StoneDimensions

WASHINGTON, April 17 - Single-family housing production held virtually unchanged in March as a double-digit decline in the more volatile multifamily sector brought combined nationwide starts activity down 5.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 654,000 units, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today.

"While more consumers appear to be seriously considering a new-home purchase, builders remain very cautious about starting new projects until they see more actual sales materializing," said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "At the same time, in places where buyers are ready to go forward with a purchase, access to credit for both builders and buyers and difficulties in obtaining accurate appraisals are persistent challenges that continue to slow that process considerably."

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CLEVELAND, OH, April 11, 2012 — MS International (MSI), one of the industry's largest stone distribution companies, is making it possible for the Marble Institute of America to produce a major new documentary that memorializes the global historic relationship between mankind and natural stone. Funding for the documentary will be provided by MSI.

The 35-40 minute documentary will be based on a creative concept by Mr. Manu Shah, founder of MSI of Orange, California. The documentary will trace the evolution of man and stone from prehistoric times to today's thriving use of natural stone as one of the premier decorative building materials used in commercial buildings and homes around the world.

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he list of housing markets showing measurable improvement expanded slightly to include 101 metropolitan areas in April, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. Thirty-five states (including the District of Columbia) are now represented by at least one market on the list.

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This 2 day training program is designed to expose stone professionals to facets of the industry only available in a fast-track boot camp environment. Attendees will be exposed to technical presentations, quarry tours, production facilities, tooling and equipment suppliers, slab distribution, sustainability, care & maintenance, and much more. A great blend of classroom instruction and facility tours!

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On May 3rd the Marble Institute & Stone World magazine will be bringing another 1-day seminar to Denver. The "Rocky Mountain Stone Summit" will be the third event held in Denver during the past three years and promises to be a huge success. This event will include a 90-minute fabricator's forum (3 local fabricators fielding questions from the audience)....if you have been to StonExpo or Coverings you know how valuable these forums can be. Several suppliers will be on hand: Park Industries, Granquartz, Laser Products, CMS Brembana, Moraware, Prodim USA, Schechner Lifson Corporation, and Blanco. Tony Malisani will be the featured speaker/facilitator for this fabricator-focused event. This event will have something for fabrication shops of all sizes (small, medium, & large).

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