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WACL to build $50m ceramic tile factory

By on December 16, 2013

The West African Ceramics Limited has announced plans to invest over $50m in the establishment of a ceramic tile factory in Ogun State.

The Group Executive Director of the company, Alhaji Lawal Idirisu, was quoted as saying this in a statement on Friday.

He was speaking during a courtesy visit to the Honorable Commissioner, Ogun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru.

Idirisu said the plan to establish a ceramic tile plant was necessitated by the rising demand for European standard quality tiles in Nigeria and across the West African region.

He said, “The market demand for quality tiles as obtainable in European countries such as Spain and Italy is rising on an alarming rate owing to the trends in the home, property, and real estate industry”

“Although the company’s factory in Ajaokuta, Kogi State is operational at full capacity, meeting both domestic demands and export to the West African market, we are being proactive based on consumer and industry insight, and research to establish another production plant.”

“Apart from the availability of raw materials in quite enormous quantity, Ogun State is a viable commercial hub for industries with enabling climate and good governance and this will only improve our distribution system as well.”

According to him, West African Ceramics has been manufacturing tiles in Nigeria since 1995 with the name- Royal Ceramics and since 2009 as West African Ceramics Limited. The company is the producer of Porcelain, Vitrified and Glazed tiles in West Africa.

In his response, Ashiru, commended the initiative and the choice of the state.

He said that the ministry welcomed the initiative and would provide constitutional support in ensuring the investment is realised as the economic benefits to the state and people of the state is enormous.

He said, “This will imply job creation for our people in good numbers and generally impact the state positively.”

Reacting to the issue of smuggled products and importation of products into the market, the Commissioner said, “Substandard products will naturally find their way out of the market and the vendors eventually close shop as they cannot be sustained competitively.”

Ashiru urged the visiting team to remain determined in the expansion plan and assured them of all necessary support the state can possibly accord.

 

[Punch]