Colorado Yule Rises Again, by Torin Dixon
Photos courtesy Colorado Stone Quarries
One of America’s most famous white marble quarries is back in operation. Yule Marble is yet again being produced for worldwide distribution through a unique partnership between Colorado Stone Quarries, Inc. and R.E.D. Graniti Quarries of Massa, Italy.
Discovered in 1873, the distinct white marble is quarried in an underground quarry 9,300 feet high in the Rocky Mountains above Marble, Colorado.
Yule Marble is considered to be one of the most pure of all white marbles, with 99.5% pure calcium carbonate that gives it a smooth texture and homogenous look. It was these special characteristics that made it a perfect choice for the Lincoln Memorial, and the
Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, countless State Capital projects and County Courthouses around the country have utilized the unique qualities of Colorado Yule Marble.
In 2004, Quebec-based Polycor, Inc. purchased the Colorado Yule Quarry, adding to the 2003 acquisition of Georgia Marble. This partnership became a dominant force for marble production in North America until the closing of the Yule quarry in 2010 due to the prolonged economic crisis affecting the housing and construction industries.
For many years during the Polycor ownership, one of the primary European customers was Enrico Locati Luciani of Italy. When Polycor decided to close the quarry, Mr. Luciani went to work using his extensive list of contacts and relationships with Italian producers to find a partner to reopen the quarry. In October of 2010, Mr. Luciani formed Colorado Stone Quarries, Inc. and named Kimberley Perrin Vice President.
Ms. Perrin has been a key figure in the operations of the Yule Quarry since former owner Rex Loesby bought it in 1999. Kimberley was even Underground Certified to run one of the saws in the quarry to help produce a large order for markers for the Veterans Administration. With operations resumed in 2010, it was time to bring in a strong partner to add sufficient technical and financial capital to bring the quarry back to full production.
Thus, entered R.E.D. Graniti, the largest quarry operator in the world. Based out of Massa, Italy, R.E.D. Graniti bought a controlling interest in November 2011 in the Colorado Yule Quarry with the remaining 40% share owned by Mr. Luciani and the Colorado Stone Quarries group. With this added support, Colorado Stone Quarries, Inc. is now ready to expand both marketing and quarry operations.
Delivered last week, a newly purchased, remote controlled Fantini chain saw arrived at the quarry with plans to open a new face of the quarry this summer above portal #3.
Combined with existing equipment and personnel, plans are to double production within a year. According to Ms. Perrin, they have been producing at 100% and cannot keep up with demand. Even though the domestic demand is relatively soft, the export demand is huge and will continue to grow. Due to the reduction of quality Italian marbles, combined with the current design trend of “All Things White,” the additional Fantini saw has come at a good time, says Ms. Perrin.
Colorado Stone Quarries, Inc. has made significant investments in this historic quarry and is now poised to capitalize on both the export demand of this beautiful fine grained marble, and is preparing for a certain rebound in the North American market. The unique characteristics of this fine grained marble make it suitable for not only monument projects, but also as exterior cladding projects, as well as for beautiful decorative surfaces.
It seems that this quarry may just have a life of its own. For nearly 140 years, the fine marble extracted from Treasure Mountain finds a way to markets around the world. This site has seen its share of boom and bust times. It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time when forty gang saws were cutting slabs of Colorado Yule for a thirsty domestic market. The Colorado Yule Quarry has seen many swings in demand and has also seen its share of idle years.
Those boom days may be only a distant memory, but if the quality and color of Italian marble continues to decline, this may likely be the beginning of a new renaissance for Colorado Yule Quarries, Inc. For more information, contact Kimberley Perrin at 970-704-9002.
For an interesting and detailed history of the quarry, please reference the Wikipedia.org site at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_Marble. The article offers extensive detail on the unique geology and characteristics of Yule Marble and its complete history.
Torin Dixon celebrated his 35th year in the dimensional stone industry in March 2012 and is a consultant on natural stone importing and stone care products. He may be reached at info@stonecareonline.org.