Emirates Ceramic Factory, a leading UAE-based manufacturer of tiles under the Fujairah Ceramics brand name, plans to continue expanding its global markets in line with rising demand for its products.

"In 2002, we posted a 20 per cent rise in sales compared to 2001 - the highest increase in more than 20 years," says KC Cheriyan, sales and marketing manager.

"We are expecting a further increase in sales this year despite the economic and political situation in the region," he says.

Emirates Ceramic is among the leading producers of top-quality ceramic tiles in the world, with a capacity of 3.6 million sq m of various sizes of floor and wall tiles. The company has also recently launched production of skirting.

Last year, the company enjoyed a 20 per cent share of the UAE market where it has supplied to many projects, particularly in Dubai. It operates through 10 main dealers in the UAE, with a total 50-plus retail network reaching customers throughout the country.

More than 70 per cent of its production was exported during the year and the company expects to see a 10 per cent increase in export figures over the next 12 months by expanding its dealer network and entry into new markets.

Emirates Ceramic launched products in India early this year and is encouraged by the heavy initial demand.

"We have recently launched our products in southern India and plan to make them available throughout the country by the end of 2003, with monthly sales anticipated to reach 60,000 sq m in the next two to three years," says Cheriyan.

The company expects that India will absorb 20 per cent of its exports over the next three years.

Emirates Ceramic currently exports to 42 countries and has established coordination offices in Tanzania, Yemen, India and Sri Lanka.

"We have plans to establish offices in the US and Europe this year. The company has a significant market share in 14 countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Yemen, Tanzania and Uganda," he adds.

"Fujairah Ceramics tiles enjoy a good reputation in all these countries because of their superior quality and competitive price and are considered a status symbol by many," he says.

Fujairah Ceramics tiles are supplied to important architectural projects around the world, where they have been used to create attractive floors and walls.

"Our tiles combine top quality with aesthetic design and are backed by excellent service back-up which has helped us to stay ahead of competition," Cheriyan explains.

"Last year we produced approximately three million sq m of ceramic tiles and we are targeting a 20 per cent increase in production this year.

"We have a wide range of innovative designs in various colour combinations and our aesthetically-designed tiles are perfectly suited to today's lifestyle. We closely watch the trends and styles across the globe and develop our products accordingly," he adds.

"There has been a surge in demand for some of our sizes and colours. Our Rustic anti-slip floor tiles are very popular in overseas markets because of their natural rustic look and special non-slip abrasion-resistant surface.

"We use raw materials supplied by some of the world's top quality manufacturers from Italy and Spain. Our designs are also produced in Italy and Spain.

"Fujairah Ceramics products comply with European quality standards, British Standards as well as Saudi Arabia's Saso (Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation) standards. The company's production process has been ISO 9001 certificated by SGS Switzerland," concludes Cheriyan.