Ceramiche Del Conca celebrates a quarter century of life
The 25th anniversary party of Ceramica Del Conca was held in the beautiful setting of the “Oltremare” park in Riccione, specially opened for the occasion. The ceramic group is led by Assopiastrelle vice president, Enzo Mularoni. Several hundred guests came on Monday evening, 27 September, including the company’s employees and collaborators, members of civil, religious and military institutions and trade associations, all gathered in the brand-new marine park, which features the largest I-Max screen in Europe. The gifts prepared for the guests were of high cultural importance: the I 25 anni della Ceramica Del Conca, published by Fondazione Cino Mularoni – which includes two monographs: the first about the company’s history written by the journalist Gianni di Pasquale, and the second about the people who built its success written by the CEO Enzo Mularoni himself; and a commemorative medal, the work of Lombardian sculptor, Ugo Riva.

Gambarelli-Ideal Standard Agreement
An important distribution agreement for Gambarelli Gruppo Ceramiche. A contract was signed in recent weeks in Milan between the ceramic company and Ideal Standard Italia, the Italian branch of the international giant in the industry of sanitary ceramics and faucets with a turnover of 8.6 billion dollars. The contract provides for the exclusive sales, through the Italian distribution system, of the Oxygena antismog tile manufactured by Ceramica Gambarelli. Oxygena is one of Ideal Standard’s biggest draws at Cersaie 2004.

Ceramiche Caesar launches Agorà 2004
The first "Meeting Agorà" by Ceramiche Caesar was held in early summer. The initiative was organized in two separated events in which over 160 people from 11 different countries participated. The two events provided the opportunity to introduce the new Ceramiche Caesar partnership idea called "Agorà", a circle of quality in which the manufacturer and retailer work together with the shared goal of mutual growth. Within this partnership, a variety of services have been coordinated such as consulting and support to ensure a better display of Caesar products in customer showrooms and design consulting for layouts, which help enhance the aesthetic and furnishing qualities of products.

The Senio creative “bottega”
Senio was established in the Faenza area in 1968. Despite its growth over the years, it remains a kind of large “bottega”, which alongside predominantly industrial series, has lines that are completely hand-crafted, including as regards the body, the composition of glazes and decoration.
This has enabled the company to launch over 8,000 products in 170 sizes on the market. All of these products and services are tied to the company’s mission, which has been “to satisfy the need for furnishing ideas” for 35 years. The latest comer to the Senio house is the Vetri Ceramici project, an innovative idea that brings together glass art with ceramic art for a new design, combining the creativity of the project with new technologies to mold a rich material with marvelous light effects.

Meeting Nordica 2004
The traditional meeting of the Italian sales force for Ceramica Nordica took place in mid-June at the farm holiday cottage “Il Ranch” in Arceto (RE). The meeting delineated strategies that the Frappi Group (of which Nordica is part along with Ceramiche Skipper and Gotto dei Gonzaga) plans to pursue following company restructuring over the last two years.
New porcelain stoneware lines were introduced on that occasion and met with great success. The products were designed and presented for both interiors and exteriors.

New site for the Rondine group
The Rondine group recently introduced its new web site www.rondinegroup.com, which has been completely updated in its graphics and contents. Five main sections can be accessed from the home page: company presentation; settings suggested by designers and architects; a large area dedicated solely to materials that allows for particularly detailed searches; a space reserved to news from Rondine; and finally a section with information to contact the company. The new site has also been improved by a special reserved area in which price lists, the list of special offers and promotions can be accessed.

Fila project at “Palazzo della Regione” in Padua
Fila, which manufactures specialized, innovative products for treating all surfaces (stone, marble, cotto, stoneware, wood) helped restore the prestigious “Palazzo della Regione” in Padua. Thanks to its many years of experience, Fila developed a range of products to restore the floors set in historic architectural contexts. The “Terrazzo Veneziano” flooring of the lounge, for instance, was washed with Fila PS/87, a wax remover and cleaning product diluted in water to remove dirt and old layers of wax. The floor was then polished with raw linseed oil to maintain its elasticity. A layer of Marmocera wax paste completed the protective treatment.

Ceramiche Coem and Ceramica Fioranese showroom renovated
The new Ceramiche Coem and Ceramica Fioranese showroom, at Via Cameazzo 25 in Fiorano Modenese (Modena - Italy) was recently opened.
The new display area was designed to be both versatile and modern. It was conceived as a place for companies and customers to meet and dialogue, presenting new products and the main series in the Coem and Fioranese range.
Its minimalist setting aims at putting the product, materials and technology ahead of the decoration. A flexible, dynamic display space to express an ever-changing company spirit.

New leadership for Ceramica Omega
Ceramica Omega SpA new board of directors took office in recent weeks. Gianpietro Mondini became president and already filled the same role in the Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola. Stefano Bolognesi and Salvatore Sindoni, vice president and managing director respectively, are board members and Ettore Bergamaschi is the general manager.
Bergamaschi, 46 years old, comes out of metal mechanics, in which he worked in sales and strategic marketing management and then as general manager. Sergio Bertocchi holds responsibility for Italian sales management while exports has been renewed with the inclusion of Fabrizio Zironi.

New Cotto D’Este logo
Cotto D’Este has turned its trademark into “Cotto D’Este Nuove Superfici”.
The redesign came out of the wish to make the brand more contemporary.
In recent years, the company has set market guidelines in ceramic design and manufacture and become a key player in the high-end sector of the market. The choice to update the trademark, while maintaining the noble spirit by keeping the coat of arms of the House of Este, and adding the name “Nuove Superfici”, once again highlights the quality and aesthetics of Cotto D’Este products.

Zannoni enters the controlling syndicate of Mediobanca
Oscar Zannoni, Reggio Emilia industrialist and owner of Ceramiche Ricchetti, enters the controlling syndicate of Mediobanca, committing 2.5 million shares, 0.32% of the company stock.
Last 25 June, the controlling syndicate assembly decided to admit eight new industrialists, including some lofty names such as Diego Della Valle and Vittorio Merloni. The Mediobanca underwriting contract was renewed until 1 July 2007. Another businessman from Reggio Emilia is already part of the exclusive circle of finance, Achille Maramotti, a board member.

New computer system for Gres 2000
A new computer system has been introduced at Gres 2000, providing superior security level and online cost checking. The new computer network interfaces all of the company’s machinery to check, upgrade and download data. A new web site is in the works. Once online, it will interact with production, making data available to consult from anywhere in the world at any moment.

Important Spanish supply for Pastorelli
Pastorelli Ceramiche has won an important order from the Spanish chain Alcampo (of the Auchan Group), which in coming months will add 15 new stores to the 45 already in operation in Spain.
This order is the first of a supply that could reach 4 million euros in the next three years. “Competing with the domestic markets of our fiercest competitors, such as Spain, represents for us an excellent result,” says Enzo Donald Mularoni, president of the Faetano Group, of which Pastorelli is part. “On this track, we have started early investigations in China, where we opened our first representative office in Qindao to monitor that market”.