Community leaders and company officials from Florida Tile cut the ribbon Friday on the company’s new headquarters facility in Lexington. Florida Tile announced in July 2009 it was moving its headquarters from Lakeland, Fla., to Lexington. The opening will initially create 25 new jobs, growing to 51 over the term of the incentive agreement. Florida Tile’s capital investment in the project exceeds $3.7 million, according to a press release from Gov. Steve Beshear's office.The new facility, which is located in Lexington's Beaumont Center, brings the company’s corporate offices in close proximity to its manufacturing plant and national distribution center located in Lawrenceburg. Florida Tile manufactures and distributes porcelain and ceramic wall tile, as well as imports and distributes natural stone and other decorative products. Florida Tile is a fully owned subsidiary of Panariagroup, which is based in Italy.
“Our move to Lexington has been a great advantage to our business in the synergies created by the proximity to our manufacturing and distribution facilities. We have also found a great wealth of talent in the workforce and the charm and hospitality of the area continues to make the transition an easy one,” Michael Franceschelli, CEO of Florida Tile, said.
The project was one of the first to be approved for incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment Program, a program created in the summer of 2009 as part of Gov. Beshear’s “Incentives for a New Kentucky” legislation.
