New Stone Association

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A new stone trade group is taking shape for 2006.
The International Stone Institute, announced in mid-September, will address needs of stone designers, fabricators, installers, and maintenance/restoration professionals, according to Fred Hueston, executive director of the new group.
Hueston, who also heads up the National Training Center (NTC) for Stone and Masonry Trades in Asheville, also notes that the group is for those working with dimensional and engineered stone.
“We plan to offer a long line of useful benefits that will more than pay for the membership dues, which are being offered at a reasonable cost,” Hueston says. “The most-important benefit is that we will listen to your suggestions and try our best to implement your ideas.”
Members also will be asked to help in establishing good, sound standards and procedures for the industry, he adds.
Planned benefits include a worker-exchange program; certification in stone fabrication, restoration and inspection; publications discount; seminars; consulting; informational resources; and OSHA compliance assistance. Initial annual membership dues are $250.