Two conferences were organised:

On 11 June 2009 in Madrid, the conference brought together 11 customers and helped to consolidate the group's image as a reliable, global partner with respect to the various technologies used in stone cutting.

On 1 October 2009 in Verona, during the 44th Marmomacc international fair. The conference was chaired by the Group's Chairman and CEO, Yves Barraquand, and was attended by 80 customers from around the world.

The survey of gangsaws and multi-wire machines has been completed. It enables Wheelabrator Allevard to monitor the changes in cutting technologies and thereby gain a better understanding of changes in the market.

At Pognano, tests carried out on the multi-wire machine involved:

> cutting 590m², with quality and know-how improving with each test,

> capitalising on know-how by issuing various documents :

    > a table summarising each test performed and giving recommendations for the next ones,

    > a glossary of the defects that may occur, along with the corresponding solutions.

Since October 2009 the installation of a single-wire machine has allowed us to evaluate wire quality before full-scale tests are performed on the multi-wire machine.

Next stages

> An after-sales seminar will take place on 18-19 November in Pognano (Italy), involving 15 salespeople and after-sales technicians from 5 countries.

> The development of a showroom in the area of the Stone Institute dedicated to receiving customers and providing customised training courses.

For information, contact: stone.institute@wheelabratorallevard.com