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Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
0:28
Caesarstone, which reported an almost $47 million operating loss in the second quarter of 2023, prepares to bounce back with the announcement of several new products and a flagship design center in its U.S. headquarters city of Charlotte, N.C., before the end of the year.
In mid-October, the company will open a flagship design center that will offer a full selection of Caesarstone quartz, porcelain, natural stone, and its new Mineral surfaces. Also featuring premium appliances from Viking and Invisacook, the center will serve as a place for consumers and design professionals to meet, plan and work while viewing various materials, finishes and edging. Full slabs can be viewed either at the design center or in the company’s distribution warehouse.
Also on the schedule for later this year is a new state-of-the art distribution center in Fairfield, N.J., that will extend service to the Northeast and New York metro areas. As with the Charlotte facility, the new distribution center will feature quartz, porcelain, natural stone, and the new mineral surfaces. It joins the company’s existing distribution hub in Audubon, Pa., in serving that market.
Finally, as part of its second half 2023 rebound, Caesarstone is introducing three new colors from its new Time Collection, a part of Caesarstone Mineral™ Surfaces. The Mineral Surfaces collection is a new generation of surfaces created with sustainable manufacturing and materials. A unique blend of natural minerals and recycled materials, it offers the same durability, performance and aesthetic as Quartz, while reducing crystalline silica content from 90 percent to less than 40 percent, and in some cases less than 10 percent.
The new colors are: Solenna; Dreamy Carrara, and; Brillianza. The company is also introducing Caesarstone Studio, a digital platform dedicated to supporting design professionals by providing an array of information, tools, solutions, guidelines and other surfaces planning for architects and designers.
Resources included in Caesarstone Studio include a vast selection of downloadable 3-D files, spec sheets, care and maintenance guides, access to CEUs, galleries and more. It also features a project gallery showcasing global projects designed by Caesarstone partners, from kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms to outdoor kitchens and commercial projects. Included in that are behind-the scenes insights on each project, as well as a simplified sample ordering system.
Ken Williams, president and CEO of Caesarstone the Americas, says all the innovations are just examples of how the company strives to serve its customers with products, digital tools and expanded distribution. He adds, “With these advancements, customers can not only create breathtaking home design, but they can use our digital tools, design centers and slab viewing showrooms to envision, create and plan any project with ease.”
3:48
Ceramic tile use in the United States during this year’s first half dropped by 4.7 percent from the same time last year, according to a report from the Tile Council of North America – the TCNA. The group noted that imports of products and U.S. production declined from the first six months of 2022.
January-June this year, imports of 995.8 million ft2 declined 6.1 percent from the same period last year. India shipped the most to the United States during the first half of 2023, with 195.8 million ft2, or a 57 percent increase from the same time last year. Mexico was second at 181.8 million ft2, up 5.8 percent from 2022.
Spain, the leading exporter in first half 2022, dropped its shipments by 20.4 percent, to 172.2 million ft2, while Italy, which was the second largest U.S. foreign supplier last year declined 21.9 percent in this year’s first half to 142.8 million ft2.
Despite that, Italy led all exporters to the U.S. in transport-plus-duties value during the first half of this year, although the $352.8 million is a 15.1 percent drop from the same time last year. Spain’s valuation is down 11.3 percent.
On the positive side, Mexico’s $151.8 million in value represented a 16.9 percent increase from first half 2022, while India’s shipments increased in value to $122.1 million. Factory-dock sales value of U.S.-made-and-used ceramic tile for first half 2023 was $775.4 million, up 4.4 percent from the same time last year. However, domestic shipments were down 16 percent.
U.S. ceramic-tile export volume in first half 2023 decreased 17 percent from the same time last year. The two largest export targets for U.S.-made products are Canada, which took two-thirds of U.S. output, and Mexico, which purchased just under 20 percent.
TCNA is a trade association representing manufactures of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products. The group facilitates the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit consumers.
7:38
Coral Gables, Fla.-based Cosentino North America announces it will open three new City Centers in the metropolitan areas of Washington, Seattle and Boston. The new centers come on the heels of the brand’s announcement of a new U.S. manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Fla.
With a total investment of almost $5 million, the three new centers further Cosentino’s mission of providing a comprehensive experience to homeowners, designers, architects and others. Each location offers unique design characteristics for its community, including exposed brick in Boston, industrial color palettes in Seattle, and historic architectural elements in Washington.
Each space is approximately 3,000 ft2 and will contain the tools to understand the brand and its core features, including design quality, sustainability and durability. Visitors will find access to an all-encompassing design workshop showcasing Cosentino’s product offerings, alongside a selection of globally and locally sourced textiles, tile, cabinetry samples, and plumbing fixtures.
The new showrooms are also the first to have a bathroom display area showcasing the versatility of C-Bath, Cosentino’s approach to reimaging the bathroom space through design and technology with elements such as large format wall and floor cladding, minimalist sinks, and shower trays. Functioning kitchens and meeting rooms will give designers and architects the chance to network and host clients. Each center will also display an array of Cosentino’s Silestone® and Dekton® products.
Eduardo Cosentino, CEO, Cosentino Americas and EVP Global Corporate Sales, says the company is pleased to be able to expand its footprint in the North American market and provide a resource for customers as they embark on designs projects. He adds, “Establishing a presence in these three cities creates a mutually beneficial partnership between Cosentino and the local design community, including the ability to foster new relationships in the industry.”
Along with those three new City Centers, Cosentino expects to be opening a new regional center in Boise, Idaho, with both warehouse and showroom space, and a new Canadian showroom in Vancouver.
10:02
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – the CBP – have affirmed the evasion of unfair-trade tariffs on Chinese quartz surfaces in two more cases this past month.
The CBP found evidence of transshipping surfaces from China in actions involving Superior Commercial Solutions LLC of North Salt Lake, Utah, and LTT International Trading Co., of Chino, Calif as part of an Enforce and Protection Act – or EAPA – investigation. CBP issued Notices of Determination against SCS on Aug. 31, and LTT on Sept. 12.
The rulings mean both companies will be liable for the 371.45 percent unfair-trade duties imposed on Chinese-made quartz surfaces, and will have future imports monitored by the federal agency. Cambria Company LLC of LeSueur, Minn., filed allegations against both companies last year with the CBP’s Enforcement Operations Division of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Directorate.
The SCS case dealt mainly with Vietnam-based suppliers of quartz-surfaces products including furniture tops. Cambria alleges that the suppliers imported quartz surfaces from China but declared on shipment to the U.S that the products were Vietnamese-made.
With LTT, the CBP noted the company and the listed Taiwanese manufacturers of quartz products didn’t fully respond to the agency during the investigation. Among odd discrepancies, a certificate of origin submitted for products turned up a “no records” result when entered into the Taiwan government’s
online origin verification system.
11:48
Stonepeak Ceramics, a U.S. manufacturer of high-tech porcelain stoneware solutions has reaffirmed its commitment to excellence, innovation and customer satisfaction through a series of strategic investments in its U.S. operation in Crossville, Tenn. The updates are expected to help the company continue delivering state-of-the-art quality materials.
The company is currently embarking on a $10 million program of capital investments for the Tennessee plant. Projects include a multi-phase manufacturing upgrade expected to be completed by the end of December.
The update will provide Stonepeak customers with XL-gauged porcelain stoneware slabs and high-end large format materials, including new polishing lines and new 12-bar digital printing machines with state-of-the-art capabilities. They are expected to enhance through-veining, expand the color ranges and upgrade polished finishes. Additional upgrades will enable the company to also stock higher inventory levels and guarantee faster turnaround times.
Stonepeak Ceramics will also implement a new warehouse management software to improve stock management practices to better respond to expanding customers’ needs. The new system will increase handling, storing, and shipping efficiency.
Stonepeak Ceramics is part of the Italian-based Iris Ceramica Group with headquarters in Chicago.
Remember, the September-October issue of our online magazine, Stone Update, is now available at www.magazine.stonemag.com. For a transcript of this broadcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com. For Radio Stone Update, I’m K. Schipper and we’ll see you here again soon.
