Takes initiative in creating a Sri Lankan export brand
With several showrooms and offices established in the Indo-Pacific and Persian-gulf regions, Macksons Tile Lanka (Macktiles) is on the next stage of expansion into international markets.
Mizver Makeen, Managing Director of Macksons Holdings says, “Our strategy is to take European standard tiles into these regions and offer them solutions in the tiles segment not merely in design but in properties that are important for daily use with potential for long term durability. As much as the product itself is of high standard and on par with Italian and Spanish tiles, we are also leveraging the Colombo port’s container handling capabilities and connectivity to bring the best value to our customers.”
With the upgrade in technology at their plants within the last two years, the company has reached full capacity in supplying the local market and are now moving to the next stage of their expansion. The quality of their product is derived from globally sought after Sri Lankan raw materials which make 85% of the tile. The rest come from high quality European standard materials such as frits and glazes imported from Italy. The company says all of this combined has helped Macktiles reach the pinnacle of industrial standards one can achieve in tile manufacturing, making their product stand as one of the best in the world.
Currently the company has established operations in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Maldives, Nigeria, Kenya, and the UAE. “Our expansion into the Indo-Pacific and Persian-gulf regions is a well thought out move, as these countries’ growth projections in construction are high on the scale. We are now pushing for the European & Pacific markets such as the US and Australia; and plans for this are already in place. Our ultimate goal is to take the first step in building another unique export brand for Sri Lanka, like Ceylon tea or the apparel industry,” says the Managing Director.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian construction market, valued at $135.9 billion in 2022, is expected to experience a growth rate of over 2% during the next 3 years, driven by substantial investments in housing and industrial construction projects. Kenya’s construction market, valued at $17.3 billion, is projected to realise an annual growth rate surpassing 5% during the same period, supported by public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives and private investments. Key sectors within the market include residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional construction.
The Maldivian construction industry is poised for a sustained annual growth rate of 7.7% in the next three years, fuelled by government infrastructure projects, private-sector residential initiatives, and advancements in the tourism sector. Simultaneously, the Indonesian construction industry is anticipated to grow by 3% in 2023, buoyed by the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development. The construction sector which is the essence of the UAE and Saudi Arabian economy, plays an important role in the economic upliftment and development of these countries.
Macktiles, which made a Rs. 16 billion investment between 2020 and 2022, to upgrade their capacity says they are taking the initiative in making Sri Lankan tiles the next sought after iconic brand. “As we venture into these growth markets and continue to expand our global footprint, we are certain we can make Sri Lankan tiles into an iconic brand like our tea and apparel industries. This opportunity is not only for Macktiles Lanka but for all local tile manufacturers with cutting edge technology. We can all join together in taking Sri Lanka’s brand image in this sector to the next level,” says Mizver Makeen adding that Sri Lankan tile exports overall are expected to reach new heights in the next 5 years.
A Sri Lankan company, which is on par with European standards, and being a part of a Group, which has been a trail blazer in manufacturing for several decades in the country; Macktiles Lanka is the largest local tile manufacturer, and is now in the process of carving out it’s space in the global industry. The Macksons Group, which has made its mark in the paint industry over the past 25 years is now on a drive to take on the tile industry. Maktiles says there is high demand for their tiles which can easily compete with the world’s best Italian and Spanish products in terms of design, quality and variety. “With our capacity and technology, we can easily cater to both domestic and international markets. We can produce a wide variety of tiles in different shapes, sizes and finishes including glazed and unglazed, polished porcelain and full body marblo tiles. Apart from our commitment to making Sri Lankan tiles into a unique local brand, what sets us apart is our sustainable practices. We are consciously minimising our carbon footprint and in line with that, drive several sustainability projects within our manufacturing facilities and adjacent communities.”
The Managing Director adds that although most obstacles towards achieving and sustaining an iconic brand in tiles for the Sri Lankan market have been eliminated, there remains one factor that needs looking at i.e. clear and stable policies at government level in creating a level playing field for local tile manufacturers. “We are not asking for protection from foreign competitors, but we need assurances that foreign players will play by the rules of fairness. There can be instances of unscrupulous exporters to Sri Lanka dumping consignments of tiles with the intention of destabilising the market, and therefore, a certain degree of regulation and collection of data is necessary. Data should be analysed with prevailing international market conditions by state agencies to support policy and law makers in making the right decisions to help local manufacturers who have saved more than USD 150 million outflow in foreign exchange during the import ban. Furthermore, the quality of the minerals from Sri Lanka needs no further endorsement and Macktiles Lanka has carefully mastered utilisation of these rich resources for our tiles.”