This year's Marmomac and our event outside the fair (MeetUP) are over, the theme of our event this time was "Ston&Art" and visitors could not only see our wonderful granite, quartzite and marble slabs, but also admire the artworks of three young contemporary artists: Debora Rossi, with the stage name Deborasenzalacca, Serafino Rudari and Massimo Marchiori, with the stage name Stari Ribar.
It's about time to draw the conclusions and make some reflections...
Like every year, we talk to Mr. Giovanni Rossi about the current situation, as he has daily contact with Italian and foreign customers and suppliers.
Mr. Giovanni, let's look back at Marmomac and make some reflections on the Stone Market.
What can you say about this?
Currently, we observe a decline in the stone industry, due to economic problems, especially in Europe.
Countries such as Germany, France, Poland and other European countries are strongly affected by this market slump.
As far as we have noticed, there is only an upswing in Switzerland.
More than 50 thousand visitors were registered at Marmomac, there was an increase (+22%) in visitors from the United Kingdom and India, but a decrease in German visitors (see article larena.it).
What do you think? Could this lead to changes in the sales area?
In comparing Marmomac and our company, we also registered an increase in visitors from England (as well as in terms of material orders) and from some other European countries.
I confirm that, like the organizers of the Stone Fair, we have noticed that the number of German visitors has decreased: unfortunately, we also saw this in their few orders.
In general, purchases have declined, and this does not only apply to materials such as quartzite, which is more expensive than other natural stones on the market.
However, if you only consider the MeetUP and Marmi Rossi, how did the visits and sales go?
The pullback in sales of common materials such as Nero Assoluto and Indian materials makes us assume that we need to look for new markets, as well as for a niche market with rich buyers who want to buy more valuable and therefore more expensive materials.
The Italian market compared to the foreign market: have you noticed any significant differences?
Our company has recorded an increase on the Italian market, but unfortunately our Italian customers sell the products abroad, so the material does not remain in Italy.
2024: What can you say about the first months of the year?
Despite the current unfavourable economic situation, we have been on the market so far (October 2024, ed.), but we are aware that we have been playing on the defensive and we had to record a slight sale decrease.
Fortunately, our decision to focus on more expensive materials such as quartzite allows us to remain almost at the usual sales level.
But we know about distressed market situations with much greater loss of sales.
Having drawn this final balance, on which materials will you focus now?
As I mentioned earlier, the demand for quartzites has increased in recent months, which had driven our decision to build the new Quartzite Gallery near our office.
We are pleased that our long-standing customers have started to order more quartzite, such as Taj Mahal, Infinity Grey, Quartzite Meridien, Breccia Imperiale, Infinity Black and Infinity Brown.
Quartzite Gallery: Exterior and interior view
Before concluding our interview, we would like to ask you to share your thoughts on the market situation in 2025, as we are already at the end of the year.
Actually, we are expecting that the trend of 2024 will continue next year, but we strongly hope for a recovery in the market. We are aware that the world market, as well as the stone industry market, is linked to the oil industry and therefore is subject to strong price fluctuations due to crises and wars (e.g. the conflict between Israel and Iran).
A rise in the oil price would inevitably deteriorate the general economic situation increasing the global costs.
Let’s wait and see how things will develop...
Click here, to view the photos of MeetUp 2024
