New Laminam facility opened in Russia

On 27 March the Fiorano Modenese-based company Laminam opened a new facility in Russia that will enable the System group member to take a significant step forward in terms of internationalisation and increased production.

The new factory extends over an area of 14,000 m² in the Vorsino Industrial Park, an important industrial area in the Kaluga Oblast approximately 100 km from Moscow, and is entirely set aside for the production of porcelain surfaces in a 1000x3000 mm size and thicknesses of 3 and 5 mm. The production capacity of a million square metres of panels a year will meet the growing demand from the domestic and nearby markets.

The plant incorporates all the excellence of System Lamina technology and reproduces all the characteristics of the main plant in Fiorano. These include a state-of-the-art production process based on an exclusive system for compacting highly selected clays and feldspars, sophisticated decoration systems, low-consumption hybrid gas-electric kilns and dry cutting systems that reduce water consumption and water treatment costs.

According to CEO Alberto Selmi, the new plant required an initial investment in technology of 25 million euros, a figure that will subsequently increase to 40 million euros. He emphasised the level of efficiency and automation of the facility, which was opened just a year after the acquisition of a majority stake in LaminamRus.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by numerous guests, including Anatoly Dmitriovich Artamonov, Governor of the Kaluga Oblast. Doing the honours were Chairman Franco Stefani, his daughter Alessandra (Vice Chairman), Alberto Selmi and the LaminamRus managers Ismail Timirovich Akhmetov and Vasil Misharov.

Over the following four days Laminam took part in Batimat in Moscow. The event served as an important showcase for the launch of the new large surfaces, which were proposed as coverings for floors, walls, tables and chairs.

A specialist in the production of porcelain panels for architecture and furnishing, Laminam operates in Italy both at the Fiorano site and also at its facility in Borgotaro (Parma), which was opened six months ago and is entirely devoted to 1620x3240 mm format panels.

With a consolidated turnover of approximately 68 million euros in 2016 and 30% growth, the company exports its products to Europe and North America, the Gulf states, Russia and the Far East and has a global distribution network.