Businessweek

Ferro Corporation engages in producing specialty materials and chemicals that are sold to a range of manufacturers who, in turn, make products for various end-use markets. Products The company offers electronic, color, and glass materials, such as conductive metal powders, polishing materials, glazes, enamels, pigments, decoration colors, and other performance materials; and polymer and ceramic engineered materials, such as polymer additives, engineered plastic compounds, pigment dispersions, glazes, frits, porcelain enamel, pigments, inks, and high-potency pharmaceutical active ingredients. Markets and Customers The company’s products are used in various product applications in markets, including appliances, automobiles, building and renovation, electronics, household furnishings, industrial products, packaging, and pharmaceuticals. Majority of its products are used as coatings on its customers’ products, such as glazes and decorations on tile, glass, and dinnerware. Other products are supplied to customers as powders that are used to manufacture electronic components and other products. The company’s major customers include manufacturers of ceramic tile, major appliances, construction materials, automobile parts, glass, bottles, vinyl flooring and wall coverings, and pharmaceuticals. It sells its products directly to its customers. However, a portion of its business uses indirect sales channels, such as agents and distributors, to deliver products to market. Environmental Matters Some of the company’s products are subject to restrictions under laws or regulations, such as California Proposition 65 or the European Union’s chemical substances directive. Research and Development Total expenditures for product and application technology, including research and development, customer technical support, and other related activities, were $39.5 million in 2012. These amounts include expenditures for company-sponsored research and development activities of approximately $30.0 million in 2012. Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses The company owns various patents and patent applications relating to its various products and their uses. Its patents would expire at various dates through the year 2032. History Ferro Corporation was founded in 1919. The company was incorporated in Ohio in 1919.