Stone Accreditation Program Unveiled by Marble Institute
Cleveland, OH — The Marble Institute of America has launched a stone industry accreditation program aimed at assuring “continued excellence” in the natural stone industry, while recognizing companies that comply with MIA quality standards.
The Cleveland, OH-based MIA announced last month that four more companies have joined NBC Solid Surfaces of Springfield, VT, as MIA-Accredited Natural Stone Fabricators.
Radtke Tile and Marble of Carson City, NV; Solidtops of Easton, MD; Great Lakes Granite and Marble of Redford, MI, and Surface Products of Cornelius, NC all earned the new distinction after successfully completing a three-phase process that includes individual exams and on-site inspections, the MIA noted.
“This program offers the public access to companies that have consistent, competent and safe fabrication, installation and maintenance of natural stone,” said accreditation program manager Garen Distelhorst.
“MIA-accredited companies are the best of the best in the natural stone industry,” Distelhorst added. “When a kitchen and bath designer partners with an MIA-accredited firm, they can rest assured that their vision will be realized in a professional manner."
Three accreditation programs are currently available from the MIA:
- Natural Stone Fabrication.
- Commercial A Contractor.
- Commercial B Contractor.
Commercial accreditation is broken into two categories for companies conducting high-rise and large-scale commercial work, and those firms that handle smaller-scale, commercial stone installations.
According to the MIA, the route to becoming accredited consists of three equally-weighted phases. Phase one requires the completion of an application that ensures that the company is in compliance with 10 standards of accreditation.
The second phase consists of a 200-question examination testing the applicant’s knowledge and use of materials, installation, fabrication, restoration, care and maintenance, administration, legal/contracts, jobsite and shop safety. The final phase is a comprehensive site visit, which includes a review of the facility, documents and one or more installation inspections.
In addition to these requirements, residential natural stone fabricators must first have completed 200 projects in the last three years, according to the MIA.
MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone and other natural stone producers and quarriers, as well as fabricators, installers, distributors and contractors.
Additional information about the MIA or its accreditation program can be obtained by visiting the MIA’s Web site at www.marble-institute.com, or by calling (440) 250-9222.
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