SITI B&T Group acquires Ancora

Following an agreement signed on Monday 16 February for the acquisition of Ancora by Siti B&T Group, the Formigine, Italy-based group has consolidated its technological leadership in all stages of the ceramic tile production process, adding advanced ceramic finishing technologies to its range of complete plant.

Founded in Sassuolo in 1969, Ancora specialises in the production of complete lines for ceramic tile finishing operations. The acquisition will enable SITI B&T Group to create a manufacturing hub between Sassuolo and Formigine in the heart of the Italian ceramic cluster, a location that has great industrial importance given that Italy has always been the cradle of innovation in the ceramic machinery sector.

"Ancora is a historic brand in the Sassuolo district and a standard-bearer for Italian quality, offering a wide range of innovative products that complement our own," commented SITI B&T Group's CEO Fabio Tarozzi. "It has a state-of-the-art mechanical workshop and has always excelled for its commitment to R&D. It is an outstanding company that was looking to become part of a large Group in order to fully exploit its potential. We believe that together we will be able to achieve further technological growth and offer an even better service to our global customers."

Ancora's technology for polishing, honing, cutting, grinding and protective treatment of ceramic tiles is currently used on more than 800 installed lines in 40 countries worldwide and generates a turnover of around 23 million euros. The company has invested more than 5 million euros in Research & Development over the last three years and has registered a number of Italian and international patents.

Together with the parent company Ancora, SITI B&T has also acquired the Spanish and Brazilian branches and the subsidiaries Cimas (industrial mechanical structures) and HiCoat Coating System (protective treatments for polished and honed porcelain).

Business continuity and successful integration with SITI B&T Group will be ensured by Ancora's outgoing Chairman Mario Corradini, who will stay on as a board member and as Head of technical development at Ancora, and Franco Ponsone, a partner and manager who will serve as Managing Director of Ancora.

SITI B&T Group, a manufacturer of complete plants for the world ceramic industry with an extensive presence in all markets, operates through five divisions: Tile (complete plants for tile production), Projecta Engineering and Digital Design (digital decorating machines and digital graphic design projects), B&T White (complete plants for sanitaryware) and B&T Automation (automated plants for the end-of-line stage). The Group has a current turnover of around 180 million euros and an export share of more than 80 percent.

From left: Fabio Tarozzi, Fausto Tarozzi, Mario Corradini, Franco Ponsone