Laticrete RAK Company LLC, a joint venture between RAK Ceramics and US-based Laticrete International, has announced starting operations to manufacture ceramic adhesives and grouts in Ras Al Khaimah.

The factory is said to be the largest and most modern for the making of adhesives and grouts in the Middle East.
Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Ceramics and MD of Laticrete RAK, said at the inaugural ceremony the investment for the plant was nearly Dh40 million ($10.8 million). RAK Ceramics has a 51 per cent stake in the venture with the US firm holding the remainder.
Production capacity at the factory is 100,000 tonnes per year of adhesive material and ceramic fixing grouts. The latest Laticrete International technology has been adopted. RAK Ceramics is one of the largest producers of ceramic tiles in the world, while Laticrete is the world’s largest producer of adhesive substances and ceramic fixing grouts.
The establishment of Laticrete RAK and its plant in Ras Al Khaimah came in line with the strategic expansion plans undertaken by RAK Ceramics, said Dr Massaad.  He added that Laticrete RAK complemented the main industrial activity of the parent company and the new plant would become a main contributor in revenues and profits in the medium and long terms.
“The new factory is to commence marketing its products in different markets carrying the ‘Laticrete RAK’ trade mark and is expected to firmly establish its position as a symbol for high quality in this arena,” said Dr Massaad.  He described the plant facilities as state of the art. David Rothberg, chairman of Laticrete Inc, was present on the occasion.
Laticrete RAK was in line with the the vision of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaiman, and his aspirations for developing Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial sector with new technology, he said. Sheikh Saud was the chief guest at the ceremony.
The joint venture and the new factory came as a result of extensive studies of the local and regional market demand, which emphasised the project’s economic feasibility. It reflected strong growth and regional and international demand in the ceramic sector, said Dr Massaad.
“Despite adopting conservative forecasts in our expansion plans, we are optimistic in reaching maximum capacity at the new factory soon. We have a built-in system to increase or double the production capacity to meet the forecast growth in demand. We are adopting the highest quality standards throughout the production process and marketing the products at competitive prices.
“RAK Ceramics witnessed throughout the past years ambitious expansion plans that allowed it to bring about considerable development in production levels and export with strong export growth in the global markets coming in time.”
He said initiatives to expand  production facilities in Ras Al Khaimah and abroad from time to time had strengthened its competitive potential with the result that sales reached $ 300 million in 2003.
That turnover was an increase of more than 20 per cent over the previous year as the 2002 figure was reported as $235 million
In Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Ceramics has eight tile factories, two sanitaryware factories and the just-inaugurated plant. Abroad it has a plant in China for large-form porcelain tiles, a sanitaryware factory in Slovakia and tiles and sanitaryware facilities in Bangladesh. In India construction work is in progress for a porcelain tiles plant in Kakinada, South India.
RAK Ceramics supplies to several hundred of the top companies in the world. They include large distribution chains and retailers, construction companies and well-known real estate developers.
RAK Ceramics says it is an official supplier of floor tiles for the construction and renovation of Mercedes-Benz showrooms worldwide.  Its products have also been used in BMW showrooms.  
In the UAE, several top projects have selected RAK Ceramic products. The list includes Burj Al Dubai and the Grand Hyatt, Fairmont, Garden Hills, Sheraton Plaza, Al Shoala Complex and a number of Emmaar projects (all in Dubai), the American University in Sharjah and Dubai, the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi and the Manar Mall in Ras Al Khaimah.