Lapicida has opened its new London showroom in Pimlico’s design district to showcase its comprehensive range of natural stone, including genuine antique reclaimed stone and fine Italian porcelain.  

“We have waited a long time for the right location, and when this space in the Pimlico design district became available, I knew immediately that this was the place to be,” says Jason Cherrington, managing director of Lapicida. “We are delighted to be located amongst other inspirational interiors brands, and it is ideal for interior designers and customers to cover all design bases within one area. Our showroom manager Nicola Kemplay and her excellent team are ready to show London what we have to offer, and we’re very excited to be a part of the design community here.”

There is a dedicated area to display Lapicida’s reclaimed antique stone floors, including examples of its English flagstone, Barr de Montpelier and Lyon Terracotta. Lapicida’s custom-cut service transforms these historic floors from irregular pieces of antique stone into dimensioned pieces, making them suitable for modern use. These are shown alongside a collection of limestone floors created in partnership with English Heritage, inspired by properties within English Heritage’s care.

Also on display is a selection of solid marble sinks, fabricated by Lapicida’s own CNC machine. These include marble Belfast sinks and shallower basin designs in honed and antiqued finishes. Lapicida's expert stonemasons can transform stone into bas-relief tiles, staircases, balustrades, full scale statuary, book-matched panels, custom-designed inlays, intricate mosaics and more. The showroom contains a dedicated meeting area where Lapicida’s project consultants can advise on anything: from the products sold from stock to complex one-off designs and manufacturing projects.

The company's new Composition collection will take centre stage and is exclusive to the London showroom. This luxury stone surface is created with a combination of monochromatic natural stones including travertine, marble and basalt. These have been cut into geometric shapes and precisely fitted into a unique pattern to create a striking statement design for floors and walls. Also exclusive to the London Lapicida showroom is a collection of handmade terracotta tiles featuring reliefs of colourful and bold geometric shapes.

An ‘indoor-outdoor’ room is dedicated to the Ornamenti collection by Lapicida. This includes outdoor ornaments, such as artisan-made Italian terracotta planters and authentic French Biot Jars.

LPE has announced the merger of three industry-leading companies: Laser Products Europe, Omni Cubed Europe, and Leading Production Equipment. This strategic union marks the formation of a new entity, LPE GROUP LTD. 

LPE GROUP combines the strengths, expertise, and innovative capabilities of the three companies to better serve its customers and partners. The merger will enable the company to provide a more comprehensive range of products and services, enhance its operational efficiencies, and drive forward its commitment to excellence and innovation. 

For its valued customers, the merger means a single point of contact for all their needs and simplified invoicing processes.

The unified team is committed to continuing the high standards of quality and service that customers have come to expect. LPE believe that the merger will bring significant benefits to customers, employees, and suppliers, and look forward to embarking on this exciting new chapter together. 

The new company is confident that it will set new benchmarks in the industry and deliver exceptional value to all partners. 

Hard landscaping materials supplier London Stone has opened its ninth showroom, in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Its showrooms are open to both trade and public customers, and are open Monday to Saturday. 

Alongside displays of porcelain, natural stone, and clay paving, composite decking, cladding, pergolas and planters, complimentary samples, refreshments and customer Wi-Fi are available across all sites.

Craig Nester, director of Bedfordshire-based landscapers, Habitat Landscapes, said of the showroom: "It’s great to see this showroom in the area, we’ve been crying out for it! If we want to send clients to the showroom, we can stay on site, safe in the knowledge that the team will look after them."

Sales director, Stu Williams says, "We are thrilled to have opened such an inspiring showroom in the MK area. The new showroom is our most compact, but packs a lot into the 190m2 display area. We look forward to welcoming trade and retail clients from Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Hertfordshire.” 

Brachot has launched a new quartz slab material developed using patented Breton Technology. Known as Unistone UniQ, it features a high percentage of quartz without substitutes like feldspar or glass.

The company says that Unistone UniQ will eliminate health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica dust (RCS). Unistone UniQ utilises amorphous silica, a crystalline silica-free structure that can eliminate hazardous dust production during processing. It has been produced with Breton’s patented BioQuartz technology.

It is manufactured with recycled materials and a zero-waste approach to be more environmentally friendly and is said to be more scratch resistant than traditional quartz. The product can be worked with traditional tools and is NSF-certified for food preparation areas.

Founded in 1901, Brachot is a manufacturer and supplier of natural stone and blended materials, including ceramics, quartz composite, and terrazzo. The family-run business operates 20 company-owned quarries, seven production units, and fifteen distribution centres across Europe and Africa. 

National Highways is currently working on the A417 Missing Link scheme, creating 5.5km of new dual carriageway between Gloucester and Cirencester. As part of this project, the team are painstakingly building 7.5kms of dry stone wall along the route. This wall will be incorporated into the scheme to help the road blend into the landscape, protect sites of special scientific interest, such as where wildlife lives, and reinstate old walls that have fallen into disrepair. 

The majority of the dry stone wall will follow alongside the new A417, with other sections along parts of the B4070 and Barrow Wake car park.
A team of 12 masons who were taught how to construct Cotswold stone walls by experts at the Dry Stone Walling Association have been on site since early 2024. They expect to be finished in mid-2026. In the summer, the scheme is hoping to take on an apprentice so the skills can be passed on to the next generation.

Steve Foxley, project director for the A417 Missing Link, said: “Our work on this vital scheme goes beyond simply building a new road, but also helping to preserve and enhance the landscape.

“We’re delighted to be able to support such worthwhile projects which will help to support and reconnect the A417 with local heritage and the landscape whilst also helping to keep traditional skills alive. Our project team has already started working with dry stone wall specialists using traditional methods to build new sections of wall alongside the new road. Visitors can already see the fruits of their hard work – and it is hard work!”

Bernard McEnroe, managing director of Master Stone Masons UK, said: "We’re delighted to be involved in this incredible project, helping to preserve the timeless beauty and heritage of the Cotswolds. Dry stone walling is an age-old craft that not only defines the landscape but also embodies the skill, dedication, and craftsmanship passed down through generations. At Master Stone Masons, we take immense pride in ensuring that this tradition continues to thrive, maintaining the authenticity and character of these historic structures.

"A project of this significance demands the highest standards, and we are incredibly grateful for the invaluable guidance and expertise of the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA). Their dedication to excellence has been instrumental in ensuring that the quality of the work meets the rigorous standards expected of this traditional craft. Preserving heritage is at the heart of what we do, and we are proud to play our part in keeping the Cotswolds' iconic landscape intact for future generations."
 

Quartz surfaces manufacturer Vadara Quartz Surfaces has formed a distribution partnership with The Thomas Group and its brand, The Surface Collection as part of an international expansion.

Vadara has been established in the US for many years and will now capitalising on its innovative designs, streamlined operations, and keen insight into local customer preferences with further expansion plans.

“In the United States, Vadara has built a reputation for quality and innovation, and now is the ideal time to bring tailored solutions to diverse global markets, stated Erik Butler, chief operating officer at US Surfaces, Vadara’s parent company, “With a focus on meeting unique tastes, budgets, and lifestyles of our customers worldwide, Vadara is ready to expand its footprint and continue its growth internationally.”

The partnership between Vadara and The Thomas Group was born from a mutual goal of bringing premium handcrafted quartz products, curated color palettes, and a diverse range of pricing options to the UK. Vadara recognises that strong regional teams depend on the foundation of local leaders who understand their markets and excel at navigating diverse channels.  

“Vadara operates two state-of-the-art plants with 34 production lines to meet the growing global demand for our products effectively,” Andrew Evans, VP of global sales & marketing at LE Surfaces, Vadara’s manufacturing counterpart, added. “By producing our raw materials and maintaining the highest quality control standards, we ensure that we consistently deliver on the needs and expectations of our clients worldwide."

After studying the competitive landscape in the UK, Vadara is confident in its ability to provide a highly differentiated product to the market with its handcrafted designs that are virtually indistinguishable from natural stone, allowing consumers to afford the look of marble and quartzite at a lower price point with the added benefit of durability and ease of maintenance.

Global expansion will remain a priority for Vadara, as they have chosen Australia for their subsequent international market activation. Vadara is also exploring further growth opportunities across Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and other high-potential regions.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released a report highlighting 215 new cases of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in Great Britain during 2023. HAVS is caused by regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration. As a result, the organisation has created a hand-arm vibration exposure calculator to assist businesses in managing the risks of vibration exposure. This tool can be accessed through the HSE's website: Hand-arm vibration exposure calculator.

In addition to the calculator, guidance on managing vibration risks specifically in construction can be found under HSE’s “Construction Physical Ill Health Risks: Vibration” section. The guidance includes practical steps for employers to protect workers from exposure, such as reducing the use of vibrating tools or introducing vibration-reducing equipment.

The HSE also pointed to a recent case where a local council was fined £60,000 after an investigation revealed that workers had been exposed to significant vibration risks. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of taking preventive measures to protect workers' health. A detailed report on the prosecution is available on the HSE's website.

To further assist businesses in managing vibration risks, the HSE will be hosting a one-day training course on hand-arm vibration management on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at its Science and Research Centre in Buxton. The course will cover best practices for reducing vibration exposure in the workplace and is aimed at employers, managers, and health and safety professionals.

Bookings for the course are now open: Hand-arm vibration: management in the workplace.