The testing specialists

Stone Initiatives provides expert guidance on the use of dimension stone in architecture, heritage restoration and product manufacture. Our important testing and evaluation services help to create safe and lawful built environments.

We are Australia’s only NATA-accredited laboratory specialising in dimension stone. With 20 years of experience, our team provides reliable stone testing and useful results in the fields of surface finishes, heritage, slip resistance, and facades and cladding. We help you minimise risk, meet project requirements and make informed choices for the success of your product.

Resources: Our latest articles and guides

Snapshot: Kate Tonkin, Co-Director

From netball courts to luxury hotels, Kate Tonkin has evaluated all types of flooring and surfaces right around Australia. Get to know Kate, Co-Director and Materials Testing Specialist (Finishes Evaluation Services) at Stone Initiatives. What inspired you to work in stone and materials…

Testimonials

We have been working with Stone Initiatives for many years, during which time they have consistently tested our stone products and provided detailed reports for specific tasks on various projects. I have worked with Tom Baggs on many occasions, and his knowledge and expertise have been crucial in ensuring we meet our project requirements. His professionalism and attention to details are why we continue to trust Stone Initiatives as a reliable partner. I highly recommend them.

Felipe Bronzon, Project Manager, Sam The Paving Man

Working with Stone Initiatives has been a very positive experience – all queries are dealt with professionally and promptly, the quality of the work is 10/10 and the timeliness is spot-on.

The principal, Jim, is one of the most experienced – if not the most experienced – dimension stone experts I have dealt with. Having worked around the world, he is up there at the top. I have no hesitation in recommending Stone Initiatives for any project that is considering stone as a cladding material.

Peter Bouras, Principal, BG&E Facades

As a client of Stone Initiatives, I want to emphasise the invaluable support they’ve offered our business over the years. Their expertise in testing, analysis and overall guidance has been crucial for our projects and product development. The team consistently goes above and beyond, making it a pleasure to collaborate with a company that shares our commitment to excellence. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

Gary Isherwood, CEO, Stone Ambassador

Jim always takes a helpful, pragmatic and creative approach to problem-solving. The quality and presentation of the reports by Stone Initiatives have always been to a very high standard. I have recommended Jim’s services to many people over the years – to other stone suppliers, but more often to government council engineers and builder/designer clients.

Wayne Blakeney, Director, Sales, Absolute Stone

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Stone Initiatives acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which our laboratory is based, the Peramangk people, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the stories, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities.