China-Bangla Ceramic Industries Ltd. (CBC) is one of the top ceramic manufacturer companies, founded in 2001, as a joint venture private sector entity between Bangladesh and China. It produces a wide range of Wall and Floor tiles including Homogeneous, Decor and Border tiles.
China-Bangla Ceramic Industries Ltd is well-known company as importer, supplier, distributor, wholesaler, retailer and manufacturer of ceramic and tiles products in Bangladesh. Everyone can depend on CBC Tiles for their commercial office, living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, outdoors and stair. All products are wall and floor tiles, and cladding. Annual production capacity of unit-1 is 7.5 million sq. metre and unit-2 is 3.5 million sq. metre. Its total employees are 1200 now. It has manufacturing plants in Tarabo, Rupganj, Narayanganj (unit 1) and Charmadhobdi, Bhatpara, Panchdona, Narsingdi (unit 2). All its technology and machinery were imported from Italy, Austria and China. The Chairman of the company is Ferdousi Islam, Managing Director Mr. Md. Shirajul Islam Mollah, CEO and Director Sayma Islam.
China-Bangla Ceramic Industries Ltd. A top ceramic manufacturer of BD
CBC is a well-known competitor and a leading brand. Ceramic Bangladesh recently had the opportunity to sit with Sayma Islam, CEO of CBC, for a delightful tête-à-tête and learned about the insights of CBC, their tested strategies and future plans.
What is your leadership philosophy in creating that change?
“It’s been 10 years since I’ve joined CBC. I was appointed as a CEO but I didn’t know what that meant at the time. I was at my learning stage and it took me 2-3 years to figure out the role. My father grew the business with his own hands, and when I joined, I wanted to introduce something that would make CBC better. I wanted to set the vision. It’s a full Bangladeshi company now since we have taken over but we kept the name. And as the newer generation I wanted to introduce sustainability. I set the vision for the company and inherited the norms and traditions from my father. But I got out of the norm and visualised how I wanted the company to grow. I changed the logo and gave it a new look. Set up another factory that is capable of manufacturing modern tiles. And we focused on competing with foreign products that were doing well locally. The team took instant decisions and found out ways to catch up with the industry’s unceasing changes. Now that everything is more digitised, the technology sector is going through rapid transformation. Just a couple of years ago, the industry lacked skilled manpower and had to import raw materials. Now we have all the gaps filled. CBC hires foreign experts now who mostly work in the R&D (research and development) department. This is one of their strategies that helped them immensely.”
What do you think has been the key to its success?
“We are raising the bar every time by looking for better technicians, using better raw materials, and researching more and more. We chased better quality and looked at the market to see what was in demand. We worked on the designs and quality according to that demand. We started CBC and it’s been 20 years plus already. And when we started there wasn’t anything called ceramic tiles. We are the second introducers of foreign tiles substitute. One of our biggest contribution would be that we’ve increased the local demand for locally made ceramic tiles. Now there is a huge variety of tiles and we focus on CRM when it comes to selling ours in the market.”
How do you smoothly manage such a sensitive part?
“Most of the employees we have, have been with us for a long time. We give two days off and provide a friendly, newly introduced corporate environment. We are paying incentives, we provide support system for a deceased employee’s family and we motivate our employees to gladly work with us with diligence.”
Ceramic industries should focus on research. Ms. Sayma said, “The more R&D we do the better this sector will get. If we can maintain quality in production then the finished good will be good as well.We need modern solutions and constantly research for updated product designs.The market is growing but it hasn’t reached saturation point. We are focusing on constant growth. We are also thinking about real estate now that we have developed so much. We already have 3 ongoing projects. Our plan is to branch out with real estate, cement factories, and sanitary ware.” She added, “What keeps me focused is my father. He plays a gigantic role in our upbringing. Fifteen years back, women weren’t on this scene. After my joining we expanded to another factory, and we are working on a third plant.
Amongst the Royal collection in the Buckingham Palace resides gold-covered renditions of Artisan Ceramics. From a company struggling to export, to winning the national export trophy five times in a row, Artisan Ceramics has seen 3 times expansion over the past few years. The entirety of a company’s growth and success inevitably relies on the decisions made internally. Artisan Ceramics Ltd. suffered significant loss until 2011. With new leadership under Finlays, and a change in the modality of business and redesigning, it now has a factory constructed across six acres of land in Sreepur, Gazipur, and a capacity of producing 10 million pieces of assorted premium quality porcelain tableware annually. The current expansion will raise this capacity to 22 million. Artisan Ceramics is an export-oriented tableware company that supplies to over 20 countries across Europe, America, and Asia, and has evolved into a leading manufacturer with no stop to its growth. The company has a contribution of 12-15 percent in the national export revenue. Surely, success in such a short time is a wonder on its own. To find out more, Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine author recently had the opportunity to discuss the adaptations of Artisan Ceramics that led to its success, with M. Mamunur Rashid, CEO of Artisan Ceramics Ltd. Here’s what we’ve learned: The first adaptation Artisan knew Saggar firing was wasteful Saggar or Saguaro is a covering used over ceramic ware when under intensive firing in the kilns. This protection helps safeguard the ware from coming in direct contact with the Kiln, debris inside the kiln, and other gases and smoke. The problem with saggar firing is that the saggar heats up first and then transfers the heat to the product; this makes the process 15-hour long cycle. With Artisan’s adaptation, open and fast firing, it’s a six-hour firing process. “Time-wise and price-wise, Saggar is inefficient. Again, there is the cost of the man behind the machine,” says Mr. Rashid. Fired three times for a longer life! “I have traveled across more than 10 countries just to see the technology companies have adopted, and learned, that the type of products we tend to manufacture are widely unavailable,” said Mr. Rashid. “We have products that have been fired three times, which make them much more durable. These products are more popular in Europe since they are more durable and can withstand knives and forks,” he added. At Artisan, products are fired at high degrees of temperatures — 1330°C to 1350°C, about 100° higher than the global rivals. Discussing global demand with relevance to this particular firing process, we find: “The hard glaze we are using, makes the product stronger, more scratch-proof, and absorption free,” said Mr. Rashid. The global demand has shifted towards such products because of such features. Raw materials sourced from around the world Artisan Ceramics sources its raw materials from almost every corner of the globe –the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, China, and India are some of them. The two types of minerals that make up for 50% of the body, feldspar, and quartz, are brought in from Rajasthan, India. The company also imports alumina which is used to make the body stronger and helps meet HoReCa standards. “Using the best quality raw material with a natural colour is important because the glaze is translucent and the body colour is what you see,” he said. These designs are in trend now and a personal favourite of Mr. Rashid. The company even imports from specific mines. Furthermore, Artisan buys the best quality gold from Heraeus Germany and colors from Izawa Pigments, Japan. Innovative Designs that go well with the trend, and the technology behind it. Artisan is constantly working on new designs. “We are innovating and have recently created double-layer body tea cup that keeps tea & coffee warm for a longer period of time,” Mr. Rashid mentioned. The design depends on customer trends and comes in cyclic order, says Mr. Rashid. Something that is currently trending are reactive glazes where you allow the finishing to be exactly how the kilns are making them fascinate many people. “Keeping up with the ever-evolving trends is a constant challenge, but traditional designs have resurfaced and are a popular preference now,” said Mr. Rashid. Artisan will be introducing a certain collection inspired by the Rajasthani culture. A designer from Sri Lanka by the name of Sudath Fernando is also coming in to train employees. Stay tuned with us for future features. Regarding technology, he said: “We want to make our factory fuel efficient. Our dryers are like ovens that collect heat and reuse it. I have visited a few factories in Europe and have seen how they are doing things, we have called SACMI, Italy, to help us upgrade.” The machines at Artisan’s factory are from the USA, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Artisan has taken green initiatives- they refine and reuse 90% of wastewater, collect rainwater in underground tanks, and reuse heat from the ovens. The company purifies water to the extent that it can be used for irrigation. “Every factory is concerned and the government is putting emphasis on sustainable approaches,” stated Mr. Rashid. Artisan’s plan to sell in bulk Following the recent expansion, Artisan is now concentrating on bulk buyers- examples would be hypermarkets. The marketing team is also trying to bring about a trend change by promoting the use of porcelain over bone china. This is because the water absorption of Bone China is high, it loses colour, and porcelain survives longer. Ultra Bone Porcelain: the newest innovation from Artisan Some customers are price-centric and some look for quality. That is why Artisan needed to innovate a new product retaining the same mechanical strength of pure porcelain and exceptional whiteness that was sure to win people over. Henceforth, came the Ultra Bone Porcelain. Mr. Rashid introduced a special body that can beat the competition and customers are willing to pay premium price for it. Artisan performs CSR Artisan gives education
Amongst the Royal collection in the Buckingham Palace resides gold-covered renditions of Artisan Ceramics. From a company struggling to export, to winning the national export trophy five times in a row, Artisan Ceramics has seen 3 times expansion over the past few years. The entirety of a company’s growth and success inevitably relies on the decisions made internally. Artisan Ceramics Ltd. suffered significant loss until 2011. With new leadership under Finlays, and a change in the modality of business and redesigning, it now has a factory constructed across six acres of land in Sreepur, Gazipur, and a capacity of producing 10 million pieces of assorted premium quality porcelain tableware annually. The current expansion will raise this capacity to 22 million. Artisan Ceramics is an export-oriented tableware company that supplies to over 20 countries across Europe, America, and Asia, and has evolved into a leading manufacturer with no stop to its growth. The company has a contribution of 12-15 percent in the national export revenue. Surely, success in such a short time is a wonder on its own. To find out more, Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine author recently had the opportunity to discuss the adaptations of Artisan Ceramics that led to its success, with M. Mamunur Rashid, CEO of Artisan Ceramics Ltd. Here’s what we’ve learned: The first adaptation Artisan knew Saggar firing was wasteful Saggar or Saguaro is a covering used over ceramic ware when under intensive firing in the kilns. This protection helps safeguard the ware from coming in direct contact with the Kiln, debris inside the kiln, and other gases and smoke. The problem with saggar firing is that the saggar heats up first and then transfers the heat to the product; this makes the process 15-hour long cycle. With Artisan’s adaptation, open and fast firing, it’s a six-hour firing process. “Time-wise and price-wise, Saggar is inefficient. Again, there is the cost of the man behind the machine,” says Mr. Rashid. Fired three times for a longer life! “I have traveled across more than 10 countries just to see the technology companies have adopted, and learned, that the type of products we tend to manufacture are widely unavailable,” said Mr. Rashid. “We have products that have been fired three times, which make them much more durable. These products are more popular in Europe since they are more durable and can withstand knives and forks,” he added. At Artisan, products are fired at high degrees of temperatures — 1330°C to 1350°C, about 100° higher than the global rivals. Discussing global demand with relevance to this particular firing process, we find: “The hard glaze we are using, makes the product stronger, more scratch-proof, and absorption free,” said Mr. Rashid. The global demand has shifted towards such products because of such features. Raw materials sourced from around the world Artisan Ceramics sources its raw materials from almost every corner of the globe –the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, China, and India are some of them. The two types of minerals that make up for 50% of the body, feldspar, and quartz, are brought in from Rajasthan, India. The company also imports alumina which is used to make the body stronger and helps meet HoReCa standards. “Using the best quality raw material with a natural colour is important because the glaze is translucent and the body colour is what you see,” he said. These designs are in trend now and a personal favourite of Mr. Rashid. The company even imports from specific mines. Furthermore, Artisan buys the best quality gold from Heraeus Germany and colors from Izawa Pigments, Japan. Innovative Designs that go well with the trend, and the technology behind it. Artisan is constantly working on new designs. “We are innovating and have recently created double-layer body tea cup that keeps tea & coffee warm for a longer period of time,” Mr. Rashid mentioned. The design depends on customer trends and comes in cyclic order, says Mr. Rashid. Something that is currently trending are reactive glazes where you allow the finishing to be exactly how the kilns are making them fascinate many people. “Keeping up with the ever-evolving trends is a constant challenge, but traditional designs have resurfaced and are a popular preference now,” said Mr. Rashid. Artisan will be introducing a certain collection inspired by the Rajasthani culture. A designer from Sri Lanka by the name of Sudath Fernando is also coming in to train employees. Stay tuned with us for future features. Regarding technology, he said: “We want to make our factory fuel efficient. Our dryers are like ovens that collect heat and reuse it. I have visited a few factories in Europe and have seen how they are doing things, we have called SACMI, Italy, to help us upgrade.” The machines at Artisan’s factory are from the USA, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Artisan has taken green initiatives- they refine and reuse 90% of wastewater, collect rainwater in underground tanks, and reuse heat from the ovens. The company purifies water to the extent that it can be used for irrigation. “Every factory is concerned and the government is putting emphasis on sustainable approaches,” stated Mr. Rashid. Artisan’s plan to sell in bulk Following the recent expansion, Artisan is now concentrating on bulk buyers- examples would be hypermarkets. The marketing team is also trying to bring about a trend change by promoting the use of porcelain over bone china. This is because the water absorption of Bone China is high, it loses colour, and porcelain survives longer. Ultra Bone Porcelain: the newest innovation from Artisan Some customers are price-centric and some look for quality. That is why Artisan needed to innovate a new product retaining the same mechanical strength of pure porcelain and exceptional whiteness that was sure to win people over. Henceforth, came the Ultra Bone Porcelain. Mr. Rashid introduced a special body that can beat the competition and customers are willing to pay premium price for it. Artisan performs CSR Artisan gives education
The ceramic industry in Bangladesh boasts a rich heritage and has produced several legends known for their significant contributions to ceramics and overall company formation. The industry has grown substantially over the past few decades, establishing itself as a leading sector in the country’s economy. In 1992, with the rapidly growing ceramic industry, a nationally recognized trade organization of manufacturers and exporters of ceramic tableware, pottery, tiles, sanitary ware, insulators, and other ceramic products was formed, called the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA), under the leadership of many of these ceramic legends. Here, we highlight some legendary leaders and key entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in the journey of the ceramic industry in Bangladesh. These pioneers have laid the foundation for the thriving ceramic industry in Bangladesh, which now covers various subsectors such as tableware, tiles, sanitary ware, and ceramic bricks. Their legacies continue to inspire future generations of ceramic entrepreneurs and professionals. Mohammad Abdul Jabbar Known as the pioneer of the ceramic industry in Bangladesh, Mohammad Abdul Jabbar founded Tajma Ceramic Industries. His contributions laid the foundation for modern ceramic manufacturing in the country. The story of Tajma Ceramic Industries Ltd is quite fascinating. In 1958, the ceramic industry took its nascent steps with only one small tableware manufacturing plant in Bogura. Mohammad Abdul Jabbar, instrumental in promoting and advancing the ceramic factory in Bangladesh, was the Managing Director of the company until his death on May 7, 1985. Tajma Ceramic Industries, recognized as the oldest modern ceramic manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, marked the formal beginning of the ceramic industry in the country. It was the first ceramic earthenware plant to produce porcelain tableware using traditional methods. Tajma played a crucial role in pioneering porcelain tableware production using advanced technology for its time, inspiring many other manufacturers to follow suit. Ariff Wali Mohammed Tabani In 1958, Mirpur Ceramic Works Ltd in Dhaka began producing heavy clay products using German plant and technology, gaining a reputation for manufacturing the best quality ceramic bricks in the subcontinent. The late Ariff Wali Mohammed Tabani, known for his contributions to Mirpur Ceramic Works, played a key role in its evolution. Tabani was the founding Chairman and Managing Director until his death on December 7, 1990. Currently, the company manufactures various types of unglazed tiles and has established two more ceramic companies, Khadim Ceramics and Sunshine Bricks. Both Mirpur Ceramic Works Ltd. and Khadim Ceramics Ltd. have been synonymous with ceramic-based construction materials, manufacturing a comprehensive range of products including blocks, bricks, ornamental screens, claddings, pavers, roofing tiles, and floor and wall tiles, along with the necessary mortars. These materials have been pivotal in landmark projects nationwide, showcasing the group’s commitment to quality and innovation. Md. Abdul Hai Mohammad Abdul Hai was a visionary entrepreneur who founded the country’s first ceramic sanitaryware company, Dacca Ceramics and Sanitary Wares Ltd., in 1969. He embarked on a revolutionary journey in the ceramic sector with the aim of advancing the country through innovative ceramic products. Despite facing political unrest and significant challenges during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, which led to the destruction of the factory and the loss of materials, Abdul Hai was determined to rebuild the company. After the war, he successfully revived the company in 1974. Dacca Ceramics became the country’s first non-heavy clay building ceramic plant and started the production of sanitaryware in Tongi, Gazipur. Under his leadership, the company grew to become a leader in the country’s ceramics industry, known for its high-quality, durable, and cost-effective products. Abdul Hai’s dedication and resilience played a crucial role in shaping the success of Dacca Ceramics, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry. Mr. Hai passed away on December 21, 1995. Ansar Uddin Ahmed A key figure in Peoples Ceramic Industries, Ansar Uddin Ahmed significantly contributed to the industry through innovation and quality control, helping the company gain a strong foothold in domestic market. In 1966, Peoples Ceramic Industries Ltd, formerly known as Pakistan Ceramic Industries and located in Tongi, Gazipur, began production using modern porcelain tableware manufacturing technology from Japan and started exporting their products. The late Ansar Uddin Ahmed, a respected entrepreneur, inspired many in the field. He was the Managing Director of Peoples Ceramic Industries and Standard Ceramic Industries Ltd and passed away on August 17, 2005. He served as the first President of BCMEA from 1992 to 2002, revolutionizing the export of local ceramic products Rashed Mowdud Khan As the Managing Director of Bengal Fine Ceramics Ltd, Rashed Mowdud Khan advocated for sustainable practices and modern technologies in ceramic production, enhancing the global reputation of Bangladeshi ceramics. In 1986, Bengal Fine Ceramics Ltd, the first stoneware tableware manufacturer in Bangladesh, entered both domestic and international markets. The late Rashed Mowdud Khan was a prominent figure in ceramics, known for his artistic and technical expertise. He served as the first General Secretary of BCMEA from 1992 to 2002 and President four times from 2003 to 2009. He passed away on January 9, 2011. Iftakher Uddin Farhad Mr. Iftakher Uddin Farhad was the Chairman & Managing Director of FARR Ceramics Ltd and served as the President of BCMEA in the 2011-13 session. Established in 2005, FARR Ceramics is a manufacturer and exporter of Euro Fine Porcelain tableware. The company began as an export-oriented business in 2007, producing hard porcelain tableware for both international and local markets. Located in Gazipur, Bangladesh, the plant is equipped with state-of-the-art European ceramics manufacturing technology from Germany and Italy, and decal printing technology from Japan. FARR Ceramics currently exports to 31 countries, from North America to Europe, the Middle East, and India, with a monthly production capacity of 2 million pieces. Mr. Farhad passed away on December 25, 2012. Golam Sabur Tulu The founder of Madhumati Tiles Ltd, Golam Sabur Tulu introduced advanced technologies and designs in ceramic manufacturing, significantly impacting the market in Bangladesh. He was a visionary entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the ceramic industry.
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