Cambria Alleges Patent-Infringement Imports

00:00 Brought to You by Quantra Quartz
00:21 Intro
00:31 Cambria Claims Patent Infringement Imports
02:26 A Word from Quantra 
03:38 TISE 2026 Show Wrap-Up
05:35 Brazil Plans Bold Presence at KBIS
07:39 C.Next Draws 500+ for Cosentino
09:37 Fabricator's Choice Celebrates 25th
11:11 NSI, NSF Select 2026 Leadership
12:42 Outro
13:11 Brought to You by Quantra Quartz

Radio Stone Update is presented on the second and fourth Wednesdays every month at 9 a.m. everywhere on Earth with the latest news and insights in hard surfaces. Check our archives at www.radiostoneupdate.com.

Transcript

00:21

Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.

00:31

The Washington-based United States International Trade Commission – the USITC – is becoming very well acquainted with the U.S. quartz-surface market. The latest: nine U.S. quartz surface manufacturers and distributors are being investigated in a patent-infringement filing.

The complaint, filed by LeSueur, Minn.-based Cambria Company LLC, would result in an import ban on certain products using manufacturing techniques Cambria patented between 2014 and 2016.

The complaint was first filed in December, then amended in January. The USITC made the filing – known as a Section 337 complaint – public on Jan. 23 and ordered an investigation.

The companies named in the complaint are: Architectural Surfaces Group; Arizona Tile; Caesarstone; Dal-Tile; Mohawk Surfaces; LX Hausys; M S International; OHM International Inc., and; Surface Warehouse dba U.S. Surfaces and Vadara.

The filing alleges that the companies infringed on five Cambria patents involving the use of molds to create different areas of veining composition on quartz surfaces. The patents, which date from the 2010s, involve slabs made with quartz or “other particulate material.”

The complaint asks for a general exclusion order for surfaces found to be infringing on Cambria patents.

The USITC will assign the complaint to one of its administrative law judges and will set a time for inquiries by March 8. Besides a general exclusion order, the agency could also order limited exclusions or cease-and-desist orders.

Any action by the USITC becomes effective immediately and will be final within 60 days unless there’s disapproval by the U.S. Trade Representative.

03:38

Informa Markets, the producers of The International Surface Event (TISE) reports that this year’s show, which ran in Las Vegas the last week in January, featured an impressive lineup of top brands unveiling cutting-edge products and materials, as well as industry education.

This year’s event divided the show floor into distinct neighborhoods, including Stone + Tile and Surfaces, providing focused spaces for exploring technology, materials and solutions specific to those sectors.

It also addressed market opportunities including projected growth stemming from increased spending on infrastructure refurbishment and ongoing demand for durable, sustainable and low-maintenance products.

Pavilions and specialty areas included TISE LIVE Theatre and TISE LIVE Demo Stage; Natural Stone Theatre, produced by the Natural Stone Institute; The Cage, presented by the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance, and; The Learning Lab, organized by the International Surface Fabricators Association.

As a way to put the spotlight on emerging exhibitors, the Start-Up Station provided a platform for new companies to showcase their products and technologies while offering a glimpse into the next generation of innovation.

Additionally, Show Floor Tours focused on key themes such as stone & wine, color trends, tools, Made in the USA products and kitchen and bath innovations. Top trends included eco-friendly materials, waterproof and pet-friendly surfaces, wall tiles, polishing tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) software for installation.

The 2027 version of TISE will be held next Feb. 1-4, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. To stay up to date with show news and announcements, go to www.intlsurfaceevent.com.

05:35

When the doors open next week at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show – KBIS – in Orlando, Florida, the Brazilian natural stone industry will have a solid presence at the Orange County Convention Center.

Working on strengthening the presence of Brazilian natural stone in the U.S. kitchen and bath sector, for the third year in a row, the It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone initiative will aim to connect with architects and designers as part of the project developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).

Consistently present in the U.S. market, Brazil is currently the leading supplier of natural stone to the United States, with 21.7% of the market share. Brazilian stones are noted for their durability, unique aesthetics and diversity of colors and patterns.

Centrorochas officials note that their country complements the U.S. domestic industry, rather than competing with it. Domestic production is mainly geared toward flooring, facades and public projects, while Brazil supplies products used widely in kitchen and bathroom countertops and high-end wall coverings.

“These materials are transformed, finished and installed within the United States itself, strengthening the local supply chain and providing the USA with jobs, income and value-added,” says Fabio Cruz, Centrorochas vice president.

The Brazilian initiative is embodied in Lounge Brazil, conceived as a space for professional development and relationships. During the event, the space will also host workshops and technical talks that will be led by industry experts and provide CEU credits.

The Lounge will officially open at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 and workshops will focus on the versatility and geodiversity of Brazilian natural stone, specifying Brazilian stone and the power of quartzite. For more information and a full schedule, go to www.braziliannaturalstone.com.

07:39

With cold and snow gripping a large part of the United States, more than 535 attendees from 220 of North America’s manufacturing, fabrication, installation and processing companies, as well as key industry organizations, had the opportunity to warm up in Riviera Maya, Mexico, as Cosentino kicked off the year with its 27th annual C.Next Fabricators & Installers Summit. 

Heading this year’s programming were remarks and innovation-focused presentations from Cosentino leadership, led by Pilar Cosentino, CEO of Cosentino Group, as well as Patty Dominguez, vice president of business development for Cosentino North America, and Eduardo Cosentino, executive vice president of Cosentino Group and CEO of Cosentino Americas.
 
 Eduardo Cosentino said the event reflects his company’s commitment to bringing the industry together in unique ways to exchange ideas and drive innovation while shaping what’s next alongside the partners who play a critical role in its success.
 
 Among those leading the panels and educational sessions were association leaders Jim Hieb, CEO of the Natural Stone Institute (NSI), and Ivana Molzen, chief marketing and digital officer of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, producers of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, KBIS.
 
 Industry leaders included Joan Schatz, CEO of Park Industries, and Egon Hinss, national sales manager for Breton USA.
 
 Additional presentations highlighted Cosentino’s continued investment in product development and technology while showcasing several new product offerings. Making its debut was the company’s newest brand and collection, Eclectic Veins by ECLOS.
 
 The C.Next Fabricators & Installers Summit was followed a week later by the fifth edition of C.Next Designers, an event bringing together top and emerging design talent from across North America, held in Cancun, Mexico.
 
 09:37

Fabricator’s Choice, one of North America’s leaders in digital integration for stone manufacturing, welcomed surface manufacturers to its Cottage Grove, Minn. headquarters from across the country last fall to celebrate its 25th business anniversary.

The “FabChoice EXPERIENCE” lived up to its name, providing guests with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the advanced tools and systems designed for profit-driven fabricators. Company President Tom Harms reflected on the journey since their year-2000 start-up, noting that many successful ventures begin modestly.

“We’re not that big, but we’ve come a long way from renting space in the back of a warehouse to operating in our 50,000-plus-square-foot facility,” Harms said.

Running daily with the most technologically sophisticated equipment in the industry, Fabricator’s Choice represents Burkhardt-Löffler North America through its partnership with the European manufacturer. Burkhardt-Löffler executives attended the event and met directly with guests.

Visitors attending the two-day event had the opportunity to join one of two day-long comprehensive plant tours featuring a complete job in production. Event sponsors showcased new software innovations spanning precise PhotoTop field templating, manufacturing flow control, profitability management, and growth-planning technologies.

In between the day tours, guests gathered for an evening dinner at FabChoice, enjoying music, conversation, and the chance to share strategies for succeeding in today’s evolving marketplace.

11:11

And, a new year means new leadership for both the Natural Stone Institute and the Natural Stone Foundation. Both organizations announced their 2026 boards of directors and leadership transitions as part of The International Stone Expo (TISE) held in Las Vegas late last month.

Jeff Erickson is the new president of the board of directors of NSI. Erickson succeeds Evan Cohen and will focus on NSI’s strategic priorities in industry education, technical standards and silica safety advocacy during his one-year term.

Newly elected members of the board are Martha Roberson, of Villa Rica, Ga.-based Granite Group International, and Peter Prvulovic of Mendon, Vt.-based Vermont Quarries Corp.

Joining Erickson on the executive committee are Blake Christensen, vice president and president-elect; Evan Cohen, immediate past president; Sam Arcot, treasurer, and; Filippo Emanuel, secretary.

The Natural Stone Foundation supports scholarship programs, sustainability initiatives and educational outreach that invest in the next generation of stone professionals. Jon Zanger will serve as president and treasurer for NSF for the coming year. Brie Pfannenbecker is the immediate past president.

Nick Dorsey serves as director of fundraising and development for the NSF, while Jeff Erickson acts as a liaison between the two boards. Jim Hieb, CAE and the executive director of NSI, is an ex-officio member of both boards.

12:42

Remember, the latest issue of Hard Surface Report will be out later this week. For a transcript of today’s broadcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com. I’m K. Schipper for Radio Stone Update and we’ll see you here again soon.