Leading Architecture & Design February/March 2020

Page 44

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FLO O RI N G

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN FROM THE GROUND UP How many products can you say are truly born of South African soil? For over 40 years, Ceramic Industries has been producing just such a product – one made from locally quarried materials in local factories. While the technology that makes them keeps changing, the basic ingredients of great quality tiles remain the same:

What’s more, the company is fully aware of its place in its communities, and several outreach programmes show they’re rooted in their environment. Their employees do great things in and out of working hours – they upgrade the infrastructure of day-care centres in the area, offer knowledge-sharing sessions at schools, do neighbourhood

clay, fire, water and air. Ceramic Industries combines these four natural elements to produce fashionable, resilient, safe, long-lasting products that are a favourite with South Africans. The company began in 1976 and today it employs over 1 100 people in seven South African factories. Ongoing training and a commitment to teamwork across all the factories make it an enviable place to work. There are opportunities to advance in a field that combines science, engineering and design.

clean-ups, host sports days and more. So much, in fact, the company must produce a newsletter to cover it all. Ceramic Industries may use some of the most advanced Italian machinery, but it’s local knowledge that has made them the success they are today. Understanding the technical requirements and particular tastes of the different segments of the local market is behind the huge popularity of their products – today, one out of every two ceramic tiles bought in the

44 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020

country originated in one of their factories. The investment in machinery has also made their factories more earth-friendly, reducing emissions and water use. Heat from the kilns at most factories is now recycled for use in other processes, while water is

recycled for use in as many applications as possible. And what about that South African soil? Even the quarries they use as a source of their raw materials are restored to their original state as far as possible. www.ceramic.co.za


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SAINT-GOBAIN REITERATES ITS COMMITMENT TO AFRICA

3min
page 54

BATHROOM LIGHTING SAFETY: ZONES AND IP RATINGS

2min
page 52

TECHNOLOGY MEETS TRADITION

1min
page 50

The new shower-toilet generation by Duravit and Philippe Starck

1min
page 48

CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT SHOWERING

1min
page 46

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN CERAMIC TILES

1min
page 44

REHABILITATION OF THE M1 DOUBLE DECKER

1min
page 43

KBAC Flooring celebrates 50th anniversary

2min
page 42

INTRODUCING NEW WOOD-LOOK MODA VINILE FROM ITALTILE

1min
page 41

VINYL FLOORING IN 2020 AND BEYOND

2min
page 40

GRATING FOR INDUSTRIAL FLOORING SOLUTIONS

2min
page 39

A BROADLOOM CARPET DESIGNED FOR DEMANDING COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

1min
page 38

FROM FAULTY TO FABULOUS WITH TERRAFORCE

1min
page 36

FIRE-RETARDANT FOAM FOR FAÇADES AND FENESTRATION

2min
page 34

Backward glance

1min
page 70

Inspired by technology

4min
pages 30-32

SA’s first interior 6-Star Green Star Award

2min
pages 28-29

Three sisters

4min
pages 24-27

African sanctuary

4min
pages 1, 20-23

Ship shape

5min
pages 14-16, 18-19

The Exchange story

2min
pages 12-13
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