Akij now making faucets

Akij Group, one of the biggest local industrial conglomerates, yesterday announced embarking on manufacturing and selling bathroom fittings under the brand name Akij Bathware to grab a portion of the Tk 1,400 crore-worth domestic sales and go for exports. 

Already producing ceramics, tiles, sanitary ware and building materials, Akij has invested Tk 125 crore to establish a plant with a capacity to produce around 10,000 pieces of bathroom fittings of 37 types each day.

The products, including ROSA faucets, were launched through a ceremony at InterContinental Dhaka.

The new factory in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh is expected to create 500 jobs, said Mohammod Khourshed Alam, director, sales & marketing of Akij Tableware.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin, managing director of Akij Group, said imported products accounted for about 50 per cent of the local sales of bathroom fittings, including faucets.

"So, we want to capture the local market. And we will make world class products. Also, we want to play a role in the export of this product," said Bashir.

Rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles in line with the people's rising purchasing power is driving the market for bathroom fixtures and fittings, according to industry insiders.

Pran-RFL Group, Raja Metal Industries, Sharif Metal and Sattar Metal Industries are the other players in the domestic market.

Akij's Khourshed said there was high influence of imported products in the market. "So, we aim to establish ourselves as a strong brand in the water faucet market. We hope that our products can gain the trust of the people of the country," he said.

He believes the market was growing by 10 per cent to 15 per cent every year due to urbanisation.

"As the market grows, so does the demand for quality products. We have decided to invest in this sector to fulfill that goal," he said.

The official said the latest technology of Germany and Japan would be used in the production of faucets with the factory automated and most equipment robotically controlled.

Initially, the company targets to sell products worth Tk 200 crore to Tk 220 crore per year, said Alam.