The Valley’s stone in Verona: two firms from Fines and one from Cantoria take the Marca Macael to Marmomac
Mármoles Luis Sánchez and Mármoles Gutiérrez Mena, from Fines, and CuellarStone, from Cantoria, have taken the Marca Macael to Marmomac 2026, the major trade fair in Verona.
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Stone from the Almanzora Valley has once again shone in the sector’s great global showcase. Mármoles Luis Sánchez and Mármoles Gutiérrez Mena, both from Fines, and CuellarStone, from Cantoria, have taken part with their own stands at Marmomac 2026, the international natural stone fair held from 22 to 25 September in Verona (Italy).
The three companies, members of the Andalusian Marble Business Association (Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía, AEMA), have taken to Italy a sample of the “know-how, production capacity and creative possibilities” of the industry of the Comarca del Mármol de Macael (Macael Marble District), according to the sector’s press release published by Teleprensa and esRadio Almería.
This is no ordinary event. Marmomac is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, according to the organisers, and over four days it brings together the latest proposals in materials, processing, design and solutions for architecture and interior design. There, in front of architects, designers, distributors and specifiers from many countries, the Valley’s companies have championed the Marca Macael (Macael Brand), which the press release defines as the sum of tradition, knowledge of the material, technology, innovation and a growing commitment to sustainability.
Support for going abroad
Their participation was backed by Andalucía TRADE and the Almería Chamber of Commerce. This agency of the Andalusian regional government (Junta de Andalucía) has an incentive scheme open until the end of 2026 for the internationalisation of Andalusian SMEs, worth €11.5 million and 85% co-financed with FEDER (ERDF) funds, which covers part of the travel, accommodation, stand or trade fair registration costs.
The Chamber, for its part, set up a specific scheme so that Almería SMEs in the habitat and natural stone sectors could be at Marmomac: up to €1,226.92 per company and participant for transport, accommodation and subsistence, or up to €2,453.83 if a second representative attended, also with 85% FEDER funding.
Why does it matter here?
Because marble is much more than an industry in the Valley: it is craft, jobs and landscape, and a good part of its future is played out away from home. For AEMA, having mechanisms that support companies as they go abroad is especially relevant in a sector “with a marked international focus and which competes directly with some of the most important stone industries in the world”.
CuellarStone is a good example. According to the Almería Chamber of Commerce, which visited it in 2024, this company, with more than 60 years of experience, does “almost 90%” of its business in international markets. Three names that, from Fines and Cantoria, keep putting the stone of our land on the map.
