The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) announced an agreement to co-locate the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas beginning in February 2014. In 2015, they will also tie-in with the StonExpo/Surfaces show. … Read more
The Marble Institute of America (MIA) released an updated version of its consumer-oriented showroom video – “From the Quarry to the Kitchen.” The video tells the story of natural stone, how it emerges from quarries around the world and is transformed into countertops and surfaces in homes and offices. First … Read more
Outwater Plastics Industries has released a countertop support bracket designed to be stronger. The solid 304 brushed stainless steel and 1008 unfinished cold-rolled steel countertop support brackets are fabricated in the United States from high quality materials in a range of attractive designs. These steel brackets are manufactured through ISO … Read more
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 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
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
The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is proud to announce that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has approved “Natural Stone Tile: An Overview” as a CEU course available to MIA members who are part of the MIA’s CEU Program. The MIA CEU Program helps participating MIA members connect with … Read more
When it comes to surfacing, it is all too easy to become complacent and just take countertop orders, rather than really put your sales expertise to use, and this is true of granite (or other natural stone), quartz surfacing, solid surface, or really any other material. Upselling can really be … Read more
M S International, Inc., an importer and distributor of countertops, flooring, wall tile, and landscaping products in North America, appointed Rajesh and Rupesh Shah as co-presidents of the company. Manu and Rika Shah, founders of MSI, made the announcement at a gathering of MSI’s leadership team. Rajesh and Rupesh, both … Read more
M S International, Inc. (MSI), an importer and distributor of natural stone and porcelain for countertop and flooring applications, has significantly expanded its operations in the Northeast. The newly constructed addition includes an additional 35,000 square feet of warehouse space dedicated to slab inventory. The slab distribution facility now totals 110,000 … Read more