Clay Product & Refractory Manufacturing

Clay Product & Refractory Manufacturing

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry manufacture clay pottery, ceramics, plumbing fixtures, building materials, and refractory products. Major companies include Dal-Tile, Gerber Plumbing Fixtures, and Kohler (all of the US) as well as Kyocera, Shinagawa Refractories, and TOTO (all of Japan), Interceramic (Mexico), RHI Magnesita (the Netherlands), and Vesuvius (UK).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by industrial production of metals, glass, and other mineral-based products, as well as construction spending. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations, as many products are considered commodities. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in purchasing and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by developing new products with innovative features. The US industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 70% of industry revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major product groups include clay floor (more than 15% of industry revenue), all wet and dry process porcelain products (some 10%), and vitreous plumbing fixtures (nearly 10%). The remaining revenue is made up from other products that includes stoneware tables, industrial pottery ware, other structural clay products, and brick, block, and tile.