They say the heart knows what it knows, and that was certainly the case for a young Giuseppe (Joe) Panzera. Born in Jelsi, Italy in 1940, Panzera emigrated alone to Canada at the age of 16, where he worked as a tile installer before establishing his own construction company. Then fate — and love — intervened when he walked into Ciot, a terrazzo shop located on St.-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal and founded by Giovanni Battista Ciot in 1950. There, Joe met the eldest daughter of Giovanni, Margaret, who he would marry in 1967. Thus began a life-long love in business and in life.
Family matters
From its humble beginnings, Ciot now operates a 100,000-sq.-ft. headquarters, still located on St-Laurent Boulevard, with 10 showrooms across Canada and the USA. They all offer an impressive selection of natural stone materials for residential and commercial projects. The company is celebrating 75 years in business, and now boasts more than 700 employees, many of whom are family members.
“I don’t want to forget anyone!” says Kristina Panzera, VP of marketing and senior buyer at Ciot, when asked to specify. “My mother is our longest serving employee. She is a VP here at Ciot. My father, of course, is our president and CEO, and my first cousin Mike Panzera, is CFO to the Ciot group. My uncle Gennaro works with me in tile purchasing and has been doing that job for over 30 years. Besides that, my sister handles everything to do with building maintenance and showroom improvements. Our husbands also work for the business, as well as five other first cousins and some more distant relatives. My nephew, which would be the fourth generation, is also working here part time while he is in school.”
Purposeful passion
What makes a family-run business different from a corporate company? “Definitely the passion,” says Kristina. “You either love it in your gut or you decide to go on another path. Entering a family business is not something you can just wet your feet in; it’s all or nothing. Not in all cases, but I also think that family businesses are less rigid in their structure than other corporations, which can either cause inefficiencies or allow a faster turnaround when new opportunities arise. The key is to find the right balance.”
Staying on trend
Collaborating with many leading designers known for high standards and creative demands is what keeps Ciot’s products relevant and sought after. It allows the company to remain fresh, agile and forward-thinking. Through these partnerships, the Panzeras gain early insights into emerging trends and evolving client preferences.
“In addition, our presence at major trade and design shows around the world allows us to stay attuned to global design movements and innovations, ensuring our vision and products remain current,” says Kristina.
It’s all in the stone
What makes Ciot stand out in the high-end design market is the range, variety and quality of its products.
“When clients choose materials for their projects, they don’t just create a Ciot space — they craft a space that reflects their personal style, elevated by Ciot’s commitment to quality materials,” says Kristina.
“We offer an exceptional range of materials to suit every aesthetic and budget, including stone, ceramic, porcelain, glass mosaics, tiles and slabs. Our expansive Stone Galleria showcases an extensive variety of natural stones in a wide range of colours and finishes, giving clients endless possibilities for customization.”
Knowledgeable staff make the buying process seamless, guiding clients throughout the entire selection process to ensure that each product aligns with their unique project requirements. With deep expertise in materials and installation techniques, Ciot consultants are well-equipped to provide personalized recommendations and solutions tailored to each client’s vision.