Check out the latest issue of ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine

Check out 2019-2020 Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Buyers' Guide issue

ISFA Roundtable
Sponsored by INDEKO and CMS North America, Dec. 4-6
Guadalajara, Mexico.

KBIS 2020
Jan. 21-23
Las Vegas, Nev.

NAHB International Builders Show (IBS)
Jan.21-23
New Orleans, La.

TISE 2020
Nov. 12-14
Tampa, Fla.

ISFA
PO Box 627 Ingomar, PA 15127

Phone
(888) 599-ISFA

Email
info@isfanow.org

BY fabricators and FOR fabricators.  We exist to help ISFA members become more profitable through education, promotion, and networking.  One way we fulfill our mission is through mentorship.  If you are a fabricator that has been in business for at least 2 years (we need at least 2 sales and production seasons to review); have an “open book” attitude; are willing and interested to make changes; and you have a need and an interest to be mentored by a veteran fabricator, our Million Dollar Mentorship program may be right for you.

In response to quartz manufacturer Cambria's petition, similar to the anti-dumping and countevailing duties imposed on Chinese quartz imports, the U.S. Department of Commerce recently issued an affirmative preliminary determination in its countervailing duty investigation of imports of quartz surface products from India and Turkey. However, the fees that will be paid by importers are significantly lower. Commerce found that exporters from those countries received countervailable subsidies ranging from 4.32 percent for India to 3.81 percent for Turkey. In 2018 imports of quartz surface products from Turkey and India were valued at more than $87 million total. Final duty determinations are due in mid Feb., 2020. If affirmed, the ITC will make final injury determinations in early April, 2020.

In related news, after complaints by a coalition of U.S. cabinet suppliers, in October Commerce issued an affirmative preliminary determination of antidumping by Chinese wooden cabinet, vanities and components exporters. The preliminary duties were determined at between 4.49  and 262.18 percent on imports valued last year at $4.4 billion.Commerce is expected to issue a final determination in mid Feb., 2020, with the ITC making final injury determination around the end of March, 2020.

ISFA is proud to announce it will be working with the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) to generate the upcoming AWI/ISFA 0661 – Cast Polymer Fabrications Standard. The AWI Standards Development Team will be working alongside members of ISFA to develop these universal standards. ISFA is the only trade association with published standards for solid surface fabrication and AWI is a widely-accepted global leader in architectural woodwork standards.

AWI is enlisting the help of Subject Expert Review Teams (SERT) to ensure the standards will best meet the architectural woodwork community's needs. Members of ISFA will be also giving direct input on the AWI 1236 – Countertops Standard with regards to the implementation of solid surface. Furthermore, ISFA will be assisting AWI with the development of requirements for solid surface within standards for applications other than countertops.

The SERTs will be responsible for vetting the standards’ content to ensure accuracy and consistency within the documents, as they relate to each team’s area of expertise.

Pa. Veteran Fabricator Steve Stoddard, owner of Advanced Surfaces, will now work for ASST. Advanced Surfaces will continue to operate its solid surface business. This equipment acquisition expands ASST’s product offerings to include hard surfaces, such as quartz, to improve ASST’s ability to best serve its clients.

"We are excited to combine the experience and talent of our teams to pursue quartz surfaces in commercial applications," said Owner Russ Berry. "Steve Stoddard is a consummate craftsman and will be a significant addition to ASST." For more information about the company Click Here.

Hub at The DISH, and sought out a design visionary to develop this wildly imaginative space. TISE 2020 is proud to announce celebrity designer and television host Jennifer Farrell as the face of this exciting new event feature. Jennifer is a familiar face to audiences who have enjoyed her television shows and designs for over a decade. The industry has the chance to now experience surface materials through the wonder and dreamy stylings of Jennifer’s designs.

Attendees at TISE 2020 will be able to dive into four visionary design worlds, or style pods, at The Style Hub at The DISH. The four fully produced spaces are being artfully developed by Jennifer; each style pod exemplifying one of her jaw-dropping design themes. Working in conjunction with a full line-up of incredible surfacing, lighting, furniture and accessories brands, the Style Hub at The DISH will inspire the industry to reimagine the future of surfaces and design.

For more information about TISE or to register for the event Click Here.

In case you missed these informative articles:

• ISFA Fabricator Profile: Carolina Custom Surfaces
• How to Get Your Customer Evangelists to Sell for You

• Adjusting to Labor Shortages

• Marketing Leverage: The Synthesizing of Portfolio Assets

Find many more useful articles in our Online Archive.

Dekton® by Cosentino launched its Chromica Collection, comprised of two deeply saturated hues, Baltic and Feroe. Their dark shades of blue and green with a sleek matte finish exudes drama and sophistication. “Chromica is an exploration in color,” Germani says. “In researching new hues that could be used with both organic and technical materials, the answer was in front of me all along…dark shades of blue and green. "These two analogous colors play well with each other but also play well with a lot of different colors in the color wheel," said Germani. For more information, CLICK HERE.

surfaces offered by more than 100 brands. It provides an even, consistent cure, is easy to apply and achieves aesthetically pleasing seams. It is Greenguard Certified, low VOC and usually ships the same day from strategically-located warehouses around the United States. Color matching charts and more information is available HERE.

IceStone and concrete countertops in general are naturally porous. NEW IceStone however, incorporates a new permanently treated sealing technology that will keep it from having to be regularly sealed. New IceStone has been tested on the numerous staining agents, and according to the company it is now UV protected, has superior stain resistance, is more heat resistant, and can be installed outdoors. IceStone is Cradle to Cradle certified, provides LEED credits, and is NSF certified. New IceStone will also have increased recycled content, repotedly reducing its carbon footprint by 21lbs of carbon dioxide.

ISFA's mission is to help members become more profitable in their businesses by promoting ISFA members and their products, educating ISFA members to help them become better craftsmen and business people, and improving the industry through professionalism and honesty. For more information contact info@isfanow.org.
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