Change of leadership at German tile association

At the members' meeting held on 28 September, the German ceramic tile manufacturers' association appointed Eckard Kern, managing director of V&B Fliesen, as its new chairman. Kern takes over from Dieter Schäfer, chairman of Deutsche Steinzeug Cremer & Breuer, who had led the association since 1998. Schäfer, congratulating his successor, noted that the generational change in the leadership of the German ceramic industry has come at precisely the right time, when the domestic market is picking up after ten years of severe contraction in demand. With 3-5% growth, 2011 has been a positive year for the German ceramic sector. The decision taken by the European Commission in March 2011 to introduce tariffs on imports of Chinese tiles has succeeded in slowing the downward spiral of prices triggered by the influx of low-cost products, and a situation of substantial stability is predicted for 2012.

Amongst the new chairman's activities, top priority will be given to forging closer links between industry, trade and distribution in Germany with the goal of stimulating demand through major communication campaigns aimed at end consumers.