Franchi Umberto Marmi, the Carrara-based marble quarrying and processing company, reported total revenues of €37.4M for the first half of 2026, representing a 5.3% decline compared with €39.5M in H1 2025. The half-year financial statements, prepared under IFRS accounting standards and approved by the company's Board of Directors, were reported by T24 Economia on September 30, 2026, and StoneNews.eu on October 15, 2026.
Operating profitability contracted during the period, with EBITDA reaching €8.5M compared with €11.5M in the prior-year period, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 23.5% versus 30.4% in H1 2025. Operating result stood at €4.5M compared with €7.2M, while net profit for the six-month period reached €3.4M, down from €4.8M in H1 2025. Total equity expanded to €135.8M from €132.4M at the close of December 2025.
In contrast to the broader revenue contraction, North American sales grew strongly, and the company has set up its own US entities and a Miami property.
Financial performance and operating margins
The financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, illustrate the margin pressure experienced by primary marble producers during early 2026. While revenue softened 5.3% to €37.4M, operating earnings fell more steeply.
EBITDA of €8.5M gave a 23.5% margin, down from 30.4% in H1 2025. Operating income concluded at €4.5M, down from €7.2M, while net profit reached €3.4M compared with €4.8M in the previous year., and equity increased to €135.8M.
The financial backdrop coincides with wider sector dynamics where Italian stone export prices reached historical peaks despite lower physical tonnages, as documented in StoneTrades' analysis of Italian stone exports in H1 2026.
Regional revenue distribution and Q2 rebound
Performance varied significantly across international sales territories. North America was the standout growth market, generating €9.3M in revenue, up 38.8% from €6.7M in H1 2025.
Other geographic regions experienced softer demand. The EMEA region produced €18.2M, down from €20.6M in H1 2025. Asia generated €4.6M, decreasing from €6.0M. Australia remained broadly stable at €4.0M.
Quarterly performance revealed a marked turnaround during the spring. After a subdued opening quarter, Q2 2026 revenues rose above €20M, exceeding the revenue generated in Q2 2025. For buyers of Carrara-area materials such as Calacatta Gold marble slab, the quarter-on-quarter recovery is a more useful signal than the half-year total; the company also exhibited at Marmomac 2026 in Verona.
Supply chain disruptions and US market expansion
Management attributed the decline primarily to logistical disruptions affecting shipping lanes into Gulf countries. The company linked these disruptions to geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
Shipments to Middle Eastern markets resumed as logistics corridors stabilized, and company leadership confirmed that it expects volume recovery during H2 2026.
To accelerate growth in the United States, Franchi Umberto Marmi established two American corporate entities: Franchi Umberto Marmi USA LLC and Franchi Umberto Marmi USA Real Estate LLC. On March 9, 2026, the company acquired commercial property in Miami, Florida, to establish a regional showroom and distribution warehouse. The chairman stated that the company had "finalised the investment for the new Miami showroom", describing the US expansion as strategic.
What it means for buyers
- A major Carrara quarrying and processing group establishing direct distribution in Miami provides North American buyers with shorter lead times, direct factory representation, and localized inventory of Italian marble blocks and slabs.
- Supply chain delays on Gulf shipping routes during early 2026 demonstrate transport vulnerability for Middle Eastern architectural projects, indicating the necessity of ordering material well in advance.
- Operating margin compression to 23.5% suggests limited room for price cuts on premium Carrara and Calacatta selections.
- The strong rebound in Q2 revenue above €20M and expected volume recovery in H2 2026 point to improving shipments, though buyers should still confirm block availability for specific selections.
