By Nishel Fernando 
Dhammika Perera-controlled Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC plans to commission a new tile manufacturing plant targeting the more price-sensitive segment of the market and increase the company’s tile production capacity by 20 percent.

“We are planning a new manufacturing plant. We have land plots in several locations. We want to be outside of population centers as much as possible. We know we are currently catering more to the higher-end of the market,” Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC Managing Director Aravinda Perera told Mirror Business.

However, he didn’t reveal the size of the planned investment due to its price sensitivity, while noting it would be a significant investment.Royal Ceramics currently manufactures floor and wall tiles under the brand name of ‘ROCELL’ targeting the higher-end of the market. Perera noted that the new plant would be equipped with Chinese machinery and raw materials sourced locally. 

In addition, he revealed that the company also plans to increase bathware and tile production capacities by around 20 percent and 10 percent with expansions in existing plants. 
Before import restrictions came into place early last year, the country’s tile supply was met through both local manufacturing and imports forming 43 percent and 57 percent of the total supply.

However, following import restrictions, the demand for locally manufactured tiles and sanitary ware including bath ware products rose significantly despite the slowdown in the country’s construction industry. This trend supported local manufactures to clear their piled-up inventories by end of last year.The tiles and associated products sector remains the largest contributor to Royal Ceramics Group’s top and bottom lines with a contribution of over 60 percent to the group revenue and profit 
after tax.

Royal Ceramics along with its subsidiary, Lanka Tiles held 43 percent market share in the floor tile category and 25 percent market share in the wall tile category at the end of last financial year. 

The two companies also have 25 acres of mining land. 

Sri Lanka’s ceramic industry expects to draw Rs.20 billion worth of investments to the sector by expanding the current production and setting up new factories.

With several newcomers expected to enter the industry, the competition in the industry is expected to heighten over next 
two years.