TCNA Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

Orlando, FL, May 6--Originally established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America, the Tile Council of North America, Inc. (TCNA) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Over the past 60 years, TCNA has grown to become a North American trade association representing 142 ceramic tile manufacturers, ceramic accessories manufacturers, raw material suppliers, installation materials manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, and art/studio manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. TCNA has a leadership role in developing industry standards and promoting the use of ceramic tile in North America. As a general spokesman for the industry, TCNA provides information regularly to the press, consumer public, and government. It also cooperates with related industry associations in the exchange and dissemination of technical and industry information. Reflecting 60 years of growth, here are the areas of TCNA involvement today: •Develops and publishes the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation (15 new methods and more than 300 changes in the latest edition). •Chairs the ISO (International Standards Organization) TC-189 technical committee for ceramic tile, installation products, and testing methods. •Sponsors the TC-189 secretariat and represents the U.S. vote on TC-189 through ANSI. •Publishes ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A108, A118, and A136.1 standards and serves as the ANSI secretariat on US. tile standards. •Chairs the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) C21 Committee on Whitewares and ASTM C21.06 subcommittee on tile test methods. •Serves on the NTCA Technical Committee, ASTM F13 committee, MMSA, World Forum, and Inter Industry Working Group on Concrete and Flooring. •Serves on the Coverings Joint Venture board managing the largest tile trade show in the U.S. •Supports the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), the Tile Heritage Foundation, and Tile Partners for Humanity. •Counsels government agencies on trade and environmental issues. •Operates professional lab testing and research services for over 200 clients per year. •Provides access to Clemson University test equipment and research facilities. •Operates TCA Team for in-depth consulting and inspection services. •Conducts frequent AIA and CSI seminars, training over 5000 design professionals yearly. •Promotes members and tile education through ads and articles in several trade publications. •Operates an experimental 90-foot roller hearth kiln for tile research projects. •Collects and publishes industry statistics. •Publishes a CD-ROM containing the TCNA Handbook, ANSI standards, and member catalogs. •Provides answers to industry technical questions through the TCNA web site.

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