A new company, Clayworld, has been formed to offer materials and engineered solutions to the ceramic industry. Clayworld will be the exclusive sales agent for Old Hickory Clay Co., RZM Pty Ltd., and Lakeside Ceramic Consulting. The company will also represent Arkansas nepheline syenite products to the ceramic industry through an agreement with 3M Corp.

The Clayworld management team includes J. Lee Powell, president; Patrick S. Powell, vice president, sales and marketing; and Chris Lombardo, Ken Bougher, Russ Fish and others in various capacities from the Old Hickory Clay Co. team.

Old Hickory Clay Co. is a clay mining and production company that employs a full range of clay selection and processing from plants in Gleason, Tenn., and Hickory, Ky. "Clayworld has the edge on experience and is the right team to successfully represent Old Hickory ball clays, as well as the other materials and services to the ceramic industry," said Joe Powell, Old Hickory CEO.

RZM Pty Ltd. produces industrial minerals, including zircon (zirconium silicate), which is used by the ceramic industry in glazes for sanitaryware, tile, pottery and porcelain. 3M produces KYLO, a flux used in various ceramic applications, such as floor tile, sanitaryware and pottery, that require a substantial glassy phase in their matrix. Lakeside Ceramic Consulting specializes in servicing the whitewares industry, with expertise in sanitaryware and tile manufacturing, modeling and casing, and the analysis of raw materials and whiteware formulation.

Clayworld also operates a full service pottery and ceramic supply business based in San Antonio, Texas.