Stone World’s “Industry Perspective” column has revolving articles by the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA), The Natural Stone Institute (NSI), and the Rockhead Group offering insight into the workings of each organization, and their place within the industry.

A vandal singled out a 100-year-old Italian bas-relief carving of the Last Supper, making the historic work of marble his personal piñata. After shaking my head, and wondering just what is wrong with people, I told my wife, “I should go down there and see if I can help fix the damage.”

As an online forum, the SFA provides day-to-day information crucial to the nuts and bolts of the fabrication business, on demand and nearly in real time. When this power’s leveraged, you find a variety of answers to almost any concern you may have, often by others who have already encountered the same issue and can offer a solution, or at least some candid insight. 

The program comprised two students from the school visiting three various SFA host companies — each visit lasting a full week, consisting of various time spent in and around the fabrication shop and city.