Oberlin, Ohio—The National Building Granite Quarries Association (NBGQA) has voted to merge with the Natural Stone Institute to further advance industry efforts to support quarry advocacy, sustainability, outreach to architects and designers and continued efforts to promote the use of natural stone.
“This is an opportunity through consolidation to further strengthen the industry and create a uniform voice for natural stone,” said NBGQA board president, Greg Flint (Coldspring). “The NBGQA has had a proud, century-long history, but the time is right to align our resources with the Natural Stone Institute.”
The NBGQA was founded over a century ago with approximately twelve original member granite companies that included most of the major building granite quarriers in the United States at that time. Today, the membership is comprised of five companies: Coldspring, Dakota Granite, New England Stone, North Carolina Granite and Polycor. All are existing Natural Stone Institute members.
Through this merger, the Institute will acquire ownership of the NBGQA granite specification, which is already referenced heavily in the Dimension Stone Design Manual, as well as resources to further advance quarry safety initiatives, sustainability, natural stone promotion and advocacy. NBGQA financial assets will be earmarked to assist with several initiatives being directed by the newly formed North American Quarry Advocacy Group, which is the first of several industry advocacy groups being formed by the Natural Stone Institute.
The NBGQA will remain incorporated for two years as the transition takes shape and work begins on key initiatives through the North American Quarry Advocacy Group.
“We are excited to see this merger occur as it will strengthen the industry’s ability to further advance several key industry initiatives,” said Natural Stone Institute board president, Michael Picco, (Picco Engineering). “We’ve been working alongside the NBGQA and its members for several years, which makes this merger a natural transition. The quarrying sector will benefit from the initiatives underway.”