History

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.

Celadon Terra Cotta Co.

The Birth of Ludowici Roof Tile began in Alfred, New York with the organization of the Celadon Terra Cotta Co.

Ludowici Roof Tile opens Manufacturing facility in Chicago, Illinois

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.

Celadon Terra Cotta opens second manufacturing facility in Johnstown, Georgia.

Johnstown is later renamed Ludowici, Georgia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kansas Plant Closes

Coffeville, Kansas plant closes and moves all operations to the Ohio facility.

CSE, Inc. of Chicago purchases Ludowici-Celadon

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.

Ludowici-Celadon sold to CertainTeed, Inc., a division of Saint-Gobain

Pennsylvania State Capital Building

Ludowici was selected to reproduce all the historical terra cotta on the Pennsylvania State Capital Building.

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.

Management of Ludowici Roof Tile transferred to Terreal, another division of Saint-Gobain

2003 Ludowici introduces NeXclad

2003 Ludowici introduces NeXclad, the industry's most economical terra cotta wall cladding system.

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.

Grand Opening of the Factory of Ideas Design Center at New Lexington Plant

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.

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.

Ludowici Introduces First Ever Light-Weight Tile

Ludowici introduces the industry first light-weight terra cotta roof tile in a slate and shake texture.

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.

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

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.