Dubai-based Al Khaleej Ceramics, considered a pioneer in introducing, developing and promoting the technology of vitrified porcelain tiles in the Middle East, will launch the new Through Body veined series of tiles at this year's Big 5 show.

The Through Body veined series, manufactured using the latest technology, will be available in 10 designs and a variety of colours. The new series resembles natural products and will be available in sizes ranging from 40 cm by 40 cm to 60 cm by 90 cm, apart from the custom-made sizes, special pieces, steps, bull nose, borders and special decorative pieces. The thickness of the tiles varies from 8.5 mm to 12 mm, says Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, managing director of Al Khaleej Ceramics.

Al Khaleej will also promote the Grannitto range, a designer's collection of fully vitrified fine porcelain tiles, for top-of-the-line flooring and wall cladding.
Says Buti: 'Grannitto owes its credibility and standards to the various processes which are involved in its making. The process starts from a painstaking, strict selection of materials with the latest technology and the most demanding quality controls. A fully-computerised and mechanised system runs the entire production line, which in turn is supervised by trained personnel specialised in their respective fields. The products manufactured are of highest standards, of high strength and offer high chemical, frost and stain resistance. Water absorption is also much lower than the requirements set by ISO standards and that is why nearly all car showrooms have our tiles.'

Grannitto tiles are 100 per cent pre-cut to a uniform basic size throughout the entire production for all surfaces, making it possible to lay the tiles with minimal joint widths and to arrange tiles of different colours, surfaces and effects in a designer pattern to suit the tastes of the architect or the designer. The tiles are made from a specially selected blend of clays, mixed with kaolin, quartz and feldspar.

'Ours is an international company and we export to 48 countries worldwide. Nearly 70 per cent of our production is for export market,' says Buti.
'We are proud of our Grannitto brand name. We are driven by quality and the quality of our products and the customer support is very good. In April 2000 the company was certified to ISO 9001,' he adds.
Grannitto complies with the Ceramic Industry Certification Scheme ISO 9001, the international standard that guarantees the company's quality management system in any fields from research to the production, marketing and distribution.

Recently, this was upgraded to ISO 9001:2000. 'Ours is the only company in theUAE's ceramic industry to be certified to ISO 9001:2000,' he claims.
Grannitto tiles were subjected to rigorous testing by the UK-based CERAM Research. 'Throughout the testing process, the endurance of the tiles far exceeded the international standards of durability, strength and impact resistance,' he says.

He continues: 'We are also proud of our 170 highly-qualified staff and our dealer network. Some of our series have been produced on machines developed in-house.'
The company is currently on an expansion drive which will increase its manufacturing capacity from around 2.5 million sq m per year to 8 million sq m on completion of phase one of the project in the second half of 2004.
The company also offers a design service. 'Our design division is an added service that shows flexibility in design and is provided to assist our clientele in choosing the right pattern, colour and design in tune with their respective individual projects.'

'Our services include design layout proposals, colour coordinates in tiles and grouts, border 'water jet' designs to complement flooring and wall design and technical support in CAD/design software. Our design department has always worked in close contact with architects/interior designers. Every product is designed according to its actual future use, in addition to natural technical characteristics, thus making it possible for designers to make the best choices,' he says.

Al Khaleej's products have been used in most of the car showrooms, major shopping malls, commercial and residential buildings and industrial complexes. It will exhibit its products at stand 5E 271.