Slippery Rock Gazette

Steven Schrenk

Polycor.com

Natural stone is more than just the culmination of its physical characteristics. Each piece has a life and an energy and soul of its own. A gorgeous slab can spark conversations, memories, and emotions. Natural stone has been used to build some of the most historic buildings across North America —including the National Cathedral, the Empire State Building and the Biltmore Estate—landmarks that have stood the test of time in part because they are made of stone.

Stone from Polycor’s historic North American quarries are truly some of the stones that built the United States. And their stone is used everywhere—from national landmarks to hometown monuments, to backyards where we gather with friends and family. This is because our quarries are everywhere, too: from Indiana to Georgia, from New England to Oklahoma. America was built with local, natural stone, and our communities continue to benefit from it today.

Construction of the Vanderbilt’s Biltmore mansion near Asheville, NC, using Indiana Limestone.

The Benefits of Locally Quarried Stone

Beyond the fact that when you use Polycor, you are getting such a high quality stone, by buying locally sourced natural stones, you’re minimizing shipping and transportation, which saves fossil fuels and money in taxes and transportation costs, while boosting the local economy and community.

Now more than ever, people have realized how important it is to support local businesses. Keeping jobs and money in your local community has far-reaching value. Plus, it takes a lot to manufacture a synthetic stone. The impact to the environment cannot be overstated. Manufactured stones don’t have the longevity of natural ones, they require a lot more to be made and they are not recyclable.

Natural stone has become an important building product. Here’s why: 

For millennia, natural stone has been used as the literal bedrock of construction projects around the world, and the future looks no different. The modern building industry is increasingly choosing natural materials for their projects, due to their proven, trusted results and minimal environmental impact. While our great legacy of stonework can be seen in our portfolio of historical landmarks, institutional, commercial and residential projects around North America, what we want people to understand is that all of this is possible through our local quarries and manufacturing plants.

Committed to Our People and the Planet 

The asset Polycor is the most proud of is their team of nearly 1,200 employees around the world. The people in the quarries, in the plants, they are invaluable. Polycor’s plants are a vital part of the community wherever they operate: that’s why sustainable development — economic, social and environmental — is so important to them. As the world’s largest natural stone quarrier, they’re committed to being an industry pioneer in every way, including being leaders in developing and implementing a socially responsible workplace.

Each stone is handled by one of their employees working under fair and safe conditions. Polycor’s slabs are a culmination of their quarry origins and the hands and hard work of the people who made them. Their solid commitment to their people and the communities where they work ensures sustainability on the local level. Read more about Polycor’s fair labor practices on their website. 

How Important is Sustainability?

Natural stone is the organic food of building materials. We are heavily focused on sustainable development and the environment, and ensuring that our natural stone deposits are mindfully managed with minimal intrusion. It’s not only good for people and the planet, but it means we can deliver the most comprehensive offering of natural stone building products for the hardscapes and masonry industry for generations to come. 

Locally sourced stone – Polycor’s plants and the people who work there are a vital part of the communities where they are located – in most cases, for generations.

Polycor’s diverse offerings of North American stone includes:

Indiana Limestone 

Quarried in Bloomington, and Bedford, Indiana, Indiana limestone was used to build one of America’s most recognized buildings – the Empire State Building. 

Georgia Marble 

Quarried in Tate, Georgia, U.S.A., this is the marble that built many of the historical masterpieces of American architecture.

The marble used for the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial comes from the legendary quarry in Tate.

Vermont Granite  

The exterior of Washington D.C.’s Union Station features Bethel White^© granite, which can only be found in Polycor’s Vermont quarry.

Full Color Blend Indiana Limestone, “America’s building stone.”	Pearl Grey Georgia Marble, “Building America’s History.”	Bethel White Vermont Granite, “From the Granite capitol of the U.S.”

Polycor carries the widest range of iconic natural stones — granite, marble, limestone and soapstone —  and they all come from Polycor quarries. Their long-established distribution channels assure that lead times and product availability won’t be disrupted.

Polycor’s world-class reputation comes from this dependability and their great legacy of stonework on historical landmarks, institutional, commercial, and residential projects. We’re proud of our past and are continuing to set the innovative benchmark in the natural stone industry. We ally creative thinking with ongoing research and development to initiate advanced practices, develop original products, and breathe new life into natural stone. 

Polycor’s stone roots, in communities throughout North America and Europe, are what gives them the strength to do amazing things today and will continue to motivate them for years to come. Visit www.polycor.com to request samples.