ALFANAR Ceramics, which launched production in early 2009 with an initial capacity of just 15,000 sq m per day of wall and floor tiles, is set to launch a major expansion next month (June) which will boosts its production capacity to 50,000 sq m per day by the end of this year.

The Riyadh-based firm, which manufactures a wide range of designer ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles under its premium Exa Ceramic brand, is currently promoting its top-of-the-line heavy-duty tiles. These include Arabia, Terra Cotta and Dover, which are 12 mm thick and boast superior quality and performance in terms of physical and chemical properties and designs.

Apart from ceramic wall and floor tiles, it also offers border tiles, special pieces, mosaic tiles, and accessories.

Alfanar Ceramics’ production facilities are spread over an area of 177,500 sq m at the ultramodern Al Fanar Industrial City in Riyadh’s Third Industrial Zone and are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and a special tile designing system, all imported from Europe.

“The first phase of our ceramic plant went online in early 2009 with an initial production capacity of 15,000 sq m of wall and floor tiles a day,” says Ramzy Hafez, marketing SVC manager. “Our production capacity has now more than doubled to 33,000 sq m a day, and is expected to surge even further to 50,000 sq m per day by the year-end.”

The factory has three production lines that are equipped with Italian machinery including a Siti line with a capacity of 9,000 sq m per day; a TSC line with a capacity of 4,000 sq m per day; and a Sacmi line with a capacity of 20,000 sq m per day.

In addition, the firm has a dedicated department to produce special and decorative pieces, equipped with a water jet machine for special cuts and designs; and a squaring and chamfering machine.

Alfanar Ceramics provides all kinds of solutions that are designed to meet any customer requirement. “By applying the latest industry trends and techniques, we manufacture products that are a blend of local as well as international lifestyles,” says Hafez.

According to him, Alfanar Ceramics last year secured some 13 per cent of the Saudi market share.

The Exa Ceramic brand comprises a brilliant collection of decorative tiles, borders  and accessories of superior quality.

“The high quality of our products is ensured by one of the most up-to-date quality control systems in the industry managed by a team of experienced and highly qualified engineers,” he says, adding that the company’s products conform to Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation (Saso), ISO, Ansi, BS and EN norms and have been certified by SGS, Al Hoty Stanger and Ceram.

Alfanar Ceramics’ products can be installed in diverse applications including in wet areas (bathrooms and kitchens); dry areas (rooms and offices); and heavy-duty applications (outdoor areas).

In order to ensure customer satisfaction, the company offers high-quality products that are backed by a comprehensive range of services. It has a design section that offers free decorative consultation and design solutions; it deals directly with the end-users, helping customers save time and effort, while offering them advice on the best solutions for their requirements.

The firm also ensures easy availability of products in all outlets, with supportive tools to help customers in making their choice. Alfanar Ceramics – which has a toll-free number for requests, complaints, advice and follow-up – also conducts market studies to obtain customer feedback and feel the pulse of the market.

Despite being relatively young in the market, the company enjoys a long list of clients and approvals, including the ministries of health, education, and justice; King Faisal University in Al Ahsa; King Saud University; Al Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University; Umm Al Qura University in Makkah; Maraj Al Bahr Contractors; Danube Hypermarket; Saudi Basic Industries Company (Sabic); Princess Nora University (PNU); Tamimi Group; Saudi Aramco; and the General Housing Authority.

Other notable projects it has supplied to include Jizan Emigrants development, Royal Commission of Jubail, King Fahad Medical University, Panorama and Darreen Malls; Al Maarefa College, Danube Centre in Jeddah, and the Turkish Mall in Dammam.

The company employs about 670 employees that include commercial and factory staff. The commercial team covers most major cities in the kingdom in order to serve customers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, and elsewhere.