Landmark Ceramics hosts grand opening for new production facility
(from left): At the ribbon cutting for Landmark Ceramics were Federico Curioni, President Landmark Ceramics; Filippo Sgarbi, General Manager of Landmark Ceramics; Senator, Dr. Joey Hensley; Luca Mussini, Owner Gruppo Concorde (parent company of Landmark Ceramics); Randy Boyd, TNECD Commissioner; and Charlie Norman, MauryCounty Mayor.
MOUNT PLEASANT, TN -- Landmark Ceramics recently hosted a grand opening event to show off its newly constructed 700,000-square-foot tile production facility, showroom and North American headquarters. The event signals the launch of the company into the American ceramic tile market. Guests included representatives from the Tennessee State Government, Mt. Pleasant City officials, architectural firms, designers and owners of distribution companies from across the country and Canada.
More than 200 guests were on hand for the invitation only event which included a ribbon cutting and tour of the plant, offices and showroom. The day began with the arrival of busloads of people being transported across the 96 acre grounds to the impressive corporate headquarter office for introductory speeches by company president, Federico Curioni, and general manager, Filippo Sgarbi. Guests were also greeted with remarks from Luca Mussini, owner of Landmark Ceramics' Italian parent company, Gruppo Concorde, who explained the many reasons behind making the choice of Maury County. "The most important one is that our family culture is close to the agricultural world, due to the fact that our grandparents were farmers and we have found here the same cultural tradition, ethics and values that are a part of our family," he said.
After speaking about the significance of Landmark's $90 million investment in the project, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development, Randy Boyd told the audience, "To make something like this happen is not easy. A company like this can literally locate anywhere in the world, but they chose here, Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, and so, it's a big deal they chose our community."
In addition to relating the company's history and goals for the future, Curioni told guests, "The plant that you will visit today, in full operation and producing the high notch porcelain tile that you will see displayed in our showroom, is one of the most advanced manufacturing facility in our business, worldwide."
Mussini and Boyd were joined by Maury County Mayor, Charlie Norman, State Senator, Dr. Joey Hensley, to cut the ceremonial ribbon at the entrance to the Landmark Ceramic showroom. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees were shuttled in smaller groups for a guided tour of the production plant led by company executives to see the massive facility which has a production capacity of 50 million square feet of high quality, porcelain tile annually. The tour was divided into six stations where the production process was explained by plant workers who shared their expertise of the inner workings of Landmark.,
Afterwards the celebration resumed at the modern design ceramics showroom where a luncheon was served in a casual atmosphere that allowed people to browse the company's products. The indoor and outdoor display of the Landmark tiles was the high point of the day to many of the guests.
"This is some of the finest tile I have seen," said Maury County Mayor, Charlie Norman. "This project is a prime example of what community teamwork can accomplish."
Mt. Pleasant Vice Mayor, Jim Bailey agreed. "To see a company work on this scale, but pay such attention to energy efficiency, recycling and respect for staff in the process is good to see in Maury County," he said. "We are proud to have Landmark in our community."
To conclude the day, buses carried the attendees to Nashville for a special evening at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Landmark arranged for the Conservatory at the museum along with live entertainment from some of the Music City's finest, cocktails, elegant dinner and an afterhours tour of the Hall of Fame.
According to Mr. Sgarbi, the company's intent was to show guests some real Southern hospitality, and although of Italian origin, that Landmark is proudly an American company. "We felt there could be no better way to show our American spirit than to do it with the music of America, Country Music," he said.
His sentiments were echoed by the company president. "As we welcomed these fine people to join us for this momentous occasion, our hope is that they will in turn welcome us into their businesses as a point of reference in the porcelain ceramic industry as they seek to serve their clientele," said Curioni.
For more information about this event or to learn more about Landmark Ceramics visit http://www.lcusa.com, email event.organizer@lcusa.com or call (615) 955-0202.
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