NEW PRODUCTS satile Hexpin® surface prepara- tion system, the extremely popular Tuscan® tile leveling system and a full range of abrasives and dia- mond blades. “The Stephens Group is an excel- lent fit for our organization,” said Rich Berry, Pearl Abrasive presi- dent. “They truly understand Pearl’s unique position in the market and will give us the support we need to further grow our business and exceed the needs and expectations of our customers.” New products from Coverings ‘17 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A number of aesthetic/design trends took shape on the show floor. To simplify, let’s call them Industrial, Naturals, Old World, Shiny, Size and Texture. Industrial encompasses worn, weathered metals and concrete effects, and also a number of ter- razzo looks which have been styl- ized, upsized or combined with colors or other elements. Examples of these include: Naturals include woods of every stripe – purely authentic represen- tations as well as polished, blued or weathered woods (the color that came across most strongly of any hue in a variety of representations) in porcelain, glass or even in a car- toon style; as well as stone looks. Pop Job, by Mirage, trans- forms wood grain into cartoon-like graphics in polished and natural finish 6” x 24” planks. Tile of Spain producer Vives has crafted a terraz- zo look in digitally printed polished tile for floors and walls. Spanish manufacturer Apavisa double fires its porcelain to obtain worn, weathered concrete and oxide effects. Italian factory Target showed a line that simu- lated terrazzo. Florim offered the Gallery line with oversized ter- razzo graphics. 114 TileLetter | June 2017