Italcer becomes a Benefit Corporation and invests in small tile sizes

Equipe Cerámicas, part of the Italcer Group, has acquired a 20% stake in Opificio Ceramico, with a call option to acquire the majority shareholding.

Italcer, one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of ceramic floor and wall tiles and bathroom furnishings, announced a new acquisition on 31 October, conducted through its Spanish subsidiary. Equipe Cerámicas has acquired a 20% stake in Opificio Ceramico along with a call option for the majority shareholding.

Opificio Ceramico is a young Modena-based company specialising in luxury ceramic surfaces, with a focus on small handcrafted sizes and bespoke products. The company was founded in 2018 by Emanuele Marcato, who embarked on a project centred around sustainable craftsmanship with the aim of delivering truly tailor-made products.

This operation marks the ninth acquisition completed in six years by the group helmed by Graziano Verdi (along with major shareholders Mindful Capital Partners, Miura and Capital Dynamics), following La Fabbrica-AVA, Elios, Devon&Devon, Rondine, Equipe Ceramicas, Fondovalle and Terratinta Group.

“Opificio Ceramico is becoming well established itself in the market thanks to its unique products that align perfectly with our sustainable production philosophy,” said Graziano Verdi. “This deal solidifies our ambition to create an Italian design hub composed of high-end ceramic companies and generating significant synergies both in Italy and abroad.”

With projected 2023 revenues close to €400 million, the Italcer Group confirms its position as a leading international player in the ceramic industry with a strong commitment to sustainability. Confirming its focus on ESG, the company recently became a Benefit Corporation. Its goals, enshrined in its articles of incorporation, include reducing the greenhouse gas emissions deriving from its operations, enhancing energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic systems, pursuing ongoing product innovation, increasing the use of recycled materials (already higher than 50%) as part of a circular economy philosophy, and implementing corporate and community welfare policies for its employees.

In the last two years, Italcer has invested more than €20 million in sustainable innovation and each year consistently allocates more than 3% of its revenues to research and development.