Our History

     Cerámica del Nalón is a family business founded in 1920 by Alfredo Fombella Prieto. Originally, it was founded as a roof-tile manufacturer, in the shadow of many other leading roof-tile manufacturing companies based in the region.

Nonetheless, Cerámica del Nalón succeeded in overcoming these challenges and began to thriveOne of the owner's sons, Ángel Fombella González -chemical engineer and founder of both the Spanish National Professional Association of Chemists and the Bank of Asturias, among others- transformed the company into a manufacturer of refractory ceramic products. Following this transformation, and in view of the growth of the business, Ángel offered the position of CEO of the company to his brother Alfredo Fombella.

In the 1960s, further technological developments took place. For example, the company acquired its first tunnel kiln, which was shipped directly from Germany and marked a milestone not only for the company but also for the sector in Spain as a whole.

In the 1970s, the iron and steel crisis in Spain threatened the survival of the sector; however, Cerámica del Nalón was far ahead of the curve and made the important decision to expand its business abroad. Jose Ángel and Alfredo Fombella, Ángel's sons and members of the third generation, led this process. The company began its internationalisation and expansion into different sectors abroad, becoming a pioneer in exports from Spain. In subsequent years, the company continued to invest in new technologies and more advanced presses to enable the ongoing modernisation and expansion of the company.

In the 1990s, Cerámica del Nalón was already established as a benchmark in the manufacture of refractory products in Spain, with a strong presence in international markets and in direct competition with leading multinationals in the sector.

Since then, the company has continued to invest in new technologies and the most advanced hydraulic presses (with higher speed and greater power). The company is always at the forefront of the sector, as demonstrated by the automation of its production plant.

Cerámica del Nalón engages with the various circumstances affecting its employees and the environment. The company has remained on its original site, maintained uninterrupted production, and succeeded in reconciling its legitimate business interests with those of its employees and surrounding environment, without experiencing a single conflict in the 100 year history of the company.