COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 327991

Cut Stone and Stone Products Manufacturing

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1885–1964founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedRock of Ages CorporationFoundedRock of Ages Corporation
1885
FoundedIbstock Brick Ltd.FoundedIbstock Brick Ltd.
1899
FoundedTarmac plcFoundedTarmac plc
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedTOTO LTD.FoundedTOTO LTD.
1917
FoundedCold Spring Granite Company Inc.FoundedCold Spring Granite Company Inc.
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedHanson PLCFoundedHanson PLC
1964
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Rock of Ages Corporation →
Active · founded 1885 · www.rockofages.com
1820s:Robert Parker opens Vermont's first commercial quarrying and finishing business in Barre.
Rock of Ages Corporation →
Active · founded 1885 · www.rockofages.com
1820s:Robert Parker opens Vermont's first commercial quarrying and finishing business in Barre.
Ibstock Brick Ltd. →
Active · founded 1899 · England
Ibstock plc is a leading manufacturer of brick and paving products in the United Kingdom and operates manufacturing…
Ibstock Brick Ltd. →
Active · founded 1899 · England
Ibstock plc is a leading manufacturer of brick and paving products in the United Kingdom and operates manufacturing…
Tarmac plc →
Active · founded 1903 · United Kingdom
Tarmac plc is one of the leading heavy building materials and construction services groups in Europe, with additional…
Tarmac plc →
Active · founded 1903 · United Kingdom
Tarmac plc is one of the leading heavy building materials and construction services groups in Europe, with additional…
TOTO LTD. →
Active · founded 1917 · Japan
TOTO LTD.
TOTO LTD. →
Active · founded 1917 · Japan
TOTO LTD.
Cold Spring Granite Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1920
Cold Spring Granite Company Inc.
Cold Spring Granite Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1920
Cold Spring Granite Company Inc.
Hanson PLC →
Active · founded 1964 · United Kingdom
Hanson PLC is an international building materials company with three principal operations.
Hanson PLC →
Active · founded 1964 · United Kingdom
Hanson PLC is an international building materials company with three principal operations.
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