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Check out the latest issue of ISFA's
Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine |
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Check out 2019-2020
Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Buyers' Guide |
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INTERESTED IN ISFA MEMBERSHIP? |
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ISFA Announces the Hiring of New Executive Director
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Nancy Busch To Begin Association Role August 3
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Nancy Busch was recently hired to serve as the Executive Director of ISFA. She officially begins her role on August 3.
Previously, Busch was a Sales Manager for Willis Supply, a North American distributor of world-class building materials including Corian® |
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Solid Surface, Corian® Quartz, Arpa High Pressure Laminate, FENIX NTM®, FENIX NTA® and Artisan sinks. She managed a sales team that covered the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Hawaii, earning several awards during her tenure. She has also been involved with the Architectural Woodworking Institute’s Washington Chapter, was a past Co-Chair of Programs for the Puget Sound Chapter of the NKBA.
“Nancy has real-world experience with the products and processes used by our members,” said ISFA President Augie Chavez. “She is a real champion for the industry, is enthusiastic and has expressed great interest in serving our membership further advancing the goals of the association. The ISFA Board of Directors is confident that she will perform well in the role.”
Having worked 14 years at Willis Supply, with increasingly larger and more diverse responsibilities, Busch has proven herself as a go-getter with a well-established knowledge base. Prior to her work with Willis, she was an independent kitchen & bath designer, earning an NKBA Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) certification. She also studied fine art and design at Pacific Lutheran University after earning an Associates of Arts & Science degree at Pierce College.
Busch accepted the position that was recently vacated by Amy Miller who served in the role since 2017 and left to become CEO of a charitable organization in her home town in Ohio. “Amy did an amazing job during her time as ISFA Director,” added Chavez. “We wish her the best and she has gracefully agreed to help Nancy transition into the Executive Director position.”
“I’m excited to begin my work with ISFA and carry on the advancements it has made over the past several years,” said Busch. “I believe my background in distribution will allow me to roll up my sleeves and quickly get involved in serving the organization and its members.”
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Government Extends the Application to File for Paycheck Protection Program to August
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On July 4, the government extened the deadline for small businesses to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Those wishing to apply for the assistance now have until August 8 to do so. The PPP was enacted shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closing of uncountable businesses, and allows businesses to apply for subsidies to cover payroll and certain other business expenses. The subsidies take the form of federal loans that can be forgiven if businesses use at least 60 percent of the money for payroll.The program had previously ended June 30 with a around $129 billion left unused out of the $660 billion allocated, although more than 4.8 million small business owners took advantage of it. As such, the deadline was pushed back to continue to help companies continue to bridge the payroll gap until the economy stablizes. Find more resources gathered by ISFA to help deal with the pandemic HERE. |
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ChromaLok Adhesives Announces New Hire in Industry Veteran Ray Aleksic
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ChromaLok Adhesives has welcomed seasoned industry veteran Ray Aleksic to its team. Aleksic has been a part of the solid surfacing industry since 1985. |
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A recognizable face in the industry, Aleksic has worked in every part of it, including sheet-manufacturing, fabrication, distribution, and particularly relevant to his new position,, adhesives. In his new role, he will help the company's customers by sharing his knowledge, experience and expertise. More information is available HERE.
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OSHA Issues Further Silica Compliance Guidance, Clarification for the Industry
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In late June, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when addressing respirable crystalline silica exposures as applicable to the surfacing industry.
The new directive provides OSHA compliance safety and health officers with guidance on how to enforce the silica standards’ requirements and clarifies major topics, such as alternative exposure control methods variability in sampling, multi-employer situations and temp workers.
While OSHA began enforcing most provisions several years ago, some additional medical surveillance requirements commenced on June 23.
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Cosentino Debuts 3 New Silestone Colors
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Global surfacing manufacturer and supplier Cosentino has debuted three new Silestone colorways - each design bringing an
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artful, dramatic interpretation to the most sought-after marbles and stones. Two of the three new hues, Silestone Et D’Or and Silestone Et Bella, are the latest to join the Silestone Eternal Collection:
- Silestone Et Bella (center) combines elegance and warmth, featuring grey strokes across a striking white background as negative space. Its versatile, yet dramatic appeal suits both classic and contemporary design.
- Silestone Et D’Or (left) features soft golden strokes across a white hue - fit for the most elegant spaces.
The third color, Polaris (right) joins the new Silestone Artika Series and features white veins that subtly contrast a darker gray background. Its partial translucence is what truly sets it apart; when backlit, it adds instant drama to any application. For more information CLICK HERE.
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Alpha Professional Tools Introduces New Dust Collector Options for Grinders
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Alpha Professional Tools® introduced new additions to its Ecoguard Dust Collection line. The Ecoguard G7 and Ecoguard W9 are designed for larger grinders such as 7- and 9-in. First, the Alpha |
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Ecoguard G7 fits on most 7- and 9-in. angle grinders and is built for heavy-duty applications. It has several unique features such as a flexible head that allows for a natural grinding motion. The positioning collar makes installation simple and quick and the clear cover provides for visibility. The Ecoguard W9 extends the range of the Ecoguard W Series to larger sizes covering up to 9-in. blades. It contains some unique features including a new multi-adapter system for easy installation, a front brush to contain dust when plunge cutting and support bars and wheels to reduce surface friction during cutting. The maximum cutting depth is 2-3/8-in. It fits most 7- and 9-in. angle grinders and must be used with a vacuum, or other dust collection system. In addition, for convenient attachment to a vacuum, the company offers a 54-in. flexible hose or together with an Ecoguard as a kit.
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IceStone Launches New Color
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Eco-friendly countertop manufacturer IceStone has introduced a vibrant new color for its surfacing material in the form of Ocean Grass. As always nodding at Mother Nature, Ocean Grass consists of large blue glass with tiny hints of clear and emerald green glass in a |
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white background. Samples are now available. IceStone incorporates 100 percent pre-consumer recycled glass along with cement and non-toxic pigment as the three core ingredients for its product. Because the company makes use of recycled materials, its product offerings sometimes change based on what materials are available. It holds Cradle to Cradle, B Corp and NSF certifications. |
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