General Articles for Stone Industry
Shipping costs in stone industry
Shipping costs for natural Stone are a significant factor in the industry and are closely monitored by the exporting and importing companies. We publish below the latest, approximate shipping costs for closed 20´DV container for some of the most common origins and destinations.
We hope to update this section frequently.
How to Present Natural Stone the Right Way?
By Geert Legein, Director Febenat (Belgium National Stone Association)
De gustibus et coloribus non disputandum est. A Latin proverb, know by many, and still forming the basis for discussions. Fact is you cannot really discuss colour and taste. Why is this still a subject leading to impossible discussions?
The U.S. market today - an interview
Jeffrey Matthews is a well known professional with 38 years of experience in the natural stone industry. An independent consultant he has managed more than 100 important architectural/construction support programs.
Chopin's heart beat in Warsaw
“This is not Chopin who needs us, we are the ones that need to warm up with the splendor of his fame and genius” – said Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, capital’s president, during the official opening of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw. The building that honors the memory of the great composer is situated in the seventeenth-century Ostrogski Castle at Tamka Street.
The language of yesterday and tomorrow
- YESTERDAY- Buyers at the door.
- TOMORROW- Sellers at the door.
- YESTERDAY- Production Manager.
- TOMORROW-The Sales Person.
- YESTERDAY- 2º quality.
- TOMORROW- different tone.
- YESTERDAY- We have a big factory.
- TOMORROW- We hav
Avoiding non-payments
I have heard complaints from foreign companies for years about the payment issues with North American customers. Credit problems are universal not just for one country. As usual I have always blamed the Italians or the Spanish or Brazilians for selling the way they do.
GRANIDUS: A contribution
The concern about climate change is leading to all kinds of investigations that could help to mitigate to the extent possible, the consequences of this problem.
Is natural stone a luxury product?
Ask any businessman in the stone industry from any country the question "Is stone a luxury product?", and the most likely answer will be an immediate "Of course, yes!" But it would be an automatic reply done without any reflection, almost as if the person was programmed to give this answer. Ask further: "Is natural stone being sold like a luxury product?" Once ag