Expands granite slab processing facility in Brazil Cosentino works with the Stone Fabricators Alliance to ensure the safety of granite and to promote the natural stone industry
Cosentino North America, one of the nation's largest commercial interior stone companies, announced today the expansion of their granite slab processing plant in Vitoria, Brazil. The expansion will triple the plant's capacity and increase production to more than 350 containers of slab material per month. The increased capacity should be completed and on line in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to Roberto Contreras, president and chief executive officer of Cosentino North America, the investment demonstrates Cosentino's commitment to the stone industry at a time when questions have been raised regarding the safety of granite use for indoor applications.
"For more than a year, Cosentino has voluntarily tested numerous granite colors in independent scientific laboratories. Our findings have revealed that the majority of granites tested are safe for indoor applications," he said.
Contreras expressed concern regarding the recent media reports citing unsafe conditions resulting from the indoor use of granite countertops. Some of the information and data collected by Cosentino and used in the media reports was provided by BuildClean(TM), a Houston-based, non-profit organization partially funded by Cosentino. The organization, from which Cosentino has since ceased funding and disengaged, was founded to educate consumers and the building industry about safe, healthy and environmentally friendly materials.
"Whereas we agree in principal with their mission, we have decided to direct our resources and collaborate within the industry to call for the appropriate government agency to establish testing standards and protocol," Contreras said.
In addition, Contreras announced that Cosentino is working with the nation's largest alliance of stone fabricators to further industry research and education in a responsible manner that is beneficial to both consumers and the stone industry.
"The Stone Fabricator's Alliance (SFA) is an organization dedicated to the sustainability of the stone industry, improving standards, and educating consumers. We are aligned with the SFA's values and this relationship is a call to action to the rest of the industry," said Contreras.
Ronald Hannah, Stone Fabricator Alliance executive director, added, "SFA members are leaders in the industry. We lead through example, in education, in safety, and ultimately customer satisfaction. Simply put, consumer safety is our number one priority. Our efforts will benefit the consumer, the American fabricator, and help restore trust in the stone industry."
About Cosentino(R)
Cosentino(R), a global natural stone manufacturer, began harvesting precious stones from the finest quarries in Europe close to a century ago. The Spanish company currently distributes material in more than 80 countries. Cosentino North America was established in 1998 to distribute and market Silestone(R) natural quartz surfaces in the US, Canada and Mexico. With 11 manufacturing lines, Cosentino is the largest manufacturer of natural quartz surfaces in the world. The company covers the entire process of producing natural stone products including quarrying, fabricating and installing surfaces, such as kitchen and bathroom countertops, wall cladding and many other applications. The Cosentino North America family of brands includes Silestone natural quartz with built-in Microban(R) protection; SenSa(R) granite with SenGuard(R); Scalea natural stone, including marble, travertine and soapstone; Marlique(TM) Marble; and MURO(TM) pre-meshed tiles made with recycled Silestone.
SOURCE: Cosentino North America.
