Today we’d like to introduce you to Judith Zablah.
Judith, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After getting done with my Master’s degree in Spain, I decided to visit my sister who lives in Miami. She had just had her first baby and thought it would be the perfect moment to spend some quality family time before going back home to Honduras. My sister had been working with Roca for about 4 years at that point and they happened to be looking for an architectural representative in the Houston area so I thought I’d interview and was luckily granted the position. I trained at our corporate office for a couple of months and moved to Houston at the end of 2011.
By summer of 2012, I was offered a promotion to become National Accounts Manager and moved back to Miami to start this new challenge. During the 3 years in this position, I was able to gain a lot of knowledge in our system and product line by working jointly with many different departments. I also had the opportunity to visit our factories in Spain & Brazil and meet our teams in these countries. When the opportunity to move back to Houston came up, I did not hesitate in taking it, and now, here I am, 4 years later as the Area Manager for the South Central operations.
I have to say, my co-workers have been very enlightening and I would not be where I am today if it were not for their support and wisdom. I have so much gratitude to all of them for helping me with the many accomplishments throughout these 7 years and feel blessed to call them my extended family and Roca my second home.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’d be way too fortunate if we had no struggles to face. As with most jobs, there have been times of tremendous stress/pressure in trying to turn things around, implementing new ideas and processes to make things more efficient, or just dealing with new teams, but I would have to say that my main struggles have been with myself, at times having to make sacrifices in my personal life in order to advance in my career. In the end, it has been a great learning experience, filling me with much satisfaction.
Being a female in this male-driven industry has had its trials, especially at first. Most of our customers have been working with tile for decades and some of them found it hard to believe that a young woman had any knowledge of the tile industry. It was hard when faced with many occasions when I was asked if they could speak to my boss as they did not trust what I was saying.
When these customers gave me a chance to speak and show my value, then things began to change and business relationships were solidified. To this day, this still happens no matter if I’ve physically aged or if they know I’ve been with the company for 7+ years, so it’s always refreshing to see more and more women enter and succeed in this industry.
Please tell us about ROCA USA.
Roca Tile USA is an offspring of the Roca Corporation. It is a worldwide leader in manufacturing, distributing and marketing of high-quality ceramic and porcelain tile under two brands Roca and United States Ceramic Tile, with five distribution centers in the US (Miami, Houston, Anaheim. Chicago and New Jersey). The company’s product range offers solutions for multiple uses, from versatile wall tile to highly resistant indoor and outdoor floor tiles, including single colors, marble, wood, concrete, fabric, decorative tiles and a wide array of complementary pieces.
Recently adding sanitary ware, vanities, and bathroom accessories to its product line. At Roca, you are sure to find a solution with great quality and design, for any space, at an affordable price. Roca began its activity as a company that made cast iron radiators for domestic heating at its factory in Gavà, near Barcelona. After these first radiators, the firm expanded its portfolio with the production of boilers. In 1929, Roca entered the bathroom space by starting the production of baths. Always attentive to the changes in society related to water culture, the main natural resource Roca works with, the company assumed in 1936 the challenge of producing vitreous china bathroom appliances.
After that, in 1954 Roca started the production of brassware. In the 90s the Group developed the first step of international expansion, mainly based on setting up commercial branches and signing agreements with local leading brands. Besides Portugal and France, Roca’s presence started to spread over the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Russia, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, and China. The turning point of the internationalization process took place in 1999, with the acquisition of the Swiss Keramik Holding Laufen, the fourth global manufacturer in those days.
The acquisition of Laufen allowed the Group to strengthen its position in strategic markets where the brand had less presence, such as Eastern Europe, Brazil, and the USA.
In 2005 Roca announces an ambitious strategic plan focused on bathroom spaces, achieving the world leadership of the sector in 2006. Today, Roca is a global brand with a presence in more than 170 markets, supplied by its 78 production plants and over 22.000 employees worldwide.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have always been very organized, somewhat of a perfectionist. Loved learning, going to school, and coming home and spending time with my family was always the best part of the day, so not much has changed in that respect. I was taught the value of hard work at an early age through my grandparents who had a remarkable story of their own, moving from Palestine and landing in Honduras where they rebuilt their lives and created a legacy for the following generations.
I remember visiting their office as a child and watching how dedicated and meticulous they were. It was very inspiring. Travel and food were also a big part of growing up.
Sharing time with those you love, while seeing more of what the world has to offer, opening your mind to new adventures and possibilities. These have gained in value throughout the years and are what I enjoy the most.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7100 Business Park Dr. Suite 250 Houston, TX 77041
- Website: www.rocatileusa.com
- Phone: 713-983-8008
- Email: usmarketing@us.roca.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocatileusa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roca-Tile-USA-163153660760484/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rocatileusa
- Other: http://www.houzz.com/pro/rocausa
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