Del Conca USA doubles tile capacity
In the two years since it opened its U.S. production facilities, Del Conca USA, a subsidiary of Del Conca Group in Italy, has put in motion plans to double its capacity of porcelain tile production from 32 to 65 million square feet per annum.
Even with excellent early indicators, this increase is happening even faster than had been forecasted.
This important industry news was announced by Mr. Enzo Donald Mularoni, CEO of the Del Conca Group, at Coverings trade show for the tile and stone industry in North America.
The expansion, with work expected to begin during the second half of 2016, and production to start in early 2017, involves a further investment of 30 million USD both for construction and the purchase of new Italian technology.
To date, the U.S. plant, located in Loudon County (Tennessee), covers 320,000 square feet, but during the course of 2016 it will be expanded to cover 430,000 square feet. This increase of production will also involve the hiring of additional local personnel.
About 40 new employees, all American nationals, will be hired for the new production lines, in addition to the 85 currently employed.
The installation of two new production lines will be advantageous to the market, not only by increasing production – with the expansion of the range of sizes and styles manufactured – but also in the improvement of services to the American clients, with faster deliveries, etc., the company says.
The new facilities will be dedicated to the production of large formats and tiles of increased thickness, especially due2, the collection for outdoor installations which is produced in 20 mm thickness and has been very successful in the U.S., the company says, where porcelain stoneware is being discovered as a superior alternative to concrete and natural stone.
In 2015, import of tiles from Italy to the U.S. increased by 9.3 percent in value and 12.8 percent in quantity with respect to the previous year. In monetary terms, tile imports from Italy are worth US$572.8 million. The American market is showing clear signs of recovery and is becoming increasingly sophisticated with a greater demand for products of Italian design, the company says.