SIC 3253 Ceramic Wall and Floor Tile

SIC 3253

This industry covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing ceramic wall and floor tile. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing structural clay tile are classified in SIC 3251: Brick and Structural Clay Tile, and those manufacturing drain tile are classified in SIC 3259: Structural Clay Products, Not Elsewhere Classified.

NAICS CODE(S)

327122

Ceramic Wall and Floor Tile Manufacturing

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

Nearly 99 percent of this industry's product share is composed of glazed and unglazed floor tile and wall tile, including quarry tile and ceramic mosaic tile. Because this industry is so focused on decorative tiles, it is completely dependent on the economic health of the construction and remodeling industries. Despite weakening economic conditions in the early 2000s, the industry remained strong thanks to historically low interest rates.

Clay, ceramic, and refractory materials such as kaolin and ball clay are the raw materials consumed in the manufacture of ceramic tiles. Other industrial chemicals, some lead based, are also used to produce ceramic tiles. Because of the industry's use and disposal of these lead-based chemicals, ceramic manufacturers are forced to comply with a wide array of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

With value of shipments having hovered in the $800 to $900 million range since the mid-1990s, the industry hit the billion mark in 2001, dropped somewhat in 2002 and 2003, then rebounded to $1.02 billion in 2004. A total of 203 establishments were involved in the manufacture of ceramic wall and floor tiles in 2002, an increase from 168 in 1997. f Leading states involved in ceramic wall and floor tile manufacturing included California, Texas, and Florida.

BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT

The evolution of clay tiles began with the introduction of roofing tiles, followed by flooring and wall tiles. The Roman historian Pliny wrote that tiles were invented in Greece on the isle of Cyprus by Cinyra, son of Agrippa. The earliest baked clay roof tiles, which date to around 1800 B.C., were excavated near Argos, Greece. The technique for production of this architectural medium was transported to southern Italy and Sicily and slowly spread throughout the rest of continental Europe. Until the Industrial Revolution when tile making was mechanized somewhat, only the very rich could afford tiled roofs and floors. This is evident in the 89 B.C. Charter of Tarentum, which stated that Senate...

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