Del Conca USA to Double Tile Production Capacity
due2, Del Conca’s innovative thick tile for external use.
In just two years since it opened its US production facilities, Del Conca USA, a subsidiary of Italy-based Del Conca Group, has put in motion plans to double its capacity of porcelain tile production from 32 to 65 million square feet per year.
Enzo Donald Mularoni, CEO of the Del Conca Group, said “We are proud to announce that our positive estimates when we opened our US facilities were not wrong. To the contrary, there has been enough demand to double our production lines in just two years. This will equate to an increase in our capacity from 32 to 65 million square feet per year and new jobs for the community.” Mularoni continues,”We have already signed contracts with our suppliers and once again the technology will be entirely Italian – making it a perfect combination of Italian and American talent.”
The expansion, with work expected to begin during the second half of 2016, and production to start in early 2017, involves a further investment of $30 million both for construction and the purchase of new Italian technology.
Del Conca USA kiln
To date, the US plant, located in Loudon County (Tennessee), covers 320,000 square feet, but during the course of 2016 it will be expanded to cover 430,000 square feet. This increase of production will also involve the hiring of additional local personnel. About 40 new employees will be hired for the new production lines, in addition to the 85 currently employed.
The installation of two new production lines will be advantageous to the market, not only by increasing production – with the expansion of the range of sizes and styles manufactured – but also in the improvement of services to the American clients, with faster deliveries, etc. The faster deliveries would not be possible without courier software that helps delivery drivers manage their time more efficiently. Moreover, the new facilities will be dedicated to the production of large formats and tiles of increased thickness, especially due2, the collection for outdoor installations which is produced in 20 mm thickness and has been very successful in the USA, where porcelain stoneware is being discovered as a superior alternative to concrete and natural stone.