Winter 2006
The New BAC/IMI National Training Center
The International Masonry Institute (IMI) has an extensive network of training centers and programs serving members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and signatory contractors. In early 2007, IMI will unveil the network's crown jewel, the BAC/IMI National Training Center in Bowie, Md. The architect on the project is Stanley Tigerman, FAIA, of Tigerman-McCurry Architects in Chicago, with J. Vinton Schafer of Abingdon, Md., as the construction manager.
Situated on a 25-acre campus between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the two-building complex includes a 61,000-square-foot training center and a 45,500-square-foot, three-story dormitory building with recreation facilities, cafeteria, meeting rooms and dorm rooms for 108 students. The two-story training center, which features an open bay to allow for flexible class setups, also has classrooms and design studios.
Not surprisingly, the showcase campus is being constructed of high-quality masonry materials, primarily brick, stone and concrete masonry units. The structural system is reinforced masonry walls with concrete slabs on grade and pre-cast concrete floors.
The completed facility will accommodate more than 2,000 students annually, and the site is approved for an additional dormitory wing. The center's design will allow IMI to expand the craft training programs offered to all levels of craftworkers, from pre-job apprentices to journeymen and instructors, plus educational programs for the design and building professions, as well as the popular Masonry Camp. The flagship facility also will reinforce training programs at the BAC local level and expand research and development efforts.
"This facility will give us a world-class training campus, and allow us to offer even more to BAC members, as well as to the design and building professions," said BAC President and IMI Co-chair, John J. Flynn. "That is going to strengthen masonry's position in the marketplace."
"The center will provide state-of-the-art instruction, curriculum and materials," added IMI President, Joan Calambokidis.
As anticipation builds for the center's completion, some of the most excited people are those BAC members helping to build it, including employees of Caretti Inc. of Camp Hill, Pa., and Broadcast Design & Construction of Mt. Clemens, Mich.
Caretti foreman, Chuck Bowman, a member of BAC Local 1 MD/VA/DC, appreciates the promise of lifelong learning opportunities that the center holds for all BAC members, including him. "I think about that every time I come to work," he said.
With advanced offerings such as supervisor certification or training in new materials, everyone stands to win, said layout man, Art Feeser, from Local 1, who is "proud" to be a part of it. "The more you know, the more you're worth," he said.
To follow the NTC construction progress, go to www.imiweb.org/_whatsnew/index.htm.
Industry Confirms Support
for StonExpo East
The StonExpo East show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, March 23-25, 2007.
StonExpo East has been launched as a biennial event to fulfill the needs of the industry in the east, and companies from around the world have already committed to this new event. More than 115 companies have signed up for approximately 60,000 net square feet in the show, including many major manufacturers such as Park Industries, Salem Stone, G & L Marble, Z. Bavelloni, Breton, Eurostone, GranQuartz, East West Stone, and Architectural Marble and Granite. A complete exhibitor list and floor plan can be found at www.StonExpoEast.com.
The show will feature more than 200 exhibiting companies who will showcase a variety of slab stone, along with the latest stone products, machinery and technologies. Approximately 5,000-plus fabricators, installers, architects, designers, distributors, builders, retailers, and kitchen and bath specialists are expected to attend.
StonExpo's official sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council.
Walker Zanger Unveils
The Paradigm Washstand
Walker Zanger has introduced the latest addition to its Bathroom Vanity Collection: the distinctive Paradigm washstand. With a clean, exquisite profile that harkens to the tenets established by LeCorbusier and Mies van der Rohe, it helps transform the utilitarian bathroom into a luxury spa destination. Combining bold metal and carved stone, it also perfectly complements the offerings of Walker Zanger's namesake line of stone mosaics.
The goal of understated luxury is perfectly realized, and immediately evident in the Paradigm washstand. An open design of resonating rectangles, it features bold, linear legs and rails of brushed metal, available in either nickel or deep bronze finishes. A stunning solid-stone sink, set within the washstand's top, completes the washstand. The perfect pairing of the carved stone and metal facets creates an unmistakable impression; it's also a testament to the craftsmanship of its construction.
The Paradigm washstand is available in three different offerings, including the subtly-veined Statuary White Marble; organically grained Ash Grey Limestone; and creamy Heylos Limestone. The sink comes pre-drilled to accommodate any standard wide-spread faucets.
Hardwire and Cold Spring Granite
Form Alliance
Hardwire LLC, developer of proprietary, high-tensile steel reinforcements and unique valued-added products for a variety of advanced composite and infrastructure applications, and Cold Spring Granite Company, a leading quarrier and fabricator of building stone products, have formed an alliance to co-market their joint technology solution designed for a variety of infrastructure and commercial security applications.
Hardwire ArmorStoneTM incorporates Hardwire's proven, high-tensile steel reinforcement and ballistic- and blast-protective products with Cold Spring Granite Company's granite — nature's most resilient building material. This combination is augmented with proprietary coupling systems and chemistries specifically designed and matched to specific threats, fully-integrated with fastening systems familiar to the construction industry. Intended uses include ballistic-resistance panel systems, and infrastructure and Homeland Security protection systems for a variety of public and commercial structures including courthouses, libraries, museums, utility facilities and more.
According to John Hammond, vice president of Hardwire, LLC, his company approached Cold Spring Granite while developing potential solutions for low-cost armoring systems for various branches of the U.S. government and military because they recognized granite as providing certain properties required for these solutions. Hammond said Hardwire recognized the need for architectural solutions that allow architects to seamlessly integrate protection into their designs using defensive devises other than stand-off, restricted access, or reinforced concrete barriers or steel bollards. Further, solutions are needed that allow for retrofit applications of existing structures.
According to Dan Rea, Cold Spring Granite Company's senior vice president of sales and marketing, one of the key advantages of Hardwire ArmorStone is that security doesn't have to be at the expense of design. As compared to other strengthening systems, this product allows architects the opportunity to provide concealed protection that does not impact aesthetics, he said. Further, it is not only durable, but also a green solution. The granite offers users an enduring life cycle, durability, ease of care and maintenance, recyclability, as well as quarry and manufacturing best practices.
Sink SetterTM Introduces Next Generation Undermount Installation Kit
Precision Works Products has introduced several major improvements to its Sink Setter undermount sink installation kit.
Sink Setter professionally installs undermount sinks, from stainless steel to cast iron, under any countertop surface without drilling, gluing, sawing or improvising. With the addition of a new, second Sink Setter size, installation can now be done in either front-to-back or side-to-side configuration, in cabinets ranging up to 48 inches in length or depth. The improved design allows for the easy removal of the sink, without removing the counter top. Additional changes significantly reduce installation time.
Vetter Stone Receives
HR Best Practices Award
Employers Association Inc. (EA), has selected three companies to receive its HR Best Practices Award. Among the award winners is Mankato, Minn.-based firm Vetter Stone. The award was presented on Sept. 20, 2006 in Mankato.
EA created the award to identify excellent human resource practices and projects, and to honor the organizations and individuals involved in them. Each year, EA members are invited to submit their programs or practices for consideration, and a group of volunteer executives selects those that best match the award criteria.
For more than a century, stone has been quarried, cut and shipped to sites around the world from Vetter quarries in the Kasota-Mankato stone district of Minnesota. A third-generation family business, Vetter Stone has earned a reputation for consistent product quality, technical precision and personalized customer service.
Vetter Stone suffered high frequency and severity of injury, resulting in high premiums and high medical costs. In addition, employee turnover was very high, resulting in continuous training, excessive absenteeism, material wastage, quality issues and low employee morale.
In response, a proactive safety program has been implemented, which includes employees of all job levels as part of safety committees, posting of results of the company's monthly safety inspections, individual and department safety incentives, a new emphasis on safety awareness, safety training for all employees, and employee recognition. As a result, Vetter Stone has become a better place to work. The company has decreased workers compensation costs, made a safer workplace, improved employee competence, empowered supervisors, improved quality, reduced rework, and improved the company's profitability.
Ruwac Introduces Sump/Slurry Vacuum
Ruwac has launched the latest model in its SPS Sump/Slurry line, the SumpProTM SPS 250 Sump/Slurry Vacuum. Designed to collect and separate, the SumpPro includes a powerful return pump for discharging liquids. Easy to use and ruggedly built, the 40-gallon capacity sump vacuum is completely portable and efficient.
Ruwac's SumpPro was engineered to collect and separate solids from liquids. A nine-gallon chip basket effectively removes chips from solutions, while an optional MicroClean filter can be inserted to remove smaller debris, such as sludge. The switch-operated return pump allows collected liquid to be pumped out of the tank at 38 gallons per minute. A unique tilt-up lid provides easy access to the chip basket and tank, making maintenance quick and hassle-free. Two powerful bypass motors are protected from collected material and provide quiet operation within a silencer hood. Heavy-duty casters provide effortless maneuverability and can be locked for stability. The SumpPro includes an oil-resistant accessory package, and can be customized to fit your application.
The integrated return pump allows quick removal or replacement of filtered liquids, reducing cleaning labor and equipment downtime. With reduced machine downtime and less maintenance, the SumpPro provides cost-efficiency in the workplace. A positive float closure assembly prevents the sump vacuum from overflowing, keeping the work environment free of potentially hazardous spills and ensuring worker safety.
Granite ShieldTM Countertop Stores Investment Opportunity
Sealing Technologies Management Inc., the parent company of Granite Shield and the TekonTM Corporation has announced its next expansion of Granite Shield. The company will be opening retail Granite Shield Countertop stores nationwide.
The Granite Shield division, which offers a lifetime, maintenance-free, permanent seal on granite, is currently located in 45 states and in England and Ireland. Granite Shield will be setting up countertop stores nationwide, selling lifetime, pre-sealed, maintenance-free custom and prefabricated granite countertops and vanity tops. Granite Shield currently has 22 authorized countertop store fabricators.
Tom McNall Joins Stone Shop International
The Stone Shop International (TSSI), a U.S.-based, stone franchise business, announced that Tom McNall has joined the restoration division, Stone Restoration Services (SRS), as an equity partner and the director of training, technical assistance and operational support for franchisees. McNall will also serve as a member of the steering committee for TSSI.
As director of Support Services for SRS, McNall will develop and oversee the franchisee training programs and technical assistance for the company.
McNall owns and operated Great Northern Stone, a stone restoration and care business that services Canada and parts of the United States. McNall is also a regular columnist for Stone Business magazine, a member of the board of directors and a trainer for the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Through McNall's involvement, all training programs provided by SRS will be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, the association that certifies stone maintenance, restoration and care companies.
Park Industries Announces
New Appointments
Park Industries, the largest manufacturer of stone working equipment in North America, announced new appointments within the company. Effective Jan. 1, 2007, Tom Schlough, current president of Park Industries, will be the new CEO.
As a result of Schlough's new position, Pat Mullins, current general manager of Park Industries Architectural Division, will step into the president role. Mullins joined Park Industries in 2002. Prior to joining Park, Mullins was president and CEO of Superior Diesel, and spent over 10 years with HUSCO International as their VP-general manager. In addition, Mullins worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a middle market business consultant and auditor.
In addition, Dean Casad, current product line manager of Park Industries, will be stepping into the Architectural Division general manager role at Park. Casad joined Park Industries in 2004 as director of New Business Development, bringing over 12 years of in marketing management and business development experience. Casad has worked with a wide-range of industry-leading companies, including General Mills, NordicTrack, Toro and General Electric. Casad is a graduate of Iowa State University, with degrees in agricultural economics and financial management and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
New Chicago Pneumatic Breakers
Featuring an advanced vibration reduction system, the new CP 1210 handheld breaker series from Chicago Pneumatic Construction Tools offers several innovative features to enhance operator comfort and tool control, as well as increased power to match the performance of heavier breakers. The 35-pound class breakers are ideal for light-to-medium demolition of floors, pavement, frozen ground and masonry walls, as well as various other service jobs.
Thanks to an improved valve system, the new CP 1210 series provides 20 percent more hitting power than previous models. Each series model requires 59 cfm of air and delivers 1,400 blows per minute. The breakers are offered in three versions — basic, silenced and vibration-reduced — and a variety of shank sizes are available to accommodate all applications. For easier operation, breakers equipped with 1-1/4" and 1-1/8" shanks have had their operating weights significantly reduced.
Global Granite & Marble
Streamlines Ownership
Global Granite & Marble shareholders David Havens and Christian Condit announced that they have acquired 100 percent ownership of the company. They acquired all outstanding shares from partners Elliot Uchitelle, Mike Pontello and Alex Habr. The departure of Uchitelle, Pontello and Habr was amicable. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Luck Stone is Recognized for Its Inventive Reclamation Efforts
The Division of Mineral Mining of The Virginia Department of Mines, Mineral and Energy (DMME) and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA) honored Luck Stone Corporation's Construction Aggregates division at its annual convention in Virginia Beach, Va., for its reclamation efforts on the company's former sand and gravel operation in King William County.
Luck Stone received honorable mention in VTCA's award reclamations program, Best Reclamation - Quarry, which recognizes companies that demonstrate a high level of resourcefulness, innovation and timeliness that result in successful mine land reclamation, while preserving minerals that are vital to the economy of Virginia.
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