Husqvarna has changed to a single global brand – Husqvarna Construction Products –as part of a strategy to become the leading company within the construction industry. “In recent years we have strengthened our ¬position through the acquisition of several brands, each of them individually strong. These acquisitions created a fragmented brand position compared to having a single, strong brand with a uniform product range. This is why Partner and Dimas have consolidated to the Husqvarna Construction Products brand and orange colour, establishing a new era in the construction industry. With the support of the new brand we will create growth and through that, a stronger future,” said vice president Lloyd Williams.

'Diamant Boart is our strong, global brand for stone operations within Husqvarna Construction Products, which is a totally separate business with its own customers and sales organisations. It is of vital importance that we retain the brand, Diamant Boart, for this operation' he said.

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) presented the 2006 lifetime achievement award to Bernie Polak of the Denver Marble Company. Bernie started in the stone industry in 1955 as a 20-year-old marble finisher. In 1977, he took over as proprietor of the Denver Mantle and Tile Company, his long time employer, and renamed it the Denver Marble Company. Bernie has worked with architects, designers, and contractors to create some of Denver’s most memorable structures, including the airport, museum, the United Bank Building among others. The company is also renowned for its residential work in the resort areas of Colorado, and high-end residential projects in Wyoming, Montana, and Ohio. The company joined MIA in 1982 and 10 years later, Bernie became its president. Bernie was presented with his award on 10 November 2006. His sons, Mark, Greg, and Scott are now involved in the Denver Marble Company.

Everstone celebrated the move to their new purpose-built, 5000 square metre premises in Sydney with a grand opening party on 9 March. More than 100 employees and invited guests enjoyed light refreshments before touring the new double-storey premises, which comprises head office facilities for more than 30 employees, and a custom-built showroom featuring a full range of products. Everstone Australia has more than 300 specialised dealers nationwide. On an international level, the company has more than 50 selected distributors worldwide. The company’s 50,000 square metre factory in China employs more than 800 people

From humble beginnings as a small company on the outskirts of Milan, to a multinational world leader in products for the building industry, the Mapei Group is 70 years old and still going strong.

According to the company, a number of key elements have allowed the Mapei Group to grow so successfully: specialisation in the building industry; internationalisation with a special eye for local market requirements; research and development of products constantly at the technological cutting-edge; personalised customer service; team work; careful management of human resources; the sustainable development of our operations and careful attention to the installers and final users health.

Mapei is the only company in the world to have designed and developed an analytical classification system for stone material according to the degree of sensitivity to water. Stone material can suffer from a considerable amount of bowing and/or expansion if subjected to humidity or exposure to water rising up from the substrate. Mapei used their own research and development laboratories to carry out this testing and have had their system recognised by the CEN and standardised by the EN 14617-12 code of standards.

CDK Stone have moved into their new premises in Moorebank, NSW. The new building, which incorporates a warehouse, showroom and offices, has been purpose built in a new industrial subdivision just off the M5 motorway. The warehouse is twice the size of their previous facilities in Marrickville and offers improved access for container imports and for clients’ transport. Loading and unloading times should also be considerably quicker as a result.

The well-lit warehouse is serviced by dual remote controlled overhead gantry cranes, and will include a display area for the expanded range of slabs of white and coloured marbles, onyxes and limestones.

Attached to the warehouse building is the new showroom which will display the range of tiles that CDK has been steadily building in other branches, but until now have never had the space or facilities to offer to their NSW clients. This significant investment is a strong endorsement of CDK’s faith in the natural stone industry and clearly demonstrates their on-going commitment to their NSW clients.

Stoneworld has moved to a new 3000 square metres premises at 20–24 Riverland Drive in Loganholme, South Brisbane. The new warehouse, which is three times the size of the original premises at Ashmore on the Gold Coast, will give Stoneworld the capability to expand their range, increase stock holding and improve their freight logistics.