Poland loves the quality and design of Italian ceramic tiles

Mera Sp. z.o.o, a family-owned company founded in 1991, has established itself as one of the most successful firms in the Silesian agglomeration in Poland, specialising in bathroom equipment and building materials. The company’s headquarters are located in Tychy. Mera offers a wide range of Italian ceramic tiles and has won the prestigious Confindustria Ceramica Distributor Award 2023, the 27th edition of the award presented by Confindustria Ceramica to four tile distributors in recognition of their achievements in promoting Italian ceramic tiles and increasing their global utilisation. We asked shareholder Justyna Meresińska about her company and its developments.

How has your company changed since it was founded?

Mera opened its first construction store exactly 33 years ago, starting out as a family business. Since then, Mera has continued to develop its business based on family values ​​and a friendly atmosphere. The scale of our operations has changed over the years and we have gained a leading position in the Silesian building materials and interior furnishings market. At Mera, we embrace growth and innovation, constantly push back boundaries and keep abreast of the latest design trends. Our showrooms feature unique arrangements, extensive exhibitions and innovative solutions designed to inspire everyone in creating their dream interior. Today, Mera is a leading player in the interior design market. Our catalogue mainly consists of ceramic tiles, terrace tiles, bathroom fittings, lighting, furniture, garden equipment and accessories, all of which contribute to achieving distinctive interior designs.

How many showrooms do you have, where are they located and how are they organized?

Mera has five showrooms in key locations in Silesia. Our primary location is in Tychy, which is home to our headquarters and the Mera Garden centre specialising in garden architecture. Further interior design locations include the Mera showroom in Bielsko-Biała with an area of ​ over 4,000 square metres and the newest Mera showroom in Katowice, which has an area of ​​over 1,000 square metres. The company also runs the Mera Outlet in Mikołów. The Mera showrooms are meticulously designed and organized to ensure the highest levels of occupational comfort for our employees. Mera is a place for everyone who is looking for proven products tailored to their needs and preferences.

How many employees do you have?

At present, Mera has a dedicated team of over 100 employees, and we are continuing to expand our workforce as part of our ongoing development efforts.

What are the most important aspects of your customer service? Have you had to respond to different needs in recent years?

Our top priority is to ensure the professionalism of Mera’s customer service specialists. We regularly organise product and sales training sessions aimed at improving sales techniques. Additionally, we arrange factory visits to provide our specialists with in-depth knowledge of production processes, which in turn boosts our sales efforts. We are also committed to offering a personalized approach to each of our clients. We keep up to date with the latest trends in interior and garden furnishings. In response to evolving customer needs, we have expanded our offerings to include Outdoor spaces, for which purpose we have opened our new Mera Garden terrace centre where customers will find a full range of terrace and garden equipment. As customer needs are constantly evolving, we strive to adapt to this process and respond in a timely manner.

What is your philosophy?

Our continued success is rooted in our passion, entrepreneurial spirit, commitment and know-how. We owe our achievements to the dedication and extensive experience of our employees as well as a pleasant teamwork atmosphere that enables us to work together effectively. Our company philosophy is based on consumer satisfaction, constant pursuit of our goals and building relationships with our clients, suppliers, architects and employees.

What is the state of the construction market and of the distribution system in Poland and what are the biggest problems you face?

The rise in construction material costs over the last year has had a significant impact on investment projects. This has affected demand for housing construction, as potential customers have had to adapt their building plans to the evolving market conditions. At the turn of last year, the construction industry had to adapt to this changing landscape, adopt rational and appropriate measures to maintain profitability and sustain customer interest. Despite changes in the construction market, Mera has continued to effectively pursue its objectives and goals.

Who are your clients and what are the intended uses of the ceramic tiles you distribute?

Our target group includes retail customers as well as professionals such as designers, developers and contractors. We operate in all these sectors because Mera’s extensive range of ceramic tile designs allows us to meet the needs of both sophisticated projects and commercial investments.

You have just received the Confindustria Ceramica Distributor Award 2023. What do you think international buyers are looking for when they choose Italian-made ceramic tiles?

For Mera, the most important consideration is the wide range of Italian ceramic tiles, which constantly surprises us for its diversity, quality and unique designs. We can choose from an endless palette of colours, sizes and textures. Italian ceramic tiles are renowned as some of the most luxurious finishing materials, and for good reason. The combination of flawless elegance and the highest quality workmanship makes a compelling case for purchasing Italian ceramics.

Italian tile brands currently distributed:
Abk
Alfalux
Ariana
Ceramica Sant’Agostino
Cercom
Cir
Coem
Dado
Edimax
Emilceramica
Fincibec Group
Fioranese
Italgraniti
La Faenza
Lea
Leonardo
Novabell
Panaria
Pastorelli
Refin
Ricchetti.
Rondine
Serenissima
Settecento
Versace

October 2023