Manufacturer of porcelain stoneware tiles for monument conservation, new construction and industry – Made in Germany since 1891
Zahna-Fliesen GmbH
Zahna-Elster (headquarters, production) · Wittenberg (showroom)New on Amplifa
Tile manufactory since 1891
Zahna-Fliesen GmbH produces porcelain stoneware and stoneware tiles in Zahna-Elster between Berlin and Leipzig. The sixth-generation family business manufactures handcrafted manufactory tiles based on historical models, plain-coloured tiles in various formats and with relief surfaces, as well as industrial tiles with defined slip-resistance classes. The tiles are through-coloured rather than merely surface-glazed, which ensures high abrasion resistance and a long service life. Production uses natural and regional raw materials such as clay, supported by individual colour development in the company's own laboratory. Customers include architects, heritage conservationists and industrial companies such as Mercedes-Benz. The tiles are manufactured in small series through to large-scale projects and distributed via selected specialist retailers as well as direct exports to several European countries.
- Site
- Zahna-Elster
- Processes
- Production of porcelain stoneware tiles (manufactory tiles, handcrafted), Production of industrial tiles with slip-resistance classes, Individual colour development in the company's own laboratory, Fast-fire kiln (commissioned in 2001, world first), Custom-made manufactory tiles based on historical models, Monument conservation / reconstruction of historical floor patterns, Consulting via selected specialist retailers, Industrial tiles with slip-resistance classes
- Materials
- Porcelain stoneware (Feinsteinzeug), Stoneware, Fast-fire process, Roller kiln firing
- Certificates
- ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14025 (EPD, environmental management), DIN EN ISO 50001 (energy management), ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 14025 (EPD)
- Founded
- 1891
- Employees
- approx. 100
- Industries
- Monument conservation / restoration, New construction / architecture, Industry, Public buildings, Hotels / gastronomy
- 01
Raw material preparation (regional clays)
- 02
Shaping / pressing
- 03
Hand finishing for manufactory tiles
- 04
Colour development in the company's own laboratory
- 05
Drying
- 06
Firing in the fast-fire kiln / roller kiln
- 07
Quality inspection
- 08
Order picking and distribution via specialist retailers and export
Porcelain stoneware and stoneware
Porcelain stoneware (Feinsteinzeug)
Base material for manufactory, plain-coloured and industrial tiles with a through-coloured body and high abrasion resistance.
Stoneware
Classic ceramic material that forms the basis of the traditional tile range.
Fast-fire process
Fast-fire kiln commissioned in 2001 as a world first for faster production with consistent quality.
Roller kiln firing
Roller kilns in use since 2004 for efficient and uniform firing.
Production site Zahna-Elster
Zahna-Elster
DEHeadquarters and production plant
- Part weight / size
- Max. tile format 30 x 30 x 1,1 cm
- Lot size
- Small series to large-scale projects
- Materials
- Porcelain stoneware, stoneware
- Fast-fire kiln (2001, world first)
- Roller kiln (from 2004)
Tile programmes
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production of porcelain stoneware tiles (manufactory tiles, handcrafted)Casting | – | 30 cm × 30 cm × 1,1 cm | – | Small series – Large-scale projects | Porcelain stoneware (Feinsteinzeug), natural/regional raw materials (clay) |
| Production of industrial tiles with slip-resistance classesCasting | – | – | – | – | Porcelain stoneware |
| Individual colour development in the company's own laboratoryEngineering | – | – | – | – | Porcelain stoneware |
| Fast-fire kiln (commissioned in 2001, world first)Heat treatment | – | – | – | – | Porcelain stoneware |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast-fire kiln | – | – | – | 2001 | Zahna-Elster |
| Roller kiln | – | – | – | 2004 | Zahna-Elster |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and certification
Quality management is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001; an energy management system to DIN EN ISO 50001 and an EPD verification to ISO 14025 complement the sustainability credentials. Products are frost-resistant, and industrial tiles are available with defined slip-resistance classes.
| Evidence | Zahna-Elster |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| ISO 50001 | |
| ISO 14025 (EPD) |
Over 130 years of company history
- 1790
Foundation of the Faïenceries de Sarreguemines in Lorraine by Nicolas-Henri Jacoby and partners
- 1799
Paul Utzschneider takes over the French manufactory
- 1891
Foundation of the tile factory Utzschneider & Edouard Jaunez; Zahna site
- 1936
More than 600 employees at the Zahna site
- 1944
Severe bomb damage to the plant
- 1949
Nationalisation by the GDR
- 1969
Renamed VEB Fliesenwerk ZAHNA
- 1994
Reprivatisation and renaming to ZAHNA-Fliesen GmbH
- 2001
Commissioning of a fast-fire kiln (world first)
- 2004
Investment in roller kilns
- 2008
Top Employer award among Germany's 100 best SME employers
- 2011
Adrienne Muller takes over in the 5th generation; approx. 50,000 tile types, 1.1 million m² produced; EPD certification ISO 14025
- 2016
DIN EN ISO 9001 certification; gold medal at the Leipzig Monument Conservation Fair
- 2017
Energy management certification DIN EN ISO 50001
- 2018
Another gold medal at the Leipzig Monument Conservation Fair
- 2021
Maxime Fischer takes over management in the 6th generation; approx. 100 employees