Fabricators Tackle Issues of Silica, Customers and Employees
MSI hosted the second Stone Industry Education event of the year – organized by the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World – at its facility outside of Savannah, GA
by Jason Kamery
Photo by Jason Kamery of Stone World.
On March 6, 2025, fabricators gathered at MSI’s facility in Pooler, GA -- just outside Savannah -- for a Stone Industry Education (SIE) event organized by Stone World and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). Leading the discussion was Duane Naquin of Stone Interiors, who addressed pressing challenges facing the stone fabrication industry: silica regulations, customer education and employee retention.
The SIE event drew industry professionals from around the region eager to address silica dust, which is a growing concern for fabricators. Naquin highlighted the shifting regulatory landscape, pointing to California’s stringent standards as a harbinger of change.
“California said we don’t care what the OSHA standard is,” said Naquin. “[They said] we are doing it differently, and you need to have a full face mask and positive air pressure. So that’s not a dust mask. That’s a full face mask with a tank of air on their back pushing air to you.”
The discussion weighed the health risks of airborne silica against the practical and financial burdens of compliance, as government oversight looms larger.
Customer education emerged as another focal point. With misinformation swirling, Naquin stressed the need to guide clients through their choices. “Customers are coming in and believe they know everything,” said Naquin. “We have to educate the customer and make sure they are not worried about anything out of fear. We tell them the plus and minus of each thing. We like to try to have customers understand what they are buying.”
Fabricators shared strategies for balancing transparency with reassurance, debating the future of products like engineered stone or natural stone and how to pick the material that will address all their customers’ wants and concerns.
Employee management rounded out the conversation, with Naquin zeroing in on the ripple effects of workplace morale. “A negative employee can really bring down a company,” said Naquin. “The bad attitude. It can end up costing you a ton.”
The group explored recruitment tactics, retention incentives and the challenge of keeping long-term workers engaged in an industry facing labor shortages. Naquin’s insights underscored the interconnected pressures fabricators navigate daily — from regulatory compliance to client trust and workforce stability. The event left attendees with practical takeaways and a renewed focus on adapting to an evolving field.
For those eager to continue the conversation, the next SIE event is slated for April 3rd in Houston, TX. Hosted by Cosentino, it promises to build on Savannah’s momentum, offering fabricators another chance to collaborate, learn and shape the industry’s future. Details are available at www.stoneindustryeducation.com.
Rod Sigman CTC, CCTS, CSMTT is the business development leader for MAPEI Corporation’s UltraCare® line of products for the care and maintenance of tile and stone products. Sigman has a proven track-record of success in the flooring industry, with experience in both training and education, as well as all support functions pertaining to national sales accounts and distribution. He has served on the technical committees of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). He has successfully completed the Ceramic Tile Consultant Course, is a Certified Ceramic Tile Specialist (CCTS) and is also a Concrete Slab Moisture Testing (CSMT) Technician. Further, he was recognized by the Marble Institute of America (now the Natural Stone Institute) as a significant influence for the stone industry.
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