The 10th Natural Stone Show returns to ExCeL London 30 April-2 May 2013. With more than six months still to go, support for the event from Stone Federation members is on schedule to surpass all previous editions.
Forming the main focal point for the Stone Federation and lying at the heart of the show, the Village is now nearly full – and this is in addition to Federation members exhibiting individually in different areas of the show.
Jane Buxey, Chief Executive of the Stone Federation Great Britain comments:
"The Natural Stone Show is the preferred trade exhibition for Stone Federation Great Britain and its members. It ticks all the right boxes for us, providing the best platform to maintain and raise our profile, attract new members and, just as importantly, to promote major industry initiatives such as CE Marking.
“The Stone Show has also proved to be an invaluable outlet to deliver our Stone in the City seminars to architects and designers. We will once again be planning a full programme of seminars and events for 2013 and look forward to announcing them in January.”
The subtle hues of British limestone, sandstone and slate that have always attracted the discerning architect, interior designer and landscaper, and are eminently environmentally friendly, are well represented by members at the show.
Highlights include:
Bath Stone Group presenting Stoke Ground Bath Stone available as Top Bed and Base Bed. This is a creamy, beige limestone that mellows with age. It is highly durable, as the Roman and Georgian city of Bath can testify. Extensively used throughout the UK and beyond in both new build and restoration projects and regularly specified by the royal household, English Heritage and The National Trust, this award winning stone has graced many prestigious projects, including the 2010 award-winning Portavo House in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Albion Stone have doubled their exhibiting area to showcase a full range of Portland Stone: Roach, Whitbed and Basebed from their mones and quarries. Their materials won a host of accolades at the last Natural Stone Awards, featuring prominently in Cannon Bridge House, London; House of Fraser, Bristol; 20 Gracechurch Street, London; Ashridge Management College, Hertfordshire; The Diana Fountain, Hampton Middlesex; Medieval & Renaissance Galleries at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square London and The Monument, London.
Creeton Quarry will display a range of ‘clear blue’ limestones. The quarry has been designed and is worked to produce three distinctive block beds all available in large volumes – Creeton Banded, Hard White and Silver Bed. Great Tew Farm Partnership, another component of the Johnston Quarry Group, will present the unique brown and blue vein ironstone block available from the historic quarry at Great Tew.
A range of stunning Penrhyn slates from Welsh Slate will also be shown. Non-porous and colour-fast as Heather Blue, Heather Grey and Dark Blue Grey, Welsh slate can be used for cladding, roofing, paving, worktops and landscaping.
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International members Geiger Group and Solnhofen Stone Group will be promoting a range of German limestones and sandstones and will be joining forces to pool their expertise. Among the materials being promoted will be Jura limestone, an excellent cladding material synonymous with a number of award winning projects in the UK over recent years including Plantation Place in the City of London.
Specialist knowledge from the industry’s most respected consultancies will be available from the likes of Sandberg Consulting Engineers, Stewart Design and Harrison Goldman. Whether it’s guidance on the selection and use of stone, design management, expertise on the implementation of European standards and ISO9001 compliant management systems or UKAS accredited laboratory testing, help is at hand.
In the adhesive market, Ardex UK will be exhibiting a range of tile adhesives and grouts which benefit from their ‘Rapidry Formula Technology’ and BASF’s PCI division are promoting their Carra range of tile adhesives, grouts and sealants, as showcased in the Scottish Parliament.
And for the cleaning and sealing of your natural stone, Lithofin will present their highly respected range including MN Stain Stop Eco, a ready to use impregnator, which is water based and nearly odourless, and the newly introduced Lithofin Wash and Clean – an everyday cleaner specifically made for natural stone to support the effectiveness of stone protection products.
LTP are also exhibiting their full range of sealing and maintenance solutions including their new water based impregnating sealer Mattstone H20, and LTP Stonefoam suitable for internal and external use.
Vulcaseal exhibit for the first time promoting among other products Vulcaseal MC133 a biodegradable maintenance cleaner for stone and tile surfaces and Vulcalseal V240 offering protection for polished and crystallised marble and low porosity surfaces.
A full preview of all members participating will be available early next year.
For more information on exhibiting at the Natural Stone Show at ExCeL, London, 30 April -2 May 2013 contact the Stone Show team at:
Tel: +44 (0)115 945 3897
Email: stoneshow@qmj.co.uk