Manufacturing: Johnson Tiles
Johnson Tiles is the UK’s leading manufacturer and importer of ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles, based in the heart of The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent.
You can find them at the Manchester Open on Stand 19/20.
Since starting back in 1901, Johnson Tiles has remained the most dynamic and creative force within its industry, constantly raising the bar in terms of inspirational design, imaginative use of materials, quality of service and innovative manufacturing techniques. It’s also proud to be rated one of the UK’s greenest companies.
Behind the scenes at its factory, the skilled workforce ensures each and every tile – more than 400,000 tiles a day, with each containing up to 20% recycled material – undergoes the most efficient methods, taking raw materials through to dipping, pressing, firing and finishing.
Check out the video for a snapshot at Johnson Tiles’ expert manufacturing process…
At the beginning of the process, tests must be carried out to assess the raw materials’ moisture content. Following this, the density and viscosity of the slurry must be measured before going through ball mill operation.
The spray dryer is temperature controlled and takes the material down to pressing – this is where the tiles begin to take their shape in one of ten different sizes. At the dipping process, glaze is applied and patterns or effects are created using techniques crafted over the last 100 years, before any printing is carried out via the state-of-the-art Inkjet technology.
To finish their journey, the tiles make their way to firing, where the kilns reach temperatures of 1150 degrees. The final stage involves the tiles being checked for faults before being packaged for delivery.
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