News of the Stone
and Tile Industry

Good News From Tucson For the Building Stone Industry

By Bill Gallagher
Hachita, New Mexico

Tucson Arizona is legendary for its annual Rock and Gem show event, an extravaganza of Gemstones, Fossils, Minerals, and Jewelry, from all over the world. This annual meet is the common ground for a facet of the stone industry which is dynamic and ever changing, and therefore alive with opportunity. That is the subject of this article, and if your interest has been stimulated, read on and enjoy. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Coverings 2006 Plans Appreciation Night Honoring Dealers, Distributors, and Retailers

Networking is one of the most beneficial qualities of Coverings 2006, April 4-7, and it does not stop at the end of a show day. In fact, the after-hours Dealer, Distributor, and Retailer Appreciation Night party is one of the most popular events that has become a Coverings tradition. It’s where the commerce continues, but in a far more relaxing and entertaining environment. This special event is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, 6:30 p.m., at Motion, one of the hippest and hottest music video nightclubs at Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island. Tile of Spain is hosting the festivities.(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Verona Marble Company, Inc. Announces New Distributor

Jody Hinkle, Vice President of Sales for Verona Marble Company has announced the appointment of Decorative Solid Surfaces of Amherst, New York, as the exclusive distributor for Legacy Quartz Surfaces and Portofino Marble Surfaces for the New England States, Upstate New York, and Western Pennsylvania market area.(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Interview the inventor!
See the MeasureRIGHT Pro tool in action!

Pembroke Pines, FL, January 2006 The MeasureRIGHT Pro is revolutionizing tile installation the way the paint roller revolutionized painting. Seize the opportunity to interview the inventor of this modern tile-measuring tool. You can also see the MeasureRIGHT Pro tool in action!This break through tool will be featured February 1st through 3rd at the 2006 Surfaces Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, booth number G4439. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the most efficient tile-measuring tool in the home building industry. It saves TIME, MATERIAL and MONEY!(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

New Decorative Tile Brand Features Finer Detail, Authentic Finishes

High Point, NC – Olivia Daniels, a new line of decorative tile manufactured through an innovative process using composites rather than ceramics, will be introduced in Orlando in April at Coverings, the International Stone and Tile Expo. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Ahead of the Curve:
Come see what’s cooking at the Kitchen/Bath
Industry Show & Conference® (KBIS) 2006

Chicago – The biggest and most inclusive tradeshow for the kitchen and bath industry, K/BIS 2006, will show off the latest innovations in kitchen and bath products and design ideas to get you and your company ahead of the curve.(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

B.B. Solid Surface’s Fabrication Quality Is Recognized Throughout Arizona

Jason Borden one of the principals of B.B. Solid Surface runs this highly successful three-year-old enterprise located in Mesa, Arizona. The company’s market area covers the entire state and employs 30 people. “The reason for our great growth spurt over the past few years is twofold,” said Borden from the company’s headquarters, “first we do quality work and I mean by hand, everything must be up to our exacting standards or we do it over again.”(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Judges Named
for 2006
Spectrum Awards

(Alexandria, VA – January 25, 2006) – A panel of distinguished judges has been recruited for the 2006 Spectrum Awards, honoring outstanding achievements in the use of ceramic tile. The annual competition awards prize money totaling $18,000 and culminates with an awards presentation on April 4, at the opening ceremony of Coverings 2006. The four-day expo and conference takes place April 4 – 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Renewing Commitment to Tile Partners for Humanity, Coverings 2006 Extends Donations Throughout Gulf States

The tile industry will be putting a smile on the faces of hundreds of families in need of housing throughout the storm-damaged Gulf Coast region. That’s because Coverings, the premier tile and stone expo, and its 1,200 exhibitors will be donating truckloads of unused tile and stone to Tile Partners for Humanity [TPFH], a non-profit organization. Through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, TPFH helps rebuild homes by supplying tile and stone materials as well as providing adhesives, tools, cleaners, sealants and installation training for volunteers and homeowners. Contributions of tile, stone and related materials will be made at the conclusion of Coverings 2006, April 4-7, in Orlando, FL.(CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Unique and Uncommon Looks in Tile & Stone
to Debut at Coverings 2006

The tile and stone industry is in high-octane mode as Coverings 2006 quickly approaches. More than 1,200 exhibitors from all corners of the world are readying and perfecting their lineup of product innovations and concepts for debut April 4-7 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. The show will play host to an anticipated 32,000 tile and stone professionals from more than 56 countries. It’s no wonder Coverings is referred to as the ultimate showplace for the newest, the latest and the most important developments in tile, natural stone and machinery. It is also is valued as a portal to new and increased business opportunities for every segment of the industry—architects, designers, installers, distributors, retailers, contractors, fabricators and manufacturers. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Mystic Granite & Marble Helps Marble Institute Kick Off 2006 Seminars

Mystic Granite & Marble hosted the first of a series of regional educational programs being offered in 2006 by the Marble Institute of America. The “Increase Your Share of the Residential Countertop Market” seminar was offered on January 9th & 10th in Orlando, FL, and attracted attendees from five states, as well as Canada. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

New MIA Video, Funded by Walker Zanger, Focuses on Installing Natural Stone Floors Using Thin-Set Method

A major new training video that provides a comprehensive overview of how to measure, prepare the surface and install natural stone with the thin-set method has been produced by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) as part of its continuing educational video series. This video was sponsored by Walker Zanger, one of the industry’s most prestigious companies. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Coverings Offers Break-Through Online Matchmaking Service

Even before Coverings exhibitors and attendees head to Orlando for the April 4-7 show, they can begin networking and get a jump-start on doing business together with access to a free online Matchmaking Service. Designed specifically for the Coverings community, this innovative search program connects buyers and sellers. Moreover, it promises time savings and efficiency for all Coverings visitors and represents a valuable sales opportunity for exhibitors. The online Matchmaking Service is accessible at www.coverings.com/matchmaking and will be available year-round. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

Past President of MIA Dies

Claude Ledgerwood died Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at St. Mary’s Residential Hospice. He was 79. He owned and operated the Marble Shop in Knoxville, Tennessee from 1952 to 1989. His outstanding career included serving as President and Director of the Marble Institute of America. He was widely known throughout the stone industry and recognized as a leader. Mr. Ledgerwood is preceded in death by Mary Web Ledgerwood. Survived by wife, Olivia W. Ledgerwood; sons, C.N. (Chip) Ledgerwood III and C. Kent Ledgerwood; daughters, Julie Austin, Laura Hawkins, Jennifer Henderson, and Jessica Willis; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren, brother Bill Ledgerwood; sister, Jean Orth. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)