History

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400 years ago
The Ludovisi Family
The Ludovisi family of Rome, Italy began producing expertly crafted clay roof tiles. By the late 1800’s, their descendant, Carl Ludowici, used this unique form of old-world craftsmanship in a roof tile factory of his own based in Chicago, Illinois. The popularity of his products led to the expansion of several more factories, until Ludowici was eventually consolidated into a single facility in New Lexington, Ohio.
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1888
Celadon Terra Cotta Co.
The Birth of Ludowici Roof Tile began in Alfred, New York with the organization of the Celadon Terra Cotta Co.
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1893
Ludowici Roof Tile opens Manufacturing facility in Chicago, Illinois
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1902
Celadon Terra Cotta purchases Imperial Brick Plant in New Lexington, Ohio
After the acquisition, the plant is converted into the largest clay roof tile plant in the United States.
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1904
Celadon Terra Cotta opens second manufacturing facility in Johnstown, Georgia.
Johnstown is later renamed Ludowici, Georgia
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1906
Ludowici-Celadon is born
Ludowici-Celadon is formed when Ludowici Roof Tile acquires Celadon Roofing Tile Co. and Western Roofing Tile Co. in Coffeyville, Kansas.
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1909
New York and Chicago Plants Destroyed By Fire
Because of the processes required in firing clay tile, fire is an ever present danger to the manufacturing facilities. Both the Alfred, New York and the Chicago, Illinois plants were destroyed by fire.
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1914
Ludowici, Georgia plant closes and moves all operations to the Ohio facility.
Ludowici furnished over two million square feet of roofing for the government buildings in the Panama Canal Zone.
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1941 — 1945
World War II
Roof tile production during World War II was minimal due to a shift in manufacturing focuses and the U.S. Economy. Factory workers at the New Lexington, Ohio plant instead produced terra cotta cookie jars to stay busy and employed.
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1945
Kansas Plant Closes
Coffeville, Kansas plant closes and moves all operations to the Ohio facility.
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1958
CSE, Inc. of Chicago purchases Ludowici-Celadon
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1960
Real gold atop the New York Life Building in Manhattan,
Ludowici was selected to reproduce all the interlocking terra cotta roof tiles that were glazed in real gold on the New York Life Building in New York City.
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1976
Ludowici-Celadon sold to CertainTeed, Inc., a division of Saint-Gobain
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1980
Pennsylvania State Capital Building
Ludowici was selected to reproduce all the historical terra cotta on the Pennsylvania State Capital Building.
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2003
Ludowici Introduces Impressionist Series
The Impressionist Series (special glaze application) was introduced by Ludowici to allow brand new roof tiles to have an aged appearance with a spectacular color range.
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2003
Management of Ludowici Roof Tile transferred to Terreal, another division of Saint-Gobain
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2003
2003 Ludowici introduces NeXclad
2003 Ludowici introduces NeXclad, the industry's most economical terra cotta wall cladding system.
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2007
Colorado University at Boulder Hires Ludowici
Colorado University at Boulder is one of many examples of higher learning Institutions that select Ludowici terra cotta tiles to crown their buildings.
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2007
Grand Opening of the Factory of Ideas Design Center at New Lexington Plant
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2008
Plaza Hotel Renovation
The Plaza Hotel was originally built with Ludowici Roof Tile in 1910 and the roof was renovated in 2008 with tiles that were exact replicas of the original.
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2009
Duke University Renovation
Duke University was originally built with Ludowici Roof Tile in 1927 and the roof was renovated in 2009 with tiles that were exact replicas of the original.
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2012
Ludowici Introduces First Ever Light-Weight Tile
Ludowici introduces the industry first light-weight terra cotta roof tile in a slate and shake texture.
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2014
Ludowici Introduces First Ever Recycled Tiles
Ludowici introduces the industry first recycled product that meets and exceeds performance levels of terra cotta tiles produced with 100% virgin clay.
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2019
Grand Opening of Ludowici's Dallas Design Center
Ludowici opens it's first flagship showroom located in the heart of the Design District in Dallas, TX.
133 Manufacturing Street
Dallas, TX 75207 -
2019
Ciot Atlanta
Ciot’s newest location opened in October of 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Ludowici has partnered with CIOT to include a permanent partner wall on display in their Atlanta showroom.
Visit Ludowici
Tour the factory and visit our Factory of Ideas to experience Ludowici old-world craftsmanship for yourself.
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