Ilva
ILVA S.A. was established in
1992 -as the new venture of a group of professionals operating in
the ceramic tile industry since 1978- with the objective of
producing high quality ceramic products, of a design and taste
unknown in Argentina and Latin America at the time. The company
aimed at competing with top products available in the international
market.
During 1992, in only eight months ILVA built its
manufacturing facility of 52,000 sqm on a 16 hectare plot located inside
the Pilar Industrial Park, just 60 km from Buenos Aires, capital of
Argentina. To achieve this ambitious project special emphasis was placed
on utilizing the most advanced technology available in Europe (Italy),
as well as prime quality raw materials. The setting up of such a project
also required experienced and highly qualified personnel, many of which
were sent to Italy through the years to further their training in the
latest industry techniques.
In January 1993, ILVA began production with a
flooring line and a maximum working output of 1,600,000 square metres
annually. ILVA targeted the medium-high income customer from the start,
which until then in Argentina had only been supplied by imported
products. Sales figures show a continuous positive performance and by
the end of 1993, all production had been sold.
Early in 1994, building on the success achieved,
ILVA decided to set up a second production line, which would double
output to 3,200,000 square meters annually, with a secondary flooring
and wall tile line. Technological and financial requirements were met
and the second line began to produce in September 1994. During the first
months, ILVA achieved the expected market penetration. With the
production of its second line, ILVA´s strategy was to place a
significant portion of its production in foreign markets, even if the
strength of the currency made the local market more attractive. It is
along this policy that the company has continued its course.
During 1997 ILVA decided to add a third production
line dedicated to the manufacture of porcelain stoneware, which was
actually set up during 1998 and started operating during 1999. At the
time, ILVA increased its output from 3,200,000 to 5,000,000 square
meters annually. At the same time, the 162 staff employed by the end of
1997 was increased to 237 by the end of 1999. The entire line of
products was manufactured with state-of-the-art technology developed by
Italian firms, worldwide leaders in the ceramic industry and
Porcellanato.
Porcellanato allowed ILVA to further establish
its presence in the United States, and other foreign markets such as
Australia, New Zealand, Benelux , Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Japan. The
technical Porcellanato series achieved such success, that by 2001 ILVA
doubled its production capacity for Porcellanato, as well as including
full body products, also investing in experts to assist in development
and design. Following this trend of keeping abreast of technological and
design
developments, ILVA shifted another kiln to porcellanato before the end
of 2002, and the rest of the production by 2003. Up
Working Capacity
The company is located within the Pilar Industrial Park, with an
installed manufacturing capacity of 6,500,000 square meters annually.
All machinery is state-of-the-art Italian technology.
ILVA is permanently upgrading its installations to keep up with
international developments.
Product Lines br />
At present ILVA markets 9 series in glazed
porcelain, and 4 in technical porcelain, polished and unpolished, all
comprised of field tiles and special trims and decorative pieces. ILVA
follows the Italian trend of specializing in flooring and then using
smaller pieces for the wall, with sizes going from 17,5x17,5, to 34x34,
35x35, 44x44, 50x50 and 35x70, accompanied by special pieces such as
inserts, listellos, torellos, matitas (pencils), angles, quarter rounds,
corners, sink rails, stair treads, bullnoses, cove bases, mesh mounted
mosaics, etc. All ILVA products are of top quality to cater for the
middle-high market segment: gres glazed porcelain in white clay with the
latest designs, large-sized porcelains; porcellanato of technical
quality (less than 0.05% water absorption), that complies with all
required international standards, coupled with aesthetic features that
sets it apart from other flooring products.
Series marketed are: Amadeus, Caribbean, Mármol
Travertino, Pietre Eleganti, Opera, Pietre Travertine, Nevada,
Fiorentino and San Ignacio (glazed porcelain) and Grecia, Marmi, Pietra
Patagónica, Crema Marfil and Marmi in technical porcellanato.
Permanent investments in updated techniques and
machinery have enabled ILVA to recreate the texture and rustic
appearance of natural stones and marbles. Raw materials utilized are
also top quality,
undergoing constant laboratory checks, with most pigments and glazes
being imported from Italy and Spain.