MIA Strengthens Spanish Industry Ties

MACAEL, Spain – The Marble Institute of America received a high honor from – and increased cooperative efforts with — a Spanish industry group last month.

The Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía (AEMA) presented its Institution Award to the MIA at the 28th edition of the Macael Awards on Nov. 21 in Maceal.

Click photo to enlarge“It is my honor and great privilege to receive this award on behalf of the members of the MIA,” said MIA President Tony Malisani in his acceptance speech. “The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has 1,700 members that are located in 56 counties around the world. It is our belief that one way to strengthen the stone industry in the United States is to strengthen our ties with international natural-stone community.”

During the event, AEMA President Antonio Martinez noted that a strong global stone market demands that collaboration occur between stone associations. He acknowledged that the MIA’s standing in the natural stone industry for developing technical standards, safety initiatives, current development of an international import/export handbook, and innovation were factors that caused the AEMA to recognize the MIA.

The event drew 500 attendees from several countries and was an impressive presentation and recognition of outstanding stonework. Malisani noted that, “with over 10% of the MIA membership residing outside of North America, it is rewarding for the MIA to be recognized for outstanding programs that benefit the entire global stone industry.”

“The marble industry here is one of the oldest, and is also one of the most innovative,” Malisani added. “Certainly there is much we can learn.”

AEMA’s first vice president (and MIA member) Eduardo Cosentino hosted the MIA delegation that included Malisani, Secretary David Castellucci and Executive Vice President Jim Hieb. The MIA also had the opportunity to meet with AEMA officials to present several key industry initiatives including the newly adopted ANSI approved sustainability standard championed by the Natural Stone Council (NSC).

In the upcoming months, the MIA and AEMA will also be collaborating on a translation of the MIA’s Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM) into Spanish to further expand the use and understanding of technical standards.

 MIA’s Castellucci added, “We also had a very good conversation about safety, quality standards, and education for architects, as well as stone professionals,” Castellucci said. “It was also great to tour their technology center (Fundación Centro Tecnológico Andaluz de la Piedra) and discuss advances in stone testing and other technology.”

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