RAK Ceramics has continued to invest in superior manufacturing technology. The company has installed Twin Press and Technoslate to create quality tiles and slabs in a bid to boost performance.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ceramics, said the company's eighth tile plant has just gone on stream and is an example of "environmental stewardship in the UAE" with the latest technology to prevent environmental pollution. Another sanitaryware plant set up last year is now fully operational.
He said: "Today, RAK Ceramics is one of the world's largest ceramic tiles and sanitary ware manufacturing companies, offering ceramic and Gres Porcellanato tiles and sanitary ware, with sales across all the continents and sales and distribution subsidiaries in Switzerland, France, the UK, Germany, Italy and Belgium.
"The company has manufacturing plants in Bangladesh and Slovakia. The company's new sanitary ware plant in Bangladesh with a capacity to manufacture 400,000 pieces a year will start production in September, doubling the present capacity.
"A new plant in China being set up for the production of 4 million sq. metres of tiles a year will start production in July. Another new plant being set up in Sudan for the production of 2 million square metres a year will start production in January 2004."
One of the key elements of RAK Ceramic's vision and, therefore business strategy, is to create sustainable value for the shareholder.
In the highly evolving ceramic industry, the way RAK Ceramics is able to do this is by focusing on specific segments of its business such as high value designer porcelain tiles and by concentrating on the company's growth in new emerging markets in various parts of the world.
He said RAK Ceramics is now in the forefront of ceramic and porcelain tile and sanitary ware manufacturing. Throughout its history, the company has made numerous innovative decisions touching upon every aspect of its entrepreneurial philosophy.
The strength of RAK Ceramics lies in the speed with which it innovates to meet market expectations of architects and end consumers.
As it moves forward into the future, it will continue to involve itself in extensive research and development, acquire latest machinery, and take on highly skilled manpower to produce high quality and top fashion products. Expansion will always be a by-word for RAK Ceramics, making it a serious partner to deal with.
Staffed with more than 3000 employees, RAK Ceramics has regular training and motivational programmes and incentive schemes for its employees. Sheikh Saud said RAK Ceramics procures raw materials and consumables from several countries.
Dr Khatter Massaad, RAK Ceramics Chief Executive Officer, said that RAK Ceramics recorded sales of Dh751 million and a profit of Dh109.7 million in 2002. The share of exports has been over 60 per cent during the years.
The company declared a dividend of 20 per cent. In order to realign its capital stock to its increased business volume, the company issued bonus shares of 10 per cent on its existing share capital.
The special features in 2002 were several investments in high technology and new plants, the returns and results of which will be seen in 2003.
"We intend to do even better in 2003 despite the difficult political and economic situation in many countries where we sell."
He added that RAK Ceramics is a symbol of manufacturing strength and high tech initiative in the Gulf, and "we are proud to be operating from a country which has always been peace loving and dynamic in business. Our operations in Bangladesh also did very well during 2002."
He added that RAK Ceramics supplies several hundred top companies in the world. These companies span large distribution chains and retailers, construction companies and real estate developers.
He said RAK Ceramics' is an official supplier of floor tiles for the construction/renovation of showrooms of Mercedes-Benz, worldwide.
"Our products have been used in showrooms of BMW as well. Some of the largest 'Big Box' retailers of building materials sell our products. Some of the famous names among them are Home Depot and Lowes in the U.S., Bauhaus in Germany and Lapeyre, Bougues and Castorama in France among others.
RAK Ceramics has supplied many prestigious UAE projects including the Burj Al Arab in Dubai; Grand Hyatt in Dubai; Fairmont Hotel, Dubai; Garden Hills, Dubai; Sheraton Plaza, Dubai; Al Shoala Complex, Dubai; Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah; American University, Sharjah and Dubai; Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi; Carrefour projects nationwide and projects of the Emmaar Group in Dubai.
He added that presently the RAK Ceramics exports to more than 125 countries worldwide. "We sell actively in the most competitive European countries. We also sell large quantities in the Far East, Australia, the U.S. and Canada, besides having regular shipments to all continents".
Regarding sales coverage, about 40 per cent of our turnover results from sales in Europe, and around 35 per cent in the Middle East and the remaining spread over the world.
* In the ceramics range, the company produces ceramic wall tiles, ceramic floor tiles, matching decor tiles, listellos, and pencils and cappings and a few other related items..
* In Gres Porcellanato ( porcelain/fully vitrified tiles ), the company produces thousands of models in soluble salt, salt and pepper and glazed, covering finishes such as polished, semi-polished, unpolished, rustic, stone, mosaic, travertino, etc.
Some unique patterns and finishes are acquired through new technologies such as Roto Printing, Double Charge, Granitech, Advanced MDR, Technoslate, Twin press, glazed before pressing and dry glaze.
Some unique "antique style" finishes and many specialised finishes in tiles have been possible due to advanced gres porcellanto technology.
* The company manufactures the largest slabs in the industry with sizes ranging from 10 x 10 cm up to large slabs 125 x 185 cm ( two cm thick).
Gulf News
