SITI B&T Group and Ancora: joining forces to offer cutting-edge solutions for ceramic tile finishing
Formigine, 16 February 2015 – SITI B&T Group has further strengthened its leadership position in all stages of the ceramic tile production process with the acquisition of Ancora, a company specialising in the production of complete lines for ceramic tile finishing operations founded in Sassuolo in 1969.
With this operation, SITI B&T Group – a manufacturer of complete plant, from raw materials preparation through to finishing – aims to create a major manufacturing hub located between Sassuolo and Formigine in the heart of the Italian ceramic cluster. This geographical location is of profound industrial and symbolic significance given that Italy has always been the cradle of innovation in the ceramic machinery sector.
Ancora’s technology for polishing, honing, cutting, grinding and protective treatment of ceramic tiles is currently used on more than 800 installed lines in 40 countries worldwide and generates a turnover of around 23 million euros. The company has invested more than 5 million euros in Research & Development over the last three years and has registered a number of Italian and international patents.
Together with the parent company Ancora, SITI B&T has also acquired the Spanish and Brazilian branches and the subsidiaries Cimas (industrial mechanical structures) and HiCoat Coating System (protective treatments for polished and honed porcelain).
“Ancora is a historic brand in the Sassuolo district and a standard-bearer for Italian quality, offering a wide range of innovative products that complement our own,” commented SITI B&T Group’s CEO Fabio Tarozzi. “It has a state-of-the-art mechanical workshop and has always excelled for its commitment to R&D. It is an outstanding company that was looking to become part of a large Group in order to fully exploit its potential. We believe that together we will be able to achieve further technological growth and offer an even better service to our global customers.”
In a market dominated by large sizes and digital decoration, surface finishing is becoming an increasingly frequent and important operation for high-end products. For this reason, ceramic tile manufacturers the world over are in search of the finest Italian technologies.
Business continuity and successful integration with SITI B&T Group will be ensured by Ancora’s outgoing Chairman Mario Corradini, who will stay on as a board member and as Head of technical development at Ancora, and Franco Ponsone, a partner and manager who will serve as Managing Director of Ancora.
SITI B&T Group
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SITI B&T Group is a manufacturer of complete plants for the world ceramic industry with an extensive presence in all global markets. It delivers outstanding technological solutions and innovative services with a special focus on energy efficiency and reducing production costs.
It offers customers a complete, personalised service including technical assistance with installation, maintenance and modernisation of production lines.
SITI B&T Group operates through five divisions: Tile (complete plants for tile production), Projecta Engineering and Digital Design (digital decorating machines and digital graphic design projects), B&T White (complete plants for sanitaryware) and B&T Automation (automated plants for the end-of-line stage). The Group has a current turnover of around 180 million euros and an export share of more than 80 percent.
www.sitibt.com
Ancora
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Ancora is a leading manufacturer of complete lines for ceramic tile finishing operations. It also operates through its subsidiaries CIMAS, a manufacturer of industrial mechanical structures, and HiCoat Coating System, a company specialising in the production process for protective treatment of polished and honed porcelain.
Ancora has invested more than 5 million euros in research and development over the last three years.
It has installed more than 800 lines in 40 countries worldwide, generating a turnover of 23 million euros.
www.ancoragroup.com
Press contacts
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Simona Armichiari
SITI B&T Group S.p.A.
simona.armichiari@siti-bt.com
Tel. +39.059.446323
Marco Fiori
INtono Comunicazione
marco.fiori@intonocomunicazione.it
Mob. +39.334.6007739
