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The International Stone Institute (ISI) has been established to help fill a much-needed void for those companies and individuals who design, install, fabricate, restore and/or maintain dimensional stone and other stone products for the construction industry.
The announcement was made today by Fred Hueston, head of the National Training Center (NTC) for Stone and Masonry Trades, Asheville, North Carolina, in a letter to members of the dimensional stone, quartz surfaces and engineered stone industry.
ISI contracted with Hueston and the NTC to manage the new association. Mr. Hueston will act as the Executive Director of ISI. NTC is the only training center for dimensional and engineered stone in the U.S. and is well respected in the industry.
"I am very excited about this new association and my position as the Executive Director," said Hueston. "ISI is solely focused on advancing the industry and helping promote the use of stone, engineered stone and fill a void in the industry."
"That void is education, practical standards, useful information and technical help in dealing with issues and problems confronting our industry,"explained Hueston, who is also a syndicated columnist and home repair expert.
"There are 50,000 or more businesses in the U.S. alone involved in the stone, tile and engineered stone industry, yet there is no single organization that meets the needs of these businesses and the entire stone industry," he said.
"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. 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, added Hueston.
The benefits being offered include some that are new to the industry, including a Worker Exchange Program, Worker Certification and Customer Leads.
The Worker Exchange Program, for example, will make skilled labor available to members on a loan basis from other cooperating members.
The Certification Program is available through the IICRC Hard Surface Inspection Committee, of which ISI affiliate NTC is a member. ISI also offers its own certification program with certifications in Stone Fabrication, Interior Stone Restoration and Preservation, and Stone Inspector.
Other benefits include:
Discounts on publications. NTC publishes and handles the largest selection of publications and videos on stone and tile design, installation, fabrications, restoration and maintenance in the industry.
Seminar programs. ISI through NTC will offer more seminars and training programs than any other association in the industry, and at a discount to members. NTC is the only industry organization with a complete training facility that has over $500,000 in equipment for training from the basics to CNC technology.
Unlimited access to the ISI on-line library, one of the most complete in the Stone Industry. Currently over 40 technical papers are available, ranging from stone fabrication and restoration to OSHA reports.
Consulting services available at a discount.
Internet listing on the ISI interactive web site for rapid location by potential customers. The web site also provides access to over 21,000 archived questions and answers in its forum.
Insurance packages will be offered, covering everything from liability and health to retirement.
Resource Directory, an annual publication listing all members that is included in many NTC publications.
Membership Certification and Membership Card issued to all ISI members.
Monthly email updates and technical tips from ISI.
ISI seal of approval awarded to member companies whose products meet ISI's strict requirements. Interested companies should contact ISI for submission information.
OSHA compliance assistance will also be provided to members, as well as help in preparing for OSHA inspections.
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