Trial production at Future Ceramics’ tile factory in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is set to begin by July following the arrival of machinery at the plant site, the company announced.
The factory, taking shape over a 277,500 sq m area in the Second Industrial City of Dammam, comprises two production lines – the first for ceramic tiles, and the second for porcelain tiles. The project will have a daily capacity of 120,000 sq m of ceramic and porcelain tiles by 2012.
The facility is being fitted with the latest Italian technology, said Future Ceramics’ managing director Mazen Al Hammad.
“The lines will be equipped with kilns, presses and spray dryers supplied by Sacmi. For handling equipment we turned to Tecnoferrari whereas for inspection, sorting and packing equipment we chose Qualitron, Easy Line, and Falcon from System. System will also supply Rotocolor decoration technology, Al Hammad elaborated.
“The delicate and important press decoration stage was assigned to technologies supplied by LB Officine Meccaniche. We also have an Italian technical director, Maurizio Garagioni, who is a professional with many years of experience and who has held the same position at leading Italian companies such as Pastorelli, Coop Imola and Fincuoghi.”
Al Hammad said extensive efforts had been made to ensure that Future Ceramic’s designs were in line with the latest trends and market choice.
“Deals have been signed with some Italian designers. Gamma Due, considered one of the leading ceramics and porcelain designers, is our main designer. For glaze suppliers, we are joining hands with Colorobbia, Esmalglass and Sicer,” he said.
“We want to ensure that we have the best of world creativity, while at the same time also catering to the tastes of our Saudi Arabian clientele. The consulting provided by these professionals will also be essential for training of our product research department,” the official added.
The company will produce tiles of various types and sizes and market them under brands such as Orient Tiles, Future Tiles and Elite Tiles.