MAPEI in the U.S.A. and Caribbean

MAPEI, which was founded in 1937, is based in Milan, the city where it came into being and made its mark on the market for chemical products for the building industry, notably for its adhesives for ceramics.

Now, with a global revenue of approximately €4.4 billion (in 2024), the MAPEI Group operates 106 plants in 42 countries, including 39 research centers in 22 countries and employs 13,200 staff worldwide.

Veronica and Marco, the third generation of the Squinzi family, are continuing the family tradition by heading the company as CEOs of the MAPEI Group and its Italian organization.

In the 1970s, MAPEI began expanding across Europe and, in 1978, into Canada, where MAPEI Inc. housed the first manufacturing plant outside of Italy. In 1983, Nicholas Di Tempora, a businessman from Canada, partnered with Dr. Squinzi to create MAPEI Corporation in the United States. In 1999, under Mr. Di Tempora’s watchful eye, MAPEI Caribe Inc. was opened to further extend the vision of MAPEI throughout the Caribbean islands.

Throughout the early 2000s, MAPEI’s presence expanded strategically across the Americas and the Caribbean. The operations in the Western Hemisphere were united under the banner of MAPEI North America, which comprises affiliates and subsidiaries in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. In 2000, the MAPEI North America headquarters was relocated to Deerfield Beach, Florida, to centralize management of the various operations. Mr. Di Tempora passed the reins of leadership on to Luigi Di Geso while retaining the post of Chairman of the Board of MAPEI Corporation, a position he held until his retirement in 2025.

Luigi Di Geso has been an integral part of the MAPEI business family for many years. From 2004 to 2009, he served as General Manager of MAPEI Inc., the company’s Canadian subsidiary, before being appointed President and CEO of MAPEI North America. Under his visionary leadership, MAPEI has achieved remarkable growth, expanding from 3 product lines to a comprehensive and growing portfolio of 19 lines that address diverse construction and flooring needs. During his tenure, the company’s footprint has grown significantly, with the number of locations expanding from 12 to 25 state-of-the-art facilities across the region.

Under Mr. Di Geso’s guidance, MAPEI’s revenue has soared from $260 million to over $1 billion today, reflecting his strategic acumen and commitment to sustainable growth. He is dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainability, which drives the development of cutting-edge, eco-friendly products that support a sustainable, circular economy.

Beyond MAPEI, Mr. Di Geso actively contributes to industry advancements through collaboration with key associations and organizations, such as the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce – Miami, Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, Tile Council of North America (TCNA), member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada (ICCC), and a governor of the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation (ICCF).

With a customer-centric approach, Mr. Di Geso leverages the expertise of well-integrated teams across R&D, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service and Technical Services to deliver high-performance solutions. His dedication to excellence and strategic growth continues to position MAPEI as a trusted partner in the construction and flooring industries throughout North America and the Caribbean.