“When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted, we will realize that we cannot eat money.” – Cree Proverb
As CTEF’s Scott Carothers points out in his technical story in this issue, “sustainability” is commonly described as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Check out the story for more information about the silicosis threat in engineered stone countertop fabrication facilities, and what’s being done about it.
The theme of our issue focuses on this important topic for our industry, our lives and our planet. Publisher Elena Grant offers a report from the second annual Flooring Sustainability Summit and NTCA Executive Director Bart Bettiga interviews Paul Shahriari, founder of the green-centric technology platform Ecomedes in his One to One story. Our Product Focus section is bursting with options that support sustainability with recycled contents or ways to minimize or manage silica dust, thus bolstering the sustainability of the most important resource in our industry – our workers. And artisan tile setters show creative and heartfelt ways they’ve utilized leftover tile from previous projects, expanding and extending the use of their materials in a way that touches others and supports ongoing learning.
We also acknowledge the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month with a business story penned by Advertising Sales and Membership Rep Angie Weber, about two panel discussions and a contractor tour she conducted at Coverings – all in Spanish, to support the 1/3 of the construction labor force that is Spanish speaking. Her story is printed here in Spanish too, with the English version available in our digital issue.
Rebecca Heustess of Grazzini Brothers is our featured member this month. Her story is full of passion for the trade, enthusiasm for the growing role of women in the industry – and her epic odyssey of obtaining her Certified Tile Installer credential this year.
Our cover feature describes how MAPEI materials strengthened and supported the new OG&E Coliseum in Oklahoma. And President Rod Owen continues his exploration of his business series “The Acumens,” by explaining why Strategic Acumen is so important to your current business and its sustainability for the future.
There are many ways to support our planet – and the people on it. We hope this issue inspires you to take one new action toward that goal.
God bless,
Lesley
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
