Factory of R530 million launched in Vaal

VEREENIGING. – Ceramic Industries, South Africa’s leading tile and bathroom ware manufacturer, has officially launched its latest state-of-the-art factory, Gryphon, the eighth facility in the group’s manufacturing portfolio.

Situated in Vereeniging, the 35 000m2 tile factory is custom-built to produce large format (600mm x 600mm) white-bodied glazed porcelain tiles. Utilising environmentally responsible, cutting-edge production technology, the tiles are designed to meet local demand for world-class alternatives to imported product.

The R530 million factory will employ 68 people directly, many sourced from local communities and trained up to meet the exacting operational standards required in the plant. Commissioned earlier this year, Gryphon is currently in its first phase of operation. Once fully operational, the factory will produce 8.5 million square metres of tiles per annum.

Ceramic Industries’ CEO, Lance Foxcroft says, “We are proud to launch the most technologically advanced and sustainable factory of its kind in Africa, and one which will rival its international peers. In keeping with the group’s reputation for sustainable innovation in the industry, we have partnered with international suppliers SACMI and SYSTEM, global leaders in equipment design, to build a plant that raises tile manufacturing standards to a new level in this country and facilitates development of contemporary, ground-breaking product ranges. Gryphon will be a point of reference in the market thanks to the technical and aesthetic quality of its products.”
Gryphon strives to minimise consumption of the two key resources used in the production process: energy and water.

The plant operates state-of-the-art Italian EKO kilns which recover and utilise waste energy to minimise gas consumption and emissions in the firing and drying processes. Natural lighting, low wattage- and motion sensor lights are also a key feature of the factory. All process water used in the plant is recovered and re-used in the clay manufacturing processes.

“The launch of Gryphon is an important milestone in Ceramic Industries’ history. We are excited about the impact the products will have on improving the standard and quality of tiles in the local market. Our initial feedback from customers has been extremely positive, and we look forward to continuing to meet, and surpass, their expectations. We are also delighted that our investment in this factory will make a difference to the communities in which we operate by employing and developing local people and implementing meaningful social responsibility programmes,” concludes Foxcroft.