Articles

The AI craziness is just around the corner. Where it goes is anyone’s guess, especially in the flooring industry. The first place that will be using this is in operations, inventory replenishment and generally, business systems that will be improved using AI. Read More

This year’s edition of Cersaie proved to be a pivotal one. On top of the show celebrating its 40th anniversary and the milestones the industry has achieved along the way, exhibitors also signaled the dawn of an exciting new era. Tile products were imbued with a holistic sense of inventiveness: color and pattern were bolstered by impressive surface technologies from extra soft finishes with high slip resistance to glossy matte effects. Meanwhile, a host of new prefabricated furnishing options and collaborations with the world’s leading design firms signaled the strength of the industry while carbon-neutral collections and the workings of a new industry ISO standard for embodied carbon demonstrated meaningful contributions to the future of the built environment. Read More

Personal income increased $57.1 billion (0.2 percent at a monthly rate) in October. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—increased $63.4 billion (0.3 percent). Read More

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2023, according to the “second” estimate. Read More

The GCC ceramic tiles market size is expected to reach USD 16.82 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period. Rising investment in construction projects by the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to boost economic growth in their respective countries is expected to drive the construction industry, thereby, augmenting the demand in the market over the forecast period. Read More

When selecting tile, consumers usually consider components such as design, waterproofing, durability and cost. However, selecting grout along these lines is just as critical. Whether a focal part of the design or hidden away between tiles, selecting the right grout to go with a tile is an essential component to ensuring a successfully designed and long-lasting install. Read More

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) welcomes the public to attend the festive opening reception of the Tile Heritage Foundation's exhibit, TexTiles, December 1, 2023, Simpsonville, South Carolina. Read More

Consumer sentiment declined 3.9% to 61.3 in November, according to final results from the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers. Read More

Total construction starts fell 7% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.1 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding and residential starts fell 32% and 1%, respectively. Conversely, nonresidential building starts gained 8% during the month. Read More

Home Depot entered into an agreement to acquire International Designs Group (IDG)—a construction materials conglomerate that includes UMI, Construction Resources (CR), Marva, European Granite & Marble Group, and Cancos Tile & Stone—from private equity firm Mill Point Capital. Read More