For Immediate Release:
April 5, 2017

(Anderson, SC) – TCNA Director of Laboratory Services Claudio Bizzaglia has completed several rounds of conversation regarding the assembly of a Global Lab Network, TCNA announced today.

The goals of the Network include establishing standards for precision in test methods among its affiliates, as well as accepted norms for responsiveness and overall service, while also providing forums for best practices, problem-solving, and networking, Bizzaglia says.

“We feel that intercontinental cooperation will be of great benefit to the scientific community — not only from a pure scientific standpoint, but from a business standpoint,” Bizzaglia says. “Customers at my colleagues’ labs in Italy frequently ask them for a referral to a lab in the US for testing here in the States, for example. With international accord on Global Lab Network standards, my colleague in Italy can be confident in referring his customer to an affiliate lab here in the US.

“Conversely, when I have a request for a lab in South America, I will be able to simply refer my customer to a Global Lab Network affiliate in Brazil, because we together will have done our due diligence on one another.”

Ultimately, Bizzaglia envisions the Global Lab Network reaching out to impact more than just matters of scientific interest.

“It is possible that ultimately, through international cooperation among the lab community, we may be able to provide education and understanding in lesser developed regions that penetrates into the marketplace,” Bizzaglia notes. “It is possible that through reaching out on scientific matters, we may be able to assist producers, not always in compliance with international standards, and provide some help and assistance. We have had good results with this type of engagement before.”

To date, the Network has commitments from the TCNA Lab, which operates facilities in both the US and Mexico, as well as a lab in Brazil. Plans are underway to engage European facilities in the Network.

About TCNA

TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), it became TCNA in 2003, reflecting its membership expansion to encompass all of North America.

Tile Council is recognized for its leadership role in facilitating the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit tile consumers. Additionally, TCNA regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, offers professional training, and publishes industry-consensus guidelines and standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.

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For more information, contact:
Roxanne Shiflet
rshiflet@tcnatile.com
(864) 646-8453