointing to a more robust housing market in the works, which ultimately bodes well for the countertop industry. And it’s about time! According to an article … Read more
A total of 103 housing markets across the United States qualified to be listed on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) for October. This is up from 99 markets listed as improving in September and is the largest number of metros on the IMI since it … Read more
If you work in the commercial arena – whether fabricator or specifier – there is a great article I ran across that you should check out. It’s entitled “Good Specs Mean Good Tile and Stone Installations” and can be found here. The article ran in the December issue of the … Read more
Masco Cabinetry is closing its countertop facility in Lakewood, N.J., on Nov. 21, and laying off 191 employees. Most of the employees will reportedly keep their jobs through December so orders in the works can be completed. The company has said it will help the departing workers to find other work. “Given … Read more
In the not-too-distant past, I heard a presenter question whether it is really accurate to use the term “natural stone” anymore. He pointed out that a huge number of stone slabs coming into the United States are altered in one way or another – via resination or by the use … Read more
Cambria, American producer of quartz surfacing, is expanding its Le Sueur, Minn., production plant. The expansion will more than double the size and production capacity of Cambria and accommodate worldwide demand for its designs. When complete in the spring of 2013, the expanded plant will total 750,000 sq. ft. and … Read more
The U.S. Commerce Department issued a second preliminary anti-dumping decision in late 2012 in response to Chinese stainless steel drawn sinks. The determination was that Chinese manufacturers sold drawn stainless steel sinks in the United States at prices significantly below fair value, in violation of U.S.law and international trade rules. … Read more
Vance Industries introduced a patent-pending sink installation kit designed to simplify the flush-mounting of sinks (of all manufacturers) into laminate countertops. The adjustable hardware allows for fast and accurate leveling of the sink. Using this system, there is no need to cut and glue strips of particle board to secure the … Read more
Caesarstone Ltd., makers of Caesarstone Quartz Surfacing, began trading on the NASDAQ market March 22, with initial action sticking close to the $11 initial public offering (IPO) price. After 2 months, the stock, trading under the ticker symbol of CSTE has fluctuated between $10.70, at its early low point, to … Read more
