Zentia celebrate 100 years of manufacturing excellence

Zentia, a leading ceiling solutions manufacturer, is proud to announce a major milestone in its history: 100 years since the original company was first registered in the UK. With a rich heritage as part of the renowned Armstrong brand and a dynamic future as Zentia, the company stands as a symbol of enduring British manufacturing and innovation.

Founded in 1925, Zentia has become an iconic fixture in the North East, with its Gateshead factory producing high-quality mineral fibre ceiling tiles since 1966. Today, Zentia is proud to still be the only UK manufacturer of mineral fibre ceiling tiles, delivering ceiling solutions to the UK construction industry direct from the heart of Team Valley.

“This centenary is more than a celebration of our history; it’s a celebration of our people, our community, and our future,” said Gert van Doormalen, CEO of Zentia. “From our beginnings as Armstrong to our transformation into Zentia, we have remained deeply committed to British manufacturing. We are proud to continue providing local jobs, investing in sustainable innovation, and supporting generations of families in the North East.”

Over the last four years, Zentia has invested more than £37 million in its UK operations, with further investment planned to drive innovation, efficiency, and greener production methods. Major investment was made to its Gateshead facility, affectionately known as “the cloud factory” by locals due to the steam emitted from its landmark flue, which allowed for significant reductions in pre-consumer waste and other sustainability initiatives, all of which underscore Zentia’s commitment to building a more sustainable construction sector.

To celebrate the milestone, the Mayor of Gateshead visited Zentia’s two production facilities in Gateshead. As Zentia celebrates its 100th year, the company reflects on a legacy of resilience, community, and craftsmanship, and looks ahead to an exciting new chapter, leading the way in design-led, sustainable ceiling solutions made in Britain.

Join the celebration at Zentia and on social media with #Zentia100 - and discover how Zentia is shaping the future of British ceiling solutions.