Portobello Opens New U.S. Factory
BAXTER. Tenn. – Portobello America opened its new manufacturing plant here last month.
The Brazilian tile producer inaugurated its 986,000 ft² cutting-edge facility on Oct. 17 in front of more than 500 guests from around the globe.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting included Putnam County, Tenn., Mayor, Randy Porter, Baxter Mayor John Martin, and State Sen. Paul Bailey (R-White County).
“The facility was developed to meet the needs of American distributors,” said Cesar Gomes Jr., chairman of the board of directors of Portobello Grupo. “We have built a factory here not for mass production, but for flexibility. To attain the market with the right service. Service is the key to everyone’s success… Ours and Yours!”
Attendees were led to the company’s interactive, 10,000+ square-foot showroom and state-of-the-art design lab. Guests received an exclusive preview of Portobello America’s new 2023 Fall Collection and its new floor & wall tile portfolio, designed solely for the American market.
“My first thought was I can’t wait to send the architects and designers we work with to this facility; they will be blown away,” said Heidi Martin of United Tile in Seattle. “I love the design lab, the showroom, all of it right there. It will be so impressive for them to come in and feel like they’re an actual part of the decisions being made.”
Guided tours for guests also showed the facility’s latest advancements, from production to packaging, in tile manufacturing technology throughout Portobello’s factory.
“Our entire organization was proud to present Portobello America to our guests after years of planning,” said Portobello America’s CEO Luiz Felipe Brito. “We were overjoyed with the support of government officials, the Brazilian teams, our clients, friends and family … but most of all, our team here in the States. Their dedication has been unsurpassable, showing relentless effort to bring our dreams to reality.”
Portobello Group (PBG S.A.) is a publicly traded company, part of the Novo Mercado Bovespa since 2008. It started its production activities in 1979 and is now one of the largest ceramic-tile manufacturers in the world.
