Marmomacc, the Italian stone show in Verona, Italy, that has signed a collaborative agreement with the Natural Stone Show at ExCeL London next year, opens for the 45th time at the end of this month (it runs 29 September-2 October) with optimism about the industry worldwide in spite of the economic downturn.

Quoting a report prepared by Banco Popolare Study Centre into the Italian and international stone industry, the Italians say that on a world scale the stone industry has suffered less than other trade sectors after a period of sustained growth that has seen production quadruple in the past 20 years (a growth pattern that has been reflected in the demand for natural stone in the UK over a similar period).

Italy has seen its position as the world’s largest producer of stone gradually eroded and overtaken by China, India and Turkey, in volume terms, but the stone industry in Italy still employs 60,000 people in 11,000 companies that generate annual sales of S3billion.

The rise of the importance of the new producers has been reflected in a change in the exhibitors and visitors at Marmomacc, which has enabled it to retain its importance as a meeting place for the world’s stone industry.

The exhibition last year welcomed more than 1,500 exhibitors, 49% of them international from 54 countries. There were 53,000 trade and professional visitors from 130 countries during the four days of the event. This year’s event is expected to be of no less significance.