From its five founding members, TCNA Mexico’s membership has grown to 36 companies supporting Tile Council projects in Mexico. This total includes 11 tile manufacturers (representing 99% of the tile manufactured in Mexico), 13 associate installation materials members, and 13 associate raw material supplier members.

The following are some of the recent developments with which TCNA Mexico has been involved to benefit the North American tile industry:

Government Relations

TCNA Mexico continues to participate in a government program to monitor tile imports by helping the Mexican government identify sub-valuation (when the price is less than 50% of the HS code average).

In 2013 Mexican Customs agreed to TCNA Mexico’s request to begin using reference prices to alert agents to tile shipments with a price lower than the reference price. TCNA Mexico provided the data to assist customs officials in creating the reference price. The result of this program is more revenue to the government through preventing false import declarations and a fair marketplace for manufacturers and importers. .

In 2013 TCNA Mexico reviewed with the Mexican government a proposal to modify HS codes based on a proposal originating from the World Ceramic Tiles Forum in which TCNA and TCNA Mexico are active participants. The proposal was accepted, and this year TCNA Mexico will participate in a Work Group with the Secretariat of Economy to authorize supporting the international initiative and to adapt the ceramic tile HS codes in Mexico before the Harmonized Tariff System is modified in 2017.

The new HS codes will classify tile based on water absorption and size instead of the current method of whether or not a tile is glazed.

Installer Training & Certification

TCNA Mexico currently operates four installer training centers: one in Monterrey, one in Guadalajara, and the other two in the Mexico City area (Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl and Alvaro Obregon). Construction of a fifth training center in Guanajuato is scheduled to begin next year.

The installer certification program launched in 2010 continues to grow with the added support of TCNA – Mexico associate installation materials members. TCNA Mexico hired Oscar Urbina Almanza as manager to promote this certification program and supervise training classes at each location. Mr. Almanza is also in charge of evaluating the installers taking certification exams with more than 100 installers certified last year.

In 2014 TCNA Mexico will work with CONOCER and the Chamber of the Construction Industry (CMIC) for graduates to receive a certificate from CONOCER, which is part of the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP).

TCNA Handbook for Mexico

This year, TCNA Mexico will launch an updated version of the TCNA Handbook for Mexico. The Mexican version differs from the U.S. version in that Handbook methods specifying materials not in the Mexican market are removed, and it includes ads promoting installer certification through the Mexican installer training centers.

Tile Installation Video

TCNA Mexico recently completed a tile installation video developed to demonstrate necessary steps for a successful tile installation in Mexico. The video can be viewed for free at https://vimeo.com/92549681.

Product Testing

TCNA Mexico is working with the University of Nuevo Leon’s chemical sciences laboratory to install a TCNA product testing laboratory in Mexico. This new TCNA lab, opening this summer, will be used primarily for porcelain and ceramic tile water absorption testing and will be certified by EMA, which is the Mexican entity for laboratory accreditation.

Promotional Efforts/Tradeshows

In 2010 TCNA Mexico successfully launched a 25,000-sq. ft. TCNA Pavilion at Expo CIHAC, the largest construction show in Mexico. 2014 year marks the fifth year of TCNA participation, with the TCNA Pavilion’s growing to 45,000 sq. ft.

TCNA Mexico’s efforts at Expo CIHAC are designed to promote TCNA members, the use of tile, and improving tile installation quality through installer training and certification.

Additionally this year TCNA Mexico will promote porcelain quality and certification, as well as Green Squared for the Mexican market.

Green Initiative

TCNA Mexico is working this year with ONNCCE (Mexico’s national organization of standards and certification) to adopt ANSI A138.1, the standard upon which the Green Squared certification program is based, so Mexico will also have a standard that supports Green Squared.

Standards

TCNA Mexico is also working with ONNCCE to update the NMX-422 standard for ceramic tile and NXM-420 for mortars and to create an NMX standard for grouts.

Porcelain Certification

TCNA Mexico recently launched the PTCA porcelain tile certification program in Mexico with a presentation to the country’s main distributors. Many Mexican porcelain tile manufacturers have agreed to certify their entire porcelain product lines.

In 2014 TCNA Mexico will promote the PTCA program through special events for construction companies, architects, and interior designers.

TCNA Mexico was created in 2005 to serve Tile Council of North America’s Mexican members, as well as U.S. and Canadian members doing business in Mexico. For more information, please visit: www.tcnatile.com/tcna-mexico.html.

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