With strong foundations across the globe, Kerakoll Group is strengthening its UK presence
Kerakoll Group (Kerakoll), a multinational company working in the construction industry, offers an integrated range of products and services aimed at building better places to live. The Italian parent company was established in 1968 and initially focused on producing ceramic tile adhesives; today, it has 25 production facilities and a direct presence in 12 countries.
The Group has operated a subsidiary in the UK since 2006, and it began producing in the UK in 2017 through the acquisition and merger with Tilemaster Adhesives. Having invested heavily in its UK operations, Kerakoll has expanded its team and made improvements to the existing Leyland facilities, and as a result, its sales have seen a corresponding increase despite challenges such as the pandemic and Brexit.
Carl Gardner, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland and Regional Managing Director for the Nordics, elaborates on the company’s journey within the UK. “Although Kerakoll has been active in the UK market since 2006, we made a strategic decision to retain the company name of Tilemaster Adhesives when we acquired that business in 2017,” Carl begins. “We operated under both the Tilemaster and Kerakoll brands, as each held distinct positions within the UK market, but as the business evolved, we recognized the need to unify our branding to streamline our identity and better reflect our values and long-term goals.
“Transitioning fully to the Kerakoll brand allows us to focus more clearly on sustainability, innovation, and the broader vision of the Kerakoll Group as a global leader in green building solutions. We’re now aligned with the multinational dimension of the Group, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable construction practices and a consistent brand experience across all markets.”
Turning to Kerakoll’s product range, Carl continues: “The UK business supplies products for tiling and flooring, including everything needed for a successful installation, from screeds, self-leveling and smoothing compounds, damp proofing, and special membranes for decoupling to surface preparation products, adhesives, grouts, and silicones. We’re known for our technically innovative ranges, which we’ve developed to perform excellently while being as sustainable as possible.
“We have several exciting developments underway, including the launch of Fugalite Color, an innovative grout range with waterproofing properties that uniquely combines aesthetic finish, high performance, and design versatility in a single solution. We also have an extensive pipeline of new product developments targeting both ceramic and flooring applications across various sectors. This represents our ongoing commitment to expanding our product portfolio and supporting growth in both new and existing markets.
“Our approach to R&D starts with understanding the market to learn what customers need and how the market is changing,” he states. “As a B Corp company, sustainability is one of our core values and a big part of how we think and work, playing a central role in new product development from the very beginning. We analyze factors like environmental impact, certifications, and relevant sustainability standards to ensure our products are both innovative and responsible. Our goal is to create effective products that meet real needs while also doing the right thing for the planet, finding a balance between performance, market demand, and environmental responsibility.”
To accelerate Kerakoll’s position in the UK, the company has recently broken ground on a new site in Preston, close to its existing factory and warehouse facilities. “The new site is progressing well, with drainage and preparations for foundations underway,” Carl shares. “This site will be instrumental in driving Kerakoll UK’s growth as we move into new and previously untapped markets in the UK. With our expanding presence in key sectors like new house building and the commercial sector, we need the capability to meet increasing volumes and deliver the level of service the market expects.
“Importantly, this plant will also support our plans to grow exports into new countries, particularly in the Nordic region, by providing us with the production and logistical capacity to serve these markets more effectively. It will help us to expand our range, ensure product availability, and build strong, reliable supply chains as we increase our reach.
“In terms of construction, we’re using some of our own products to achieve high standards for both the building’s aesthetic and efficiency,” he adds. “As a B Corp, company sustainability is one of the Group’s central pillars and requires that we do whatever possible to create a low impact building, from systems to reuse rainwater to solar panels.”
Alongside its infrastructure, Kerakoll is also investing in people. “People are the heart of our business and key to our success,” Carl states. “We’re cultivating a ‘one team’ culture by promoting the four Cs: collaborating, communication, control, and consistency. We’ve explored the skills, capabilities, and additional people that are required to deliver our strategic ambitions, and we’ve secured the right talent in the right place to engage our people and execute our strategy. We’re constantly enhancing our employee experience, and I’m confident that every one of our team will grow and develop as we embark on the next chapter of our evolution.”
To close our conversation, Carl turns to what’s next in Kerakoll’s expansion in the UK and beyond. “Our new site will set the baseline for the next step in improved levels of service for our customers, and the second phase in two-to-three years will incorporate a production tower to allow more volume for new initiatives,” he says.
“Our broader vision is to strengthen our position in existing markets while expanding into new sectors and regions,” Carl concludes. “Over the next five years, we aim to build a fully developed and efficient infrastructure to serve the entire Nordic region, but we remain committed to reinforcing our presence in the UK and Ireland. Together, these efforts will allow us to build a strong, unified region capable of serving our markets with even greater speed, flexibility, and reliability.”