ABK Group launches €30 million investment plan through to 2025

The plan includes targeted actions focusing on product innovation, expansion of the group’s global presence and workforce, and the construction of a new business hub.

Following the acquisition of a stake by Cleon Capital, the Finale Emilia-based ceramic tile producer ABK Group launched a €30 million investment plan last October to support its medium- to long-term growth. The group, one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of porcelain stoneware tiles, will implement this programme over an 18-month period with a focus on three main areas.

The first is product innovation with the goal of strengthening its presence in the high-end market. In this segment, the group is maintaining its longstanding commitment to cutting-edge technologies with the aim of expanding its range of innovative products, particularly large-format slabs, Full Vein 3D solutions and the patented Cooking Surface Prime invisible induction cooking system.

Secondly, the group is planning to expand its office spaces and flagship stores with the goal of enhancing its global presence. This includes the new ABK Group STUDIO project aimed at design and architecture professionals, a catalogue library which will soon be housed in the first flagship store and will be supported by a dedicated digital platform. Other strategic openings are due to follow, including a new business hub in Fiorano Modenese in the heart of the Sassuolo ceramic district featuring an office area and a more than 3,000 square metre showroom serving all the group’s brands.

Finally, the ABK Group plans to expand its workforce by hiring new staff in the fields of technological research, sales and marketing, for which purpose it is organising specific initiatives aimed at attracting young talent. The group, which has pursued external growth ever since its foundation in 1992, will continue to look out for strategic acquisitions with a specific focus on Europe and the United States.

“Our company has grown steadily over the past 30 years as a result of our commitment to cutting-edge technology and selective acquisitions,” said ABK Group’s Chairman Roberto Fabbri. “This has enabled us to achieve truly significant goals and expand our market presence and product portfolio. We firmly believe that in order to maintain our growth, we must continue to invest with a focus on high-end products and on the opportunities offered by new applications of ceramic products, which now range from traditional sectors to a number of increasingly technology-driven fields. The allocation of €30 million and our forward-looking partnership with the Cleon fund will enable us to exploit the opportunities that the market will continue to offer.”

ABK Group, which generated consolidated revenues of €233 million in 2022, includes the companies and brands ABK, ABKStone, Flaviker, Materia, Gardenia Orchidea, Gardenia Slabs, 14oraitaliana, fuoriformato, Desvres Ariana and Hardkoll.