10 QUESTIONS WITH...
10 QUESTIONS WITH... MAR ESTEVE CORTES
Each issue we ask an industry professional the Tomorrow’s Tile & Stone 10 Questions. This month, we chatted to Mar Esteve Cortes, Director of Neolith.
Q1 Q2
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I was a marketing analyst at the Bacardí Group.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE TILE/
STONE INDUSTRY? I am the fourth generation of a family dedicated to the stone industry. My great grandfather used to work in a quarry in Alicante, Spain. My grandfather then set up a small factory to cut marble blocks into slabs. Unfortunately, he passed away when my father was only 18 and my uncle 11 so they took over the business at a very young age. That was the beginning of Levantina Group - one of the most relevant natural stone companies worldwide.
Then, in 2009 my father and my uncle founded TheSize and Neolith with the vision to create the sintered stone category. My brother and I joined the company more than five years ago, and I have the feeling that there will be more generations to come!
Q3
WHO, IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY, DO YOU
MOST ADMIRE? Many! Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, for his restless innovative spirit and disruptive services that have changed the way in which the world consumes anything.
Zara founder Amancio Ortega for how he has created an empire that has democratised fashion and design worldwide. I also admire his humble and low-profile approach, while still being one of the most influential businessmen.
Within our industry, Luigi Antolini or the Colonques family for creating high-value international brands within a highly commoditised industry.
Q4
IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, WHAT CAR
WOULD YOU BUY? A turquoise convertible Mini - design oriented, colourful, powerful motor, fast, fun and easy to park anywhere!
— 34 — Q5
IF YOU COULD INVENT ONE PRODUCT TO
MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER,
WHAT WOULD IT BE? Teleportation - personal contact is so important in our business to build long-term relations, to transmit the enthusiasm of the product development, to face difficult situations. It would just be easier if we could meet for five minutes instead of having to go through countless emails, WhatsApps and calls.
Q6 Q7
Q8 Q9
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU
WERE GROWING UP? A photographer for National Geographic Magazine in Latin America.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?
Bikram yoga, swim in the sea or eat chocolate.
IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY WITH
ANY THREE GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THEY
BE AND WHY? Diego el Cigala, a live Spanish flamenco singer, for good music; Christopher Columbus for good story telling; and Ferran Adrià for good food and drinks. What else do you need for a dinner party?
IF YOU COULD VISIT ANY PLACE IN THE
WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU
GO AND WHY? I would visit Cuba again - it is just like traveling back in time. I love speaking to locals, their music and landscapes.
Other than that, there are many places I would like to explore and are in my to-go list in Asia (Vietnam, The Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, etc.) and in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, The Seychelles or Madagascar).
Q10
WES PALMER, DIRECTOR OF
STONE AND CERAMIC WAREHOUSE, ASKED: WHICH GOVERNMENT POLICY DO YOU FEEL HAS HAD THE MOST DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON YOUR BUSINESS OVER
THE LAST FIVE YEARS? As a Spanish company, we don’t feel like we’re best placed to comment on UK government policy.
www.neolith.com/en
www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
