Stone World

Stone World is excited to partner with Biesse to host an interactive pre-event experience ahead of the NC Stone Summit next week. Join us to tour parts and service, see live CNC demonstrations, explore a mock OSHA inspection, and participate in an interactive safety exercise. Conclude with a findings discussion and relaxed reception to network with industry peers.

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x3ukU

Stone shops are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars — not from a lack of marketing leads, but from broken systems that let them slip away. Anthony Milia of Milia Marketing explains how fabricators can fix lead leaks and protect their marketing ROI. Read his expert advice here!

https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95696-how-stone-fabrication-shops-can-fix-lead-leaks-and-protect-their-marketing-roi

How Stone Fabrication Shops Can Fix Lead Leaks and Protect Their Marketing ROI Stone fabrication shops are investing more in marketing than ever before. The spend is real and, in many cases, producing real activity at the top of the funnel. But somewhere between the first click and the closed job, the handoff breaks down.

Quartz fabricators warned federal officials yesterday that proposed tariffs and quotas on imported quartz surface products (QSP) would inflict serious harm onto small businesses, American workers and consumers. During a public hearing before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and other federal agencies, fabricators argued that the ITC's recommended trade restrictions would raise housing and renovation costs, limit consumer choice, disrupt supply chains and jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of workers employed by fabricators, distributors and installers across the country. Read more details here:
https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95700-quartz-fabricators-urge-trump-administration-to-protect-american-jobs-and-housing-affordability-at-section-201-ustr-hearing

Quartz Fabricators Urge Trump Administration to Protect American Jobs and Housing Affordability at Section 201 USTR Hearing Quartz fabricators warned federal officials today that proposed tariffs and quotas on imported quartz surface products (QSP) would inflict serious harm onto small businesses, American workers, and consumers.

Jason took some time to give an in-depth overview of the 2026 Stone Fabricator's Alliance (SFA) Italy Tour, which he was grateful for the invite to join them. Tune in now to hear all about this year's adventure!

https://www.stoneworld.com/media/podcasts/2594-stone-world-magazine-podcasts/play/378-what-i-saw-during-the-stone-fabricator-s-alliance-italy-tour-2026

Biesse will welcome fabricators into its facility on the eve of our North Carolina Stone Summit. It's not too late to register for the June 24th event. Read all the details here!

https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95698-biesse-behind-the-scenes-safety-machinery-and-networking-night

Natural Stone Institute

Photos courtesy of Biesse

Our monthly report on U.S. Countertop Material Exports has been released. U.S. countertop material imports totaled $275.5 million in March 2026, a 23.6% decline from March 2025 and a sharp acceleration from January's 14.5% drop. Natural stone categories pulled in $174.5 million, down 21.2% year over year, while engineered quartz fell harder at 27.5% to $101.1 million. Every major category posted a decline. Granite was hit hardest, dropping 42.3% to $31.4 million as Brazilian shipments collapsed 72%. Marble proved most resilient, slipping just 9.7% to $75.9 million.
Take a deeper dive into the March 2026 stats:
https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95693-us-countertop-material-exports-march-2026

U.S. Countertop Material Exports: March 2026 U.S. countertop material imports totaled $275.5 million in March 2026, a 23.6% decline from March 2025 and a sharp acceleration from January's 14.5% drop.

How will tariffs affect your fabrication business? We want to know. Answer our poll!
https://www.stoneworld.com/polls/70-tariffs-and-quartz-imports

Poll: Tariffs and Quartz Imports | Stone World Stone World's latest poll asks, "If high tariffs are placed on U.S. quartz imports, how will this affect your business?" Cast your vote now!

If you want to have your voice heard about pending tariffs on natural stone, the public comment period opened June 1. Requests to appear at the public hearing, along with a summary of testimony, are due June 22. Written comments are due July 1.The USTR will hold a public hearing July 6 in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. Read more details and find out how to submit your request here:

https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95695-ustr-proposes-25-tariff-on-most-brazilian-goods-sparing-quartzite-but-not-granite-marble-and-slate

USTR Proposes 25% Tariff on Most Brazilian Goods, Sparing Quartzite but Not Granite, Marble and Slate Brazilian granite, marble and slate could face an additional 25% tariff under a proposed Section 301 action announced by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, though quartzite would be exempt under the current proposal.