Portobello Brings U.S. Factory into Production
BAXTER, Tenn. — Portobello Grupo put its new ceramic production plant here into production late last month – the first outside Brazil for the Tijucas, Brazil-based company.
The 986,000 ft² facility, covering a 95-acre site, is located equipped with cutting-edge technology and machinery, is situated in central Tennessee, a hub for ceramic-tile manufacturing.
The state-of the art facility includes technology for CO², NOx and HCL emission reduction, and recycles/reuses 100% of the water needed for production. In its initial phase, the new plant is rated at an annual production capacity of 38 million ft².
“The ceramic market in the United States is one of the largest and most attractive in the world,” said Cesar Gomes Jr., Portobello Grupo’s chairman, “and is essential to our international expansion strategy. This is a striking moment for the Group, which has been active, initially only in distribution, in the North American territory since 1991.
“With Portobello America’s new factory, we now have three production units: two in Brazil and one overseas.”
Portobello America’s CEO, Luiz Felipe Brito, said the new plant offers the capability to provide innovative products with better service levels.
The new factory is expected to generate additional revenue of approximately $150 million for the group, according to Portobello Grupo CEO John Suzuki.
Portobello America has already generated over 200 local jobs at the facility, which is located between Nashville and Knoxville and adjacent to the I-40 cross-country commercial route.
Portobello Group or PBG S.A. is a publicly traded as part of the Novo Mercado Bovespa since 2008. Incorporated in December 1977, the company is now considered one of the largest ceramic-tile manufacturers in the world.
