The expansive new Panariagroup USA booth at Coverings 2025 served as more than just a product showcase—it was a bold statement about the company's evolution. Panariagroup USA features an array of tile brands: Florida Tile, Panaria Ceramica, Cotto d'Este, Lea Ceramiche, Love Tiles, Margres, Bellissimo, and Gresart.

In this interview with Floor Trends & Installation, CEO Leonardo Pesce discusses the company's recent investments in its Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, facility, including a new polishing line and 3D Plus capabilities. These investments demonstrate the company's commitment to pushing boundaries while meeting evolving customer expectations, and the advancements offer porcelain materials that enable distributors to compete in premium markets previously dominated by natural materials.

Floor Trends & Installation: How was Coverings 2025 for Panariagroup USA? What new products or innovations generated the most interest from visitors to your booth?

Leonardo Pesce:Coverings 2025 was a tremendous success and a powerful reflection of Panariagroup USA’s strong position in the market. We reaffirmed our commitment to excellence—not only in our products but also in the way we present our brand. Our new 60” x 60” booth was more than a showcase; it was a bold statement of the progress we've made over the past two years in growth, innovation, and customer engagement.

Visitors were particularly captivated by our new Travertine collection, developed using our advanced Dry-Fix and 3D Plus technologies. These innovations elevate both the aesthetic richness and technical performance of our surfaces, setting a new benchmark in the industry. The enthusiastic response from attendees validated our strategic direction, and we’re energized by the exciting opportunities ahead.

Floor Trends & Installation: What is your business outlook for the second half of the year? Are there particular market segments or regions showing stronger potential for growth?

Pesce: We’re highly optimistic about the second half of the year. Based on the strong reception to our latest product launches and solid commitments from key partners, we anticipate continued growth across several core areas.

In terms of regional performance, the Southeast and Western United States are showing especially strong potential, driven by increased construction activity and growing demand for high-performance, design-forward surfaces. These markets are outpacing expectations and will remain a strategic focus for us moving forward.

From a market segment perspective, we’re also seeing heightened interest in residential remodeling and light commercial projects, where our technical innovations and aesthetic offerings are proving to be a strong differentiator. With continued investment in our distribution network and product development, we’re confident in sustained growth throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.

Floor Trends & Installation: In today's economic and political climate, does the 'Made in the USA' designation hold particular significance for your customers?

Pesce: Absolutely—Made in the USA has never been more meaningful. In today’s economic and political environment, our customers are placing increasing value on local production, not only for reasons of supply chain reliability but also for the reassurance of consistent quality, shorter lead times, and reduced environmental impact.

At Panariagroup USA, we’ve strategically invested in our U.S. manufacturing operations to meet this demand head-on. Producing locally allows us to respond quickly to market shifts, offer tailored solutions, and deliver a level of service that’s often unmatched by imported products.

We’re proud that our American manufacturing presence positions us as a reliable partner, especially for large-scale commercial projects that require speed, flexibility, and trust. It’s a competitive advantage we intend to keep strengthening in the years ahead.

Floor Trends & Installation: Could you elaborate on your recent technological investments—specifically the new polishing line, 3D Plus capabilities, and the 36x36 panels? What drove these particular investment decisions?

Pesce: Our recent investments at the Lawrenceburg facility were driven by a clear goal: to push the boundaries of product innovation while responding directly to evolving customer expectations. These upgrades have not only enhanced our design capabilities but also strengthened our position as a leader in the U.S. ceramic tile market.

One of the most significant advancements is our new $8 million polishing line, which allows us to deliver a more refined, high-end finish across a broader range of products. This investment fills a critical gap in our portfolio, enabling us to meet rising demand for premium aesthetics, especially in the residential and commercial design segments—while expanding our appeal to architects and designers seeking elevated surface solutions.

Our Dry-Fix technology, when paired with our advanced 3D Plus capabilities, adds remarkable depth and texture, replicating the natural beauty of stone and marble with striking authenticity. Additionally, the flexibility of our 36”x36” panel format enhances design versatility, opening new possibilities for both large-scale and custom applications.

Together, these innovations reflect our commitment to continuous improvement, manufacturing excellence, and delivering differentiated value to our customers.

Floor Trends & Installation: How are these technological advances helping your customers grow their businesses? 

Pesce: Absolutely—our recent technological investments are actively empowering our customers to elevate their offerings and pursue higher-value opportunities. Innovations like our new polishing line and advanced 3D Plus capabilities have opened doors to premium U.S.-made products that meet the rigorous demands of high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.

Dry-Fix technology, in particular, has enabled our customers to compete in markets traditionally dominated by natural materials by delivering the authentic look and feel of stone and marble, without compromising on performance or sustainability. This has expanded their ability to target design-conscious clients and secure projects that were previously out of reach.

Ultimately, we’re providing our partners with the tools to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, strengthen their competitive edge, and grow their businesses in new and meaningful ways.

Floor Trends & Installation: Beyond product innovation, what additional support or resources is Panaria providing to help your distribution partners navigate current market conditions?

Pesce: At Panariagroup USA, we know that great products are only part of the equation. That’s why we’ve built a best-in-class support structure around our distribution partners, designed to help them succeed in an increasingly complex and competitive market.

Our dedicated team offers end-to-end service, ranging from design consultation and technical guidance to streamlined logistics and project management. This hands-on, solutions-driven approach ensures that our partners can count on us not just for materials but for strategic support throughout every phase of the project.

In today’s challenging environment, this level of responsiveness and collaboration is more important than ever. It’s helping our distributors tackle everything from tighter timelines to evolving design demands, ultimately allowing them to win more business and build stronger client relationships.

And none of this would be possible without the commitment and expertise of our team. I want to personally thank everyone at Panariagroup USA for the passion and professionalism they bring to the table—our continued success is a direct reflection of their efforts.