The Brazilian stand at Coverings brought together 25 stone companies in search of new business in the American market

The It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone agreement, carried out by the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), began its mission to promote the Brazilian ornamental stone market abroad during the return edition of Coverings, the main fair for the natural stone industry in North America, held from July 7th to 9th, in Orlando, Florida.

After two years since its last edition held in 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the resumption of the event took place under a cloud of good expectations underlined by the optimism of the US market in the face of the heating of the local civil construction sector.

The stand in Brazil, designed as a space for meetings and coexistence between companies at the fair, brought together 25 stone exporters who participated by making contacts with potential buyers, receiving visits from customers or having their institutional materials disclosed in the space. The Brazilian pavilion also featured institutional visits such as those carried out by the Natural Stone Institute and the National Tile Contractors Association. The structure set up in an area of approximately 140 m² had technological resources, staff and support tools, in addition to a meeting room equipped for videoconferencing, which enabled direct interaction with Brazil during the three days of the event.

The coordinator of sectorial projects at Apex-Brasil, Paulo Roberto da Silva, evaluated the return of Coverings and the Brazilian participation in the fair as positive. “The event reinforced the generalized optimism that permeates the coatings sector in the USA, in this post-pandemic period. Without the requirement to use protective masks, or presentation of PCR exams, the fair was a strong sign of the resumption of the major international events of Home & Construction”, he pointed out.

For Felipe Ruback, representative of Centrorochas present at the event, “Brazil’s participation in Coverings was fundamental for the promotion of the national stone sector. We have qualified visits from customers and potential customers who were able to interact with exporting companies in loco, generating opportunities and contributing to strengthening the name of natural stone in the international market”.

“Our experience at Coverings this year was excellent. Centrorochas prepared a complete structure, in a great location, to receive both companies and customers. Now we hope that we will be able to ship several containers soon”, celebrated the commercial representative of Ferraz Granitos, Lucas Fernandes.

Participating companies: Altivo Pedras; Amagran Import and Export; Brother in Granite; CS3 Marbles and Granites; Decolores Marbles and Granites; Ferraz Brasil Marbles and Granites; Fortuna Granitos do Brasil; Gramic Granites and Marbles; Zucchi Granite; Granos Granitos; Imetame Natural Stones; Innovate Granites; Levantina Natural Stone Brazil; Magban Marbles and Granites Aquidaban; Marbrasa Marbles and Granites; Marcel Marble Trade; Margramar Granites; Milanezi Marmoraria; Granduvale Mining; Pemagran Stones, Marbles and Granites; Quality Granites and Marbles; Santo Antonio Granites; Super Classic Natural Stones; Vermont Mining Export and Import and Vitoria Stone Industry and Commerce.

About It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone

It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone is an export incentive program developed by the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil). This program aims to increase exports of Brazilian ornamental stones, through a set of strategic internationalization actions with promotion actions, strengthening the image and development of the sector in the world market.

About Centrorochas

The Centro Brasileiro dos Exportadores de Pedras Ornamentais acts directly in the procedures related to the presence of Brazilian businessmen abroad combined with commercial and operational activities related to the development and evolution of Brazilian companies.

About Apex-Brasil

Apex-Brasil acts to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve these goals, the Agency carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to get to know the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.