TOTO Announces Strategic Partnership With Crossville, Inc., for New HYDROTECT™ Powered Porcelain Tile

MORROW, Ga., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TOTO, the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with $5.01 billion dollars in annual sales, today announced the launch of its new cross-industrial strategic partnership with Crossville, Inc., a U.S.-owned and operated manufacturer of award-winning porcelain, glass, and stone tile collections for residential and contract applications. Beginning in June, 2013, Crossville will offer HYDROTECT as an optional finish on a majority of its porcelain tile collections. 

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/CL03778LOGO )
(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110930/CL77906LOGO-b )

"TOTO established 'HYDROTECT Partners' to raise HYDROTECT's profile in the global marketplace and disseminate knowledge about this breakthrough technology worldwide," said Daijiro Nogata, President of TOTO USA. "TOTO continues to aggressively build our global network of cross-industrial strategic business partners. We are proud to announce that Crossville, Inc., is the newest member of our international network. This announcement is a special pleasure for TOTO as we partner with Crossville on one of our key environmental initiatives – upcycling our imperfect and damaged china for new tile production. HYDROTECT will be available as an option on Crossville's recycled tile line, as well as its other collections," Nogata continued.

Crossville applies HYDROTECT to its porcelain tile during a second firing process, after the tile is traditionally glazed and fired. HYDROTECT will not wash or wear off over time and is not visible -- it does not alter the tile's appearance. "We are very honored to have HYDROTECT power collections by a leading U.S. porcelain tile manufacturer.  Our partnership with Crossville will accelerate HYDROTECT's North American brand recognition," said Nogata.

HYDROTECT Technology
TOTO's HYDROTECT technology utilizes photocatalysts with superhydrophilic and decomposition properties offering the following benefits:

• creates easy clean surfaces on buildings' exteriors or interiors
• cleans the air (reduces pollutant gases, NOx, SOx, VOCs, which contribute to greenhouse gas production and improves general air quality, both indoor and outdoor); and
• offers an anti-microbial* effect (suppresses the growth of odor causing bacteria).

Among HYDROTECT products' secondary benefits are global greenhouse gas reduction; carbon footprint reduction; contribution to LEED points on submitted projects; building maintenance cost savings; reduction in the use of harmful cleaning agents; and a net positive environmental impact as derived from Life Cycle Assessment.

*The product is currently under review by EPA. Data and information herein have not yet been evaluated and approved by the EPA. Information is based on 3rd party testing per ISO standards. Photocatalyst products are not designed to protect users from disease causing bacteria or replace good cleaning/maintenance practices.  

About TOTO:
TOTO USA is headquarters for the Americas Division of the TOTO Global Group, which was established in 1917 with the founding of TOTO, Ltd., in Kitakyushu, Japan. TOTO is the world's largest manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings with $5.01 billion dollars in annual sales. For nearly 100 years, TOTO has been the recognized leader in performance innovation and design of products that enhance the luxury bathroom experience. Today, the company maintains 23,500 employees in 69 offices around the world and owns manufacturing facilities in Japan, Mexico, the USA, China, and Europe with an affiliated network of more than 80 production facilities worldwide. With more than 1,500 engineers on staff and three centers devoted to research and development, TOTO is dedicated to engineering products that respect the environment while meeting people's needs for comfort, beauty, and performance. TOTO's corporate philosophy – People-First Innovation – is the guiding principle for all the company's processes, from engineering and design to manufacturing and sales. Consumers enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing they purchased a brand that innovates to improve people's quality of life. Winner of numerous domestic and international awards and recognitions, TOTO is the only plumbing manufacturer honored as Water Efficiency Leader by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company continues to raise industry standards and consumer expectations as to what is possible in the bathroom, as TOTO believes a high-quality bathroom is an experience and an everyday luxury people value and appreciate.

For more information, consumers may visit www.totousa.com or call 1.888.295.8134, Option 5.  Follow TOTO on Twitter (@TOTOUSA) and become a TOTO fan on Facebook

About Crossville Inc.

Founded in 1986, Crossville Inc. is a U.S.-owned and operated manufacturer of award-winning porcelain, glass, and stone tile collections for residential and contract applications. The company is the first U.S. tile manufacturer to achieve the following:

• production of large format tile on site,
• manufacturing tile with certified recycled content
• development of the Tile Take-Back® Program for recycling fired porcelain tile
• certification of its waste recycling programs
• TCNA's Green Squared certification for all of its U.S.-produced tile lines,
• become a net consumer of waste.

For more information on Crossville, visit crossvilleinc.com.

SOURCE TOTO