NEWS BRIEFS sales of CHF 1.2 billion, Parex is a leading mortar manufacturer with an impressive track record of profitable growth and attrac- tive margins. Sika and Parex are two strong companies that are highly complementary in product offering and channel penetration. With this acquisition, Sika will expand its product portfolio for the building finishing market, fur- ther strengthening its world leader position in construction chemi- cals, and reaching sales in excess of CHF 8 billion for 2019. The acquisition of Parex will strength- en Sika’s growth platform. Its mor- tar business, which is a key growth technology for the group and one of its important earning contribu- tors, will more than double in size to CHF 2.3 billion. Arley Wholesale brings its show on the road – This year Arley Wholesale is taking its show on the road. President Scott Levy said its Annual Arley Golf Classic and Tile & Stone Exposition the annual event will return to Scranton, Pa., next year, but this summer it’s trying to reach as many customers and prospects as possible. Levy said the show will demonstrate how Arley’s private label programs can help retail- ers better compete against big box stores and Internet suppli- ers and receive better margins. Remaining regional events this summer are: • July 10th at Saratoga Hilton/ Saratoga Springs Casino in Sarasota Springs, NY • July 23rd at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT • August 6th at Hollywood Casino in Columbus, OH Key sundry suppliers will offer educational demonstrations, and fun activities will be scheduled as well. Ceramic Tile Alliance Importers lobby industry for support against Chinese antidumping tar- iffs – On April 10 the Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking antidump- ing and countervailing duties on imports of ceramic tile products from the People’s Republic of China. In response, a group of North American-based importers, distributors, retailers, and design professionals have formed the Ceramic Tile Alliance (CTA) to oppose tariffs on competing floor and wall products they believe jeopardize the long-term health and growth of the ceramic tile industry. CTA’s goal is to save American businesses and jobs they believe will be at risk if these tariffs are imposed. CTA has started a petition at change.org to give voice to ceramic tile industry professionals that will be nega- tively impacted by these tariffs. 114 TileLetter | July 2019