Stone Chatter Podcast

Hosts interview six top fabricators nominated for Stoneworld’s Fabricator of the Year. Each nominee shares their shop history, workplace culture, biggest challenges from the past year, and the one thing they won’t compromise on — from safety and quality to employee development and customer education.Hear stories about new technology, training initiatives, industry outreach, and the teamwork behind complex installs. The episode highlights how these fabricators balance craftsmanship, business strategy, and giving back to the stone community.

The Stone Chatter crew kicks things off by flexing their growing media empire after snapping up Stone Update, promising to inject a healthy dose of irreverent banter into Emerson Schwarzkopf’s legendary trade reporting. The vibe turns abruptly spicy as the team dives into a legal horror story where skipping baseline lung tests leaves shops holding the bag for millions without insurance backup, right alongside Caesarstone getting walloped by a staggering $46.5 million defective-product verdict. Balancing the courtroom dread with some tech nerdery, the trio geeks out over a $900k dye-sublimation setup that lets fabricators "shrink-wrap" custom veins onto blank slabs for 95% yield—just before laying down betting odds on whether California's looming regulatory deadlines spell an inevitable national quartz ban.

As fabrication shops begin planning their annual budgets, the age-old question reemerges: where should marketing dollars actually go?
n this episode of Stone Chatter, Rich Katzmann, Erik Rapp, and Jessica McNaughton welcome Anthony Milia of Milia Marketing to take an honest, data-driven look at budgeting, lead generation, and technology for fabricators. Moving beyond vague industry rules of thumb, Anthony explains how to reverse-engineer revenue goals by mapping out close rates, conversion stages, and realistic cost-per-lead numbers.
The conversation also tackles modern marketing realities: how zero-click AI searches and platforms like ChatGPT and Claude are changing traditional search behavior, why "speed to lead" is winning deals over the lowest price, and how to spot untracked marketing waste before it eats into your margins.
The views expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Stone Chatter. Content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or safety advice. Always consult qualified professionals and follow official regulations.

Is your countertop shop leaving money on the table—or leaving the door open for competitors?
In this episode of Stone Chatter, Rich Katzmann, Ed Young, and Erik Rapp revisit 10 of their strongest takeaways for countertop fabrication shop owners. From getting paid to winning more sales and reducing costly remakes, it’s a candid conversation packed with practical ideas, friendly jabs, and a few wake-up calls.
In this episode:• Why are shops still chasing payments after installation?• Do you need more leads—or a better way to manage the ones you have?• How could Lowe’s and Home Depot’s expansion affect your business, even if you don’t work for them?• What is AI telling potential customers about your shop?• Is your showroom helping you sell—or simply displaying samples?• What are remakes really costing you?• Why should tracking profit become a daily habit?• What opportunities are owners missing by skipping industry events?• How do you earn trust when customers arrive armed with questionable online advice?• Why does shop safety deserve action now?
The episode closes with a heartfelt thank-you to founding cohost Ed Young as he steps back from regular hosting to spend more time helping shop owners improve their businesses—with future guest appearances still ahead.
Watch, share with your team, and tell us in the comments: Which of these 10 topics does your shop need to tackle first?
Subscribe to Stone Chatter for independent conversations about the issues shaping the stone industry.
#StoneChatter #CountertopFabrication #StoneIndustry #BusinessManagement

In this Episode 19 special, Stone Chatter sits down with the NSI Board candidates for a series of short interviews about the future of the stone industry and why each believes they are the right choice for the board. From immediate challenges to longer-term opportunities, the candidates share their perspectives on leadership, industry priorities, and the issues that matter most to fabricators, suppliers, and stone professionals.

A major announcement is changing the future of Stone Chatter and stone industry media. Stone Chatter has officially announced the acquisition of Stone Update, bringing together two established voices in the stone industry and marking the beginning of something much bigger: Stone Media Network. In this special announcement, hosts Rich Katzmann, Ed Young, and Erik Rapp share the news, explain what the acquisition means, and discuss their vision for creating a broader media network dedicated to informing, educating, and connecting the stone fabrication industry. But this is about more than bringing two brands together. What happens when industry news, podcasts, newsletters, magazines, and digital media come together under one network? And what could that mean for fabricators, suppliers, manufacturers, and everyone working in the stone industry? From tariffs and silicosis to fabrication technology, business challenges, regulations, and industry events, staying informed has never been more important. Stone Chatter was created to encourage open conversations and bring different perspectives together. Stone Update has built a legacy of delivering news and information to professionals throughout the industry. Now, the goal is to build on both. More information. More perspectives. More ways to stay connected. Through podcasts, industry reporting, newsletters, publications, and digital platforms, Stone Media Network aims to make valuable industry information more accessible to the people who need it. And this is just the beginning. Watch the full announcement to hear directly from Rich, Ed, and Erik about what's coming next. Share your ideas in the comments. Your feedback will help shape what comes next. What would you like to see from Stone Media Network? More breaking news? Industry interviews? Fabrication education? Business insights? Safety coverage? Subscribe to Stone Chatter for industry news, fabrication insights, safety discussions, business strategies, technology updates, and conversations with the people shaping the future of stone.

Silicosis lawsuits are no longer just a California issue—and many fabrication shops may discover too late that their insurance policies contain exclusions that leave them dangerously exposed.
In this episode, Ed Young, Rich Katzmann, and Erik Rapp are joined by Marc Rosenkrantz, president of Schechner Lifson Corporation. With 43 years in the insurance industry and 25 years working with stone businesses, Marc explains how workers’ compensation, general liability, pollution liability, and umbrella policies respond to silica-related claims.
The conversation explores critical questions every fabricator should be asking: Does your policy exclude silica or silicosis? Will your insurer pay for your legal defense? What protection does a standalone pollution policy provide? And why won’t an umbrella policy automatically cover gaps in your underlying insurance?
Marc also shares practical steps shop owners can take now—from reviewing policies and documenting safety procedures to arranging voluntary OSHA consultations, inviting insurance carriers to inspect facilities, and establishing baseline medical records for employees.
The hosts also discuss the latest industry developments, including Marmomac, proposed Cal/OSHA regulations, and growing calls for a national ban on engineered quartz.
If you own or manage a countertop fabrication business, this episode offers a timely roadmap for protecting your employees, your company, and its financial future.
Subscribe for more conversations on the risks, opportunities, and business strategies shaping the stone fabrication industry.
 
Marc Rosenkrantz, CCIC, CRM, CIC, AAI
President
CA License  4150048 AR license #100103241
Schechner Lifson Corporation
CA License 072405
4 Chatham Road
Summit, New Jersey 07901
(w) 908-598-7813
(c)  973-766-3914

The stone industry is moving quickly, and several developments could have major consequences for fabricators. In this episode, Ed Young, Rich Katzmann, and Erik Rapp break down the leadership change at BB Industries and discuss what its new CEO’s large-corporation background could mean for the company’s culture, strategy, and relationships with customers.
The conversation turns to the growing financial risks surrounding silicosis. The hosts examine a major insurance coverage dispute involving hundreds of claims and explain why every fabricator and distributor should review the silica exclusions and endorsements in their own policies. They also discuss increased medical surveillance in Canada, troubling findings from Australia following its engineered-stone ban, and the danger of relying on inaccurate silica-content documentation.
Other topics include potential new tariffs on stone imported from India, rising freight costs, the difficult fall market facing fabricators, and Daltile’s expansion into countertop partnerships. The hosts also explore opportunities for shops to differentiate themselves, reach customers through digital selling, develop new retail channels, and strengthen sales follow-up with a true CRM system.
It is a fast-moving industry update packed with news, analysis, practical warnings, and opportunities that countertop fabricators need to understand.

The countertop industry keeps changing—and this episode of Stone Chatter tackles several developments that fabrication shop owners cannot afford to ignore.
Recording from the Latin Fabricators Network event in North Carolina, Ed Young, Rich Katzmann, and Erik Rapp discuss rising mortgage rates, a difficult remodeling market, and Lowe’s apparent expansion into countertop fabrication. They explain why added corporate capacity could intensify competition—and why independent shops trying to win through lower prices may be racing toward failure.
The hosts also share practical ways fabricators can use AI to analyze competitors, strengthen their market position, and develop SOPs and employee training. They examine quartz tariff uncertainty, rising freight costs, and why today’s supplier price may not be available when a future project begins. Their advice: confirm material costs when the contract is awarded, collect a sufficient deposit, and secure the slabs immediately.
The conversation also covers the Natural Stone Institute’s upcoming board elections, the industry’s changing demographics, and a major leadership development at BBI Industries. It is a fast-moving discussion filled with industry intelligence, candid opinions, and practical recommendations for navigating an increasingly competitive and unpredictable market.
Subscribe to Stone Chatter for independent news, honest conversation, and actionable insight from across the countertop and stone industry.

California has released a proposed emergency regulation that could dramatically reshape countertop fabrication—and its impact may eventually extend far beyond the state.
In this special breaking-news episode, Ed Young, Rich Katzmann, and Erik Rapp examine the proposal’s most consequential provisions, including the phaseout of quartz fabrication, a dramatically lower silica action level, stricter respirator requirements, and documentation requirements for every slab and remnant containing more than 1% crystalline silica. They also discuss the proposed exception for imported cut-to-size countertops—and the serious competitive disadvantage it could create for domestic fabricators.
The Stone Chatter team explains the aggressive implementation timeline, identifies areas of the proposal that need clarification, and considers whether legal challenges could delay enforcement. Most importantly, they discuss why fabricators nationwide should pay attention: California’s approach could influence future regulations across the country.
California fabricators have a limited opportunity to submit comments on the proposal. Wherever your shop is located, now is the time to stay informed, become involved with industry associations, and make sure the industry’s voice is heard.
Share this episode with other fabricators, suppliers, and industry professionals who need to understand what may be coming.