Arizona Tile delivers Italian style in the Western United States

(May 2024) | Since its original founding in San Diego, California in 1977 by John Huarte, Arizona Tile has established itself as a thriving family-owned and operated business, and become one of the leading tile and slab distributors in the U.S.

Now, with hundreds of employees, many of which have been with the company for over 20+ years, Arizona Tile offers their clients unparalleled service and a vast assortment of high-end ceramic products from around the world, many being sourced from Italian producers.

We spoke with Mark Huarte, Owner and Vice President of Operations as well as the son of founder John Huarte, to learn more about the company’s history and valued relationship with the Italian ceramics industry.

When was your company founded? What have been some key moments since its beginning?

Arizona Tile was initially founded in 1977 by John Huarte in San Diego, California. In business for over 45 years, we have proudly experienced many milestones and accomplishments. Each new location has been a key moment in our company’s history, particularly as we have grown from state to state, with showrooms now in 10 states.

What are your company’s guiding principles?

The company was founded on the concept that goodwill towards others, including our fellow employees, is good business. As a family-owned business, Arizona Tile has been committed to providing truly extraordinary surfaces and services to its customers. This commitment doesn’t stop with our guests; it extends to the entire Arizona Tile team. Working at Arizona Tile isn’t just another job; it’s family. It’s an opportunity to grow for years to come in an environment that values hard work and dedication. It is this culture that has led to many employees choosing to spend 10, 20, and 30 years of their careers at Arizona Tile. It’s easy to grow when there is an employee-focused culture.

What type of tile products does your company carry and how are they utilized in projects?

Arizona Tile offers more than 60 varieties of porcelain, ceramic, and glass tile, as well as 2cm porcelain pavers for outdoor use. Our products are used for interior and exterior surfaces in both residential and commercial installations.

Who are your main clients and what types of projects do they work on?

Our customers span the realm of residential to commercial, and every type of project within those sects. We cater to DIYers, smaller/regional builders, large/national builders, multi-family, designers, architects, and more. Most of our clients’ projects utilize hard surfaces, and whether the installation is interior or exterior, our expansive product inventory provides countless options for every surface.

Arizona Tile Showroom in Portland, OR

How would you describe the key characteristics of your showroom? What do you see as the most important aspects of customer service?

We strive to provide a uniquely positive experience for each customer at all of our locations, whether in our Tile Showroom, our Slab Showroom, or picking up tile or slabs at our Order Desks. The company prides itself on providing customers with ideas and information they may need to select products and move forward with their projects. Whether a customer is working on their own home, a large commercial project, or simply re-doing their backsplash, the company endeavors to provide that customer with the best experience they possibly can.

What specific qualities do you look for when sourcing new Italian tile products? Is sustainability a contributing factor? 

Sustainability is indeed an important factor, although Italian manufacturers as a whole have established a common protocol where minimum production traits such as pre-consumer recycled content, recovery of industrial water, and avoidance of thin article dispersion are guaranteed by all associates.

The key feature we look for in an Italian product is design. Italian producers have the creativity to always reinvent new or classical looks into a reimagined, “fresh” perspective.

Showroom in Boise, ID

What do you think makes Italian producers different from those in other competitor countries?

As we all know, technology and equipment come from Italy and are then distributed around the world, so timing is of utmost importance to capture technological advances.

On the downside, we realize this advantage is getting shorter and shorter. Because of this, our attention is mostly dedicated to the level of execution, the attention to detail (i.e. precision of the graphics and color nuances), and the artistic and inventive side of their creations.

How can Italian companies raise their approval level within the North American distribution system?

To us, the key factor is how Italian manufacturers maintain an output of new products while maintaining a level of excellence in servicing the supply chain. The ability to provide consistent service in terms of quality and inventory supply in a timely manner is the decisive factor that can allow our partnership with Italian factories to be maintained as well as increase its success while facing competition.

What is the current state of the U.S. construction industry? How does Italian tile perform in this market?

Nonresidential construction is projected to slow in 2024 and 2025. The National Association of Home Builders projects that residential construction will drop 3% in 2024, and multifamily will see a 17% decrease next year. The performance of Italian tile in a challenging market will require superior design, quality production, and wisely selected US distributor relationships capable of selling on quality and fashion.