After considering the work of hundreds of leading tile distributors across the United States and Canada, Ceramics of Italy is pleased to recognize Mosaic Tile Company as the recipient of the 2013 Confindustria Ceramica North American Distributor Award. The award is annually presented at Coverings to a prominent North American distributor in appreciation of their dedication to the promotion of Italian ceramic tiles in the marketplace. This year, Mosaic Tile Company, a valued partner for the past 40+ years, joins this hall of fame list of distributors. With ten showroom locations on the East Coast, the company has distinguished itself as a leading resource for colorful, design-driven, large-format and eco-friendly tile.

As in past years, a Supervisory Committee made up of members of the Confindustria Ceramica Board of Directors, compiled a list of criteria based on recommendations from Italian ceramic tile manufacturers. Judges’ considerations included: long term competence and skill as an importer and distributor of Italian ceramic tiles; preference for Ceramics of Italy products in light of their unique aesthetic and technical qualities; fair-trade practices in the commercial relationship undertaken with Italian manufacturers; and best showroom and corporate image. Based on these standards, Mosaic Tile Company emerged as the clear winner, standing out in each of the rigorous categories set forth by the Italian ceramic tile industry.

Since 1972, Mosaic Tile Company has been dedicated to importing, distributing and marketing high-quality ceramic and porcelain tile to the United States. It is the largest independent distributor in the Mid-Atlantic, a region which has played an important role in the development of American culture, commerce, trade and industry. With ten design centers spanning from Baltimore, Maryland to Raleigh, North Carolina, the company prides itself on its superior service and wide selection of hard surfaces from around the world. Mosaic Tile Company’s current inventory features a long list of Italian manufacturers including: Atlas Concorde, Mirage, Monocibec, Serenissima, Florim, Marazzi, Del Conca, Edimax, Piemmegres, Imola Ceramica and Provenza, to name a few. Its tile gallery is filled with everything from large format porcelains to monocottura wall tiles to meet the needs of the commercial and residential markets. This past year, its sales of ceramic tiles accounted for over 75% of overall turnover.  

In addition to its wide range of tile from Italy, the jury was also impressed by the company’s commitment to sustainability. A supporter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Mosaic Tile Company brings “green” tile to the forefront of design. Its professionally trained design consultants are deeply educated on the environmental benefits of ceramic tile and up-to-date with today’s most important industry standards and environmental policies including LEED-compliant products, tiles made of pre- and post- consumer recycled material and setting materials that offer low VOC options.

Mosaic Tile Company’s 40+ year tradition of excellence will be celebrated at Coverings on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. During Ceramics of Italy’s annual cocktail party, Aperitivo Italiano, Vittorio Borelli, vice president of promotional activities for Confindustria Ceramica, will present Mosaic Tile Company with the 2013 North American Distributor Award. The party will be held on show site from 5:30–7:30pm in the Ceramics of Italy booth #2231. General Manager James Igoe will be on hand to accept the prestigious prize. The company will also receive a trip to Bologna, Italy to attend CERSAIE – the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings – from September 23-27, 2013.

When the Manufacturers Association of Florida announced the four winners of this year’s Manufacturers of the Year competition, MAPEI’s Fort Lauderdale plant took home the award for the category of “Manufacturers with 66-130 Employees”.

The Association judged each company on leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; and process management. In addition to evaluation of applications, tours of finalists’ facilities were made by the judges.

“All of our finalists demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their manufacturing businesses. We are delighted to have such exemplary manufacturing companies in Florida and congratulate the winners of this year’s competition,” said Nancy Stephens, Executive Director, Manufacturers Association of Florida.

Robert Piatek, Unit Manager of the Fort Lauderdale plant, accepted the award on behalf of MAPEI. “This award represents the efforts of our Fort Lauderdale team to achieve all the aspects of CARE, which our MAPEI Americas CEO Luigi Di Geso outlined at our recent Town Hall meeting – Commitment, a can-do Attitude, Responsibility and striving for Excellence,” Piatek said. “Being named Manufacturer of the Year for the State of Florida highlights our efforts and spurs us to be even more committed in the coming year.”

About MAF

The Manufacturers Association of Florida, founded in 2005, is comprised of manufacturers and those supporting industries interested in improving the business climate for manufacturers in Florida.

About MAPEI

MAPEI Group, with 65 subsidiaries including 62 plants in 30 countries, is today the world leader in the manufacturing of adhesives and complementary products for the installation of all types of floor and wall coverings. The company also specializes in manufacturing other chemical products for building, including waterproofing products, special mortars and admixtures for concrete, products for the restoration of ancient buildings, and special decorative and protective coatings for walls.

Eighteen MAPEI manufacturing facilities are located in the Americas, with headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida. MAPEI is an environmentally conscious manufacturer – the company has been a member of the U.S. Green Building Council since 2001 and a member of the Canadian Green Building Council since 2008. MAPEI Americas is a registered provider to the AIA/CES program and also offers training related to ceramic and stone tile, floor coverings and concrete repair through the MAPEI Technical Institute. The Quality Management Systems of the majority of MAPEI Americas facilities are ISO 9001 certified. Visit www.mapei.com for technical data or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734) for the nearest location.

MAPEI Americas celebrated the company’s 75^th anniversary (1937-2012) with a $75,000 Giveaway Sweepstakes. At the close of 2012, the drawings were held; Jeff Bennett and Dale Walton of Business Flooring Specialists in Fort Worth, Texas, won the $50,000 grand prize.  Bennett, president, and Walton, vice-president, are co-owners of Business Flooring Specialists.

“It was an absolute shock when we received the call that we won the grand prize of $50,000,” said Bennett. “I don’t think anyone ever believes they’ll get that kind of phone call. We’ve purchased a lot from MAPEI over the years and have always been pleased with the quality, performance and value of their products. We are honored that we won this prize. Thank you, MAPEI, for your support of our business throughout the years.”

“We thought the best way to celebrate our 75 years in business was to share the celebration with our business partners,” said Luigi Di Geso, president and CEO of MAPEI Americas. “All the prizes we have given out as part of our 75^th anniversary celebration are representative of our strong relationships with concrete and flooring contractors in the construction industry. We hope that we and all our partners will enjoy similar growth and success in the next 75 years.”

Other winners in the $75K Giveaway included:

• First Prize – Polaris Ranger RZR XP 900 – John Laurie of Jack Laurie Flooring in Fort Wayne, IN
• Second Prizes (4) – 60″ Flat-Screen LCD TV
  • Jennifer Helder – Ritsema Associates in Grandville, Michigan
  • Ria Francesca – Jantile, Inc., in Bronx, New York
  • Jim Judd – Master Craft Carpet Service, Inc., in Redford, Michigan
  • Steve Stefanyk – Benefit Floors, Ltd., in Surrey, British Columbia
• Third Prizes (8) – iPad Tablets
  • Dennis Arnold – Carpets by Dennis in Marietta, Georgia
  • Simon Kanaan – Sigma Marble in Houston, Texas
  • Marcel Sousa – Precision Tile and Granite, Inc., in Los Altos, California
  • Chris Cornelius – Cornelius Contracting, LLC, in Spring, Texas
  • Yisroel Silverstone – Silver Stone Contracting Co. in Lakewood, New Jersey
  • Robert Bazzano – B&B Contracting, Inc., in Pompano Beach, Florida
  • Larry Rogers – House of Floors in Killeen, Texas
  • David Degol – David Degol in Duncansville, PA

Bennett was presented with a $50,000 check at the MAPEI press conference held during Surfaces 2013, the international trade show for floor covering professionals. All other winners received their prizes from their MAPEI area sales director and local sales representative.

About MAPEI

MAPEI Group, with 65 subsidiaries including 62 plants in 30 countries, is today the world leader in the manufacturing of adhesives and complementary products for the installation of all types of floor and wall coverings. The company also specializes in manufacturing other chemical products for building, including waterproofing products, special mortars and admixtures for concrete, products for the restoration of ancient buildings, and special decorative and protective coatings for walls.

Eighteen MAPEI manufacturing facilities are located in the Americas, with headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida. MAPEI is an environmentally conscious manufacturer – the company has been a member of the U.S. Green Building Council since 2001 and a member of the Canadian Green Building Council since 2008. MAPEI Americas is a registered provider to the AIA/CES program and also offers training related to ceramic and stone tile, floor coverings and concrete repair through the MAPEI Technical Institute. The Quality Management Systems of the majority of MAPEI Americas facilities are ISO 9001 certified. Visit www.mapei.com for technical data or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734) for the nearest location.

The Marble Institute of America, Inc. (MIA) has announced that John Kunz of Kepco+ in Salt Lake City, Utah is the 2012 recipient of the MIA Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year Award.

You only have to spend a few minutes with John Kunz to feel the passion he has for the natural stone business. Few men have had more diverse experiences than Kunz, who has been in the stone business for 34 years. He began working as an apprentice stone mason for a residential contractor doing interior walls, floors, and counter-tops, exterior walls and planters. Little did he know at that time, with each stone he set, he was laying the foundation for a career that would take him to 44 cities and allow him to work on stone projects totaling over 2.8 million square feet of stone, including several of the nation’s most impressive and historic projects.

After four years in the business, he became a full-fledged journeyman. Three years later, he earned an associates degree in construction engineering from Dean Technical Institute in Pennsylvania. In 1985, Kunz began working on his first large commercial stone project as a craftsman. Within two weeks, he was promoted to shop foreman and responsible for plant operations where he oversaw the project’s panel production for 18 months.

Kunz credits a lot of his management skills to a 62-year-old superintendent at Continental Marble and Granite, who urged him to show up for work a half hour early every day so he could teach him the trade.

Kunz eventually took his talents to New England and then toSan Diego, where he met Bruce Knaphus, president of Salt Lake City-based KEPCO+. “Kunz tracked us down about a specific job we had down in Rancho Bernardo at the time,” Knaphus remembers. “He walked in and looked the part. And when we started chatting, he spoke the part. He was strong and knew his way around the stone business. It has proved to be the case for 20 years.”

In 1992, Kunz began working for KEPCO+ as a seasoned journeyman setter and crew trainer. Within a few months he was elevated to foreman, and in 1998 he was promoted to General Superintendent. In 2004, he was promoted to his current role of Field Operations Manager.

“John brings a wealth of resources from the field perspective,” says Knaphus. “He’s probably the most professional field foreman who has come up through working with his hands that I’ve ever seen.”

Part of a team that has won nine MIA Pinnacle Awards in the past decade, Kunz has been the point man in the field for Kepco+ for projects including: the Cottonwood Corporate Center in Salt Lake City, Utah; Eccles Egyptian Theater/Convention Center in Ogden, Utah; 24 story Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah; Nauvoo Temple Re-Creation in Nauvoo, Illinois; New York City’s 90 West Building Renovation; Utah State Capitol Expansion; Utah State Capitol Renovation; and, the LDS Temple in British Columbia, (Canada); to name just a few.

In addition to Kunz’s technical resume, those that work with him recognize his intuitive ability to manage his team. He has the ability to see problems before they start and works well with his partners. His understanding of the trade has earned the respect of general contractors, architects and owners. Kunz’s expertise is recognized by his clients, and he is often requested to be a part of the project when negotiating with the client.

Kunz always remembers the helping hands he received while growing up in the business and readily shares his knowledge with younger craftsmen. This is a major factor in his selection as Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year.

Kunz added, “I like to give back to the guys today, work with them, give them a chance to grow and give them the opportunity to learn in the field of stone masonry.”

In spite of all Kunz’ years of experience in the field, perhaps his best quality is his dedication to his wife and his two children. The definitive “Hockey Dad”, Kunz’s support and commitment to his family is second to none. Through the years, he has dedicated his home life to attending hockey events with his son and horseback riding with his daughter – horse, trailer, and all!

About the Marble Institute ofAmerica

For over 65 years the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been the world’s leading information resource and advocate for the natural dimension stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world. MIA is a registered provider to the AIA/CES program and offers training related to natural stone. Visitwww.marble-institute.com for information on natural stone.

LATICRETE, a manufacturer of globally proven construction solutions for the building industry, held an interactive in-booth football touchdown promotion at the 2013 Surfaces trade show in Las Vegas celebrating the tenth anniversary of industry-leading LATICRETE^® SPECTRALOCK^® Grout.

A promotional was game played where contestants had the opportunity to “pass” small footballs through a target on a very large, inflatable LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK PRO PREMIUM Grout pail. All show attendees were invited to pretend they were at the “Big Game” and throw the game-winning touchdown. Everyone who took part became eligible to win one of ten Apple^® iPad Minis.

“Show attendees were lining up into the aisle for a chance to win an iPad Mini,” exclaimed Maria Oliveira, LATICRETE Corporate Marketing Manager. “Everyone really got into the action and enjoyed themselves and our fun brand ambassadors, including a referee and several cheerleaders. We never lost sight, however, of the fact that this was the tenth anniversary of SPECTRALOCK, which continues to be the world-leading product of its kind, even after being launched a decade ago.”

Winners included Joel Snodgrass of Southern Flooring Inspectors; James Burk of Stanley Steemer; Hai Luong of SJ Flooring Outlet; Heather Schmidt of Imperial Flooring; Dave Boylen of River Woods Flooring; Musa Dajani of Carpetland; Kyle Griffiths of Abbey Floors & More; Tim Fielden of The Flooring Outlet and others.

LATICRETE International, Inc. provides globally proven construction solutions for the building industry.  LATICRETE^® products are manufactured and distributed worldwide in the commercial and consumer channels. The company’s philosophy of innovation and technical expertise has led to an unparalleled reputation and commitment to superior quality, performance and customer service. Engineered and produced in state-of-the-art ISO 9001:2008 certified facilities, LATICRETE offers a broad product portfolio including an extensive line of independently certified low VOC sustainable products. LATICRETE^®, LATAPOXY^®, SPECTRALOCK^®, HYDRO BAN^® and DRYTEK^® are registered brands of LATICRETE International, Inc. Corporate Website: www.laticrete.com.

Tile Redi^®, world-leading manufacturer and marketer of pre-formed, one-piece shower pans and related accessories, received the award for “Surfaces 2013 Best New Product” sponsored by Floor Tends and Tile magazines. The winning product, Redi Trench™, is an incredibly exciting marriage of design and function.

Farrell Gerber, Executive VP Sales of Tile Redi^® stated, “Redi-Trench™ is the only linear drain system completely integrated into a leak-proof, mold-free shower pan. Designers have the choice of selecting either tile-in-grate or non-tile-able versions. We know this product meets the needs of so many shower applications, and is an ideal item to be specified for hotels with a sizable number of guestrooms.”

Redi Trench™ features offer endless design flexibility as  it can be used with any size Redi Base (30″–72”), plank pitched, molded-in trench. The Redi Trench™ is  plank pitched with a  molded-in trench that will accept any tile size. Additionally, it can be put in any trench location or any drain location with the option of specifying a tile-able or grate top. The product is offered in 40 popular models.

“Winning this award means a lot for the entire Tile Redi organization,” added Farrell Gerber,. “We spend countless hours in R&D with our design team to make sure we offer the market the maximum quality, highest performing products… all offered with the easiest installation. We are extremely proud that Redi Trench™ has received this honor.”

Tile Redi’s^® patented and UL-listed shower pans and other innovative tile ready products are manufactured as pre-formed, one-piece shower modules. Shower pans are complete with fully integrated drains, curbs and splash walls, each leak-proof and mold free unit is pre-pitched for easy drainage and immediately ready for tile. By solving water intrusion problems, Tile Redi^® shower pans inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. For more information, please contact: Tile Redi^®, 4450 NW 126th Avenue, Suite 101, Coral Springs, FL 33065. Call 800-232-6156. www.tileredi.com