Article Number : 633 |
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| Date | 10/25/2005 11:25:23 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=633 |
| Abstract | Bologna, Italy—The 23rd edition of Cersaie once again staked its claim as the world’s largest market for ceramic flooring and America continues to be a focal point of the Italian tile industry. Held from Sept. 27 to Oct... |
| Article | Bologna, Italy—The 23rd edition of Cersaie once again staked its claim as the world’s largest market for ceramic flooring and America continues to be a focal point of the Italian tile industry. Held from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, at the Bologna Exhibition Centre here, Assopiastrelle, the association of Italian ceramic tile manufacturers, reported positive results. The exhibition, which included numerous displays of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, registered the highest ever percentage of foreign visitors and overall attendance increased by more than 4% from last year. Organizers said the 1,684,000 square feet of available exhibition space was completely booked several months in advance by 1,030 companies, including 204 foreign exhibitors from 32 different countries. Statistics show a total of 88,522 visitors attended Cersaie ’05 compared to 84,983 in 2004. According to Assopiastrelle, the increase can be credited to the consistent foreign attendance combined with substantial growth among Italian visitors. A total of 24,714 foreign visitors accounted for nearly 28% of this year’s attendance at the exhibition and is the highest value ever recorded for the market as well as one of the highest for any Italian trade show. “Happily, the tradition of having the entire available surface space assigned months in advance to the best ceramics and bathroom furnishings companies in the world continues,” stated Alfonso Panzani, the newly elected president of Assopiastrelle (FC-News. Oct. 3/10). “Something else of note that confirms the marked international character of the exhibition is the registration of over 200 exhibitors coming from more than 30 countries.” And exhibitors certainly didn’t disappoint the large number of attendees that toured the exhibition halls. It was obvious by their displays that manufacturers have been hard at work to develop new product lines, with dazzling colors, sizes and textures. In particular, many companies offered collections that specifically target the U.S. market. Assopiastrelle noted North America is currently the primary foreign market for Italian ceramic tile makers. This is based on export figures plus the large share of U.S. production which is manufactured by subsidiaries of Italian companies—35% of the entire U.S. production capacity. Bold colors, shimmering glass mosaics, textured tiles and metallics were among the many product lines on display at Cersaie. Additionally, tiles resembling the look and feel of stone and wood remained popular. Not only are more mills carrying such lines, but the level of authenticity has increased tremendously. The tiles now have more depth, with varying shades and textures, to reflect the qualities that are inherent in natural stone. The same is true with tiles resembling the look of natural wood. Grains and coloring have become more realistic, and sizes now include planking. In recent years, there has been a rise in glass mosaic tiles. These product lines bring a fresh, new feel to interior design. Sicis, a leading Italian manufacturer, introduced two new mosaic lines. The NeoGlass Collection not only has many eye-catching shades of color, the tiles are also available in different shapes, including hexagons and ovals. The company’s Basic Mosaic Collection was also available. The line combines porcelain and glass mosaic tiles—illustrating how mixing mediums can bring diversity to a design. “The tiles are now made thicker and stronger for high-trafficked areas,” said Francesca Ricci of Sicis, adding that the different shapes and sizes are also offering new options in design. Ricci added, the U.S. is a large market for Sicis. “We’re opening a showroom in So-Ho in New York City by 2006. It will be our North American headquarters.” Another large Italian producer offering an assortment of products to the U.S. is Trend Group. With three companies under one corporation, Trend’s product lineup includes everything from glass mosaics to stone floor tiles. Margherita Cocco of Trend explained the group recently opened a new company, Le Chianche, which specializes in stone products. “It combines stone with other materials offered in our group.” Additionally, Cocco said that Trend is planning to open a new company next year, which will carry prefabricated glass slabs for countertops. She explained the mill sees a market for this in the U.S. “The glass offers consumers an alternative to granite and solid surface material.” Throughout the exhibition halls, new and innovative products were on display. Among the trendsetters was Lea Ceramiche. One of its latest collections features decorative elements, making the tiles seem like pieces of art. Designer Diego Grandi of Milan was hired by Lea Ceramiche to collaborate on the design of the new line. The tiles are sandblasted with geometric shapes, and the series has names such as Scratch, Outline, and Grid. “This new collection is ideal for contemporary design, whether for a trendy restaurant or modern living space.” In general, this year’s exhibition included numerous displays which illustrated how ceramic and porcelain tile can be mixed with other mediums such as glass, metal and stone. Also, when tile is paired with mediums with different finishes, it further contributes to a unique and diverse design. |