A MATTER OF IDENTITY. LAMINAM PUBLISHES ITS FIRST SUSTAINABILITY REPORT AND PLANS A GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.

ANOTHER STEP IN THE ITALIAN COMPANY’S EVOLUTION

With its new Brand Identity, Laminam took another step towards the future by publishing its first Sustainability Report. This move was not dictated by trends or passing fads. It was a choice based on the company’s identity which embodies the values it wants to promote – respect for people, region and the environment. Laminam believes that doing business means innovating the market by creating unique ceramic surfaces of superior quality using sustainable processes. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Complete sustainability: a matter of Laminam’s identity. Through this perspective the company faces the future and grows by confronting the challenges of tomorrow. Alongside its primary goal to compete for leadership in the global surfaces market, Laminam prioritises respect for the environment, well-being and training of its employees, attention to the region, partnership with local administrations and associations, and social commitment. The company strongly believes in these values and considers them an integral, and essential, part of its identity.

In this spirit, Laminam drafted its first Sustainability Report, committing itself to publish data, figures and set itself new and ambitious business goals, including increased sustainability. The company wants to offer the market surfaces produced with natural raw materials which use industrial processes that closely align with the latest modern methods of reducing environmental impact. The Laminam brand must be synonymous with business and sustainability leadership, qualitative excellence and ethics, and constant attention to its direct and indirect stakeholders, without excluding anyone.

Laminam’s numbers show that its choices do not just follow trends and fads. This deliberate strategy to increase industrial growth and ethical commitment is unequivocal. Laminam makes the broadest range of products in the sector (with 136 surfaces in four thicknesses and two sizes), it took first prize in the categories “Crescita” and “Design e Rivestimenti” at “Le Quotabili” in Pambianco in 2019 and recorded a 13 per cent increase in turnover during 2019 (compared to 2018). These successes correspond to: 65 per cent more hours of voluntary training delivered, 26 per cent fewer workplace accidents, 94 per cent of employees with an open-ended contract, 100 per cent process water reused, 79 per cent metal supports reused (+ 168 per cent compared to the previous year), 91 per cent of unfired ceramic waste re-introduced into the production process (+ 67 per cent compared to 2018) and part self-production of energy through a photovoltaic plant installed on the buildings at the Fiorano Modenese production site.

Producing Laminam slabs, the company’s main focus for its environmental issues, follows the same sustainability logic. Slabs are made with innovative methods and technologies that use highly automated and digitalised machines increasing energy efficiency and safety while reducing the environmental impact. One example is the compacting process which is crucial for Laminam surface production. It is designed to function with low energy and water consumption by using dry cutting systems to reduce waste and a treatment system that permits reuse. Nothing is thrown away. Production waste is reintroduced into the process to reduce the consumption of new resources.

In January 2019 Laminam installed an innovative emission abatement system at the Fiorano Modenese site which used activated charcoal. This allowed a reduction of production process emissions while improving air quality and the area’s wellbeing. The plant is an evolution of another that was installed in 2017 at the Borgo Val di Taro factory. At that time it was first system of that type to be applied to ceramic production processes.

Unveiled on June 15, Laminam's new Brand Identity, which represents its evolution, is consistent with the company's deepest values and was created to promote them worldwide through its products. The new “Superior Natural Surfaces” tagline summarises industrial goals and corporate ethical commitment to protecting the environment and people. The company uses sustainable processes to produce innovative, environmentally compatible and recyclable products of superior quality.

Laminam is already winning its challenge to become a leader in the global market with sustainable green core values.

INTERVIEW WITH LAMINAM CHAIRMAN AND CEO ALBERTO SELMI

“During its history, Laminam was involved in the construction of important worldwide architectural projects and it has become a partner of widely renowned companies in the Furnishings and Design sectors.” Before discussing the company’s publication of its first Sustainability Report, Laminam’s Chairman and CEO Alberto Selmi began our interview with a general company presentation. “In 2019, Laminam reached 129 million Euro in turnover, consolidated its market position and confirmed the company’s steady growth since 2009. The company’s recent acquisition by the Alpha investment firm will further support our growth on the international markets and enable Laminam to have a more significant global leadership role.”

Laminam’s extraordinary development was made possible through its ability to continuously innovate the market. This allowed the Italian company to be a step ahead of its competitors. Alberto Selmi said: “Innovation makes sense only if research results are sustainable”, and we need to start from this statement if we want to understand how the company developed in the past, and how it intends to continue in the future. Selmi said: “Laminam’s Research and Development team has always tried to innovate by making products with natural raw materials that are recyclable, long-lasting and can contribute to promoting a healthy environment.”

The result of this approach involves bioactive treatment research and application, in partnership with the sector’s key players. These revolutionary treatments add self-cleaning and antibacterial properties to Laminam slabs and boost wellbeing inside public and private spaces (residential or shared in the community). If they are used on external facades, they significantly reduce airborne pollutants. Selmi added: “One successful result of this research method of creating new products was the introduction of the revolutionary In-Side surfaces. These products take their name from the technology used to make them, which allows us to create ceramic slabs with body and surface continuity by using natural raw materials.”

“Our commitment to sustainability implies a focus on reducing and mitigating our environmental impact along the value chain, from our suppliers to our production sites and the communities where we work.” Laminam’s production process has been influenced by its ethical approach. “We started with the selection of suppliers. In 2019, Laminam introduced a qualification process that included social and environmental criteria that allows it to monitor performance and sustainability in its supply chain now and in coming years.” In its Italian factories, Laminam developed an environmental management verification system which will be integrated with the Health and Safety management system to continuously monitor the company’s efficiency and results achieved in these two areas.

“Laminam has built strong regional relationships to aid the harmonious development of the communities where its factories are located. The company has sponsored and supported cultural, sports and architecturally oriented initiatives to create opportunities for dialogue and participation with stakeholders, even those not directly involved with the company.”

“The level of success achieved during these years would not have been possible without the ideas and passion of our people - the true power that leads innovation,” Selmi said. The company applied these principles by creating an inclusive and constructive work environment, where the spirit of collaboration is rewarded and cultivated with training and team building activities. “Employee safety and wellbeing are priorities for Laminam, guaranteed by an efficient management system and launching corporate welfare initiatives,” said Selmi.

LAMINAM SpA

Established in 2001, Laminam quickly acquired a leading position in the global market with its large ceramic slabs offered in a wide range of surfaces, sizes and thicknesses. In March 2019, the Alpha Private Equity Fund 7 signed an agreement to gain control of Laminam Spa and pursued a growth plan which in November 2019 saw Pambianco Strategie di Impresa awarding Laminam first place in the ranking of most “listable” companies in the Design/Coatings sector.

In addition to its Fiorano Modenese headquarters, Laminam has two other production centres – one in Borgo Val di Taro, near Parma, and the other in Russia, in the Vorsino Industrial Park, near Moscow. The company’s internationalisation process is constantly ongoing, as can be seen with its recent Laminam Germany, Laminam Japan, Laminam UK and Laminam Israel openings.

Its presence in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle and Far East is further strengthened by a series of partnerships and sales offices in several countries and its important distribution centres in strategic locations which were set up to support international market dynamics. Laminam’s expanding collection of showrooms, located in some of the world’s most important cities including Milan, Moscow, Warsaw, Kiev and Tel Aviv are becoming important reference points for local markets.