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New San Francisco Company Thriving In Poor Economy

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - In this time of business uncertainty, one company is thriving and expanding its manufacturing in San Francisco.

The Heath Ceramics Company plans to manufacture its high-end artisan tiles at Florida and 18th Streets in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood.

Co-owner Catherine Bailey said the company reproduces tile designed in the 1960's.

KCBS' Margie Shafer:

"It's not something that you're going to do in a remodel and tear out in five years. This is something that should stick with your home for the life of the home," she said.

The company is based in Sausalito, but co-owner Robin Petravic said it ran out of space.

"Our business has done very well, we've grown from 24 people eight years ago to over 100 people today."

The new San Francisco facility will house 34 employees in its first year.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said incentives like the Enterprise Tax Zone credits have proven useful

"We've done a lot in this city to really invite companies that want to manufacture here, especially for this type of industry where I think the workforce is even more diverse," Lee said.

Heath will continue to make its pottery in Sausalito.

The company's commitment to San Francisco brings the city's manufacturing total to 215 businesses employing 3,000 people.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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