From its very inception, Bonstone has been advancing adhesive technology to fulfill the needs of the stone industry. During the 1960’s, the cost and weight of traditional stone, as well as the use of complex precast concrete units, prohibited the use of stone in many significant architectural projects. At this time, our founder King Harte, while working with P. Schmidt and Co. started formulating epoxy adhesive systems for stone application. Through many trial and error methods often performed in a make shift lab in his garage, King started what is today some of Bonstone’s main stream epoxies for stone bonding. Through discussions with friend and quarryman Bill Biesanz of Biesanz Stone Co, the two started aggressive development and mixing of epoxies. Their goal was to have a stone adhesive to take the place of seeing individual pieces of limestone put in place on a wall. Some of the first commercial work was done in P. Schmidt’s plant and in the Biesanz plant. They branched out into larger developments with stone companies in Bedford and Bloomington IN. 
In 1962, King Harte, founded Bonstone Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. He began product development of epoxies which would allow stone assemblies to vie for use in these areas which were becoming off limits to stone. King was uniquely suited to the problems being tackled. He owned a stone fabrication business and had attained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He cooperated in some of the first efforts to study the use of epoxies for stone assemblies, such as the research sub-committee of the Indiana Limestone Institute. His careful, patient approach to product development resulted in the development of successful epoxy adhesive products for the production of long lived stone assemblies.
In 1962, King Harte, founded Bonstone Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. He began product development of epoxies which would allow stone assemblies to vie for use in these areas which were becoming off limits to stone. King was uniquely suited to the problems being tackled. He owned a stone fabrication business and had attained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He cooperated in some of the first efforts to study the use of epoxies for stone assemblies, such as the research sub-committee of the Indiana Limestone Institute. His careful, patient approach to product development resulted in the development of successful epoxy adhesive products for the production of long lived stone assemblies.
