Bethany CT, December 15, 2006--Laticrete International, Inc., was recently awarded the prestigious “Family Business of the Year Award” by the University of Connecticut Family Business Program.
The UConn Family Business Program has been recognizing the best of the best family run business’s in the state of Connecticut for 11 years. A panel of judges comprised of business peers, industry experts and members of the academic community, judge each firm on its business success, positive family and business linkages, multigenerational family involvement, innovative business practices and dynamic contributions to the community and industry. Nine exceptional family run firms were nominated by the committee, with Laticrete International taking home top honors in the large business category.
Founded in 1956 by Dr. Henry M. Rothberg, whose pioneering accomplishments in the field of chemical engineering revolutionized methods and systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone by the “adhesive mortar method,” Laticrete is currently celebrating 50 years of industry leading innovation. From its humble Connecticut roots, The Laticrete E system is now manufactured at 15 international locations on six continents, and marketed in 65 countries around the world.
Dr. Rothberg founded the firm with his wife and business partner Lillian, who managed the business during Laticrete’s earliest stages. Over the next four decades each of the Rothberg’s seven children played roles in its success. But it was the Rothberg’s oldest and middle sons who emerged to usher the family business into the next 50 years of innovative success. Henry B. Rothberg who attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his younger brother David, who earned his MBA at Harvard became co-owners of Laticrete International in 2001. With David as chairman and CEO, Henry B. as SVP of training, and Dr. Rothberg as chairman emeritus, the trio has remained steadfast in carrying on the core values of honesty, integrity, trust and dedication
“Generations of Rothberg’s have worked side by side with multi-generational employees for the last 50 years,” said Laticrete CEO David Rothberg. “The Falco family, and the Johnson and Sturdevant families, all come to mind. We also have several third generation contractor and distributor customers that are part of the Laticrete family. This commitment to treating our customers as family has made us what we are today.”
