Dal-Italia Opens Phase 2 in Oklahoma

Muskogee, OK, July 27, 2006--Building a ceramic tile manufacturing plant in Muskogee sounded like a risky proposition when Dal-Tile Corp., first considered the possibility, the general manager of the Italian-based parent company said Wednesday, according to the Muskogee Phoenix. Dr. Gabrile Ronzoni of Emil Ceramica said the Muskogee plant proved to be a success almost instantly. The plant in Muskogee produced its first tile in June 2003. Wednesday, they celebrated the opening of the plant’s Phase II, which makes the Muskogee plant the largest ceramic tile producer in the nation and one of the largest in the world. Ronzoni spoke English with a very thick Italian accent, but the audience understood what he was saying. “It seems the impossible challenge and we were very, very worried,” Ronzoni said. Within 10 months, the Muskogee plant was not only producing the quantity of tiles that had been projected, it also was turning out a quality product, he said. “When I spoke with the media, I spoke about a little industrial miracle in Muskogee,” he said. While corporate leaders can be credited with the success, so must the employees who made it all work, he said. Harold Turk, Dal-Italia president, said over the last three years Dal-Tile has grown from a $1.5 billion industry to one of $2 billion. They have grown from a small family owned business in Dallas to become the largest ceramic tile producer in North America. While a large part of Dal-Italia’s product goes to residential installation, the company has more than 600 national accounts, including Hilton Garden Inns, T.G.I. Friday’s, Flying J Truck Stops and Dillard’s. Of its national accounts, 81 use products made in Muskogee, Turk said.

Related Topics:Daltile, CERAMICS OF ITALY

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