Casalgrande Padana embodies the spirit of collaboration

In 1960, ten farmers from Casalgrande in Emilia-Romagna, started a ceramics factory, Casalgrande Padana, with the profits from their parmesan cheese-making. The region is famous for the great cheese Parmigiano-Reggiano and ceramics, with nearby Faenza a famous centre of pottery production since the 14th century. 

The rapidly growing housing market of the post war period led to an economic boom known as the ‘Italian Miracle’ which was conducive to the quick growth of a ceramics industry. With thirtythree original shareholders, the founders saw an opportunity to create a company built by lots of people, a business with deep roots in the local community, linked to the fate of many, not just one family. 

Casalgrande Padana specialised in the production of high-quality porcelain stoneware in traditional red, and an innovative white which distinguished them from their competition. 

The company embraced new production technologies early in its history and continued to make traditional ceramic materials that other factories had forsaken, allowing them to supply longstanding specifications. The creation of outstanding technical materials is the rock upon which the company stands. 

Today, the company has a global presence, with production facilities in Italy and other countries, and distribution networks that span the globe. Casalgrande Padana remains committed to its founding principles of innovation, quality, community, and excellence in ceramic tile production.

Casalgrande Padana’s support for cultural initiatives and events reflects its commitment to community development and its belief in the importance of promoting cultural heritage and artistic expression.

Casalgrande Padana collaborates with artists and architects to support cultural life. The company collaborated with Kengo Kuma and Daniel Libeskind to produce Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud and The Crown, two permanent installations on roundabouts near the Casalgrande Padana headquarters.

The main part of Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud sits half in a reflecting pool of water and half on banked white gravel. The whole structure is rectilinear, recalling a large ceramic tile, and the component parts are similarly shaped and arranged in such a fashion that the structure can appear solid and opaque, or spacious and translucent depending upon prospect. The piece delights in the play of light and shadow and celebrates surface, apt for a ceramics company. At night, lights emerge from the gravel and within the structure reversing the polarities of light and dark and creating a sense of mystery and peace.

The Crown is an architectural monolith as tall as a five-floor building. A free structure, characterised by marked asymmetry, misalignments, and projections, The Crown is both an artistic and engineering marvel. 

Casalgrande Padana established an international architecture competition, the Grand Prix, shining a light on how the company’s products are used and showcasing the technical properties and attributes of the individual collections. Casalgrande Padana sponsors the Fabrizio de Andrè Theatre in Casalgrande and the Boiardo Cinema and Theatre in Scandiano and has been providing significant support to their theatre seasons for some years 

Casalgrande Padana is a non-publicly traded, shareholder-owned company that prioritises long-term relationships with its employees and the community.

The company has a strong connection with its shareholders, most of whom live nearby (44% live in the village of Casalgrande) or work for the company. The ability to sustain these relationships is the cornerstone of the company’s ethos. 

The company has a deep commitment to social responsibility and supports over fifteen local projects in the areas of training and research, design, social inclusion, cultural promotion, and sport. Examples include: a nursing department at the ‘Reggio Città Universitaria’; ‘Non da Sola’, an association to help women victims of violence; and ‘Polisportiva Dilettantistica Casalgrandese’ an amateur sport association. Casalgrande Padanais a non-publicly traded, shareholderowned company that prioritises long-term relationships with its employees and the community. 

Some members of the Casalgrande Padana team are third generation employees and the average duration of service is eighteen years. 99.7% of contracts are permanent in a workforce of over a thousand people. Multiple members of the same family are found working alongside each other at Casalgrande Padana, and there are matches made here too – Casalgrande Padana babies are not uncommon. 

The company’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability is a testament to its long-term approach to business and its dedication to creating a better future for all.

Casalgrande Padana’s commitment to excellent customer service has earned them a loyal customer base and a reputation as a leader in the industry.

The consistency of their service is due to the long-term experience of their team members, who have managed customer relationships for decades.

The location of their plant is another key advantage. From the nearby ports of Ravenna and Genova, the company can easily ship its products globally. The plant’s location at a road and rail nexus means that European customers can be supplied the very next day. Customers are welcomed at Casalgrande Padana in both the Creative Centre, which provides an opportunity to explore products in a dynamic setting, and the Old House, a magical, tranquil, and surprising building, designed by Kengo Kuma. The refurbished traditional brick farmhouse provides an event space and a series of galleries for product displays, where, in Kuma’s words “ceramics plays itself”.

Casalgrande Padana has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional customer service. Their customers tend to stay with the company for the longterm, some for over thirty years,a testament to the quality of service they provide.

Casalgrande Padana is dedicated to sustainability across its production processes.

Casalgrande Padana’s commitment to sustainable production and environmental protection reflects its values and its understanding of the importance of environmental sustainability for future generations.

This includes investment in photovoltaic systems for clean energy, energy efficiency measures, and the promotion of sustainable materials and manufacturing practices. The company has also developed innovative technologies for the reuse and recycling of ceramic waste to reduce landfill waste. Casalgrande Padana utilises advanced water treatment systems to purify and reuse water, minimising water waste and preserving water resources. The company is also preparing for a shift to green hydrogen technology in the future. 

Casalgrande Pinnacle, designed by Daniel Libeskind, showcases Bios Self Cleaning ceramics. These tiles interact with sunlight to generate active oxygen that eliminates pollutants. As external cladding these ceramics maintain the building’s original aesthetic without the need for regular cleaning.