Gulf Construction Online

The Big 5

The long kiln at RAK Ceramics ... state of the art.

Tile style

01 November 2010

RAK Ceramics returns to The Big 5 with its recently-launched ceramic and gres porcellanato tiles. This includes interlocking tiles (Kerajet technology), Nanopix slim tiles (6.5 mm thick), Dolomite and the exquisite Top Class series.

Within the sanitary ware range, the company will be showcasing Oplance, Metropolitan, Deluxe, Compact (S –Trap), Infinity, and His and Hers (P-Trap).

A regular at The Big 5 for more than a decade, RAK Ceramics has traditionally fared well at the event, says Abdallah Massaad, deputy CEO of RAK Ceramics.

“The show has always been the premier UAE exhibition for the construction-related products industry and RAK Ceramics has been participating in this exhibition consistently as it is an opportunity for us to showcase our product range,” he says. “It provides a strong platform to reaffirm our presence as the market leader in the region, assure our customers of our brand credibility and attract new business prospects.

This year, RAK Ceramics will focus on specific new products from the ceramic range aimed at the GCC market. These include Top Class (30 cm by 60 cm), Soft Leaves (20 cm by 50 cm), Nanopix Slim (30 cm by 60 cm and 30 cm by 100 cm), Dolomote (20 cm by 50 cm), and Blume (30 cm by 60 cm).

Headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Ceramics claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tiles accounting for more than $1 billion global sales annually. Specialising in high-quality ceramic wall and floor tiles, gres porcellanato and sanitary ware, the company uses more than 6,000 production models, adding new designs almost every week to its portfolio. Tiles are manufactured in a variety of sizes, from 10 cm by 10 cm up to 125 cm by 185 cm, the widest range offered in the ceramic field.

A waterjet machine in action.

The combined production of tiles exceeds 360,000 sq m and 12,000 pieces of sanitary ware per day from its state-of-the-art plants located in the UAE, China, Sudan, Bangladesh and India. The firm also has offices in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company, which employs 8,500 staff, registers an annual turnover is $1 billion.

Commenting on business, Massaad says: “RAK Ceramics has always found new segments and markets to expand despite the domestic market slowing down. We have successfully increased our overall production from last year, making us the world’s largest ceramic manufacturer and we intend to maintain the status in 2010. Although projects have slowed down in our domestic market, we are finding new segments to tap.”

The company has increased its production capacity by 25,000 sq m per day and also has come up with some new technologies such as digital print technology, Nanopix technology and Cretaprint technology.

On the company’s future plans, he says: “RAK Ceramics is constantly evaluating options for feasible expansions that add value to the organisation. We have plans of expansions in India and are evaluating the feasibility of a plant in Africa for the future.”

“Within the region, Saudi Arabia is currently the most vibrant market. The other GCC markets, such as Qatar and Abu Dhabi, have ongoing projects that will keep fuelling the construction industry,” he adds.

In Saudi Arabia, the company has executed one of its biggest projects – the $11.5 billion Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh – where 85 per cent of tiles used have been supplied by the company.

Some of its other major projects include Al Raha Beach, Dusit Hotel, three towers, Mafraq Hotel, Zayed University, all in Abu Dhabi; RemRaam Dubai, Al Barari Development, The Bridge Tower, Press Cott International, Mayfair Tower and Residence, all in Dubai; and Ajman One, Bab Al Bahr, Mina Al Arab and Julphar Tower in the Northern Emirates.

RAK Ceramics will be present at Sheikh Rashid Hall at Stand A181.