Fila, meanwhile, is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The surface care specialist was founded in 1943 by brothers Guido and Pietro Pettenon and the family is still the guiding hand behind the company. Today, Beniamino Pettenon is its President.

This year has also seen Fila reach another milestone: its products are now recommended by more than 200 floor manufacturers worldwide.

The company likes to maintain a balance between traditional family values and modern business practices and Fila today has six branches globally and a sales network that supplies products and expert advice to more than 60 countries.

In the UK, Lisa Breakspear, this country’s Sales & Technical Director, says: “To be able to celebrate both our 70th anniversary and a new trading milestone in the same year is incredibly special. We pride ourselves in providing a complete ‘360° solution’ for our clients, rather than simply supplying products – and we’re looking forward to striving towards even bigger milestones in all areas of our business.”

Latest product launches include PW10 Rising Damp Protector, a water-based solution applied to the back of tiles before installation to stops salts, tannin and metals from rising through the substrate to the tile surface, whilst allowing the material to breathe.

The best-selling MP90 sealant has been produced in a water–based formulation that is being launched at the Natural Stone Show (Stand F39). It will join Fila’s ‘Green Line’ surface care range that now includes 17 products. It is LEED-compliant and suitable for use on food contact surfaces.