The Spain-based luxury design giant remains committed to its founding principles as it moves toward its second half-century.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Porcelanosa is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an eye on innovation, sustainability and expansion.
The company was established in 1973 by José Soriano, Héctor Colonques and Manuel Colonques on four core pillars — innovation, quality, design and sustainability — to which it remains true. It started as a small tile producer best known for white-paste ceramic floor and wall tiles, and has evolved into a global provider of design solutions, especially for kitchen and bath. Today, it manufactures and distributes tiles and mosaics, natural stone slabs, kitchen and bath cabinetry, hardwood and laminate flooring, innovative bathroom sanitary fixtures, construction systems and installation materials, and its innovative Krion® solid surface product.
Based in Villarreal, Spain, the company employs more than 4,600 around the world, including at its 35 showrooms throughout the U.S. and Canada. It produces more than 215 million square feet of ceramics annually. Three new U.S. locations are opening this year, in Austin, TX, Scottsdale, AZ, and Palm Beach, FL, with more planned for 2024.
Throughout its first five decades, the company has developed new technologies and unique product solutions and brands. The Porcelanosa brand is part of Porcelanosa Grupo, a diversified holding company and a leader in the production of ceramics, kitchen and bathroom furniture and architectural solutions that range from ventilated facades to ceramic laying materials. Among its subsidiaries and brands are Porcelanosa, Gamadecor, L’Antic Colonial, Butech, Noken, Krion and others. Their wide array of products, systems and categories has helped the group expand throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America. Currently, the overall group has 1,082 points of sale and 43 logistics centers around the world — with more in the pipeline.
Kitchen Innovation
The company adapts to rapid changes in the market through innovative product design and technology. For instance, SmartKitchen by Gamadecor features invisible dual worktops blending innovation and design, harnessing cutting-edge technology to power up to 2,000 watts, without batteries or external cables. Its dual-purpose induction plates can be used as a cooking area while simultaneously providing a wireless electrical charge for household appliances through electrical induction. It also has an integrated induction charger for mobile devices.
Porcelanosa was one of the first companies to pioneer the use of large slim porcelain slabs for countertops. These XTone tiles install easily — weight is no problem due to reduced thickness — and they are water- and warp-resistant, therefore their lightness is not an issue. They are easy to maintain, resist stains and damage from fire, frost or thermal shock.
Porcelanosa has dedicated architectural and design representatives throughout the country to help architects and designers alike on residential, commercial and even healthcare projects. The company collaborates with many major architectural and design organizations, including NKBA, AIA, ASID and others, as well as with various healthcare-design groups like the Center for Health Design, the AAHID and the Nursing Institute for Health Design.
Sustainability Standards
The company has consistently maintained a commitment to protecting the environment. Porcelanosa Grupo was one of the first conglomerates in the tile industry to obtain ISO 14001 certification for environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. This certification reflects Porcelanosa’s long-standing tradition to conserve natural resources. Its manufacturing plants are equipped with water depuration and recycling systems, gas-burning technology that reduces consumption and emissions, and other processes and equipment that aim to reduce resource depletion and contamination.
Its overall environmental strategy centers on product design that contributes to the reduction of water and energy consumption in the home. Examples include taps that limit water flow, and building solutions that allow for energy savings in heating systems.
Sustainability has been critical to the company since its inception, as its industrial plants must harmoniously coexist with an agricultural sector that requires environmental responsibility. Its ecoTech philosophy strives to respect the natural environment, transform raw materials into eco-friendly products while reducing consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, implement sustainable development and manufacturing practices, and minimize negative environmental impacts of sourcing and production.
Learn more about Porcelanosa here.
