TURKISH Ceramics, represented by the Turkish Ceramics Promotion Group (TCPG), is no stranger to The Big 5 with this year marking the brand’s seventh participation in this premier building and construction show.

The TCPG has set up an information booth at the show where visitors can learn about Turkish Ceramics, Turkish ceramic companies and possible trade opportunities.

“The Big 5 show is the largest building and construction show of the Middle East and North Africa, a region which is one of the main markets for Turkish ceramic companies,” says a spokesman for the group.

Apart from its physical presence at The Big 5 show, a virtual fair has been launched by the brand using the digital media, to provide visitors with an insight into each of the companies that are represented under the brand.

“For the first time in the world, the ceramic sector will be coming together at a virtual fair, giving them the opportunity of experiencing the show in an innovative manner. By accessing the brand’s website (www.turkishceramicsfair.com), visitors will be able to obtain information about Turkish Ceramics, visit the booths of 20 Turkish ceramic companies, get detailed info about them, download their catalogues, discover the latest trends and innovations in the Turkish ceramics sector and get in touch directly with the companies,” explains the spokesman.

He says Turkish Ceramics, since 1997, has been successfully promoting Turkish ceramic know-how, which has been developed by different civilisations over 8,000 years.

“Using the slogan of ‘Turkey is the land of ceramics’ and through supporting the branding activities, Turkish Ceramics has managed to raise the world’s perception of Turkey’s ceramic products. The country’s ceramic companies are now securing special projects throughout the world, including projects in Dubai and other Gulf countries,” he says.

Today, Turkey ranks among the world’s top six exporters (in terms of value) of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware. According to official statistics, Turkey’s tile exports last year were worth $470 million, while sanitary ware exports were valued at $160 million.

“Based on this success, the Turkish Exporters Assembly has set a new export target for ceramic products for 2023 at $3.5 billion,” says the spokesman.

Ocal uses ceramic sinks for his presentation at the annual music show in Bologna, Italy (below).

Meanwhile, in keeping with its promotion strategy, the TCPG attended the Cersaie 2011, one of the world’s leading ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing trade fairs, which was held in September (20 to 24) in Bologna, Italy.

This year’s event saw the participation of 19 leading Turkish ceramic brands including Akgun Ceramic, Bien Ceramic, Kale, Kalebodur, Kalevit, Canakkale Ceramic, Ege Ceramic and Sanitaryware, Graniser, Gural Sanitaryware, Hitit Ceramic, Kutahya Ceramic, Seramiksan, Seranit, Serapool, Sogutsen Ceramic, Termal Ceramic, Usak Ceramic, Vitra and Vitra Tiles, all of whom presented their latest collections.

A highlight of the participation was a special music show that was attended by more than 2,000 ceramic sector professionals and other spectators from Bologna.

The musical show presented by TCPG has been an annual tradition over the past four years, says the spokesman, adding that it was held at the main square in Bologna.

“Having presented ‘Husnu Senlendirici Ensemble’ last year at Cersaie, this year the Turkish Ceramics Promotion Group displayed another show with Burhan Ocal and Trakya All Stars,” says the spokesman.

The main highlight of Ocal’s presentation was his use of ceramic sinks as an instrument, which attracted the audience’s attention and sparked huge interest among the Italian and Turkish press, he comments.

Turkish Ceramics can be visited at Rashid Hall, Stand B210 at The Big 5 show.