Radio Stone Update
Radio Stone Update
Doctors Petition for Calif. Engineered-Stone Ban
00:00 Brought to You by Quantra
00:24 Intro
01:37 Doctors Seek Calif. Quartz Ban
03:18 A Word from Quantra
04:31 Safeguard Quartz-Import Action Continues
07:28 SURFEX Invites Exhibitors for Nov. '27 Show
08:45 Coverings 2026 Education Announced
10:48 Brazil Natural Stone Exports Strong in Nov. '25
13:21 2026 U.S. Stone Summits Slated
14:26 ISFA Fills Two Executive Positions
15:16 Xiamen 2026 Early-Bird Sign-Up Starts
16:13 Outro
16:48 Brought to You by Quantra
Radio Stone Update is presented on the second and fourth Wednesdays every month at 9 a.m. everywhere on Earth with the latest news and insights in hard surfaces. Check our archives at www.radiostoneupdate.com.
00:24
Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
01:37
Once again, California is the epicenter of the nationwide debate over the use of crystalline-silica-based engineered stone.
Last month, a physicians’ group asked the state’s workplace safety regulators to ban the use of engineered stone in the state. The petition was submitted to the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board – the OSHSB -- on Dec. 12.
The group – officially the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association – or WOEMA – asked for expedited rulemaking to ban fabrication and installation of engineered stone containing more than 1% crystalline silica. The organization is made up of more than 500 occupational-safety physicians and other workplace safety experts in seven Southwestern U.S. states.
California law requires the OSHSB to review the petition and issue a decision within six months.
WOEMA noted previous California efforts to regulate engineered stone through state standards and the recent passage of the state’s SB 20 but contends it’s not enough.
“The evidence is now clear that engineered stone containing crystalline silica is too toxic to fabricate and install safely,” the petition states. “And education and enforcement alone will not be sufficient to curtail the escalating occupational health safety emergency cause by this product.”
WOEMA also cited California Department of Public Health data showing 447 cases of engineered-stone-caused silicosis with 25 known deaths. Also, workplace inspection numbers from Cal/OSHA showed 93 of 99 shop inspections revealed violations of air-quality rules, with 24 serious enough to require shop or specific operation shutdown.
At least one industry organization has spoken out against the proposal. The International Surface Fabricators Association’s CEO, Laurie Weber, says ISFA doesn’t believe a ban is the answer.
In a statement, Weber said, “The problem is not the material – the problem is employers ignoring the law and a lack of enforcement resources to ensure compliance.”
Instead, the ISFA proposed a collaboration with WOEMA membership on worker outreach and developing data collection and exploration of new treatments for silicosis.
“Working together, we can close gaps – fast – and give workers and families the protection they deserve,” Weber said. She will make a presentation before the California safety standards board on Jan. 15.
04:31
While health care professionals are taking on quartz products in California, another battle continues over surface imports.
The U.S. International Trade Commission will hold a hearing Feb. 24 in Washington on a possible “Safeguard” action – a.k.a a Section 201 petition – that could limit imports of quartz surfaces and has generated support from some U.S. manufacturers.
The petition alleges material harm to U.S. manufacturers due to imports and requests a 50% tariff and country-by-country quota system. If granted by the USITC and approved by President Donald Trump, the action would be in place for up to four years, with a possible four-year renewal.
The petition comes from the Quartz Manufacturing Alliance of America – the QMAA -- including most U.S. quartz producers. It brought the request to the USITC last fall. However, the shutdown of the federal government caused proceedings to be delayed.
During the delay, the QMAA has added more companies to its group. Original members Cambria, Daltile/Mohawk Industries, Guidoni USA and Architectural Surfaces (which has since withdrawn) are joined by Hyundai L&C USA, and the group notes letters of support from LX Hausys, E-Stone Surfaces, and Hendrix Industries.
Opponents of the effort have also organized. The group Save Quartz Jobs, in a December statement, says its mission is “protecting American jobs and ensuring continued access to affordable quartz surfaces.” The group claims its ranks include more than 1,000 U.S. fabricators, installers, distributors and suppliers.
“If imposed by the president, these restrictions would dramatically increase material costs for U.S. fabricators and installers, destabilize supply chains, and further strain an American housing market,” according to the Save Quartz Jobs launch announcement.
Save Quartz Jobs also contends that U.S. production meets only a fraction of current national demand.
The USITC, in its Dec. 1 Federal Register notice on the petition, noted that it received statements of opposition from one quartz manufacturer and “more than 700 entities stating that they were independent fabricators of quartz-surface products that oppose the petition.”
After next month’s hearing, the commission will make a determination on injury to U.S. manufacturers by April 1. If the answer is yes, a second hearing on actions to be taken will be on April 14.
The USITC will forward its recommendation to the president by May 1. He can accept it or craft a different action involving any combination of tariffs, quotas, and trade agreements. For more information on Save Quartz Jobs, visit www.savequartzjobs.com.
07:28
SURFEX, the new kid on the surface-fabrication industry tradeshow block, just opened exhibitor registration for its late 2027 debut.
All companies interested in participating in the first show, scheduled for Nov. 3-5, 2027, in Indianapolis, are invited to sign up. The new show will be held at the Indiana Convention Center and is being developed by the Stone Equipment & Supply Alliance (SESA) in collaboration with industry associations and partners.
Coordinating organizations include the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), the Natural Stone Institute (NSI), and the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA), as well as Marmomac Italy and other industry groups.
The goal of the new event is to bring together equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, tool providers and service companies in a single event that prioritizes education, innovation and meaningful business connections.
“The event is designed by and for the fabrication community,” said John Lancto, SESA CEO and spokesperson. “SURFEX will focus on meaningful education, hands-on solutions, celebrating the craftsmanship and innovative materials that drive our industry forward.”
For more information on exhibiting at SURFEX, go to www.surfexshow.com.
08:45
When Coverings 2026 convenes at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 30, activities on the show floor won’t be the only draw. Dedicated to ceramic tile and natural stone, show organizers have unveiled an extensive education program for the event, which runs through April 2.
A major highlight of Coverings 2026 will be a marquee session featuring Gary Sinise, actor, humanitarian and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, along with representatives of the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) and the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).
Entitled “Building Hope: A Conversation with Gary Sinise, NTCA and NSI on Serving Veterans Through Skilled Craftmanship,” the conversation will center on their collaborative work through the Sinise Foundation in constructing specially adapted, mortgage-free smart homes for the most severely injured military members and first responders.
Those in attendance will learn how tile and stone professionals have contributed, and garner practical guidance on ways to participate in future builds, including the donation of both skilled labor and materials. The presentation will take place on April 1 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.
Attendees to Coverings 2026 will also have access to nearly two dozen other sessions organized into three core learning tracks: Installation & Fabrication, Materials & Trends, and Workforce & Profits.
For a full list of educational programs through Coverings 2026 or to register, go to www.coverings.com. Registration is free through Feb. 1. After that date, it will increase to $49, Onsite registration during the show will be $49 online, or $99 in person.
10:48
Despite declines in granite and marble exports caused by increased U.S. tariffs, Brazil’s natural stone sector recorded its highest export volume ever in November.
Total sales from January through November equaled $1.35 billion in U.S. dollars, according to data from the Brazilian Natural Stone Association Centrorochas. That figure surpasses the previous record set in 2021 at $1.34 billion.
With an 18.7% increase over the same period last year, the 2025 results highlight the resilience of the Brazilian industry.
Even with the tariff hike, the United States remained the largest importer of Brazilian stones, accounting for 54.4% of exports, and $735.4 million in sales from January to November. That’s a 15.7% increase in volume. The U.S. continues to be the top consumer of materials, primarily for kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Still, Brazilian officials think that sales could have been stronger if not for the 50% tariffs, which were imposed in August. Since that time, Brazilian exports of granite fell by 17.3% and marble by 16.5% to the United States. Quartzite is exempt under the order, and sales of it grew by 39% during the period.
During the same time, sales to both China and Italy grew, reinforcing Brazil’s role as a key supplier to major stone processing and re-export industries. Sales to China grew by 13.6% and represent 16.6% of Brazil’s total output, while sales to Italy increased by 46.3% and represent 7.8% of Brazil’s stone sales. Both countries primarily import raw blocks.
Brazil also expanded its international sales to the Middle East over the first months of 2025. Heightened demand has been met with a direct maritime route between Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi for the first time in 25 years. The new route cuts shipping times from about three months to just 30 days.
Centrorochas’ President Tales Machado says the results through November demonstrate the strength of the Brazilian stone industry and the importance of the collective effort made to strengthen the sector’s international presence. “We enter 2026 with positive expectations,” Machado saId.
In other industry news …
13:21
The Stone Industry Education series will go coast-to-coast again this year, and it added one more event.
The regional workshops, with 10 stops around the United States, are one-day events that bring fabricators and other industry professionals together to share experiences and gain insight into topics pertaining to their business. They are presented by the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine.
The schedule shapes up as:
*New Mexico Stone Summit, Feb. 12;
*Florida Stone Summit, March 12;
*Tennessee Stone Summit, April 16;
*Michigan Stone Summit, April 30;
*Minnesota Stone Summit, May 21;
*North Carolina Stone Summit, June 25;
*Washington Stone Summit, July 16;
*New Jersey Stone Summit, Sept. 17;
*California Stone Summit, Oct. 8, , and;
*Texas Stone Summit, Nov. 5.
For more details about the 2026 events, go to www.stoneindustryeducation.com
14:26
The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) announces filling two positions on its staff. Amy Kyriazis is the new chief operation officer (COO) for the organization, while Joe Corona is the new operations and systems administrator.
Kyriazis has been a member of the ISFA team for years, serving in a variety of roles that have strengthened the organization’s mission and member value. In her new position, she will oversee operational strategy and development, and cross-department alignment to enhance ISFA’s efficiency and impact.
Although new to ISFA, Corona has more than eight years of experience improving operational performance, implementing technology solutions, and supporting teams through systems administration and process organization.
15:16
The 26th China Xiamen International Stone Fair is now open for early-bird registration. The fair will be held March 16-19 at Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center.
More than 2,000 companies, from quarry owners to manufacturers and innovators, will showcase the latest materials, finished products, technologies and solutions.
Each attendee must register individually. Those who have previously attended may go online to activate their existing accounts.
The Key Buyer Program for the Xiamen Stone Fair is also now open. Designed specifically for industry leaders and key decision-makers, the program is tailored to enhance your sourcing experience before, during and after the event. Registration for the fair and for the Key Buyer Program can be found at www.wap.stonefair.org.cn.
16:13
Remember, following the government shutdown, Hard-Surface Report is back covering the nation’s hard surface imports at www.hardsurfacesreport.com. It’s also not too late to give a listen as Emerson Schwartzkopf and I review the top industry stories of 2025 at www.radiostoneupdate.com. That’s also where you’ll find a transcript of this broadcast. I’m K. Schipper for Radio Stone Update, and we’ll see you here again soon.