Neolith® celebrates ten years in the industry
The year 2019 marks an important milestone in the history of Neolith®, as it commemorates the tenth anniversary of the founding of this pioneering Sintered Stone brand.
The idea to create the brand was conceived by the progressive and highly innovative Esteve brothers, and since the company was founded ten years ago today, Neolith® boasts spectacular growth.
The brothers' intelligent yet audacious decision to launch Sintered Stone at a time of global recession and real estate slump cannot be denied boldness.
However, this strategic and shrewd decision to introduce an entirely new category of surface cladding captivated the imagination of a community of architects and designers standing at a crossroads at a time when eco-friendly materials were just beginning to make an impact on leading market trends.
Significantly, with the introduction of Neolith®, specifiers gained the opportunity to use beautiful surfaces that stand the test of time. This was a real breakthrough and the beginning of an impressive story that is still just beginning to run its course.
Since its debut on the market, the panels have been used for numerous prestigious projects, from luxury residential buildings owned by celebrities and multi-Michelin-starred restaurants to huge skyscrapers and massive stadiums. Neolith® has made a name for itself as a versatile material with exceptional character and unique aesthetics.
This fall, on the occasion of its epochal anniversary, Neolith® is celebrating its tenth birthday by highlighting the numerous aspects that make the brand such a special proposition second to none. Not only is it worth mentioning the use of high-quality materials and proprietary technology that makes Neolith® one of the most environmentally friendly surfaces available, but also the extremely talented team involved in the day-to-day production of the stone.
Now boasting a turnover of more than €120 million, Neolith® aims to tell the remarkable story of its existence, from humble beginnings to revolutionizing the market for hewn natural stone, taking a leading position in the global arena of architectural surfaces.
A phenomenon on a global scale
Initially having only one production line at its disposal, the Neolith® brand has continually invested in services and manufacturing capabilities, which is why after only ten years it now boasts four production lines. A solid supply chain, an array of beautiful surfaces and impeccable finishes are also proof of the ongoing investment commitment.
Since its inception, Neolith® has developed a presence on five continents through distributors and showrooms in many countries around the world. In the past five years alone, the brand has opened dedicated showrooms in key locations including New York, London, Tokyo, Madrid and Milan, and is preparing to open a showroom in Amsterdam next month.
Moreover, keen to offer customers an unparalleled level of service, the Neolith® brand has strategically deployed direct distribution points in key target areas. This decision clearly cements supply chains, strengthens relationships and ensures that Neolith® is available for use on any project.
Social awareness
Social awareness is the cornerstone of the operations of an ethical and environmentally friendly manufacturer like Neolith®. With a dynamic social responsibility program embedded in the company's founding vision, the brand is always striving to implement and develop the most sustainable practices, as well as provide support to the broader community.
A particularly relevant recent Neolith® campaign was carried out with a social media star, the adorable little girl known by her nickname @pepitamola (Pepita Sierra in real life), raising awareness and encouraging social inclusion for people with Down syndrome.
This year, in the campaign's footprint, the brand entered into a partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society in the U.S., gaining an even broader arena to support people with trisomy 21 in North America and highlighting the ethos of family, community and universal inclusion promoted by the brand.
Next chapter
This is an exciting time for the Neolith® brand, where a new generation focused on innovation and equipped with a solid plan for the future has taken the helm. Not stopping at development and growth, but not forgetting the brand's founding principles, it is listening to the many individual needs of its customers.
"Ten years in the industry is a significant milestone for any company, especially in the competitive building and construction materials market. We have had to learn a lot over the years, and it has been a challenging process. The pioneering nature of the brand requires vigilance and constant maintenance of a competitive edge." - points out Mar Esteve Cortes, director of Neolith®.
"Boasting years of experience, including years of experience my father and uncle previously gained in the stone industry, we continue to offer an unparalleled surface cladding solution going hand in hand with an intuitive and personalized service. I am proud of all the partners who have worked with the brand, both past and present. Our success is due to our constant desire to deepen our knowledge and improve every aspect of our operations. I can't wait to celebrate the next 10, 20, 30... 100 years in the industry by announcing the next stages of the brand's growth!" - he continues.
About Neolith®
Founded in 2009, the market-leading Sintered Stone brand Neolith® is a revolutionary product category that has gained recognition from architects, designers, specifiers and contractors.
This pioneering material can be used for the most demanding construction projects carried out on interior or exterior surfaces. With its combination of finely detailed, high-resolution decoration and high quality performance, Neolith® provides a triple guarantee of strength, beauty and longevity.
What is Sintered Stone?
Sintered Stone is a 100% natural material derived from granite raw materials, glass and naturally occurring oxides:
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Granite raw materials: Quartz and feldspar, providing the surface with hardness and strength
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Glass raw materials and silica, providing chemical stability
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Naturally occurring oxides, providing chromatic properties
How is Sintered Stone manufactured?
Neolith® is manufactured using the latest sintering technology, reminiscent of the millennia-old process of shaping natural stone, but realized in just a few hours.
First, the raw materials that make up the slab are subjected to extremely high pressure, passing through a press with a pressure of 400 bar. The second stage of the process involves placing the slab into a furnace where temperatures exceed 1200 °C (2200 °F).
This ultra-compressing process ensures that a surface with an all-encompassing decoration with exceptional technical properties is obtained.
Decoration
Neolith® has always played a leading role in the ecological strategies used in the various production processes. A 100% natural composition requires an equally ecological production methodology.
Building on the pioneering Neolith® Digital Design (NDD) technique, the brand sought to incorporate organic practices into the way it covers its panels with print.
Hydro-NDD 2.0 takes this technology to the next level. By using a water-based ink, rather than the industry-standard solvent base, a balanced Neolith® surface has been achieved, without acknowledging compromises in terms of the quality expected from Sintered Stone. All slabs maintain the same level of resolution and detail in pattern and design.
Performance
Neolith®'s tried, tested and trusted combination of realism, high performance and versatile formats makes it the preferred material of architects, designers, specifiers and contractors.
Applications
Neolith® is the optimal cladding material for both interior and exterior applications. From skyscraper facades to kitchen countertops, Neolith®'s physical and mechanical properties provide superior performance, unparalleled beauty and long-lasting value.
