New use found for old tile plant

Published: February 5, 2008

By NED B. HUNTER
nhunter@jacksonsun.com
The Jackson Sun
February 5, 2008

JACKSON — A New York-based equity firm has purchased and renovated the former Dal-Tile plant in the Madison County Industrial Park.

Meridian Development Partners has converted the former glazed and unglazed mosaic tile manufacturing plant into a flexible space business center, according to a press release. The former plant has been renamed American Drive Business Center and was built to provide businesses with an "alternative for distribution, warehousing, manufacturing and office operations,'' according to the release.

Along with renovating the 430,000-square-foot existing building, Meridian Development Partners will develop the 20 acres of land adjoining the existing facility.

"The American Drive Business Center will offer businesses the benefits of a true flex-use environment," wrote Michael Katz, project director with Meridian Development Partners, in the release.

"Our center allows businesses to begin operations in one footprint, but have the ability to expand as quickly as demand requires. Rail access also provides the site with a major competitive advantage attractive to the burgeoning plastics, automotive and logistics industries in the region."

First built around 1963, Dal-Tile was producing about 12 million square feet of tile per year at the height of production in 2002 and 2003.

In April 2006, the company closed 50 percent of the plant, citing pressures from overseas imports and production costs.

The company shut down two of its production kilns at that time that manufactured glazed and unglazed mosaic tiles. That decision caused the layoff of 58 employees.

The plant closed completely in December 2006, eliminating another 85 jobs.