Ceramiche Piemme reports growth

Ceramiche Piemme, a long-established Italian ceramic tile manufacturer with three facilities covering a total surface area of 200,000 sq.m, 350 workers and a turnover of around 80 million euro, has reported 14% turnover growth in the first 10 months of 2010. The result was announced by Francesco Zironi, former chairman of Assopiastrelle and current chairman and managing director of the Italian firm.

To achieve this result, Zironi, back at the helm of the company after a 10-year absence, earmarked more than 27 million euro for upgrading machinery and boosting sales. “It is certainly a big gamble, but if you don’t invest you won’t get anywhere,” he commented. Further 10% growth is anticipated in 2011, amply reversing the losses of 2009 and reaching a turnover of 90 million euro.

The figures for employment also speak volumes: “In 2009, the worst year, we resorted to just three weeks of lay-offs paid by the wages guarantee fund, and this year not even an hour.”

These are exceptional results, “achieved through effective teamwork, constant investments in research and development and high-quality products focusing on synergy and innovation in conjunction with the Valentino fashion brand”. Ceramiche Piemme is now aiming to consolidate its exports and enter new markets, particularly China, the former Soviet republics and the Middle East. It is focusing the same degree of attention on the domestic market, because – concludes Zironi – “Italians are interested only in quality”.