TILENEWS

The ceramic industry mourns Giuseppe Mussini

Giuseppe Mussini, CEO of Panaria Ceramica, passed away on 15 September at the age of just 57 from an incurable illness. A crowd gathered to pay their last respects at the funeral held in Sassuolo. Alongside fellow entrepreneurs from the Sassuolo ceramic district, the ceremony was attended by friends, associates and numerous members of the public wishing to show their support to the Mussini family following their terrible loss. Giuseppe Mussini was well known not just for his outstanding business skills, but also, among those who knew him, for his exceptional qualities as a human being: his love for life and his family, his sunny disposition and the warmth and empathy he brought to all his personal relationships, his enthusiasm and positive outlook, and the determination that enabled him to battle to the last against his illness. Giuseppe Mussini is survived by his wife Gloria and their three children Fabio, Francesco and Federico, his parents Giuliano and Gemma, his brothers Emilio, Paolo and Marco and his sister Silvia. Our editorial team offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the whole family.

ABK chooses Interceramic for the exclusive distribution in China

Abk - Abk Group brand that is among the top 10 players in the Italian ceramic sector - signed a strategic partnership agreement with ICC (Interceramic in China), a company affiliated to the North American Interceramic, for the exclusive distribution of its products on the Chinese market. ICC, operating in the Asian country since 2010, offers an innovative design concept and cutting-edge marketing strategies that have revolutionized the distribution of tiles and large slabs in China. The lockdown caused by the COVID-19 emergency, which hit China and then the rest of the world, slowed the distribution start, scheduled for the first months of 2020; meanwhile, they completed the setting up of 26 showrooms that are al-

ready open to the public today. By the end of the summer, ICC plans to complete further 24 showrooms to achieve at least 100 total stores by the first quarter of 2021, mostly in the main cities of the country. “ICC is a qualified partner - Alessandro Fabbri explains, ABK Group Sales & Marketing Director - attentive to the requests and needs of architects and interior designers, in full harmony with our corporate philosophy. Since its inception, ABK focused on the development of cutting edge and high quality products, aesthetically attractive and technologically innovative. This was made possible thanks to the constant work on technological innovation and the ability to bring in the world our personal sensitivity and attention to design and interior decoration, combined with the added value of Made in Italy”.

Floor Italia Ceramiche presents 2020-21 catalogue

Floor Italia Ceramiche, a Salerno-based company that has been operating in the floor coverings sector for over 15 years, recently published its new general catalogue presenting its 2020-21 collections. The publication reflects the company’s confidence in the future and its commitment to its customers and sales network. It also presents a wide range of polished, fully lapped, wood-effect and marble-effect floor coverings, in an equally wide range of sizes, from 120x120cm to the more traditional 60x60cm, 80x80cm and 60x120cm. Some of the most significant new developments are the graphic patterns inspired by marquina marble or featuring elegant golden amber, both of which are totally unique materials. In order to overcome the logistical difficulties caused by the pandemic and help meet the needs of all partners, the company is arranging virtual tours of its showroom by video call from a home or office PC. Alternatively, in-person meetings can be arranged by calling 0828 308161 or writing to info@flooritaliaceramiche.it. This will enable customers to benefit from a direct presentation of the new ceramic collections and SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) floating floor-

ing products. The click-lock installation system combined with the product’s unique characteristics (only 5mm thick, installable over existing coverings, ready to use, zero water absorption, zero formaldehyde emission, anti-bacterial, fire-resistant and adhesive-free fitting) are a further endorsement of Floor Italia’s pioneering approach to the sale of the new high-performance SPC.

Progress Profiles celebrates 35th anniversary

Innovation, forward vision and a production range made exclusively in Italy: these are the ingredients that have underpinned Progress Profiles’ 35-year success story as a major international manufacturer specializing in technical and decorative profiles and installation systems for floor and wall coverings. In 1982, Lino Bordin came back to Italy from Canada, where he had gained many years’ experience in plastic extrusion and metal processing. On his return, he decided to set up his own company in Asolo, in the Veneto region. He called his start-up born in 1985 Progress Plast, which grew steadily over the years, before updating its image and changing its name to Progress Profiles in 2010. The company opened a new Headquarters in Asolo in 2015, and now has two foreign subsidiaries: one in New Jersey, USA, and another in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In 2019, it reported a 12% increase in Group revenues, to over 55 million euros, with the support of 180 employees and 200 external partners in Italy and abroad. “Our company is constantly evolving and has never stopped innovating,” says Dennis Bordin, President of Progress Profiles. “Even in these uncertain times, the professionalism, cohesion and determination of our team have helped us quickly make up for the slowdown we suffered in the early spring. We would love to have celebrated this important milestone differently, but I’m confident that we’ll emerge from this stronger and we’ll soon be able to come together and celebrate everything we’ve achieved.” Every year, the production facility in Asolo produces 30 million linear metres of profiles for export to over 80 countries: from Portugal to Russia, the Middle East to South-East Asia and South America to Canada, Progress Profiles is a by-word for quality, professionalism and reliability, thanks to the special relationship the company has built over the years with its dealers, customers and designers. The export market accounts for no less than 40% of its total revenues. Progress Profiles remains committed to investing in Research & Development aimed at creating state-of-the-art technological solutions with innovative materials and impeccable environmental credentials. The 50-plus patents that the company has filed over the years testify to its hard work and creativity, and endorse its status as one of the Veneto region’s most resolute promoters of Italian manufacturing excellence.

Patrick Millot named new CEO of Laticrete

Laticrete, a US-based multinational and a leading manufacturer of globally proven flooring solutions, appointed Patrick Millot as its new CEO on 10 August. He is the first outside manager to fill the position in the company’s 64 years of family management and takes over from David A. Rothberg, who continues as Chairman of the Board after 42 years in the family business. Millot, who earned an engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris and holds master’s degrees in economics and international law, worked for 24 years at Saint-Gobain where he held roles of increasing responsibility: General Manager of the Reinforcement Division, then Vice President of corporate planning, strategy and finance of the High Performance Materials sector and President of the Ceramic division, and most recently serving as CEO of Abrasives and Composites Systems overseeing 12,300 employees from 88 sites in 30 countries. The new CEO will now have the task of further leveraging Laticrete’s success factors, namely globalisation, product innovation and customer centricity. “I am certain that with his enormous ex-

perience, Patrick will be able to exploit Laticrete’s potential and ensure its necessary evolution. Together, we will ensure continuity of our culture and values built up over the years by our family, which will maintain 100% ownership,” commented Rothberg. Millot will be supported by the existing leadership team: Edward Metcalf, Laticrete North America President and COO, and Erno de Bruijn, President and COO of Laticrete International Division.

Ceramiche Caesar opens its first flagship store in Milan

In a further initiative aimed at forging closer relations with the world of design and architecture, Ceramiche Caesar recently opened Milano Urban Lab, its first flagship store in Italy’s business capital. The store is located in the new Mo.1950 showroom at 14, Via Molino delle Armi, a multi-purpose site that owes its existence to the entrepreneurial vision of Corrado Molteni, and was designed by

Matteo Lualdi to provide a premium showcase for top furnishing and design companies. The wide range of floor and wall coverings on display are backed up by the specific know-how that Caesar has built up in over 30 years of materials research and collaborations with designers from all over the world, as evidenced by the original interior design proposals that adorn every surface, including those of the furnishings. Caesar’s flagship store in Milan marks an important milestone along the road the company embarked on when it opened a showroom in London in 2015 and another in Paris in 2016, as part of a circuit of excellence in international design and creativity.

Geberit’s first half results hit by Covid-19

In the first half of 2020, the business performance of the Geberit Group, the Swiss sanitaryware and bathroom accessories giant listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, was inevitably impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and negative currency developments. Compared to the first half of 2019, net sales fell by 9.8% to CHF 1,468 million (-4.5% net of negative currency effects totalling CHF 87 million). The results in different markets varied according to the durations of the construction site and showroom shutdowns. In Europe (down 3.3% on 2019 at constant exchange rates) the worst hit countries were the United Kingdom and Ireland (-34.1%), Italy (-25.1%), the Iberian Peninsula (-20.9%) and France (-19.2%). Positive performances were seen in Germany (+2.9%), the Nordic countries (+2.2%), Eastern Europe (+1.4%), Switzerland (+0.5%), Austria (+0.4%) and Benelux (+0.2%). Outside Europe, the biggest falls were in the Middle East/Africa (-25.9%), the Far East/ Pacific (-18.5%) and America (-5.4%). Overall, all three of the Group’s business units reported falls in turnover. Installation & Flushing Systems saw a 4.8% drop in sales (at constant exchange rates) to CHF 556.3 million; Bathroom Systems lost 4.6% to CHF 464 million, while the Piping Systems BU posted a 3.8% decline to CHF 447.8 million. In terms of profitability, operating cashflow (EBITDA) fell by 7.8% to CHF 462 million, operating profit (EBIT) dropped by 10.5% to CHF 386 million and net income declined by 13.9% to CHF 315 million. Rapid implementation of cost containment measures right from the start of the pandemic enabled the group to increase its EBITDA margin to 31.5% of revenues (compared to 30.8% in 2019). Despite the uncertainties of the period, Geberit Group maintained a high level of investment at CHF 55 million (compared to CHF 52 million in the first half of 2019), equivalent to 3.7% of net sales. The bulk of this spending was used for capacity expansion and plant modernisation. R&D expenditure amounted to CHF 38 million (CHF 39 million in the first half of 2019), equal to 2.6% of net sales. It is difficult to make forecasts for the second half of 2020. Barring a second wave of lockdowns, the construction industry appears likely to continue its gradual return to normality during the second half of the year. However, delayed

FERRARI & CIGARINI’S ACADEMY 2020

From November 2nd to 15th the first FERRARI & CIGARINI’s ACADEMY will take place. At the headquarters in Maranello (Modena) in Via A.Ascari 21/23 it will be possible to join free of charge the academy program held by specialized technicians to learn new processes and new manufacturing techniques Ferrari & Cigarini will dedicate a large demonstration area to Compactline automatic machines for cutting and mosaic, skirting boards and steps on porcelain, marble, granite and agglomerates. The machines of the BIGslim range will also be in operation. BIGslim is the new sys-

or interrupted projects, particularly in non-residential construction, and the temporary closure of the showrooms in the second quarter may have a negative impact on demand. Under these assumptions, Geberit expects currency-adjusted net sales in the second half of the year to be slightly below the level of the second half of 2019. Thanks to its strong foundations and very solid balance sheet, the group will continue to pursue its strategic and operative priorities and will maintain its R&D

budget.

tem for cutting, drilling, chamfering and glueing tiles in big sizes up to 320x160 cm, both with slim (3-6 mm) and standard (10-20 mm) thickness. This new project has been designed to create kitchen and bathroom tops, benchtops and steps, obtained from tiles in big sizes, both of gres porcelain and marble, granite or agglomerates (okite, silestone,etc.). Participation in the Academy will also be an opportunity to visit the company and the production department as well as to take advantage of Ferrari & Cigarini’s technicians who will be available to answer all your questions. For more information: marketing@ferrariecigarini.com

floor Provence - Grey 30x60