Marazzi, world leader in the design and production of ceramic floor and wall tiles, officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Fiorano Modenese on 3 September this year. Since 2013, Marazzi has been part of the US group Mohawk Industries Inc., the world's largest flooring coverings manufacturer listed on the New York stock market.
Guests of honour at the event were the Minister of Constitutional Reforms Maria Elena Boschi and the President of the Emilia Romagna Regional Government Stefano Bonaccini.
Construction of the new Fiorano Modenese plant involved an investment of around 30 million euros, the largest made by Marazzi since joining Mohawk Group.
Built alongside the existing facility, the plant occupies an area of 37,500 sq.m, including more than 9,000 sq.m of new covered area. The production capacity of the site has been more than doubled, from 4 to around 9 million sq.m/year of high-quality porcelain, manufactured - as CEO Mauro Vandini pointed out in his welcome address - using the very best Italian technology, including new high-tonnage presses, four new kilns, and cutting-edge digital machines for decoration, glazing, squaring, quality control, handling and packaging of ceramic tiles.
The plant reveals a strong commitment to the environment, as well as operator comfort and safety. It is equipped with cogeneration, heat and water recovery and advanced safety systems.
"We're very pleased with the new Fiorano plant, which uses cutting-edge Italian technologies to produce the finest ceramic tiles while maintaining the highest levels of protection of the environment and operator safety," commented Marazzi's CEO Mauro Vandini. "This project is an example of how the excellence of Italian industry in sectors where we enjoy a world leading position such as ceramic tiles can attract major international investments, which have a direct and very positive impact on the local area."
The Fiorano plant is just one of the investments planned for Marazzi's Italian production sites. A new facility is also under construction in Finale Emilia to double the existing production capacity, and the renovation work on the Marazzi showroom in Sassuolo is due for completion in a few days' time.