Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

Updated: October 28, 2019 / 2019 Family Business Awards Honorees

Tile America

Husband and wife Brian and Louise Knies are second-generation operators of Tile America.

 

2nd Place — 25–75 full-time employees category

Tile America is a retailer of tile and stone for the individual and commercial markets.

Recent accomplishments:

We’ve heavily invested in our people, our facilities, and our logistics over the last five years. We’ve purchased our real estate, installed three solar arrays, improved landscaping and building facades, bought new trucks and equipment, implemented a new ERP system, and beautified our interiors.

How do you remain competitive?

An aggressive digital marketing campaign combined with innovations like a room visualizer and in-home consultation program has set us apart. We have remained dedicated to high quality and high service and bucked the trend of discounting and cost cutting.

To remain competitive we have also renovated our seven Connecticut locations and built the most comfortable and beautiful showrooms in our market. We have remained the specialists in our field by focusing solely on ceramic tile and stone. We like to say we are a ‘Jack of one trade and master of it.’ From providing cutting-edge design service in our showroom to educating our contractor customers in the latest installation techniques, we continue to be Connecticut’s tile experts.

How do you instill your family values in your employees?

Our average employee tenure is 12 years and that is due to our heavy focus on a healthy culture. Using our employee-recognition program, experiential-training events, corporate-responsibility initiative, open-door policy and a yearly company-wide meeting, we’ve been able to attract and keep the best in the business.

What’s your biggest challenge?

Trying to grow in a state with no population growth, little new construction, and high taxes that limit disposable income is not easy. Add to that the Amazon effect on brick-and-mortar stores, but I’m glad to say growth is still possible.

Return to HBJ’s 2019 Family Business Awards landing page

Tile America

Headquarters: New Haven

Industry: Ceramic, Tile & Stone

Year Founded: 1964

Founder: Jack Knies

Generation Currently Running Company: 2nd

No. of Full-Time Employees: 59

No. of Part-Time Employees: 7

Family Members Currently Employed at Company: Brian Knies, President/Owner, Husband; Louise Knies, Financial Officer, Wife

Company Website: www.tileamerica.com

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF