EUROROC
The various European federations of the dimension stone industry decided in 1950 to found a common organization to work together on the European level. As the process of European integration has developed, the need for joint decision making and common activities has increased. As in most fields, it is also true in the dimension stone industry that a common European standpoint is needed, in order to harmonize the interests of the member federations and at the same time to protect the regional diversity of the industry.
The aim of this federation is to coordinate questions of common interest, find solutions for common problems, promote dimension stone, as well as represent it in dealings with European institutions in addition to political and industrial bodies, scientific institutions and universities at the international level.
The federation is officially registered under Belgian law with a central office near the Frankfurt/Main Airport in Germany. Specific topics and problems are dealt with in working groups and workshops. Commissions exist to address the culture of tombs/monuments, training/educational issues and technical questions.
All the relevant national federations of the European Union are members of EUROROC. Friendly relations are maintained with stone federations outside the EU and worldwide networking is gaining more and more importance.
PRESIDENT
Hermann Graser
Our president: Hermann Graser jun.
He was re-elected President of Euroroc for a period of two years until September 2024. The delegates from all over Europe unanimously elected him president. Mr. Graser has passed through all areas of natural stone in the course of his professional training: He is a master craftsman, technician and restorer in the stonemasonry and stone sculpture trades (he started his training in 1993). Since 2009 the management of the family business has been in the hands of him and his brother. At the same time both of them joined the company as partners.
Since 2005 he has been a member of the DNV board of directors and a member of the technical commission.
Important recent projects:
- New building Historical Museum, Frankfurt
- Reconstruction Berlin Palace, Berlin
- Reconstruction Museum Barberini, Potsdam
- New construction of entrance building Hambacher Schloss, Neustadt an der
Weinstraße
- New construction of the office building Fürst & Friedrich, Düsseldorf
Direct contact: president@euroroc.net
SECRETARY
GERD MERKE
Prof. Dr. Gerd Merke is Secretary General of EUROROC in an honorary position and is lecturing at the University RheinMain in Wiesbaden.
Mr. Merke is Juris Doctor from the University of Augsburg/Germany and holds a Master Degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, U.S.A.. He has been practising in mining engineering law. Among his specialities is mining law and the application of security regulations in companies. He is one of the first experts that introduced best practices in the mining industry. Together with the Centre Terre & Pierre, Tournai, Belgium he introduced the “Good Environmental Practice in the European Extractive Industry - A Reference Guide” in 1999 and has been working in the field ever since.
MEMBERS
Euroroc is proud to have members from all over Europe. They represent the whole industry: from the extraction of the raw material via the processors and the dealers to the local stonecutters and installers.