Italian tile maker expanding Loudon plant, adding 40 jobs

Chambers Williams knoxnews.com

Del Conca USA said Monday that it would spend $30 million to expand its porcelian-tile manufacturing operation in Loudon, adding 40 jobs.

The Italian manufacturer built a new facility in the Sugarlimb Industrial Park that opened in 2014, with employment of about 175 workers planned. The expansion will add two production lines to make larger tiles for the U.S. market, according to an announcement.

The current Del Conca plant encompasses 320,000 square feet, and is designed to produce up to 30 million square feet of porcelain ceramic tile.

With the original construction, Del Conca installed $30 million worth of state-of-the-art Italian tile production equipment.

"Del Conca USA is one of the most modern production plants of porcelain stoneware in the world and produces 'designed in Italy, made in USA' tiles," the company says on its website. "The American production site will also be used to store products manufactured in Italy, so that we can offer the same level of service for Made in Italy tiles as for those Made in the USA."

"Approximately 1,300 Tennesseans are employed in the ceramic-tile manufacturing sector, and this number is growing thanks to companies like Del Conca," state Economic and Community Development Director Randy Boyd said. "I want to thank Del Conca for choosing to expand in Loudon and for strengthening the Team Tennessee workforce by creating these valuable jobs for our state."

To apply for jobs at the plant, visit Delconcausa.com.