5 Things Buyers Asked Us at Marmomac 2026

Trade fairs are useful for many reasons, but one of our favourite things about them is how they concentrate questions.

Over several days, hundreds of conversations, and countless meetings, you start hearing the same questions again and again. Here’s what buyers asked at Marmomac 2026; five questions in particular stuck with us.

1. “Can You Actually Handle Our Volume?”

This was one of the questions we heard most often from wholesalers, developers, and distributors, the kind of question we also cover in more detail in our guide to bulk export orders.

And honestly, it’s the right question to ask.

It’s easy for a supplier to say, “Yes, we can do it.” But whether we actually can depends on the material, block availability, finish, quantity, production schedule, and, of course, the payment plan.

A serious supplier shouldn’t just tell you that an order is possible. They should be able to tell you how they’ll produce it, what the process looks like, and when you can realistically expect delivery.

That was one of the conversations we had with buyers at the show, and it’s one we’re happy to continue after it.

2. “What Makes Egyptian Stone Different?”

A lot of the buyers we spoke to already source natural stone from other Mediterranean markets.

So their question wasn’t simply, “What do you sell?” It was, “Where does Egyptian marble and granite fit into what we already have in our market?”

The answer starts with the stone itself. Egyptian natural stone has its own colours, mineral characteristics, and material families. Depending on the project, direct quarry-to-export sourcing can also create different commercial and logistical opportunities.

But we don’t think this is something that can be properly explained in a paragraph online. Put two stones next to each other. Look at them. Touch them. See how they behave under different lighting.

Sometimes a sample can answer a question better than we can; which is exactly why we bring best-selling stones like Galala, Sunny Nour, and Sinai Pearl to compare side by side rather than just showing photos.

3. “How Do You Handle Technical Requirements?”

This question came up particularly often with architects and specifiers working with requirements and certifications, and it’s an important one; the kind the Natural Stone Institute takes seriously too.

Our answer focuses on technical testing availability, water-conscious processing, and material traceability. When a project requires supporting documentation, we discuss the relevant information with buyers as part of the specification process.

Because specifications aren’t something that should be reduced to a few words on a brochure. We back every claim with information.

4. “What Are Your Realistic Lead Times?”

Serious buyers don’t necessarily want to hear the fastest number. They want to hear the number they can actually build a project around.

Lead times depend on quantity, material availability, finish, production load, and destination. Sometimes things move quickly. Sometimes they don’t.

We’d rather establish a realistic range early, including an appropriate contingency, than promise an optimistic date that becomes a problem later.

A realistic answer might not always be the answer you want to hear. It’s still the answer you need.

5. “Can We Get Samples Before We Commit?”

Yes. In fact, we encourage it.

A photograph can show you what a stone looks like, but it can’t fully communicate its scale, surface, texture, or how it behaves under the lighting conditions of an actual project.

A sample gives architects, designers, contractors, and buyers the opportunity to make a decision based on the material itself. And for something as permanent as natural stone, that’s a much better basis for a serious order than a catalogue photograph.

The Questions Buyers Asked at Marmomac 2026 Are Only the Beginning

The best supplier conversations don’t end with a price. They go further.

Is the material right for the project? Can it be produced in the required quantity? What’s the realistic lead time? What documentation is available? How will it be transported? What happens after the order is placed?

These are the questions that matter when you’re not simply buying stone, but choosing the right stone for a project you’re planning around it.

If you didn’t get the chance to ask us these questions in Verona, we’re happy to continue the conversation. Whether you’re looking for Egyptian marble or granite, need samples, or want to discuss a specific project, get in touch with our team; or book a meeting ahead of time next year so we can prepare for these questions before you even arrive.