About Ferro

Ferro Corporation produces specialty materials that are sold to manufacturers who, in turn, make products for various end-use markets. The company’s products fall into two categories, functional coatings, which perform specific functions in the manufacturing processes and end products of its customers; and color solutions, which provide aesthetic and performance characteristics to its customers’ products. The company’s products include frits, porcelain and other glass enamels, glazes, stains, decorating colors, pigments, inks, polishing materials, dielectrics, electronic glasses, and other specialty coatings. The company develops and delivers products to its customers in various technologies, such as particle engineering, color and glass science, surface chemistry and surface application technology, and formulation. The company produces and sells its products primarily in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region; the United States; the Asia Pacific region; and Latin America. It sells its products directly to customers and through the use of agents or distributors worldwide. Markets and Customers The company’s products are used in various product applications, within various markets, such as appliances, electronics, automotive, industrial products, household furnishings, building and renovation, packaging, consumer products, and sanitary. Majority of the company’s products are used as functional or aesthetic coatings for various different substrates on its customers’ products, such as metals, ceramics, glass, plastic, wood, and concrete. Other products are used to manufacture electronic components and other products. Still other products are added during the company’s customers’ manufacturing processes to provide desired properties to their end product. The company’s customers include manufacturers of ceramic tile, major appliances, construction materials, automobile parts, automobiles, architectural and container glass, and electronic components and devices. Majority of its customers, including makers of major appliances and automobile parts, purchase materials from its business units. The company sells its products directly to its customers. A portion of the company’s business uses indirect sales channels, such as agents and distributors, to deliver products to market. Research and Development The company’s expenditures for product and application technology, including research and development, customer technical support and other related activities, were $41.0 million in 2019. Patents The company owns various patents and patent applications relating to its various products and their uses. The company’s patents would expire at various dates through the year 2037. Discontinued Operations As of December 31, 2019, the results of the Tile Coatings business portion of Tile Coating Systems are reported as discontinued operations. Environmental Matters Some of the company’s products are subject to restrictions under laws or regulations, such as California’s Proposition 65, the Toxic Substances and Control Act and the European Union’s chemical substances directive. History Ferro Corporation was founded in 1919. The company was incorporated in Ohio in 1919.