Asheville, NC, December 17--The International Stone Institute (ISI) has been established for companies and individuals who design, install, fabricate, restore and/or maintain dimensional stone and other stone products for the construction industry.
The announcement was made by Fred Hueston, head of the National Training Center (NTC) for Stone and Masonry Trades, Asheville, North Carolina, in a letter to members of the dimensional stone, quartz surfaces and engineered stone industry.
ISI contracted with Hueston and the NTC to manage the new association. Mr. Hueston will act as the Executive Director of ISI. NTC is the only training center for dimensional and engineered stone in the U.S. and is well respected in the industry.
The benefits being offered include some that are new to the industry, including a Worker Exchange Program, Worker Certification and Customer Leads.
The Worker Exchange Program, for example, will make skilled labor available to members on a loan basis from other cooperating members.
The Certification Program is available through the IICRC Hard Surface Inspection Committee, of which ISI affiliate NTC is a member. ISI also offers its own certification program with certifications in Stone Fabrication, Interior Stone Restoration and Preservation, and Stone Inspector.
Other benefits include:
· Discounts on publications. NTC publishes and handles a large selection of publications and videos on stone and tile design, installation, fabrications, restoration and maintenance.
· Seminar programs. ISI through NTC will offer seminars and training programs at a discount to members. NTC has a complete training facility that has over $500,000 in equipment for training from the basics to CNC technology.
· Unlimited access to the ISI on-line library, one of the most complete in the Stone Industry. Currently over 40 technical papers are available, ranging from stone fabrication and restoration to OSHA reports.
· Consulting services available at a discount.
· Internet listing on the ISI interactive web site for rapid location by potential customers. The web site also provides access to over 21,000 archived questions and answers in its forum.
· Insurance packages will be offered, covering everything from liability and health to retirement.
· Resource Directory, an annual publication listing all members that is included in many NTC publications.
· Membership Certification and Membership Card issued to all ISI members.
· Monthly email updates and technical tips from ISI.
