Del Conca USA to Double Capacity

Chicago, IL, April 19, 2016—In just two years since it opened its U.S. production facilities, Del Conca USA, a subsidiary of Del Conca Group based in Italy, has put in motion plans to double its capacity of porcelain tile production from 32 to 65 million square feet per annum.

Even with excellent early indicators, this increase is happening even faster than had been forecasted.

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.

To date, the U.S. 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, all American nationals, 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 new facilities will be dedicated to the production of large formats and tiles of increased thickness, especially Due2, the collection for outdoor installations that is produced in 20 mm thickness and has been very successful in the U.S., where porcelain stoneware is being discovered as a superior alternative to concrete and natural stone.