Technical changes occurring in the tile manufacturing process, the growing importance of product aesthetics, the shift in industry focus to marketing and operations which gave rise to massive outsourcing, all were elements contributing to the development of the so called ceramic glaze factories between the 1970s and 1980s. Towards the end of the 1980s, porcelain stoneware (Gres porcellanato) made its entry in the portfolios of ceramic companies followed in the mid-90s by glazed porcelain stoneware. These new products stimulated the entrepreneurial spirit and artistic flair of two businessmen from Faenza, Sergio Zannoni and Gianfranco Padovani, the former a ceramist with many years of experience, in 1987 the efforts of these two partners with the assistance of other financial investors led to the founding of Vetriceramici, whose mission was to become a leading force, both nationally and internationally, for research, production and marketing of all semi-finished products needed to enhance the appearance of glazed porcelain stoneware. The company strives to provide customers with the highest level of professional assistance, including designing tailor made solutions, offering production flexibility and customized options, all based on top notch applied and basic research.