From left: Sergio Cardenas, Vitromex/Artemis, Larry Atkins, American Tile Supply.

San Antonio— Vitromex USA recently enhanced its distribution network for its Artemis Impervious Glazed Porcelain collection. The additions include:

• Longust Distributing, Mesa, Ariz.
• American Tile Supply, Dallas
• Insulation & Supply, Manitowoc, Wis.
• Self’s, Kansas City, Kan.
• Trends in Tile, Bridgeton, Mo.
• Elder Distributing, North Little Rock, Ark.
• Viking Distributors, Baton Rouge, La.

“We are very confident they will offer the best service to the dealers based throughout their states,” said Neal Gray, vice president of sales for Vitromex/ Artemis.

Though the collection is new to the six distributors, most have been pleased with the initial level of interest on the part of retailers. According to Bryce Free, customer service for Self’s, the brand is doing extremely well in its first month. “We are doing great with Artemis, especially in the Missouri area, and word is still getting out. Hopefully the collection will blow up in the next six months.”

Larry Atkins, president of American Tile Supply’s ceramic division, said its initial response to the Artemis collection has been good and has even been placed with national accounts. “Aside from the products being good, our relationship with Artemis has been very successful. We are quite pleased with the company and are very excited about the company’s new merchandising program, which is currently under development, and are looking forward to working with this technologically advanced leader in style.”

The Artemis brand currently consists of seven impervious glazed porcelain lines, the newest being Damascato and Montecarlo, which have brought in much more than expected, according to Massimo Ballucchi, director of marketing.