Laticrete RAK Company –  a joint venture between RAK Ceramics and US-based Laticrete International – has launched its new facility in Ras Al Khaimah for the manufacture of high-quality ceramic adhesives and grouts.

The factory is considered the largest and the most modern for adhesives and grouts in the Middle East.
“We have invested nearly Dh40 million ($10.9 million) in the new factory that uses state-of-the-art technology,” says Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Ceramics and managing director of Laticrete RAK.
The new factory is to commence marketing its products in different markets carrying the Laticrete RAK trademark, which is expected to firmly establish its position as a symbol for high quality in this arena, he adds.
As regards the production capacity of the new factory, Dr Massaad said: “The new factory has a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of adhesive material and ceramic fixing grouts and it uses the latest technology developed by Laticrete International. Despite the fact that we are adopting conservative forecasts in our expansion plans, we are optimistic about reaching maximum capacity at the new factory soon. We are ready and have prepared for this by using designs that allow us to increase or double the production capacity to meet the forecasted growth in demand.
“We are adopting the highest quality standards throughout the production process as well as introducing our products in the markets at competitive prices,” he says.
Dr Massaad comments: “The joint venture and the new factory have materialised as a result of extensive studies of the local and regional market demands, which emphasised the project’s economical feasibility. The project is in line with the strong growth and regional international demand in the ceramic sector.
“We are proud because our new project joins two well established and pioneering companies in the ceramic industry on a global level. RAK Ceramics is one of the largest producer of ceramic tiles in the world, while the US multinational Laticrete, is the world’s largest producer of adhesive substances and ceramic fixing grouts.”
Laticrete RAK Company complements the main industrial activity for the parent company and is expected to effectively participate in supporting and increasing the company revenue and profit,” he says. “The development of Laticrete RAK Company and building its factory in Ras Al Khaimah also comes in line with the strategic expansion plans undertaken by RAK Ceramics, which includes expanding the company factories in the emirate and establishing new production units in many major markets.
RAK Ceramics has, over the past years, embarked upon ambitious expansion plans that have boosted its production levels and export.
The ongoing investments in developing its production capacities in Ras Al Khaimah and abroad have strengthened its competitive potentials and the total company sales reached $300 million in 2003, he says.