Masonry Magazine December 2007 Page. 16

Words: Mark Fernandes
Masonry Magazine December 2007 Page. 16

Masonry Magazine December 2007 Page. 16
NATURAL STONE COUNCIL: MORTAR INDUS
By Mark Fernandes

Images Courtesy of Natural Stone Council

The NATURAL STONE COUNCIL (NSC) HAS AN IMPORTANT MISSION: TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF, PREFERENCE FOR, AND CONSUMPTION OF GENUINE STONET™. OUR MISSION STATEMENT BEGINS WITH THE WORDS "BY WORKING TOGETHER..."

For us, that doesn't just mean working with people in the natural stone industry. It also means reaching out and partnering with allies like architects, designers and those, like you, who work with other materials in addition to stone.

The NSC was formed in 2003 in an attempt to unify the natural stone industry, which has historically been fragmented and disjointed. We wanted to create a consolidated voice under one umbrella. As such, the NSC board members represent varied industry associations:
* Allied Stone Industries
* Building Stone Institute
* Elberton Granite Association
* Indiana Limestone Association
* Marble Institute of America
* National Building Granite Quarriers Association
* Natural Stone Alliance.

Last year, the NSC created a progressive and aggressive three-year plan. The primary tenets are to develop a strong brand, position stone as a preferred material in green building, and establish sustainable, long-term funding for the NSC. As we close in on the end of the first year, I want to share with you our success and ask for your support going forward.

14 Masonry December 2007 www.masoncentractors.org The Voice of the Masonry Industry


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