ISFA, NSC Join MIA Accreditation

The MIA’s Accreditation Commission announced the approval today of a new structure for ISFA member companies, along with NSC participating groups such as the Building Stone Institute, the Indiana Limestone Institute and the Elberton Granite Association.
“The Accreditation Commission was approached several months ago by the ISFA asking if there was any way their members could participate in the accreditation program without having to pay the non-MIA member fee,” said Scott Lardner, MIA Accreditation Commission chairman.
“One of the things we had been hearing from our membership was a desire to have some sort of credential available to them,” said Russ Lee, ISFA executive director. “Rather than starting from scratch, we decided it would be prudent to ask if the MIA had any desire to partner in this endeavor and make it available, at an attractive price, to many additional companies.
“A great deal of time and effort has been spent ensuring that their accreditation program is the real deal. MIA did a great job in setting up this program and we at ISFA are honored to be a part of it.”
The MIA’s Natural Stone Industry Accreditation Program currently has three different designations available to companies: Natural Stone Fabricators (primarily residential), Commercial A Contractors (heavy commercial) and Commercial B Contractors (light commercial).
“From our standpoint, the decision was really a no-brainer,” said Garen Distelhorst, MIA accreditation manager. “It is in the best interest of the accreditation program, and the companies already invested in the program, to increase the number of accredited companies.
“Knowing that ISFA has member companies ready to jump on this opportunity to differentiate themselves in this tough market is extremely exciting,” Distelhorst added. “Companies should be looking for unique marketing opportunities to set themselves apart from competitors, and the accreditation program does precisely that.”
Current MIA-accredited companies include 25 Natural Stone Fabricators, one Commercial A Contractor, and three Commercial B Contractors. There are more than 150 additional companies applying to the program currently working toward the credential.
For information on the MIA accreditation program and a complete list of accredited companies, please visit www.marble-institute.com/accreditation.