Italian Manufacturers Group Changes Name

Sassuolo, Italy, December 20, 2006--At the recent general assembly meeting of Assopiastrelle (the Italian Association of Ceramic Tile and Refractory Manufacturers), the board of directors under the leadership of the president Alfonso Panzani, unanimously decided to join forces with a group of prominent manufacturers of decorative ceramics and porcelain sanitaryware to create a new association with a broader mission. Starting January 1, 2007 Assopiastrelle will now be known as the Confindustria Ceramica. The Confindustria Ceramica will represent a wide range of companies that all share roots in the production of ceramics. In addition to ceramic tile and refractory manufacturers, the sectors covered are ceramic dishware, decorative ceramics/vases and sanitaryware. New promotional plans are already in the works to support the additional product categories. Images of the new logo are available at the website http://www.assopiastrelle.it--which will be redesigned and relaunched in January to reflect the changes.