Members of the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) are planning to work even more closely with showrooms, suppliers and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in the year ahead as the Federation moves into the next stage of maturity.

Members and sponsors attended the WFF’s Annual General Meeting at the Hard Surfaces exhibition on 7 June. The formalities included the re-election of two founding directors – Mark Mills (Stone System of London) and Andy Phillips (Affordable Granite) – and a heartfelt vote of thanks to a third: Simon Souter of LBS Stone, who stepped down from the board at the AGM for health reasons.

A lively question-and-answer session immediately after the AGM saw members reflect on a year in which membership has grown, positive engagement with the Health & Safety Executive has reached new highs and fit-for-purpose training and accreditation for fitting teams has taken some major steps towards reality.  

In the course of an hour of around-the-table discussion, members agreed on the value of sharing one anothers’ experiences of HSE inspections: the industry has seen renewed activity in the last six months as the HSE has focused especially on respirable dust issues and machine guarding. 

Different inspectors inevitably have slightly different priorities, and Members felt pooling experiences would bring benefits both to the fabricator community and to the HSE itself by helping benchmark what is and is not seen as acceptable in different inspections.

There was broad agreement in principle on the value of a fabricator code of practice. Though the detailed discussions suggested this might need to be in three parts:

• What is ‘good practice’ for relationships with Health & Safety inspectors,
• What is ‘good practice’ for relationships with kitchen showrooms,
• What is ‘good practice’ for relationships with suppliers.

The WFF website is being developed as more of a ‘go to’ resource, with plans to host all suppliers’ design and installation manuals in one place.

It also also intends to draw best practice from the WFF’s member discussions into permanent on-line forum resources, where members can access expertise and lessons learned without needing to scroll through endless overlapping conversations.

The other big trend under discussion was the increased blurring of the distinction between bespoke machine-cut interior surfaces and large-format ceramic tiles.

Several members already supply clients with elements intended for decorative interior walling, and it was agreed some work needs to be done to ensure whoever installs the material is fully aware of the different technical considerations needed.

Congratulations to the 10 Emerging Talents of the stone industry judged to be most likely to be leading lights in the years ahead.

They were chosen from a shortlist of 20 determined before the Natural Stone Show at ExCeL London 6-8 June. You can see the shortlist here. 

The 10 winners were announced during Industry Day at the Show, which was 7 June, although the judges conceded that everyone shortlisted was a strong contender to be considered an Emerging Talent and it was only the rules of the competition that required just 10 to be chosen.

Eric Bignell, the Editor of Natural Stone Specialist magazine, who congratulated each of the winners as they received their prizes, said he fully expected to hear more from all 20 of them in the years ahead.

The 10 winners are (in alphabetical order of surname):

Jeremiah Clark
Technical Manager - Stonegate Precision Tooling   

Nominated by Carl Hazell, Director
Jeremiah started with Stonegate fresh out of college in 2012 as sales support for the external account management team. His progression and development from that point was rapid, thanks in no small part to his dedication to improvement and his thirst for knowledge. His role was integral in providing vital backup for the team in a period of rapid growth for Stonegate. In 2018, Jeremiah became an account manager himself and put in the miles and hours to make sure the needs of his customers were always paramount. Part of this support was understanding the challenges stone fabricators faced, so he could help them find solutions which delivered the best work surface for the end user. With a combination of self-learning, guidance and support from specialists already at Stonegate, Jeremiah grew to become ‘the’ technical knowledge point of contact at Stonegate. In 2020 Jeremiah was made Stonegate’s Technical Manager. He has been instrumental in introducing new ranges and has helped orchestrate the Stonegate Innovation & Training Academy that was launched in May this year. Now Jeremiah, still in his 20s, is working on a new factory audit scheme to improve the workflow and maximise profit for stone fabricators.

Becca Cranfield
Director - Athena Stonecare

Nominated by Dave Cranfield, Managing Director
As Co-Director of Athena Stonecare, Becca is the driving force behind the expansion of the Company. Joining her husband and then the only employee of Athena Stonecare in 2018, she has overseen the growth of the Company to become a four-person business with an increase in turnover of 300%. She has achieved this by building partnerships with stone suppliers and implementing a digital marketing strategy, while also transforming the systems and processes internally to support the company development. Recognising a reluctance of some to use natural stone and observing an abundance of misinformation on stone maintenance, she has sought to change the narrative on the use of stone surfaces, creating a name for the company as a leading voice on stone maintenance. She is also helping other women to succeed in the stone industry as co-Chair of Women in Natural Stone.

Jason Kennedy
Director - Stone Cladding Systems

Nominated by Iain Kennedy, Consultant
Jason was working at Realstone in 2016 when the company went into administration. He started his own stone rainscreen company, Stone Cladding Systems (SCS), and completed Realstone’s outstanding projects. He designed his own cladding system, Aztec, and for a short period, while his new business was becoming established, took on several part-time and ad hoc jobs to survive. The first project SCS secured on its own involved building a 6m2 test panel at Vinci for CWCT testing. He drove a van to Spain to collect a sample panel and returned the next day to Scotland in time for it to be erected for the planners. Through Covid, his hands-on approach continued to reap rewards, with repeat business growing. He believes he produced the first ever Bath Basebed stone rainscreen in Bath. SCS was approached by Hilti last year and now has an OEM partnership with the ventilated façades frame manufacture. Jason now has a thriving company offering cladding in more than 25 stone types, many of them from UK quarries. He expects SCS to break through the £1million turnover barrier this year.

Arturs Legzdins
Senior Project Manager & Associate Director - Restore London  

Nominated by John Rushworth, Managing Director
Having gained a Degree in Conservation at Riga Building College in Latvia in 2013, Arturs moved to the UK to expand his practical conservation knowledge. As English is not his first language, he has worked doubly hard, rising rapidly through the ranks of the business, gaining praise, admiration and respect from professional teams. Arturs started as a labour-only sub-contractor for Restore London in 2015. His talent and professionalism quickly became evident and he was promoted to Site Management, Project Management and now to Associate Director. Projects which have benefited from Arturs’ input include The Drapers’ Hall, The Royal Academy and, most recently, the hugely significant refurbishment, restoration and cleaning works of the Grade I listed National Portrait Gallery. Last year Arturs was part of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Heritage Delegation to Malta that was researching conservation in the context of climate change. A team player who takes individual responsibility when needed, Arturs has sought ever greater responsibility and thrives on challenges.

Luke Maher
Stonemason - Historic Environment Scotland

Nominated by Callum Plews, Training Manager at Historic Environment Scotland
Luke is a fully qualified stonemason who has continued to demonstrate his personal and professional development by committing to Historic Environment Scotland’s Emerging Leaders Programme, which aims to develop the leaders of the future. He has proven himself to be a highly accomplished craftsperson by gaining a Gold Medal in the SkillBuild UK national finals last year. It was the second time Luke had qualified for the finals, having previously competed in Birmingham in 2019, the same year he was awarded Apprentice of the Year by staff at the HES Skills Training Centre, Stirling. Luke faced the significant challenge of completing his Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship (with Advanced Craft) during the Covid pandemic, when almost all site work was halted. However, due to the scope and quality of works carried out at sites such as St Andrews Cathedral, Dunkeld Cathedral and Doune Castle, he successfully completed the evidence requirements of the qualification.

Stevie Murphy
Apprentice - Planet Granite UK / Planet Sculpture   

Nominated by Steve Murphy, Managing Director
Stevie was heavily involved in planning the installation of four robots at Planet Granite’s facility near Coventry when he was 15 and still at School. Now, two years on, he has just turned 17 and is on an apprenticeship scheme at Planet Granite, where he has already, through his own initiative and largely single handedly, learnt all of the software for 3D CAD, scanning , machining, simulation software and G-code, understanding all the intricacies of the robot systems through sheer determination and with little help other than Google and YouTube. He has thrown himself into the whole project and is now running it so he can pass his knowledge on to the rest of the team. He can crate 3D high-definition scans or replicate by 3D CAD virtually any object, including sculptures, on the robots. These are the skills of the next generation in the stone industry.

Ellie Parker
Sales Manager - Stoneworld Oxfordshire

Nominated by Robert Shoebridge, Marketing Manager
Having grown up around her father Rob’s natural stone business, Ellie had hands on experience of the stone trade from a young age. She eventually headed up the sales arm of the business and developed long and fruitful relationships with swimming pool builders, designers, trades and end customers, thanks to her extensive knowledge of stone, fabrication, and sourcing. Ellie consistently seeks to increase her own knowledge and disseminate her expertise through CPDs, advisory consultations and open days for trades. Whether Stoneworld is working with a new stone or a design brief that requires devising a new manufacturing construction, Ellie will head her team at Stoneworld to ensure that innovative solutions are identified. Her commitment was recognised last year when she was presented with a ‘30 Under 30’ ProLandscaper Award. Ellie is a member of Women in Natural Stone, promoting more women to join and actively participate in the stone industry. Aged 25, her commitment to self-improvement through books and attending leadership courses is commendable.

Steve Poole
Design Technician - Szerelmey  

Nominated by Mark Walden, Principal Designer
Steve joined Szerelmey in 2019 as a Design Technician, having come from a background on the tools. He studied NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Banker Masonry at Bath College and achieved his Diploma Level 2 and 3 in Stonemasonry and Construction. Before joining Szerelmey, Steve gained considerable experience working as a banker mason, eventually moving into the production office and taking on a managerial role. From there he moved to the drawing office, gaining experience as a technical draftsman, and moved to Szerelmey as a Design Technician. High profile projects he has worked on with Szerelmey include One Bishopsgate Plaza, Lucent, Natural History Museum and National Gallery. Steve’s hands-on knowledge of stone is invaluable, giving him a depth of understanding of the material that is so important. Lately Steve won the prestigious Master Journeyman Craftsman Certificate Award, having been nominated for it by The Worshipful Company of Masons. It was presented to him by the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Nicholas Lyons.

Kirsty Smart
Sawyer - Rockford

Nominated by Joanna Davila, Director
Kirsty joined Rockford as a temporary worker in the warehouse. She had no background in the stone industry but showed interest in the factory and machinery and began helping on the saw. Within weeks she had mastered the use of the GMM CNC bridge saw and became the main sawyer, showing great dedication and commitment to her role. She has to be reminded to take her annual leave and is a perfectionist with attention to detail that has helped our company solidify its reputation for high quality work. Her training continues so that she can also work the CNC workstation. Apart from being a female in a male driven industry, Kirsty has always shown exceptional enthusiasm for her work.

Jasper Zambelis
Sales & Marketing Executive - D Zambelis

Nominated by Rebecca Smith, Sales Manager
From the age of eight Jasper knew he wanted to work in the family business of D Zambelis. At the age of 21, while studying at university, he managed the project to design and build the company stand at the Natural Stone Show 2019 and still went on to achieve a first with honours. Six months after leaving university, the Covid pandemic started and Jasper, never shying from a challenge, helped create and manage strong marketing campaigns to maintain contact with customers and keep tooling and machinery sales flowing steadily. He designed the colour-coded rebranding of the D Zambelis saw blades to make it easier for customers to choose the blade they need. He has developed the website, online store and mailing campaigns, based on customer feedback and market trends. At the age of 25, Jasper is hardworking, passionate and dedicated.

The Building Limes Forum is holding a ‘lime slam’ in Lancaster on Saturday 1 July covering the use of lime rendering and harling to protect the fabric of buildings.

The event is taking place at the Meeting House of the Quakers in Meeting House Lane, Lancaster LA1 1TX, where UK Restoration Services are currently carrying out works to the building that include removing the cement render and replacing it with lime harling. The company is also carrying out some structural works.

Phil Braithwaite, Director of UK Restoration Services, and company operatives will give attendees an overview of the works and information on the mortar being used. There will be live demonstrations on the mixing and application of the mortars and an opportunity for attendees to have a go themselves.

After lunch, which is provided, there will be presentations by the people involved in the Lancaster Meeting House building project, including Phil Braithwaite, David Wiggins of conservation engineers Clach Conservation, and an architect from Buttress Architecture.

If anyone else attending would like to give a presentation, or if anyone would like to help cover the costs of the event by sponsoring it, they are invited to get in touch with marketing@restoration-services.uk.com.

The Lime Slam starts at 9am and goes on until 4pm. Tickets cost £38.62 (some bursary places are also available). Book online by clicking here.

Please note: PPE will be required for the site tour and practical demonstrations and those attending are encouraged to bring their own hard hats, hi-vis vests and suitable protective footwear as PPE available on the day will be limited. Wear suitable clothing because you might get dirty during the practical demonstrations.

The first day of the Natural Stone Show was Architects Day, when some of the architects whose projects had won categories of the latest Natural Stone Awards presented their projects during a seminar session.

The Natural Stone Awards were presented in London by Stone Federation Great Britain in December. It was stated at the presentation lunch that an ‘Industry Choice’ category would be opened for the industry to choose their favourite from among the category winners. The Industry Choice winner would be announced at the Natural Stone Show at ExCeL London on Architects Day (6 June).

Following the presentations by the category winners, the Industry Choice winner was announced. It was Eric Parry Architects’ Phase IV of Chelsea Barracks.

Robert Kennett, a Director of Eric Parry Architects, had given a presentation about the project and received the Industry Choice Award from Stone Federation President Chris Kelsey (see picture above).

The Stone Awards recognise the contribution of all those involved in the stone element of projects, and Robert Kennett received the Industry Choice Award of behalf of that team:

• Client: Qatari Diar Europe
• Architect: Eric Parry Architects
• Main Contractor: Multiplex
• Principal Stone Contractor: Szerelmey
• Stone Supplier (1 & 2): LSI Stone
• Stone Supplier (3): Grupimar
• Stone Used (1): Gascoigne Blue
• Stone Used (2): Cabeca Veada
• Stone Used (3): Gris Cadalso

The project was the Award winner in the New Build Modern Style Stone Cladding category of the Stone Awards.

To see details of this and all the projects honoured in the Natural Stone Awards, you can download the souvenir brochure at the end of the report from the Awards here.

Will Torrent, pastry chef and chocolatier extraordinaire, will be at the Natural Stone Show on Stone Italiana's stand (I 26) for a tasty piece of culinary theatre in a demonstration to spell out the importance of fully certified quartz and composite slabs.

Will specified Stone Italiana for his own home and working kitchens a few years ago, impressed by the food safety and low VOC aspects of Stone Italiana quartz, especially as he tempers his chocolate directly on his worktops. His instagram feed is packed with images of delicious food photographed on his Stone Italiana worktops. 

Stone Italiana is sold in the UK by Italian Luxury Surfaces based in Langley, Berkshire.

Will Torrent is a best-selling author and one of the leading pastry and chocolate experts in the UK, with an award-winning patisserie background. At the Stone Show he is demonstrating why the right worksurface is critical to successful patisserie, chocolate making and food safety.

You can see Will create delicious treats live on the Stone Italiana stand in demonstrations from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 3:30pm each day (6-8 June) and find out why the composition of quartz and composite slabs is so important for professional specifiers, fabricators and end-users who want to provide the best for chefs.

Stone Italiana will also be showing its new Venantis Cosmolite collection at the show for the first time in the UK.

This is a a delicately veined addition to Stone Italiana's recycled Cosmolite range, created for use as kitchen worktops, doors, countertops and cladding surfaces.

The new Venantis collection includes six veined colourways, from a soft white to deep black, via a warm beige and an innovative green.

The six colourways are (left to right):  Beige Igea, Black Juno, Green Artemis...

...and Grey Argo, Grey Titano and White Teti

Since 2020, Stone Italiana has focused on Cosmolite, which is made from inert recycled minerals other than quartz. Part of the polymeric binder originates from renewable vegetable sources obtained from non-genetically modified (non-GM) and identity-preserved (IP) plants.

Stone Italiana focuses on increasing the levels of recycled materials across all its products, creating materials that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and safe for food preparation. The company is also working to reduce its overall carbon footprint through the installation of photovoltaic cells and grid economisers at its factories.

The Stone Italiana Sustainability Report, environmental product declaration (EPD) and all brochures can be downloaded from: https://italianluxurysurfaces.co.uk/downloads/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_italianluxurysurfacesltd_

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italian-luxury-surfaces

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianLuxurySurfacesLtd

Independent stone consultant Robert Merry is looking forward to the Natural Stone Show and Hard Surfaces exhibitions in London.

It’s great to be returning to the Natural Stone Show and Hard Surfaces at ExCeL London. It’s good to see the diversity of organisations and companies spread across the natural stone and engineered surfaces divisions of our industry. I know mixing natural and man-made products in the same space is not to everyone’s liking, but it’s undeniable that our ever pragmatic wholesalers, fabricators and installers use all these products.

And why not? As is demonstrated by the conferences of both Shows at Excel, there is a lot to learn from each other. The Natural Stone Show conference has an Architects Day, Industry Day and a Conservation Day. The Hard Surfaces conference covers Design, Sustainability, a Fabricators Master Class and a discussion on large format slab installation.

The conferences are split into three chunks each day. I am particularly interested to hear how each section presents its environmental credentials. The Natural Stone conference has seminars ranging from explaining Environmental Product Directives on Tuesday morning to Thursday’s Conservation Day dedicated to Responsible Sourcing, Understanding Stone in relation to climate change and Sustainability. Hard Surfaces has Thursday afternoon dedicated to putting forward the environmental credentials in sessions entitled Environmental Edge and Sustainable Specifications.

The Natural Stone Industry Day on Wednesday sees the Stone Federation focus on its Women in Natural Stone (WINS) group, with a presentation by WINS co-Chair Becca Cranfield; the launch of the Federation’s Stone Academy in a new approach to training, presented by the President, Chris Kelsey; and the presentation of The Emerging Talent Awards, which follows a panel discussion on the challenges facing the next generation of stone industry leaders.

Separation within our industry, I discovered recently, is not new. The Worshipful Company of Masons, one of the  City of London’s Livery Companies, recently published a history of the Company. It is called Crafted in Stone. The Masons’ Company was founded by a Grant of Arms in 1472 and the book is in celebration of the 550th anniversary of that in 2022. It’s a beautifully bound and printed book and as a Liveryman I was lucky enough to receive a copy.

The writer, appropriately enough Dr Ian Stone, begins with one of  the earliest written references to stonemasonry in London. It sees a group of stonemasons appearing before the Mayor, Sheriff and Aldermen in the year 1356 to “account for quarrels and disputes which had broken out in the City between... mason hewers on the one hand and mason layers and setters on the other”.

In brief, hewers cut, shaped and worked the stone (banker masons) while the layers and setters fitted the stone (the installers). The dispute was over wages, with the hewers receiving more than the setters. The argument had broken out on a busy medieval construction site, where the layers and setters had started to work the stone as well as install it, reducing the amount of work available to the hewers. Maybe they were fixing faster than the hewers could produce and rather than stand around they got on with the job. Who knows?

The opposing sides were each represented by six masons. There was stalemate, so the Mayor ordered the 12 to provide “good and due information (as to) how their trade might be best ordered and ruled”. The 12 men came up with acts and articles under eight headings. I am sure this was not the end of the disputes between the two skill sets in the same industry, but it was a start.

I can’t help but reflect on the twin elements of our modern industry, represented at ExCeL by the two exhibitions with their separate conferences, discussing similar and complementary issues.

How much stronger might the industry be if we all joined together? It would certainly be worth exploring. It might even be of benefit to the members who pay the subscriptions that fund the organisations that represent us. Perhaps we could learn a thing or two from the dispute resolution of our 14th century ancestors.

The Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) is holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday 7 June during the Natural Stone Show + Hard Surfaces exhibition taking place 6-8 June at ExCeL London.

WFF has a stand at Hard Surfaces (I 50), where, with all the present headlines about silica dust, it will be emphasising WFF Members’ commitment to good practice and worker safety, with the centrepiece of the stand being the WFF's newly-acquired Trolex silica dust measurement device.

WFF initial trials with the Trolex Air XS have proved encouraging and the organisation is looking forward to discussing with Members and prospective members how they could use the devise in their own production areas. 

WFF is also using the show to encourage interior designers to reference the WFF Guide to Engineered and Natural Stone when specifying interior surfaces. 

After the AGM, members and prospective members are invited to the Hoop & Grapes in Aldgate –  The Hoop and Grapes, 47 Aldgate High Street, EC3N 1AL.

The nearest tube station is Aldgate East on the District line and Hammersmith and City lines. The Pub is a five-minute walk from the underground station.

We hope to have as many of our members as possible and have the opportunity to chat in a  more relaxed environment.

David Coster, Director of Advanced Stone & Masonry Supplies, which sells Stain Proof and Tenax products, talks to Andy Phillips, Managing Director of Affordable Granite and a founding Director of the Worktop Fabricators Federation.

David: Natural Stone, quartz, porcelain / sintered stone?

Andy: In my house I’ve got natural stone. I prefer it all day long. It’s look more interesting; there’s more to it. And I know the energy costs are much better in terms of producing it, so I feel comfortable with it at an eco level.

However, what we are selling at the moment is mainly quartz because that’s what seems to be in demand in the marketplace.

We are starting to see an increase in porcelain and sintered stone and I think they’re going to be the future if the manufacturers can just get the levels and the longevity right on them. We have seen people moving away from quartz into natural stone more recently as well.

Straight off the CNC or hand finished?

Most of our work is straight off the CNC. We do hand finish, but mostly only if it wouldn’t be economical to put it on the CNC – short edges and that kind of thing. Also if we’re doing non-standard profiling.

Have you made any particular investments in the business lately?

I have made a lot of investments this past year. We’ve had an inspection by a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector, so the investment was quite timely. I have invested in a Primus waterjet from Intermac, which has allowed me to take away a load of the hand finishing that we have been doing up to now. I have also invested in wet grinding technology and up-graded our air lines so we can use it properly. It’s been about dust control primarily, and also being able to handle softer marbles that are becoming more popular as well as ceramics.

The Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) has been very involved in dust matters. Did being one of the founder Directors of WFF influence your action on dust control?

I don’t think I would have done it without the WFF. The reason is that I have been speaking to a number of other business owners… We had a meeting at Brachot. There was a big discussion about how people have got their respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust under control and below the legal limits. I realised from this discussion what was actually best. I then spoke to a couple of other fabricators  who had bought waterjets about the machines they had chosen and how they were finding them. I was able to say: OK, four or five other companies have bought this exact same machine and they are saying it is good and does everything they want it to do.

So the WFF has been the lever that made me make the investment and I wass glad I had when we had the visit by the HSE Inspector. They were delighted to see I had proactively been taking action already.

How has it been, forming the WFF?

It’s been interesting. We have brought a new Director in to the WFF recently to strengthen the Board – Jamie Dowdall, the Managing Director of Mayflower Stone in Plymouth. He’s a very welcome addition.

The membership or the organisation is growing steadily now. WE are definitely well known out in the market place. I think everyone has heard of us and more people are now starting to come on board. They are saying: OK. How can I get some benefit out of this. Being a member is not onerous and the communication going on between members is so well valued. We help each other in all sorts of ways. We want members with the right attitude towards sharing information and making the right investments in their companies to bring in best practice.

Will you be visiting the Natural Stone Show and Hard Surfaces at ExCeL London 6-8 June?

Absolutely. The WFF is a sponsoring partner of the Hard Surfaces side. The WFF has bought a Trolex Air XS unit that uses lasers to measure the levels of RCS in the air specifically in real time. The units are quite expensive, so by buying one all our members can benefit from it. We will also be talking about training. And there will be some social events going on for members and prospective members. If any fabricators have been thinking about joining the WFF and would like to come along they would be most welcome. It’s an open door really if you’re a fabricator.

We also have sponsors from the major manufacturers. Well, you know: Tenax sponsors us. But we’re not there to support anyone’s particular product. We’re all about what issues fabricators are facing at the moment and how we can support each other.

So fabricators going to the Stone Show can pop along and see you guys?

Absolutely. We’re on stand I 50. Please come and see us.

Moving on from the WFF, what trends do you expect to see in the market? What do you anticipate a year down the line?

I’m optimistic that we’re going to a decrease in white marbly quartz. It’s been around a long time. It does work in kitchens, so I think it’s always going to be there, but there are so many variations on the theme that, personally, I don’t think they add much. I just hope we are going to see a move towards warmer colours, although you would have to ask the manufacturers what they are planning. I would very much like to see people trying something a bit more interesting – including natural stone.

This time of year we see an increase in the outdoor barbecue market – and it’s great! We are starting to see a lot more natural stone going into these outdoor areas. And we are seeing the advent of ceramics. There’s some great new colours coming from the sintered stone suppliers. Our customers are learning how to construct with them properly so they can use these materials successfully.

I think marble is on the increase as well. There’s been some interesting communications out there from the marble importers and people are starting to notice it.

The main thing I have noticed this year is it’s a lot more hand-to-mouth. We’ve had a lot of enquiries coming in but they are staying on the shelf longer. They are not converting at the same pace as they were. Projects have been delayed because of manpower as well, and the question is: are people going to run out of cash before their project reaches the top of the pile.

Is this a left over from Covid and Brexit?

Yes, I think it is. People have got into the habit of putting things off. It’s just been one thing after another, with the latest being the fall in Sterling, the cost of living crisis and the interest rate hikes. We just haven’t had any good news for a long time. I don’t think it’s politically based, but I certainly notice from my staff’s point of view – and I imagine everyone I speak to is in the same boat – that everyone has had enough. Everyone is really stressed.

The HSE has been talking about workplace stress being of concern and we are seeing it in all of our customers, suppliers and employees. Everyone has had enough and if they don’t have to do something right now they’re not doing it.

Do you think the next year or two are going to be worse, the same or better?

It’s really difficult to say. Margins for a fabricator are wafer thin and the material prices are pushing up and up and up and up.

The margins on porcelain and quartzite seem better, but lower down the market it’s harder on quartz?

Quartz is just becoming a race to the bottom. We all know the quality of quartz is variable, depending on what you’re buying, but many customers are just saying they want the cheapest because they can get something that looks similar for half the price. The margins on marble and porcelain are better, which is why I bought the waterjet.

It’s future-proofing you. Both in terms of manufacturing and health & safety.

Exactly. It meant we were able to cut a very high end job for a customer in Mayfair the other day using a fragile marble that I wouldn’t have touched without the waterjet. Let’s hope specifiers, architects and customers actually start to see the value in this rather than just going for the cheapest option.

It’s the Natural Stone Show, back at ExCeL with Hard Surfaces. And here are five great reasons to make sure these exhibitions are on your calendar:

• To check out the latest innovations
• To meet up with trusted suppliers
• To network with prospective customers
• To listen to great lectures
• To inspire fledgling staff

And without me even trying too hard to stretch matters, the truth is those five reasons are also examples of what it means to continuously develop our (and our businesses') professionalism.

How so? An awareness of new techniques and systems can inform our ability to do our job better.

Understanding our suppliers can enhance both the quality and best use of the resources going into our project.

Networking is where our qualifications and skills meet the market.

Learning from experts helps us grow our skills and showcase our major selling points to the market.

And investing in people is key to keeping the workforce qualified!

So make sure you have a plan when attending the Natural Stone Show and Hard Surfaces. Who among your staff are you going to take with you? Who do you want to meet? And what lectures will you schedule in?

A new cohort for the CITB Specialist Applied-Skills Programmes in Facade Preservation & Stone Fixing has started training.

The latest SAPs, as Specialist Applied Skills Programmes are known, kicked-off in April.

Many thanks to Michelle Turner of Stone Restoration Services, based in Ongar, Essex, for hosting the three days. All the trainees enjoyed hands on experience of working with stone.

The next cohort is planned to start in September, so please give me a shout (details below the picture above) if you would like enrolment details. The programme is fee-neutral for CITB registered firms, so long as the person being enrolled is an employee and has access to in-house mentoring on-site.

The programme includes assessment at NVQ level 2 in either stone fixing or facade preservation.