premier coast tiles is a retail success story...tiles is a retail success story mosaics dominate...

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CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS 2017-2018

WATERPROOFING FEATURE

PREMIER COAST TILES IS A RETAIL

SUCCESS STORY

MOSAICS DOMINATE POOL AND SPA DESIGN

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Tile Power Limited - 18 Kelso Crescent, Moorebank - NSW 2170T : 02 9734 9200 - F : 02 9734 9211 - www.tilepower.com

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98co

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nts RETAIL FOCUS

08 Premier Coast Tiles owner, Thomas Sotriffer has made the journey from professional tiler to retailer and is a strong advocate of the Tile Power group.

PROFILES

14 Europe Imports has confirmed its status as a significant tile supplier with its win at the Swimming Pool & Spa Association.

46 Spanish company, Ezarri sets a high benchmark when it comes to mosaics.

WATERPROOFING FEATURE

22 A call to raise the levels of professionalism in waterproofing. Products from Laticrete, Davco and ACT Australia are highlighted.

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

32 News from the industry includes a new sales manager appointment, the Trowel Trade Awards, the latest range from Axolotl and Beaumont Tiles’ annual store awards.

MARKETS

38 Ceramic tile imports to the Australian market during 2017-2018. Peter Halliday reports.

TALKING POINT

42 The topic of potential tariffs on tile imports to Australia is explored by Bryan Vadas.

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS

53 Featured Products

54 Trade Fairs

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Tile Today’s latest edition showcases mosaics and the companies that produce and supply them to the Australian market, Ezarri and Europe Imports.

Ezzarri is a Spanish-based company known for its extensive archive of designs and colours of mosaics and is well-matched with Europe Imports as its exclusive distributor to the local market. Europe Imports is a home-grown success story, led by the glamorous and hard-working Paula Cowell-Yench. Read about their story on page 15.

Another local success story is Premier Coast Tiles, located in Ulladulla on the south coast of NSW. Store owner, Thomas Sotriffer, is passionate about being an independent retailer and being a member of the Tile Power group. His story starts on page 8.

This issue also highlights the issues and products in the waterproofing category on page 22.

Around the industry, we speak to the new sales manager appointed at ACT Australia, feature the new Axolotl Terrazzo range, interview the winner of the Trowel Trade Awards and place a spotlight on its industry sponsors. Winners of Beaumont Tiles’ store awards are also profiled.

Peter Halliday provides the latest data on ceramic tile imports on page 38 and we publish the best response to a few questions we put to our readers about the potential impact of tariffs on tile products coming into Australia. Danny Casey, Beaumont Tiles chief executive officer, is very articulate in his answers.

We hope you enjoy this edition,

Betty TanddoEditor

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TILE TODAY

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The Cottobello range of floor and wall tiles from Spanish company, Natucer comes in six sizes and three main colours. Natucer is known for its innovation and has been awarded with the Alfa de Oro at Cevisama for the development of several ceramic pieces placed in urban areas and a number of customised projects.

6 | TILE TODAY #98 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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As a former tiler and now the proprietor of Premier Coast Tiles in Ulladulla (NSW) for the past three

years, Thomas Sotriffer doesn’t think there is a major change from being a professional tiler to a retailer. He said, “I’ve got some experience in hospitality and I think I have developed good people skills. It was like second nature to drop the tools and come into the store.”

Thomas comes from Italy and has called Australia home since 2000. He was actually customer to the store he now owns. As he tells the story: “I said to John [the previous owner] that if he ever decided to sell the shop to let me know. So when he decided to sell, we had a chat and came to an agreement that was good for us both and I decided to give the trade away and go into retail instead.”

Not too surprisingly, Thomas is no longer doing tiling work. He said, “As much as I would like to but it is not physically possible. But in saying

that…the experience gained in the tiling industry in having to deal with different products and materials is definitely a big bonus in doing retail because I can advise the customers properly when they make their choice.”

Thomas says he is knowledgeable on “tiles, adhesives, waterproofing, the lot”.

Product know-how is a very important point of difference for the store when competitors such as major hardware stores and tile franchises are located nearby. Thomas explains, “They compete with us by selling cheaper product but we can match their prices, dollar for dollar. By the same token, they do sell products for the home renovator who soemtimes don’t want to spend a great deal. They are also open seven days, whereas we can only manage five-and-a-half.

“I don’t think I am losing a lot of business to them…what they don’t get at Bunnings is the expertise and sound product knowledge.”

Thomas believes he serves a particular market where product expertise can be crucial. He said, “As a tile shop, we need to provide warranties and a guarantee for our products such as adhesives, for example. Whereas a hardware store can sell the same product that I sell without [the same type of] warranty.”

Target marketsPremier Coast Tiles services builders, tradespeople, renovators, DIY homeowners and local handymen in and around Ulladulla, a small town with over 15,000 people – according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census data – on the south coast of NSW. The spit between customers is 60% professional and 40% DIY.

Ulladulla is half way between Batemans Bay to the south and Nowra to the north. Thomas said, “There are quite a few new coastal developments happening with a lot of established and new builders

Independence with group benefitsThomas Sotriffer from Premier Coast Tiles has made the successful transition from working as a tiler to becoming a retailer.

10

Premier Coast Tiles in Ulladulla (NSW).


moving to Ulladulla, as a touristy town. A lot of people have a holiday home or investment property for rentals, and there are many retirees relocating from either Sydney or Canberra.

To sell to a diverse clientele, Thomas needs “to keep a bit of stock or a rather large variety of it in order to cater to everybody’s taste and affordability. New home buyers tend to be on a budget whereas people who move from Canberra or Sydney seem to have more expensive taste and some are prepared to pay a premium for a high-quality product.”

Despite “sluggish but steady” trading at the moment, Thomas is confident he has a unique selling proposition (USP) with an “excellent showroom, well-displayed products, competitive pricing and excellent service” in addition to product knowledge.

Buying group benefitsThomas has been a member of Tile Power since he took over the store, continuing on from the last store owners. He said he inherited membership to the group but it was his choice to continue with, and it wasn’t without an initial risk.

“Even with the up-front fees …you have to pay a bit of money to become a member and you don’t always know what you are getting yourself into. But John was very passionate about the group and he had been a member for

Above: The service desk at Premier Coast Tiles

The friendly staff at Premier Coast Tiles.


over 20 years. He explained the pros and cons and I decided to go with it.”

Being able to access good prices as a member of a buying group is “first and foremost” for Thomas. He said, “You become an co-owner of Tile Power, basically a shareholder, so you effectively have skin in the game.

“One remains independent as a retailer and, it leaves you with the freedoms to buy based on what your [local] market needs.

There is also flexibility in terms of what products can be purchased as a group. “It may not cover all bases so I can purchase tiles from any supplier [outside the group] willing to sell them to me,” explains Thomas.

Every member has input into the products that Tile Power buys. He said, “If the group is not interested

in a particular product put to them by the executive then a member or a smaller group of members can get together [to purchase it] if they are prepared to get it for themselves.

“As a group, we may not be able to decide whether a product is feasible or not to bring in. But if others believe they can sell it, they buy as a mini-group within the group. If the sales of that product get any traction then the other members of the group can jump on board and re-orders can be done. Sometimes this is the only way it works.”

Thomas, in conjunction with two other stores in in Batemans Bay and Penrith, have decided to import a colourful tile range. He said, “They are sourced from Italy. I went to visit an Italian company I had previous contact with, and they gave me a good introduction to their products.

Part of the store interior at Premier Coast Tiles.

Left: Thomas Sotriffer has owned the store and been a Tile Power member for the past three years. Above: Concrete-effects tiles and polished concrete are currently selling well. .

When I came back, I put it to the board and the rest of the members. Two of them really liked the product and decided to jump on board so together we bought a container of a mixed lot of mainly coloured tiles, for both walls and floors. They are mainly blue with shades of green, or emerald and aqua.”

They seem to be colours that should work well for a tile store situated in a coastal town. Understandably, others in the group were more reluctant to import bright coloured tiles because they can be slower to sell in stores.

However, Thomas believes his local market only has “shades of grey and brown which becomes a little bit boring. It is more interesting and exciting to mix it up with bright colours.”

Allowing a great deal of flexibility, other group members can still purchase these tiles at cost through Tile Power Ulladulla, Batemans Bay or Penrith.

Premier Coast Tiles is also a member of bathroom group BIGA+ since late 2017. Thomas has seen plumbing shops starting to sell tiling and vice versa. “We decided to implement bathroomware with our tiles so it becomes a one-stop-shop for your bathroom renovation,” he said.

Overall, Thomas believes his membership to Tile Power has been so successful that he would like to encourage other Australian independent tile retailers to join the group for benefits such as great pricing, independence and networking opportunities.

Best sellersThe store sells a mix of Australian and imported Italian and Chinese products. “At the moment, concrete-effects and polished concrete are selling well for the industrial look. The greys are the safest options for people who are often reluctant to go for bold colours,” explains Thomas.

“More colour comes into play when it comes to renovating a bathroom or a kitchen. We also offer free local delivery and discounts on bulk buys. “We mainly rely on store displays that are constantly evolving.

Coloured tiles suitable for a coastal town.

“The store has been in its current form for 18 years so it is well established, and it has been in the area for over 30 years,” he adds.

Instead of focusing on traditional store promotions, Thomas said he is interested on developing on e-commerce in the near future. “The product varies so much but we [Tile Power] do have a corporate website that has all the products we carry in stock with features and explanations. [It also] has ‘sub-sites’ that go to each store individually. If people are interested in a product they can contact the store directly

and make the purchase or get more information,” he said.

The website is regularly updated with new stock and brands. More interestingly, Thomas is also learning more about social media by doing an introductory course on Facebook and Instagram. “My daughter who is better versed in these things; she is part of the team and leads the way. She said she can easily take care of things for me and all have to do is feed her with pictures and promotions,” he said. ■

Story by Betty Tanddo


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QUEEN OF THE POOLS


THE POOLSPaula Cowell-Yench has helped steer Europe Imports to its major supplier status in the tile industry through her energy and drive. She remains single-minded when it comes to providing products and service with distinction. >

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The year 2018 could turn out to be a banner year for Europe Imports. Managing director, Paula Cowell-

Yench and her team were recently awarded Supplier of the Year by the Swimming Pool & Spa Association (SPASA), a significant accolade for a business known for being exclusive distributors of Spanish-made Ezarri mosaics.

“To win the Supplier of the Year award is undoubtably the pinnacle of my working career. I am so incredibly proud my entire team for the dedication and passion they have always given to myself and the company.

“We began marketing the win the next day and have not stopped yet! I am also proud of the continued growth and excellent reputation we have gained over the years. We have developed wonderful long-standing relationships with our clients and our supply partners. We believe they deserve the ultimate in customer service as this is critical in any business for success. Bring on 2019!”

Starting pointPaula told Tile Today she admired the beauty of the Ezarri mosaics tiles when they were being used by pool builder on a project. More importantly, she recognised the potential for Australian tile store owners in stocking the range. “I was so taken by their beauty and versatility that I purchased some tiles off him and started mailing samples of Ezarri tiles to tile shops in NSW to see if there was an interest,” she explains.

The first sale enquiry came very quickly and Paula saw this as an indication that she had a chance to start a business. Soon after, she flew to Spain to visit the Ezarri factory and view its ranges and meet with management and staff. “Upon my return I was convinced that I should purchase my first container of Ezarri glass mosaic tiles,” Paula said.

Early on, Ezarri in Spain took notice of Paula’s dedication and passion to the brand through her proactive initiatives in advertising, marketing and merchandising. A

focus on the visual aspects of the business and working hard for her clients has always been a priority.

“It was during this time that Ezarri offered exclusive distribution, which was a dream come true for us and an affirmation of their confidence and trust in us. Our consistent annual growth has helped to establish Ezarri as the No.1 in glass mosaic tile in the Australian market for swimming pools,” she said.

As most people experienced in business know, trust and respect are hallmarks of a mutually beneficial professional relationship. But they are even more important when there is a lot of distance between the two entities.

“I have always believed that your supply partners are equally as important as your customers and you should give them equal respect,” said Paula.

“Your payments should be on time, every time, to develop that trust which is crucial. Our relationship over the years with Ezarri has developed into such a wonderful one

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that is respected by both companies. Our container orders have increased every year since 2004 which is also a strong indication to Ezarri that we are serious in our pursuit of growth along with them.”

Paula had the foresight to have long-terms plans when she wanted to take on the Ezarri products for distribution. “From the outset, I planned to eventually carry the vast majority of the range that Ezarri produced. Over the years, we have been organically increasing the volume of products. We are proud to say we now carry 95% of the range in varying quantities based on popularity and fashion trends,” she said.

The number of significant projects around the country that feature

Ezarri mosaics include pools at the Park Royal hotel (Sydney), Meriton apartment developments, Darling Harbour (Sydney), Westfields Pacific Fair (QLD), Jubilee Towers (Hornsby, NSW), North Rocks Swim School (Sydney) and retirement homes.

Talent and skillsAfter working in the highly competitive FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) sector as a manager for supermarket for almost a decade, Paula is very well-equipped to manage growth at Europe Imports. Her skills and experience in this area also include marketing, advertising and knowing how to provide high levels of customer service. They translated effectively to the tile industry.

About SPASA awardsThe SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence attract entries from around the country and effectively highlights achievements in construction, design, manufacturing, supply, products, retail and service.

The awards provide its members with the op-portunity to showcase their efforts to a national audience of their peers, industry, government and local community. They are recognition that award recipients are leaders in their field.

The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Queensland held was the location for 2018 awards, with members and guests entertained with a mind-twisting performance from Australia’s mind reader, Anthony Laye and enjoying the sophisticated sounds of upmarket, corporate act “Red Tie band”. Laurie Lawrence, former Olympic and world champion swim coach, was emcee for the evening, and kept the audience engaged throughout the night.

Spiros Dassakis, chief operations officer at SPASA welcomed all attendees, acknowledging platinum sponsor Fluidra (Astralpool), silver sponsor Hayward Pool Products and other support-ers, thanking them for their collaboration and encouragement.

SPASA chairman and CEO of Spa Industries Global, Rob Kruber, told the audience: “We have another record-breaking event with more entries and attendance than ever before. The work that our members are doing is world class. The products we build are inspirational and desirable, they create family memories, provide a place for recreation and relaxation, and enhance our lives.”

SPASA Australia is the country’s peak swimming pool and spa industry body. It is dedicated to improving the standards and growth of the swim-ming pool and spa industry for the betterment of members, consumers as well as the industry itself.

Paula Cowell-Yench and Carl Yench holding the SPASA Suppler of the Year Award at Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre (QLD). 20

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In a relatively short period of time, the company gained a reputation for quality products with an extremely high standard of customer service that continues to drive the company forward.

Family businessFour years into the business, Paula said she was very pleased to have her son Carl Yench join the business, bringing with him his knowledge in business development and sales. He worked across all aspects of Europe Imports including warehousing, sales, technology, procurement, and eventually worked his way up into the role of assistant director working alongside Paula.

“During Carl’s time at the company, he developed a technical process relating to the installation of glass mosaics, adhesive and grout products. Carl also expanded the business with the introduction of natural stone, porcelain, adhesives, grouts and other products to complement the growing popularity of our Ezarri range.

“PDS (Poolside Design & Supply) was then formed as a part of Europe Imports servicing trade clients,” she said.

Europe Imports has also created the Gem range under the Ezarri name, designed and developed by both Paula and Carl, who came up with the idea to form the company’s Australian Designer series of tiles. Paula explains the staff were also

given the opportunity to design mixes that she and Carl thought would suitable for the local market and enhance its mixes from Ezarri.

“The Australian Designer range mixes were chosen from the best designs from our staff as well as Carl and I. The outcome of this exercise was so successful that we now have 18 stunning ranges including the Gem range which have been very well received,” Paula said.

Another member of the family, Peter Cowell (Paula’s son) also recently joined the family firm. For the last 23 years, Peter has held a number of senior sales and

operational roles outside Europe Imports and has joined the company as a director focused on growth.

Today Paula believes Europe Imports stands as “a highly respected company in the tile and stone industry with a strong emphasis on business ethics, quality products and customer service that is second to none”.

She added, “We are also grateful for the industry bodies who have supported us through the years.”

In addition to Paula and her sons, Carl and Peter, office manager Ashley Guevara rounds out the main leadership team at Europe Imports. ■

Clockwide from left: Deco Mix is a combination of the Niebla and Lisa ranges that can bring a soft and subtle note or strikingly decadent feel to any project. Suitable for pools, kitchens and bathrooms; Arctic Dark is exclusive for the Australian market and is diverse in colour, tone and texture; The Tigrato tile from Ezarri’s Zen collection is inspired by stone, marbles and woods, with a natural matte texture, in a range of tranquil colours.


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INCREASING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALISM

The construction boom in in Victoria has led to an increasing number of waterproofing professionals to meet market demand, according to Roeland Trietsch.

But the industry is being plagued with poor workmanship that has resulted in building defects. A significant amount of these faults is causing water damage due to a multitude of issues with the waterproofing industry. Over 80% of homeowner warranty claims are related to leaking wet areas.

A majority of builders are not aware of the importance of the waterproofing process from design to completion. They assume waterproofing contractors have completed comprehensive training and perceived to be the industry professional.

Many builders consider a liquid applied membrane to a substrate to be sufficient. They do not understand that substrate identification, substrate preparation, expected movement, correct fall to a drainage system and membrane specifications are a crucial part of the process that are not immediately visible.

At the moment there is no system in place that would ensure the quality of a waterproofing application. Building surveyors do not have the expertise to be able to sign off the waterproofing work; it is all up to the waterproofing contractor. In the current system, registered builders are liable for the waterproofing of a building. Waterproofing contractors are rarely held accountable when issues arise and the builder will incur the cost of fixing a leaking wet area.

Only a small number of contractors have completed an accredited waterproofing course. Some may have completed a one-day

manufacturer specific short course and believe that this is a sufficient qualification to install different types of waterproofing systems used the building industry. These courses can also encourage contractors to stick with one manufacturer. This might result in an incorrect selection of a waterproofing product. Certain products are not best suited with a specific application.

Often there is insufficient communication between the builder and waterproofing contractor. The waterproofing contractor is usually engaged at a later stage of construction so they may not be able to install a membrane system, based on Australian Standards.

For example, when the doors onto a balcony that have already been installed, external cladding fitted and walls have been rendered then this will result in inappropriate termination of a membrane system. The waterproofing contractor should

GUIDE TO

FEATUREIn this special feature, Roeland from Melbourne Polytechnic discusses the major issues facing the waterproofing industry. It is followed by a story on a luxury residential project where a suite of Laticrete products were effectively used on the pool and spa. The latest waterproofing products from ACT Australia and Davco are also highlighted in this section.

24


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be engaged from the design phase to completion to ensure a quality outcome that will meet the Australian Standards.

Unfortunately, waterproofing contractors seem to be undercutting each other to ensure a sufficient workload and builders are not always willing to allocate a suitable budget to cover the waterproofing cost of a structure. This can result in shortcuts during the application process. Contractors skip important preparation steps and sometimes only apply a single coat of membrane.

Cost and installation time are crucial factors when it comes to waterproofing. The focus should shift towards quality first. There is a lot of misinformation regarding the waterproofing industry. People often think that it just involves painting a liquid to a substrate.

Waterproofing is arguably one of the most important stages of construction. It can cause an enormous amount of damage to a

structure if it is not done correctly. Rectifying a problem with a leaking wet area can result in large repair bills that could have easily been prevented.

Waterproofing is an area where taking shortcuts is not recommended. Saving a dollar at the start could lead to large repair bills later.

Waterproofing contractors also often assume the previous trades have done their work properly and don’t always check if substrates are installed based on manufacturer’s specifications.

Another common issue in the industry are incorrect falls towards a drainage system. Waterproofing professionals should check that the fall is adequate for a specific wet area, according to Australian Standards.

Incorrect film thickness, poor substrate preparation, high moisture levels in substrates, the absence of appropriate bond breakers and

disregarding drying times are other major contributors to failure of a waterproofing system.

Which direction should we be heading after stating the major issues relating to waterproofing? I believe that waterproofing should become a licensed trade like plumbing and electrical.

A government industry body should oversee the industry and regulate it. All waterproofing contractors should complete an accredited training in construction waterproofing at a minimum.

If waterproofing professionals are engaged from the design stage to completion on a project, then their suggestions can be taken into consideration to ensure the best outcome of the waterproofing process.

Roeland Trietsch is a teacher in

construction waterproofing at Melbourne

Polytechnic

Waterproofing is arguably one of the most important stages of construction.


WATERPROOFING

28

HYDRO BAN® is a thin, load bearing, waterproofing/crack isolation membrane that combines optimum performance with unmatched productivity. Its rapid drying means there is less down time. Colour changes from a light sage to olive green when dry for the ideal application guide between coats. It does not require the use of fabric in the field, coves or corners. HYDRO BAN is a single component, self-curing, liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless, waterproofing membrane that bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates. It is a low VOC emitting product that has been Greenguard certified. HYDRO BAN is a highly extensible Class 3 membrane and suitable for immersed installations, internal wet areas and external above ground use.

Perspex was used at one end of the pool and in the spa.

LATICRETE IS BEST IN SHOW

A new build, private residence in Indooroopilly (QLD) benefited from a range of Laticrete’s products including its HYDRO BAN® waterproofing membrane.

Professionals involved in this major undertaking include designer Owen Rentoul and Tim Stewart Architects who were engaged to assist with the project drawings. Large format 1200 x 600mm marble from SNB Stone and 40 x 40mm glass mosaics from Trend Mosaics were used on the pool, spa, and water feature.

The mosaics were new to Australia and not used before. The installation of these tiles required more than the above-average application technique. With award winning skills from Sam Gardener Tiling and Laticrete’s solutions, the project was completed with exceptional quality and ease of mind for the homeowners.

Sam was faced with a few challenges throughout the installation of the pool, spa and water feature. The position of the pool was a big challenge as it was located on the second level above the main bedroom, so ensuring it was watertight was of extremely important.

Perspex was used at one end of the pool and in the spa. The challenge

Left: Laticrete’s HYDRO BAN product was used for waterproofing all the areas of the pool and spa.

was to find a product to seal against a non-porous surface.

Lastly, there was an issue to make the air blow holes in the spa waterproofed. This was discussed and then eliminated after chiselling out a channel, and waterproofing below the PVC pipe to make the air being used through the seat above the membrane for movement and water.

Sam had to ensure the air blow holes in the spa were watertight, and was reassured when HYDRO BAN waterproofing membrane was applied.

For this project, he also selected to use a full Laticrete installation system including 226 Thick Bed Mortar and 3701 Mortar Admix which was used for the render and bedding for the substrate preparation. 211 Crete Filler Powder and 4237 Latex Additive was used for the bond coat in the pool.

HYDRO BAN was used for waterproofing all the areas. Sam selected 335 Premium Flexible Adhesive White, knowing it was suitable for immersion and would give the partly translucent glass tile a more even, consistent look.

LATAPOXY® 310 Stone Adhesive was used to bond the 1200 x 600mm

marble slab, nominally 50kgs/m2, to the front protruding featured face the of the pool. He was impressed with the result, which was a flat finish and knowing it will hold. SPECTRALOCK® PRO Grout and LATASILTM was used to finish it all off.


WATERPROOFING

COMPLIANT MEMBRANES

WATERPROOFING FOR ALL AREAS

Davco has an extensive range of Class II and III waterproofing membranes and bond breakers for interior, exterior and submerged wet areas.

By definition, waterproofing is the formation of an impervious barrier which is designed to prevent water entering or escaping from various sections of building structures. Areas where moisture can pool, such as bathrooms, laundries and external wet areas, must be waterproofed before tiling to contain moisture and protect the building structure.

Davco’s waterproofing membranes offer a variety of features and benefits and are designed for commercial and residential applications. Depending on

the area to be waterproofed, its range includes ready-to-use acrylic and polyurethane membranes that can be applied directly out of the pail.

The company also have cementitious two-part membranes that eliminate the need for reinforcement layers, thus saving application time and mess.

Davco’s waterproofing membranes are suitable for internal wet areas such as shower recesses, toilets and laundries, external wet areas such as roofs, decks and balconies and other applications such as planter boxes, water tanks, ponds retaining walls, swimming pools and spas.

Waterproofing bond breakers from Davco are designed to allow normal building movement to be accommodated by a waterproofing membrane. Bond breakers allow the membrane to stretch, rather than snap, taking advantage of the elastic property of the material.

The Davco System Selector can help users choose the right waterproofing product for a project.

Davco offers a range of waterproofing membranes and bond breakers.

Glass mosaics from Trend Mosaics were new to Australia and not used before this project.

Most importantly, the homeowners were very happy with the end result. They said, “Sam’s drive for perfection consumed him on this project. We had many conversations about the pool finishes and it always came back to using Laticrete products so he could turn it into something truly spectacular. He is a true craftsman and deserves the accolades for his effort.”

For this project, the Master Builders Association awarded Sam the 2017 with its Residential Trade Contractor of the Year Award for Brisbane and he was also the overall winner for Queensland, in the same category.

Sam also commented that without the confidence in the application products and the knowledge of the Laticrete technical team, it would have been a much different outcome. “The Profit Through Knowledge Training seminar I attended with

Fred Gray and Mitchell Haw, answered many questions that I had. This helped in my decision in choosing Laticrete and also gave me the idea of using marble in the submerged part of the pool and spa.

“There are no leaks, and I sleep easy with the product warranty that comes when using Laticrete. I would like to thank Mitchell for his involvement throughout the project and for introducing my team to Laticrete,” he said.

Photography for this story supplied by

Manuele Rinaldi.


WATERPROOFING

TIME EFFICIENT TILE WATERPROOFINGSpeedCoat – available from ACT Australia – is a premixed ready to apply super fast drying under tile waterproof membrane. Its unique cross-linking moisture-cure technology allows for extremely rapid curing times even in Australia’s most challenging and varied weather conditions. This includes damp and cold through to humid and hot conditions.

The moisture cure technology means that SpeedCoat can be applied over green screeds and new concrete. Speedcoat can be applied with a brush or roller and will dry in as little as one hour per coat. Speedcoat can also be flood tested, tiled on or screeded over after only one hour of the second coat being applied.

Speedcoat requires two coats on floors and only one coat on walls applications. It comes in a 3.8lt container and will cover up to 10m of finished waterproofing. Speedcoat dramatically brings down the construction time frame on both new build and renovation projects, saving time and money.

Suitable for both commercial and residential shower installations, SpeedCoat creates a continuous waterproofing barrier with outstanding adhesion in tile and stone floors. It also bonds directly to clean metal, PVC, stainless steel and ABS drain assemblies.

WP-1, sometimes referred to as “The Pink One”, is a 24hr under tile waterproofing membrane. It is a Class III waterborne flexible SBR under tile membrane. In most cases, priming is not required because WP-1 has Infused Primer Technology (IPT).

A 20lt of WP-1 will cover 20 square metres of finished waterproofing. WP-1 is a two-coat system for both floor and wall applications with the second coat being applied after just two hours.

WP-1 is ready to tile over or apply screed over after only 24hrs of application of the second coat. It is super durable with strong adhesion and will not be easily damaged even if other trades are working on top of the finished floor surface before it’s tiled over. Both Neutral Cure silicone or PU sealant are the recommended bond breaking systems for WP-1 applications.

ACT Australia also offers two bandage options. WP-1 bandage is an economical flexible polyester bandage option available in 50m x 100mm wide rolls. Flexi bandage is a premium flexible bandage available in pre-formed internal and external corners and 50m x 120mm wide rolls.

When using Flexi bandage there is no need to apply a neutral cure silicone or PU sealant as a bond breaker saving you time and money.

SpeedCoat is a premixed ready to apply super fast drying under tile waterproof membrane

WP-1, sometimes referred to as “The Pink One”, is a 24hr under tile waterproofing membrane.

WP-1 bandage is an economical flexible polyester bandage option available in 50m x 100mm wide roll.

Flexi bandage is a premium flexible bandage available in 50m x 120mm wide rolls.


WATERPROOFING

IF ONLY THEY KNEW...

Meet Ed and Sarah. They love their home and recently retiled their balcony. The job was perfect and they were thrilled.

But 1 month later, they started to get leaching so they had their tiles professionally cleaned.

The efflorescence returned so they cleaned it again.

And again, and again.

*AUD based on RRP for a 20 litre drum and used in a 40mm screed, tile adhesive and grout.

IF ONLY THEIR TILE RETAILER OR TILER HAD RECOMMENDED EFFLOCKEfflock is an advanced additive that prevents migration of calcium hydroxide and other salts that cause efflorescence.

It works by impregnating mortar to provide a hydrophobic function that is unaffected by building movement or traffic wear.

When added to screed, render, tile adhesive and grout, Efflock provides a primary water barrier and is proven to be a reliable solution for preventing efflorescence.

ENSURE CUSTOMER HAPPINESS FOR ONLY $4/m2*

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ACT adds to sales teamDaniel Passey has already achieved quite a lot in his career for someone who hasn’t yet turned 30. Starting out working in the warehouses of a number of tile companies, Daniel worked his way up from territory sales, key account management and business development. Now he has become the sales manager at ACT Australia.

Prior to joining ACT, Daniel had been acquainted with founder and managing director, Colin Morrow for around 10 years. “The job was really good timing. Colin was looking for someone and I was looking to do something different. Something I could get my hands on and help Colin grow the business,” he explains. “We have a good professional relationship, and he’s always good for a chat!”

Daniel came to ACT from a senior sales role at DTA Tools but before that, he had already gained considerable experience working in the industry. “I actually started at Metro Tiles at Capalaba [QLD] as a storeman and helping out in the warehouse,” he said.

Then a position became available at Amber Tiles and Daniel worked there for about 12 months as a storeman before going to work at DTA, initially in the warehouse. “A sales job came about looking after the Brisbane-Gold Coast-Northern New South Wales region and I took up the opportunity,” he said.

When Tile Today points out it is a huge territory for a sales person to look after, Daniel replied, “I enjoyed being on the road and meeting a lot of different people along the way.” He spent about 6-7 years as a territory manager.

In the last few years he spent at DTA, Daniel looked after tile contractors in the Queensland commercial market. As a result, he was involved in a lot of major projects like the W Hotel. supplying material such as expansion joints.

Following this role, Daniel became key account manager for hardware retail. “I was looking after the likes of Independent Hardware Group or Mitre 10, Total Tools, Natbuild, HBT and all that part of the business.”

This senior role involved a lot of travelling away from home which he managed even as a father of three young children under seven.

Daniel’s role with ACT will be based in Brisbane and will keep him at his home base more. “I am looking after all aspects of sales in Queensland at the moment. It’s all about growing market share in the retail sector, and winning any contractors along the way.

“Customers buy some things from us but not everything. It’s a matter of getting out there and talking to the trade as well and making sure they like our product and hopefully feed that back to the retailers,” he said.

In terms of the ways he is seeing the industry change, Daniel said smaller re-sellers like the ‘Mum & Dad’ shops are making way for bigger players like National Tiles and Beaumonts. For the past 3-4 years, he believes there has also been an increase in dedicated trade centres and businesses such as Glues ‘n Tools. “Tradies are starting to go to these type of specialists,” he said.

In general, Daniel is grateful for the opportunities he has had along the way to gain his experience in the industry. At ACT, he has been enjoying his new role. “It’s been a good challenge,” he said.

Modern terrazzo rangeArchitectural products supplier, Axolotl has a new collection called Terrazzo that can be customised with fine or oversized aggregate in monochromatic, pastel or bold colour tones. The company said it comes in a range of concrete colours to complement a variety of residential and commercial styles.

From its origins that can be traced back 8,000 years to the Venetians, terrazzo as a material has been reinvented by Axolotl in 2018 as a cementitious surface that is only 0.5mm thick and available in almost any colour combination.

Axolotl Terrazzo can be applied to flat panels up to 1600 x 2400mm. Unlike a traditional terrazzo, end-users can design beyond shelf colours and create the ideal scheme to fit their design.

Axolotl Terrazzo is not a laminate, but rather an applied finish whereby the fine coloured aggregate is bound in the Axolotl Concrete treatment. It can be applied to almost any substrate including MDF and mild steel. The range is suitable for internal applications, and each panel is treated to order.

ACT Australia’s newly appointed sales manager, Daniel Passey at the company’s new Glendenning warehouse, western Sydney.

This selection from Axolotl Terrazzo showcases just some of the company’s capabilities.

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Applications can include counter fronts, feature walls, lift interiors, cabinetry, splash backs and signage. The unique properties of Axolotl Terrazzo provide a flexible surface effect that encompasses the beauty of terrazzo without the common weight, colour and size restrictions of the traditional material.

Tiling attracts talentThe future of the tile industry is assured if proactive and talented apprentices like David Van Keekan are involved in it. David recently won the best third year tiling award at the Trowel Trade Awards hosted by Holmesglen TAFE in Victoria. These awards are sponsored by RLA Group, Parex Davco, B.A.T. Trims, Laticrete and Ardex, companies doing their bit to support young people coming into the industry.

David told Tile Today that tiling interested him because it gave him the

opportunity to be creative. “I’ve always liked working with my hands to create what the imagination can think up…As a finishing trade, we learn about the process of tiling and we get to see the idea come to life…There are so many different styles of tiling and I wanted to learn them all…It makes each day different,” he said.

Working together with the client to improve the look of a room is another aspect of tiling that is important to David. “It’s a great feeling to finish a job and look back at what is achieved,” he said.

David’s enthusiasm matches his positive experiences being at Holmesglen TAFE. He said, “I always enjoyed going to trade school because I had the chance to try any type of tiling design I wanted.

“My teachers had lots of knowledge and were happy to teach me…Unfortunately we would need to smash what we tiled afterwards but there is fun in that too.”

Branding for sponsors of the Trowel Trade Awards.

His advice for tiling apprentices is to work hard and put in the effort in all aspects of the course because it pays off. David said, “Ask lots of questions to expand your skills and knowledge. The more you learn, the easier it becomes to work smarter not harder…attention to detail will make your work stand out from the rest.”

David is currently running his own business called Inventive Tiling and studying a Certificate IV in building and construction to help in apply for his DBL (Domestic Building Licence). He explains, “I am working towards offering specialised services and designing new products…”

Tiling awards do not happen without the support of industry sponsors. Jeff Kirkley, national business manager, RLA Group said he was initially approached by Peter Fox from Tilemart to become a joint sponsor of the trailer (pictured). Over the years, other sponsors have been asked to be involved and now the awards have six main sponsors.

Frank Vanzella, one of the teachers from the Tiling Department at Holmesglen TAFE said the Trowel Trade Awards have been established for 33 year, since 1985. The awards

criteria include high standard of workmanship, completion of tasks in allocated time, good communication skills, punctuality and a positive attitude.

This course offered by Holmesglen provides comprehensive training for wall and floor tiling, and covers all practical and theoretical aspects of the trade. (Marco Parisella is the other tiling teacher at Holmesglen.)

David Van Keekan (third from the left) won the best third year tiling award at the Trowel Trade Awards.

David Van Keeken’s work can be seen on his Instagram Business page: https://www.instagram.com/inventive_tiling/

Marbled muralsThe Artaic SPLASH! collection comes in a number of colourways: Magma, Neon, Zion, Silver, Sangria, Emerald and Curacao. These mosaic tiles are ideal for walls.

Inspired by free-flowing patterns and rich textures of the spontaneous movements of water, the SPLASH! Range incorporates gentle lines to create its forms. The latest design creates a marbled mural, with a mixed colour palette that can translate into almost any space.

Moreover, the tiles are made to be very reliable and ensures they are built to last through all kinds of wear-and-tear.

Artaic uses robotic technology and innovative design tools to

customise, design and fabricate award-winning mosaics. By combining modern technologies with this historic art form, the Artaic team is passionate about the creation of architecturally compelling mosaics for any size project, from small to large-scale production. Through fast design iterations, custom sampling and robotic production, the process of customisation can seem seamless.

The US-based company’s TylistTM software enables its skilled in-house design team can easily collaborate with clients on the creation of modern mosaics. This unique manufacturing process increases design flexibility and decreases lead times and costs.

Artaic’s SPLASH! Collectionwas launched in July 2018.

Beaumont Tiles honours store award winnersThe annual Beaumont Tiles conference held in Melbourne recently celebrated some of the best and brightest in tile retailing from around the country.

Seven stores across the country were acknowledged with awards to highlight excellent performance and outstanding achievement.

Erina Beaumont Tiles took out the most awards on the night, presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award both in the ACT/NSW and nationally. It also claimed Best Performance Award for ACT/NSW. “This win was a significant nod to the team’s dedicated focus on customer service and its commitment to helping customers achieve their renovation dream,” said owner Andy Young.

“As a team we pride ourselves on in-depth technical knowledge, understanding the seasonal style trends and practicality – while all the time listening to what the customer wants and helping them make the right decision.”

Other recognised stores included Airlie Beach, who were presented with the national and Queensland Best Performance Awards.

For South Australia, the Mount Gambier store won the Outstanding Achievement Award and Murray Bridge won the Best Performance Award. Oakleigh was presented the Outstanding Achievement Award for Victoria, and Studio Malvern took out the Best Performance Award for the state. Springwood was presented the Outstanding Achievement Award for Queensland.

As part of the award ceremony, two team members were inducted into the Beaumont Tiles Hall of Fame. This award is given to a staffer who has made an outstanding contribution to the company across a range of different categories. This year’s inductees were Bathurst Beaumont Tiles owner Dave Browning and executive assistant Donna Jones.

(l-r) Nick Collett (CTA), Kristy Lee (Airlie Beach owner), Annie Owen (Airlie Beach manager), Bob Beaumont, Kyal & Kara Demmrich (Beaumont’s brand ambassadors).

Top: (l-r) Nick Collett (CTA), Michelle Kearney, Bob Beaumont, Kyal & Kara Demmrich.Above: (l-r) Robert Cameron (Ardex), Bob Beaumont, Darren Brittain, Simon & Shannon Vos.

(l-r) Shaun Cozens (DTA), Andy Young (Erina store owner) & family, Bob Beaumont, Simon & Shannon Vos Beaumont’s brand ambassadors).


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Top: (l-r) Robert Cameron (Ardex), Bob Beaumont, Cassie Arnold (Mt Gambier store manager), Simon & Shannon Vos. Centre left: (l-r) Nick Collett (CTA), Gail Vanson (Murray Bridge store owner), Bob Beaumont, Kyal & Kara Demmrich. Centre right: (l-r) Robert Cameron (Ardex), Bob Beaumont, Alana Sanders (Springwood store manager), Simon & Shannon Vos. Above: Hall of Fame Winner Dave Browning (left) with Bob Beaumont.

Speaking at the event, Beaumont Tiles executive chairman Bob Beaumont said the award winners typified the exceptional customer service levels that the company aimed to offer all Australians. “Our customer focused philosophy runs across the people we employ, the technologies we deploy, the products we offer and the value we place on our customers,” he said.

“These stores consistently demonstrate exceptional levels across all these values and I’m proud to have them as part of the Beaumonts brand.”

This year’s conference was about growth and keeping exceptional customer service, industry knowledge and expertise at the forefront of everything the company does.

“For Beaumonts to achieve greatness, we will become a very different business in some ways over the next couple of years, but we will also stay, in many ways, exactly the same, building on our tremendous strengths,” said Mr Beaumont.

“Over the next two years, I consider ‘greatness’ as our warehouses achieving almost Amazon levels of effectiveness, a totally integrated computer system that talks to both suppliers and customers, new and spacious warehouses in all states, expanded stock and range and a company covering all states, including Western Australia.” ■

There has been considerable interest in the latest ceramic tile import data covering the 2017-2018 financial

year released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in August.

When the figures were last reviewed at the end of the March quarter 2018, ceramic tile import levels had shown no change on the previous 12-month figures. However, the June quarter 2018 saw a 5 per cent increase over the same June quarter in 2017 which resulted in a 1.6 per cent overall increase over the full 12 months to the end of June 2018.

Australia imported a total of 46,235,311 square metres of ceramic tiles in the 2017-2018 financial year. The Australian Customs Valuation of those imports totalled A$469,760,539. While the volume of imports increased by 1.6 per cent over the previous financial year, the value was only 0.2 per cent higher.

Fig.1 illustrates the total imports of ceramic tile since 2010. Imports reached their highest ever level in the March quarter 2017 with an annualised rate of 46,860,750 square metres. Since then, imports have dropped slightly but have remained at historically high levels.

The total volume of imports for the 2017-2018 financial year is only 1.3 per cent below the peak level of March 2017. The high volume of imports reflects the continued level of construction activity especially in Sydney and Melbourne, however the significant and continuous growth experienced over recent years has been tempered by tighter financial lending requirements, higher costs for investors along with concerns that Australian residential property is overvalued, especially in the major population centres of Sydney and Melbourne. These factors have contributed to falls in new building approvals which peaked in May 2016 along with an increased number of projects where approval has been granted but construction has not yet commenced.

The detailed breakdown of the import data by country of origin and destination state is shown in Fig.2. The average price per square metre of imported tiles reduced to A$10.16 in the 2017-2018 financial year, the third year in succession that the average value has declined, down from A$10.30 in 2016-2017 and A$10.88 in 2015-2016.

The trend of sourcing tiles from a smaller number of countries continued

in 2017-2018 with over 91 per cent of imports originating from just four nations. In the previous financial year, over 90 per cent of tile imports were sourced from five countries.

China still supplies the overwhelming volume of imports, as illustrated in the comparative graph Fig.3. China’s share of tile imports remains unchanged at 67.8 per cent of total imports when compared to the previous financial year. China exported 31,461,050 square metres to Australia in the 2017-2018 financial year. Despite the volume of Chinese imports increasing by 2 per cent in 2017-2018, the value of Chinese imports fell by 2 per cent but still represented 54 per cent of the total import value.

While China supplies the majority of tiles imported into Australia, the changes in other major exporting nations over the last five years is interesting. Fig.4 illustrates the volume of the second to tenth largest exporters to Australia while Fig.5 compared the annual volumes of the countries that in addition to China make up the top five exporters to Australia.

Italy overtook Malaysia in 2016-2017 to become the second largest exporter of tiles to Australia. Italy

Peter Halliday presents the latest data on ceramic tile imports and details the latest movements of these important industry statistics.

Ceramic tile imports 2017-2018

FIG.1 AUSTRALIAN ANNUAL CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS


FIG.2 TOTAL CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS 2017-2018

DESTINATION STATE

Total Square MetresTotal Customs Value

AUDCOUNTRY OF ORIGIN New South

WalesNorthern Territory

Queensland South Australia

Tasmania Victoria Western Australia

Argentina 1,080 2,160 3,240 $101,243

Australia (Re-imports) 4,093 1,323 2,487 1,352 9,254 $98,742

Belgium 1,225 15 1,240 $62,267

Brazil 180,287 2,236 40,219 7,076 51,686 19,244 300,748 $4,248,597

Bulgaria 135 467 1,505 2,106 $22,454

Canada 10 10 $1,546

China (excluding SARs and Taiwan)

13,227,045 296,522 6,504,269 1,527,021 133,898 7,444,811 2,327,484 31,461,050 $253,669,230

Czech Republic 81,134 215 2,570 2,406 2,922 89,247 $126,678

Egypt 28 80 1,311 1,419 $32,509

France 8,429 6 1,696 3,193 3,344 4,053 20,722 $697,948

Germany 66,284 224 8,570 1,270 100,277 6,190 182,815 $3,433,307

Greece 35 35 $1,655

Hong Kong (SAR of China) 145 874 1,110 601 4,215 6,945 $114,503

Hungary 263 263 $6,917

India 220,823 942 10,340 3,238 61,398 58,308 355,049 $3,180,515

Indonesia 166,812 14,426 164,162 23,311 16,787 93,731 38,000 517,229 $5,584,675

Iran 1,797 6,890 50 8,737 $62,457

Italy 1,853,369 7,792 766,136 143,761 25,712 1,235,066 692,285 4,724,122 $104,342,074

Japan 19,446 71,772 169 42,022 2,540 135,949 $2,623,586

Jordan 5 5 $3,815

Korea, Republic of 109,463 21,432 3,033 36 133,963 $1,362,503

Lebanon 2 2 $4,093

Malaysia 893,209 34,291 1,202,636 251,316 1,190 1,715,177 169,196 4,267,015 $30,581,932

Mexico 21,354 1,009 240 767 23,370 $80,624

Morocco 3,797 6,545 50 2,915 13,307 $418,543

Netherlands 1,969 196 1,271 18 3,455 $217,435

New Zealand 1,764 86 231 2,081 $77,872

Pakistan 1,633 1,633 $3,115

Philippines 3,040 3,040 $39,228

Portugal 46,528 147,520 4,977 65,109 12,383 276,517 $2,444,528

Puerto Rico 924 147 1,072 $40,844

Saudi Arabia 798 468 1,037 2,303 $25,692

Serbia 25 25 $1,101

Seychelles 1,317 1,327 2,644 $43,379

Singapore 290 104 394 $31,185

South Africa 98 177 275 $4,395

Spain 918,381 8 208,551 12,640 19,085 364,929 195,099 1,718,692 $35,916,598

Sri Lanka 119,716 125,867 8,226 19,314 210,028 483,152 $4,403,604

Taiwan 2,860 1,147 4,279 2 8,288 $224,896

Thailand 386,193 1,043 103,027 4,726 104,049 72,704 671,741 $5,205,390

Turkey 48,329 115,500 12,437 71,010 24,062 271,338 $4,016,838

United Arab Emirates 291,555 1,054 4,426 93,122 4,164 394,321 $4,573,279

United Kingdom 3,964 1,020 2,783 361 8,127 $184,367

United States of America 13,861 328 50 4,966 811 20,017 $577,458

Vietnam 62,045 34,852 6,318 546 4,598 108,359 $869,766

Total 18,762,413 359,866 9,542,365 2,017,243 202,181 11,499,975 3,851,270 46,235,311 $469,763,379

State share 41% 1% 21% 4% 0% 25% 8% 100%

Data source: ABS

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #98 | 39

again was the second largest source of imported tiles in 2017-2018 with imports rising 13 per cent to a total 4,724,122 square metres. This represented 10.2 per cent of the total volume of imports. The value of Italian imports rose by 7 per cent in 2017-2018.

Imports from Malaysia rose by 4 per cent in 2017-2018, totalling 4,267,015 square metres while the value rose by 2 per cent. Mirroring the rise in imports from Italy, imports from Spain also rose by 13 per cent, to reach 1,718,691 square metres. The value of imports from Spain rose by 16 per cent in 2017-2018. Thailand experienced a significant decline of -43 per cent in exports to Australia. The value of tiles from Thailand declined by 24 per cent.

State imports over the last five financial years are shown in Fig.6. In 2017-2018, New South Wales was the declared destination for 40.6 per cent of all tiles imported into Australia. While the volume rose by 0.8 percent or 143,982 square metres in the last financial year, the share of the national imports declined by 0.3 per cent in 2017-2018. This was predominantly due to the 10.5 per cent increase in imports into Victoria. An additional 1,092,743 square metres were imported over the previous financial year, the total being 24.9 per cent of all tiles imported into Australia.

Queensland imports fell by 269,299 square metres or -2.7 per cent.

Imports to Northern Territory rose by 2.3 per cent while imports to all other destination states declined; South Australia by -1.9 per cent, Tasmania by -5.2 per cent and Western Australia by -4.9 per cent.

A breakdown of imports by the new HTISC codes that were introduced in January 2017 is shown in Fig.7. The revised HTISC numbers classify tiles by water absorption and traditional size categories, distinguishing between mosaic sized tiles and others. Unfortunately, there is currently no differentiation between

FIG.3 TOP FIVE EXPORTING NATIONS TO AUSTRALIA

FIG.4 MAJOR EXPORTING NATIONS TO AUSTRALIA (EXCLUDING CHINA)

FIG.5 ANNUAL IMPORTS MAJOR EXPORT NATIONS (EXCLUDING CHINA)


conventional tile sizes and the large ceramic slabs or panels being widely promoted by many manufacturers and retailers.

From Fig.7 it can be clearly seen that 58 per cent of the import

volume are porcelain tiles, 18 per cent are tiles with water absorption of between 0.5 and 10 per cent and a further 17 percent of tile imports are traditional wall tile with water absorption over 10 per cent.

Tiles specifically categorised as mosaics make up only 1 per cent of the total import volume while tiles categorised as finishing ceramics make up a larger 6 per cent of the total import volume. ■

FIG.6 CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS BY STATE

DECLARED DESTINATION STATE

Financial Year New South Wales*

Northern Territory

Queensland South Australia

Tasmania Victoria Western Australia

Total SQM

State Total 2013 – 2014 13,125,816 607,672 7,428,412 2,067,966 183,187 8,824,870 4,659,182 36,897,106

% of Annual Total 35.6% 1.6% 20.1% 5.6% 0.5% 23.9% 12.6% 100.0%

State Total 2014 – 2015 15,138,141 682,979 8,563,024 2,142,032 210,162 9,920,488 5,092,978 41,749,973

% of Annual Total 36.3% 1.6% 20.5% 5.1% 0.5% 23.8% 12.2% 100.0%

State Total 2015 – 2016 17,876,255 572,244 9,697,908 2,150,700 204,007 10,163,057 4,914,468 45,578,639

% of Annual Total 39.2% 1.3% 21.3% 4.7% 0.4% 22.3% 10.8% 100.0%

State Total 2016 – 2017 18,618,431 351,876 9,811,664 2,055,415 213,268 10,407,232 4,051,627 45,509,514

% of Annual Total 40.9% 0.8% 21.6% 4.5% 0.5% 22.9% 8.9% 100.0%

State Total 2017 – 2018 18,762,413 359,866 9,542,365 2,017,243 202,181 11,499,975 3,851,270 46,235,311

% of Annual Total 40.6% 0.8% 20.6% 4.4% 0.4% 24.9% 8.3% 100.0%

Data source: ABS * Incudes ACT

FIG.7 HARMONISED TARIFF CATEGORY IMPORTS 2017-2018

HTISC Code Description Square Metres Total 2017-2018

Percentage of Total SQM

Customs Value (AUD)

2017-2018

Percentage of Total Customs

Value

Average Cost Per Square Metre

6907211001 Tiles, cubes and similar articles, water absorption coefficient by weight not exc 0.5% (excl. 690730 and 690740), whether or not rectangular, largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is less than <7 cm

344,070 0.7% $4,997,915 1.1% $14.53

6907219002 Tiles, cubes and similar articles, water absorption coefficient by weight not exc 0.5% (excl. 690730 and 690740), whether or not rectangular, largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is greater than >=7 cm

26,415,386 57.1% $313,009,321 66.6% $11.85

6907221003 Tiles, cubes & similar articles, water absorption coefficient by weight exc 0.5% but not exc 10% (excl. 690730 & 690740) whether or not rectangular, largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is <7cm

30,035 0.1% $342,888 0.1% $11.42

6907229004 Tiles, cubes & similar articles, water absorption coefficient by weight exc 0.5% but not exc 10% (excl. 690730 & 690740) whether or not rectangular largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is >=7cm

8,247,623 17.8% $61,397,574 13.1% $7.44

6907231005 Tiles, cubes and similar articles, water absorption coefficient by weight exceed-ing 10% (excl. 690730 and 690740), whether or not rectangular, largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is <7 cm

28,729 0.1% $265,198 0.1% $9.23

6907239006 Tiles, cubes and similar articles, water absorption coefficient by weight exceed-ing 10% (excl. 690730 and 690740), whether or not rectangular, largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is >=7 cm

7,963,163 17.2% $55,081,958 11.7% $6.92

6907301007 Mosaic ceramic tiles, cubes and similar articles (excluding those of 690740), whether or not rectangular, the largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is less than 7 cm

189,711 0.4% $4,554,261 1.0% $24.01

6907309008 Mosaic ceramic tiles, cubes and similar articles (excluding those of 690740), whether or not rectangular, the largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is greater or equal to 7 cm

231,439 0.5% $3,459,904 0.7% $14.95

6907401009 Finishing ceramic tiles, cubes and similar articles, whether or not rectangular, the largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is less than 7 cm

53,102 0.1% $1,050,630 0.2% $19.79

6907409010 Finishing ceramic tiles, cubes and similar articles, whether or not rectangular, the largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is greater or equal to 7 cm

2,732,053 5.9% $25,600,890 5.4% $9.37

Total 46,235,311 100.0% $469,760,539 100.0% $10.16

Data source: ABS


• June 16 – Beijing announced it would retaliate against new US tariffs, with the commerce ministry saying that it would “immediately introduce countermeasures of the same scale and strength”. China’s finance ministry said it would begin imposing its own 25 per cent tariffs on 545 categories of US products worth US$34bn including soya beans, beef, whiskey and off-road vehicles on July 6. It also threatened to add a further US$16bn later, targeting US energy exports such as coal and crude oil.

• June 18 – President Trump ordered his administration officials to draft plans for tariffs on a further US$200bn in Chinese imports if Beijing does not abandon its intention to retaliate against US duties on imports that were previously announced. US officials said the process of assembling a new US$200bn list would follow the same public consultation process used for a previous list, meaning it could take at least three months to finalise.

*On July 6, the 25% tariff on US$34bn of Chinese imports came into effect, and it was well and truly “game on!”. The markets reflected the uncertainty of what other threatened moves would now also follow their way into being, and which would simply be political leverage.

Australian tile industrySo how does affect us here in Australia, and especially in the tile industry?

To date, over 1,500 items are included in the slated plans for tariffs, yet tiles have managed to fly under the radar at the time of writing this article.

Talk turns to tariffsBryan Vadas writes about a recent trip to North America at a time when tariffs were just talk and not a reality for some trading partners.

In late 2017, I was privileged to be having dinner in the USA with some “heavy hitters” in the tile industry that included a major

manufacturer, the owner of a large retail chain, and the managing director of an international trading company.

The topic of conversation was that of tariffs. Would the US president introduce them for tile imports into America or would such a move be counter-productive to employment, market momentum and pricing?

I sat and listened intently as the conversation bounced around the table, with consensus being reached between my esteemed guests that the introduction of tariffs on tiles would never happen, as the level of imports into the USA was such a high percentage that the industry would be cruelled by such a move. But something wasn’t sitting easy with me at the time.

Fast forward just a few months later and the world had started to revolve on a totally different axis. The peaceful trade enjoyed between the world’s two biggest economies was starting to sour as the talk of tariffs had begun to escalate into a game of retaliation and counter-retaliation. And the size of each reprisal was growing considerably.

Suddenly there was a whole new world of economic unpredictability, and whilst Australia was not in the direct line of fire, the effects, whilst yet unknown, will be inevitable in so much that we won’t be coming out of this unscathed. The game of tit for tat played out something like this:• March 23 – USA imposes US$3bn

in tariffs on steel and aluminium• April 2 – China retaliates with

US$3bn in tariffs on 128 product categories

• April 3 – USA swiftly responds with a list of 1,333 products that could face a 25% tariff

• Apr 4 – China sets out a list for possible retaliation should the USA implement the tariffs as per their April 3 list

• Apr 5 – President Trump issues a statement that said “in light of China’s unfair retaliation” he has instructed the US trade representative to “consider whether US$100bn of additional tariffs would be appropriate”, and to identify which products should be affected.

• Apr 17 – China announces a 178.6 per cent import tariff on sorghum, of which it imported more than US$800m from the US in 2017

• May 10 – In the middle of this, the Coverings event was taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. The only dour note was in the hall where the bench top manufacturers were exhibiting. On the second last day of the show, it was announced that the US government had introduced (with immediate affect) a 30% tariff on specific benchtops, effectively pulling the rug out from these exhibitors who had invested heavily in taking part in the fair. Their quotes from the previous days of making deals were now invalid.

But the trade war raged on.

• June 15 – President Trump decides to impose tariffs on about US$50bn worth of imports from China, claiming the new restrictions were justified by Beijing’s longstanding theft of US companies’ intellectual property. The first of the new US tariffs on a US$34bn tranche of 818 product lines, which mainly affect agricultural products, will take effect from July 6*. Duties on a separate list of 284 products worth $16bn will be subject to a public consultation period and take effect later.


But before one considers the effect on the local tile industry, one must appreciate the backdrop against which this trade war is being played out.

It is a difficult time for China with domestic growth slowing. Tariffs will just put more pressure on growth. Exports to the USA currently represent 3% of China’s GDP. US tariffs could cut around 0.5% off growth and negatively impact business confidence and decisions. And it is this lack of confidence and effect on decisions that starts to get one thinking as to the potential impact on Australia.

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The three areas which will be most significantly impacted are stock, quality and price.

The potential downturn in consumption from China’s two biggest markets (being their domestic market and the USA) will see increased stock levels short term in China, and a possible review of the way production is run and how stocks may be held at the factories.

The first phase will be an over-supply of stock as the tap turns off before stocks are cleared. Australia is one of the few, ever decreasing list of countries with no import tariffs on tiles, and with our narrow manufacturing base of tile, it is unlikely that Australia will follow suit with the introduction of tariffs. This leaves Australia open for China to clear stock.

China has a strong presence in our market, and the proximity, as well as other economic reasons, makes Australia an obvious choice for the Chinese manufacturers to clear product.

Once manufacturers deal with stock levels immediately following the downturn they will have to consider how future production is undertaken. Whilst digital production technology has seen it possible to make smaller runs more often, factories may opt to collect orders, make longer runs and keep production more efficient as they look for ways to make production more cost effective. This would mean longer lead times for product and more inconsistent supply.

There is also the question of what may happen to exclusivity arrangements enjoyed by buyers who may come under more pressure to significantly increase the volumes they purchase from factories will also be under increased pressure to find markets for their production.

As the urgency to clear stock and recover the cost of inventory increases, there is the potential to allow less-than-perfect product to slip through. There will be greater pressure on yields, and the ratio of first quality

Price is perhaps the greatest area of impact if the US

government imposes tariffs on Chinese imported tiles.

stock to seconds must increase as cost recovery becomes essential on lower volumes.

Intermediaries will play a more important part to ensure quality control is maintained, but price pressures may see some from both ends of the supply chain (manufacturers and buyers) short cutting the process and taking a chance with the quality of a greater amount of stock coming through a pipeline which will become under pressure to pump out slower-moving stockpiles.

Price is perhaps the greatest area of impact. Basic economics and the theory of supply and demand tells us that when there is an oversupply, prices come down. And there is a very real chance that in the short term we may enjoy some cheaper prices as factories look to quit stocks and shore up volumes.

As the prices go down, the issues relating to potential impacts on quality, increased lead times and unreliability, and pressures on exclusivity really come into consideration. The Chinese RMB was already dropping in value, with the RMB – USD exchange sitting at around 6.30 early last quarter, but now sitting around 6.70. With a change of around 6%, this was starting to put upward pressure on prices. The potential overstock situation and the temptation to drop prices to increase volume may again put pressure on the quality, stockholding and lead times.

Some believe that the decrease in price may be a short-lived phenomenon. For some time, the Chinese have been manipulating their currency, much to the chagrin of those in power in the US. The US is keen for China to take a different tack on the value of the RMB, and the economic sceptics believe the trade war and toing-and-froing of tariffs is simply a way in which President Trump will get Beijing to revalue its currency making Chinese exports more expensive. Perhaps if the Chinese follow suit, the tariffs may be dropped if this is indeed the real desire of the current US administration.

Apart from the direct effects on the tile industry, there are the broader economic impacts that will affect the industry. A significant downturn

in China, Australia’s major trading partner, would see an impact on our economy as exports would slow. The same would be the case for other trading partners in the region whose reliance on export to China would be impacted.

The entire East-Asia supply chain would be affected. China slows, their neighbours slow, and we drop income. It’s the old adage of “if China sneezes, we all catch cold”.

The USA- China trade war could mean an overall general slowdown in the global economy. Australian National University has already done some modelling forecasts with global tariff increases showing a decrease in employment, living standards, lower pricing, lower national income, and a lower Australian dollar. Fortunately all are still a way off, but the risk is there and consideration must be given for the way we manage risk and run our businesses.

With the USA-China trade war, China may offer concessions to European countries offering greater market access to China if they lower or remove the existing tariffs. This could potentially take some of the pressure off Chinese products and their focus on Australia, but potentially affecting the supply of tile to Australia from Europe as sales from Europe to China could theoretically increase.

Re-investment in design may also be impacted as Chinese manufacturers keep their powder dry while they focus on the balance of stock levels, sales and cash. With the market already starving for another trend to take over from concrete-look and wood designs, the lack of a buoyant and highly profitable market may cause product and design development to stall, leaving businesses to look to other markets for the design differential we all seek.

The first shots of the trade war have only just been fired. The markets have not responded in the manner predicted by even the most adept economic forecasters. Despite this and despite all the uncertainty, we know there will be effects on Australia and the tile industry.

There are no tariffs on USA tiles imports from China yet, but with large sectors of the tile industry in the USA

lobbying for the introduction of tariffs on tiles to protect and bolster local manufacturing base, it seems like it is only a matter of “when”. Until then, it is time for us to rug up and position ourselves so that as China reaches for their tissues, we don’t all catch one hell of a cold. ■

Story by Bryan Vadas, Tile Agencies Group

Tile Today recently invited industry participants to provide their views on the potential impact of tariffs on tile imports into Australia. Danny Casey, Beaumont Tiles chief executive officer, provided the following thoughtful responses.

How will the trade war that is being carried out by the Trump Administration impact on the Australian tile industry, considering it imports large quantities of Chinese and European-made tiles?

The Trump trade war is resulting in most of Asia weakening their currencies to counteract the negative impact of trade tariffs. The Australian dollar has also weakened against the US dollar because of Australia’s perceived reliance on China and its position as a general barometer for risk appetite. However, Asian manufacturers are now benefiting from their weaker local currencies against the US dollar. For example, 1 USD is now buying 10% more CNY than it was back in April. This means Australian importers should be able to offset AUD weakness by renegotiating prices with Chinese suppliers.

Regarding Europe, the Euro has been broadly on the backfoot as a consequence of the Trump trade war, and with economic growth slowing across the zone, we expect the Euro to come under pressure in the months ahead and thus European imports should become cheaper.

What do you think might happen if the US imposes tariffs on tile imports from China and/or Europe?

Thus far, Trump’s trade tariffs have focused on heavy industry and products where the US has a large domestic supply. So we would be surprised if the Trump Administration did impose tariffs on tiles. But then, who knows with Trump? However, should the US impose tariffs on Chinese and European imports, this may provide an advantage for Australian importers as manufacturers may use price to try and sell more into the Australian market to compensate for lost demand in North America and force prices down.


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Blue is the colour of serenity and luxuryInternational correspondent, Joe Simpson profiles Ezarri, a Spanish company with a 30-year track record in setting the standard for mosaics.

“What will be the colour of my pool´s water?” This may

seem an obvious question, but how many mosaic and swimming pool tile manufacturers really emphasise the final look of the water-filled pool during the mosaic selection process?

And yet this is surely the fundamental question; the architectural equivalent of “Does my bum look big in this?” If mainstream shoppers will not buy skinny jeans based on the garment’s appearance on the hanger, why should home-owners be expected to buy a swimming pool mosaic on the basis of a sample board?

Ezarri takes a radically different approach; one based on an archive of hundreds of designs and colours, and an international portfolio of successfully completed projects spanning private pools, hotel spas, wellness centres and eye-catching

commercial installations.From this experience Ezarri knows

that the pool water´s colour is not going to be determined solely by the shade of glass mosaic chosen. Many other factors will have an influence, such as the water’s depth, the quality of light at the pool’s location, shadows and reflections from surrounding buildings, the type of artificial light used and, fundamentally, if it is an indoor or an outdoor pool.

Ezarri’s understands that the greater the volume of water, and the deeper it is, the bluer the swimming pool will tend to look. Sunlight is also a crucial element. The more light there is, the clearer the water will look; while less light will tend to darken the water. If the pool is surrounded by plants, it will look greener and darker; and if the surrounding landscape is more desert like, the water will look clearer.

So, when it is consulted on a project, Ezarri’s approach is to take

all of these factors into account and provide the customer with a series of guidelines and recommendations to ensure that the final mosaic is meets, or even exceeds, design expectations.

Ezarri’s comprehensive mosaic collection can achieve a range of different pool looks. White mosaics, such as Carrara, Perla, Diamond and 2545-a, will deliver light, sky-blue water tones. Its beige and rose-coloured mosaics are ideal for achieving green shades of water, that range from light through to dark depending on the colour of the mosaic. Typical examples include Marfil, Arena, Nacar, 2514-b, 2576-, 2596 and 2597.

Top: The Diamond line of white mosaics will deliver light, sky-blue water tones.

Above: Beige and rose-coloured mosaics such as Marfil are ideal for achieving green shades of water


If the selected Ezarri mosaic´s colour is grey, such as Inox, Cuarzo, Stone, 2660-a and 2522-b, the water will tend to have a mix of greyish-green tones. Whereas blue-green mosaics, such as Azur, Sky, 2521-b, 2508-a, 2518-b and 2529-b, tend to yield a light, turquoise blue colour.

Customers seeking classic Mediterranean blue water should consider Ezarri’s blue style references, such as Ocean, Zafiro, Blue Lagoon, 2505-a and 2503-d. These yield a water colour that ranges from light blue through to a deep and intense blue. If the required look is even more dramatic with a water colour similar to high-mountain lakes, then Ezarri can offer references like Ebano, 2502, Capricorn, and Lava.

Right: Colours from the Niebla range imitate the brilliance, colour and lustrous effects of precious stone.

Below: Dolerite tile from the Zen collection.

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Installation advantagesUsing Ezarri mosaics has many practical as well as aesthetic benefits. Pool builders have long recognised the benefits of installing a material with near zero absorption of water, and excellent resistance to chemicals. Factor in the tesserae’s inherent hardness, and their ability to adapt to the shape of the pool, and it is easy to see why they enjoy such enduring popularity.

When it comes to installation, contractors will readily testify to the benefits of Ezarri’s unique Joint Point system. Unlike conventional mesh-backed or paper-faced mosaics, which are difficult to install and can compromise adhesive coverage, the Joint Point offers proven ease of installation and can reduce installation time by up to 25%, while ensuring an excellent finish.

Invented by Ezarri more than 20 years ago, Joint Point remains the quality reference for the swimming pool mosaic sector; one that guarantees a perfect and uniform mosaic tile installation.

Joint Point’s main advantage is that it delivers a maximum grip

surface, with 92% of the mosaic’s surface free for receiving adhesive. This guarantees the durability of the finished installation. Joint Point also aids accuracy as it offers better visual control over tile placement. It is also unaffected by moisture, as the adhesive dabs do not expand or contract like mesh or paper-based systems.

Above: This project at a private residence in Sydney features the Ocean colourway from Ezarri’s Iris collection

Below: The Zen Stone range draws its inspiration from the natural beauty of stone and marble.


The system provides the ideal combination of malleability and stiffness. It is flexible and easy to cut; making even the smallest area remains uniform and controllable. Furthermore, Joint Point has minimal thickness and is very uniform and controllable.

To make sure that every contractor can deliver Joint Point’s full capabilities, Ezarri provides a downloadable installation tutorial on its corporate website (www.ezarri.com).

Eco credentialsAesthetically speaking, Ezarri provides range of over 300 colours with different textures and formats, including anti-slip options. The company said this provides the contractor everything they need to guarantee client satisfaction. This is enhanced by Ezarri’s ability to produce customise colours and offers the creative possibilities that digital printing brings. Finish options are another point of differentiation with shiny, gloss, matt and anti-slip textures all available in three size formats: 25 by 25mm, 36 by 36mm, and 50 by 50mm.

Sustainability is another important advantage. Ezarri’s mosaics have strong ecological credentials, as the raw material used is 100% recycled glass. Its products have ISO 14021 Environmental Certification, and the company

The Etna tile from Ezarri’s Vulcano range.

holds ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification.

Ezarri is a popular specification source for architects and interior designers, who are drawn to its wide range of colours and formats. The extensive style references it has developed means that designers can find the mosaic solution to deliver their design concept for any pool, spa or interior design project.

If required, Ezarri can customise any project via digital printing that can transform any image onto a mosaic, ensuring a look that is unique.

It also produces custom colour mixes for customers. Indeed, the mix generator tool, allows designers to discover the limitless creative possibilities of multiple mosaic mixes.

All of Ezarri’s mosaics are manufactured in the company’s state-of-the-art facilities in Lazkao, Spain. This ensures 100% quality control of the production process, while allowing the company to pledge to have at least 95% of the style

references in the portfolio in stock at any time. This translates into market-leading service standards.

Project experienceEzarri has both a large project department and a design department to help designers and their clients deliver successful projects. Experience counts, particularly when it comes to large projects featuring glass mosaic installations where unforeseen circumstances must be minimised as much as possible.

Left: Jade tile from the Iris collection.

Right: A private pool in Italy uses the Azur tiles from the Iris range.

Below: Lava is a reflective and edgy mosaic from the Metallica range.

The company proudly flags over 30 years’ experience and hundreds of completed international projects.

Ezarri also stresses that, due to its variety of colours and formats, and because these products are always available, backed up by high quality marketing materials, it is perfectly aligned to the commercial needs of ceramic tile distributors.

It prides itself on having a sales team who enjoy their job and being able to offer a range of promotional materials specifically designed


Ezarri has also been at the forefront of designed mosaic installations that take full advantage of the emerging potential of coloured grouts. The company encourages customers to explore the possibilities of different joint colours and their glittering effects to enhance the mosaic´s aesthetic qualities. The same colour mosaics with varying grout colours can yield very different design results, and customers can use Ezarri’s mix generator to see the different effects.

At a technical level, Ezarri recommends the use of epoxy grout classified as RG. This type of joint remains consistent over time and is easy to maintain.

Australian accents, new product launchesFor Australian customers seeking a distinctive local accent, Ezarri’s Gem mosaic tiles is a range of glass mosaic tiles based on the characteristics found in gemstones of the Australian outback. The Gem range comprises five colours: Aquamarine, Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz, and Tourmaline. The company’s design department developed each colour using combinations of the pearlescent effect of tiles from the Iris range with colours from the Niebla range to imitate the

brilliance, colour and lustrous effects of precious stone. The Gem range is available only in Australia from the exclusive Australian distributor of Ezarri mosaic tiles, Europe Imports.

Two new ranges from Ezarri really stand out. The Zen Stone range draws its inspiration from the natural beauty of stone and marble. The collection focuses on the natural, going back to basics where simple harmony and beauty reign. The result is 18 designs inspired by stone, marble and wood, all with a natural matte texture, and delivered in a number of tranquil colours.

The other significant launch is Safe-Steps. Here the beauty of mosaic, its glossiness, large array of colours and smooth texture are maintained and yet delivered in a new anti-slip system. Safe-Steps is the result is an extensive R&D project designed to create a long-lasting safety surface with a subtle texture and low maintenance requirements. The result has all the desired elegance of glass mosaic with maximum anti-slip effects.

The latest mosaics encapsulate the commercial acumen of Ezarri, a company that is constantly pushing the boundaries of this exquisite material’s potential. ■

for distributor’s showrooms. This material effectively displays the design potential of Ezarri’s mosaics for both interior and exterior projects. Distributors are supported by a fully automated 300,000sqm warehouse that simplifies logistic planning.

Obvious sales potential for Ezarri’s distribution partners lies in mosaics for bathrooms, kitchens and interiors. From a shower tray or backsplash, right through to an overall tiled finish for bathrooms or kitchens, its interior mosaics are designed to capture the customer’s attention.

Ezarri tiles are on full display at the Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney.


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Known as the biggest and most influential ceramic and bathroom expo in Asia, the biannual Ceramic & Bathroom Fair (CeramBath) in Foshan, China will be ready to welcome attendees to its 32nd event on October 18-21, 2018.

For the past 16 years, CeramBath has provided a platform for international brands to expand their market in China. It has become the world’s fourth largest ceramic and bathroom exhibition following Cersaie in Italy, Cevisama in Spain and the US-based Coverings show. The show has helped to put China centre stage in the global ceramic and bathroom industry.

A number of special mini-events have been organised at the upcoming CeramBath including an International Trade Mission. To register for free, please contact [email protected].

There will also be numerous opportunities to win cash rewards and prizes throughout the show.

April show reportEvent organiser, Foshan China Ceramics City Group said its previous show held in April 2018 attracted just over 750 domestic and international exhibitors.

Attendees discussed new technologies, products, trends and ideas.

The 31st edition of CeramBath had 183,206 visitors with 88% coming from the Chinese mainland and the remaining travelled from other countries, predominantly from other parts of Asia and

For this event, organisers established the Tile Auxiliary Material Zone and Soft Design Zone. There was also an increase in the number of e-commerce companies and business that dealt with internet platforms.

CeramBath is hosted by the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association and China Ceramic Industrial Association. The show is spread across three venues located in China’s Guangdong Province: China Ceramics City, China Ceramics Industry headquarters and Foshan International Conference & Exhibition Center.

Other supporters include the China Building Materials Association and Foshan Bureau of Commerce.

CeramBath ready for visitors

Top: The opening of the CeramBath event in April 2018. Below: China Ceramics City is one of the venues where the biannual CeramBath event is held.

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