Stone Chatter Podcast

Quotas…We don't need no stinkin’ quotas

The countertop industry keeps changing—and this episode of Stone Chatter tackles several developments that fabrication shop owners cannot afford to ignore. Recording fro

SPECIAL EPISODE!!! California Releases Draft Quartz Ban Regulation - What Fabricators Need to Know Now

California has released a proposed emergency regulation that could dramatically reshape countertop fabrication—and its impact may eventually extend far beyond the state.

The Quartz Crossroads: What Tariffs and Silica Rules Mean for Fabricators

Tariffs, rising material costs, silica regulations, and rapidly changing supply conditions are creating difficult decisions for countertop fabricators. In this episode of

Silicosis, Tariffs, and Lowe’s Big Move: What Fabricators Need to Know Now

The countertop industry is facing a wave of changes that could reshape how fabrication shops compete, price their work, and protect their employees. In this episode of S

Is Your Fabrication Shop Truly Safe - or Are You Relying on Assumptions?

In this episode of Stone Chatter, Mark Meriaux of the Natural Stone Institute, Peter Dominguez of California Surfaces and Eric Vlaanderen of Legacy Counters join the conv

Tariffs, Pricing & Survival: The Stone Industry’s Next Move

The stone industry is facing a pivotal moment. In this episode, Rich Katzmann, Ed Young, and Erik Rapp break down the newly implemented quartz tariffs, the pricing respon

MORE SALES BETTER MARGINS

What Are Top Fabricators Doing Differently? Want more sales without sacrificing your margins? In Part 2 of Stone Chatter’s sales series, Rich, Erik, and Ed join industry

Live from ALL SLAB FABBERS Meeting, Salt Lake City: Part 2

PART 2 - Stone Chatter is broadcasting live from the All Slab Fabbers Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted on-site during one of the industry's most hands-on educatio

How to Build a Sales Team that Sells

In this episode of Stone Chatter, Rich, Erik, and Ed dive into one of the biggest challenges facing fabrication shops: How to Build a Sales Team That Actually Sells. Ins

The Biggest Change to the Stone Industry in Years [Cal/OSHA Meeting 07/31/26]

President Trump has officially enacted the imported quartz tariffs—and the stone industry is entering a new chapter. In this special episode, Rich, Erik, and Ed break do

Live from ALL SLAB FABBERS meeting, Salt Lake City: Part 1

For the first time, Stone Chatter is broadcasting live from the All Slab Fabbers Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted on-site during one of the industry's most hands-

What Is Your Fabrication Shop Really Worth?

Many business owners assume the value of their company is based on equipment, inventory, or annual sales but the reality is often very different. In this episode hosts R

Industry Updates: ITC Review, Silicosis and What’s Next

In this episode, hosts Rich, Erik, and Ed discuss some of the latest developments affecting fabricators, suppliers, and industry professionals across North America. From

ARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS WORTH IT? What Every Shop Owner Should Know About Industry Associations

The stone industry offers a variety of associations, organizations, buying groups, certifications, and networking opportunities but how do you know which ones are actuall

Quartz Ban Update: What Happened at the May 21st CAL/OSHA Meeting?

The conversation around quartz, workplace safety, and regulation continues to evolve and the industry is watching closely. In this special episode of Stone Chatter, hosts

Are Supplier & Fabricator Relationships Breaking Down?

Strong relationships between slab suppliers and fabrication shops have always been a major part of the stone industry but are those relationships changing?   In this sp

Tariff Refunds, ITC Updates & More: What’s Happening in the Stone Industry

The stone industry continues to navigate shifting regulations, trade policies, and real-world impacts on business operations. In this episode of Stone Chatter, hosts Rich

The Future of Stone Fabrication: AI, Robotics & Smart Shops

The stone fabrication industry is entering a new phase driven by technology, automation, and smarter ways of working. In this episode of Stone Chatter, hosts Rich, Erik,

Industry Talk: Tariffs, KBIS, OSHA & What’s Coming Next

The stone industry is feeling the pressure from rising tariffs to evolving safety regulations and shifting market dynamics. In this episode of Stone Chatter, hosts Rich,

Is Quartz Being Banned? The Reality About Silicosis & OSHA Compliance

The conversation around quartz, silica dust, and shop safety is rapidly evolving across the stone fabrication industry. In this episode of Stone Chatter, we sit down with