In the stone worktops trade there are certain annual events that become part of your calendar. Marmomacc in Verona is one; one of the world’s great trade shows it fills multiple halls and open air space, and draws natural stone quarrymen, engineered stone manufacturers, toll and machinery makers and fabricators and other building trades like ourselves. This year, Andy, Naomi and Bruce went along, and we have reports from Naomi (Sales Manager) and Andy (MD.)
Marmomacc 2017: The Stone Worktops Trade Sales Manager’s Viewpoint
It was a really great privilege and opportunity to go to Verona to the Marmomacc Stone Show. I had previously been to the London show but this was on a wholly different scale.
Verona itself was amazing. We stayed in some rooms in the heart of the old town amongst the coloured facades, beautiful balconies and cobbled streets. Unfortunately, time to explore was limited; I could have happily spent days wandering the narrow streets, mentally spending thousands in the exquisite designer boutiques and quirky street markets.
We did get to view the amazing Arena de Verona which is a still functioning venue. It is hard to imagine how they built something on quite that scale, over 2000 years ago. And you can’t go to Verona without a visit to the Romeo and Juliet balcony, and a walk across the river to see the old bridge.
Street from our apartment window
Naomi poses in front of a massive Volvo quarrying machine
The show itself was huge with 12 different halls and four outside areas for complete blocks of stone. The London stone show would only be the equivalent of one or two halls. It is impossible to see everything properly in just a day, but the time we had was extremely productive.
BIG colour! Cambria’s new Skye
For me, looking around the slabs of granite and quartz, I become like a kid in a sweet shop. I love looking at new materials and meeting up with the manufacturers’ representatives.  Most of the Quartz brands that exhibited at the show, including Cambria, Quarella, Quartzforms and Cimstone, had new colours and patterns on display. The marble-look is still growing, with many large-veined stones being seen for the first time. It did confirm my feeling that there is a slight trend in the stone worktops trade back towards patterned black and brown materials.
Ingemar had some interesting caress/satinato finish natural stones. We particularly liked the Antique Brown and Midnight Blue with a textured finish.
Antique Brown from Ingemar
Naomi on the Cambria stand with Bernard, owner of the official UK importer, Granite Granite
The Cambria stand was spectacular with a huge video screen, and displays of some of their most eye-catching stones presented in frames like beautiful works of art. Kelley from Cambria demonstrated their latest iPhone app – Cambria AR – a cutting-edge 3D visualisation app. A table, island or worktop run can be scanned by phone, and then virtually clad in any kind of Cambria material. Images can be turned, walked around, and zoomed right in to close grain level. It is the best worktop visualisation program we have ever seen.  We will be bringing this into our showroom as soon as we can.
Quartzforms had some interesting features on their stand including slot-together tables with support legs made out of quartz, and a wireless phone-charging zone hidden under the worktop. With no visible socket, no cutout in the quartz or trailing wires, you can just place your phone on the spot and see it charge. I want one of these in my kitchen!
Matrix Granite, on the Ingemar stand
We finished off with a quick look at the design hall. Here the boundaries of what can be done with stone are pushed to their absolute limits. Here are stone chandeliers, intricately designed and cut with waterjet cutting tools. Even a stone light bulb!
All in all, a great show and amazing opportunity: Thanks Andy!
Naomi King, Sales Manager
Naomi where she belongs: in a stone cage showing just what current CNC technology can do
Marmomacc 2017: The Stone Worktops Trade Managing Director’s Perspective
A large part of our morning at Marmomacc was taken discussing the benefits of different computer controlled saws with the makers of Terzago’s CUTe and GMM’s Extra 37.  Taking automation to the next level will be an expensive investment and it is essential that at Affordable Granite we plan carefully.  Seeing the machinery in person, and speaking directly to the manufacturers allows us to explore the possibilities of fitting them into the space that we have, and the back-up, training and new functionality that is on offer.
Due to increased demand for Shark Nose edge profile, in part due to the trend for handleless doors, we have invested in a new Ghines Sector Triplespeed Edge Detailing machine. This will free up our Intermac Master Stone CNC processing centre, and make creating this profile a whole lot easier.  The passionate energy of the company’s owner and designers have helped us to select just the right tooling that we need, and made the purchase process a delight.
Marmomacc Verona is all about seeing what is possible. The show encompasses the entire spectrum of the solid stone industry, from mining to design. With the exception of Cosentino and Caesarstone, you can see every significant supplier and manufacturer all in one day (if you have the stamina). It is a chance for me to look seriously our next investments and to make sure we are equipped and informed so as the market develops we can continue to lead the pack in the quality solid stone worktops trade, and at the most affordable prices.
Andy Phillips, MD
Andy and Bruce with Quantra‘s European sales manager at Marmomacc Verona
