Lumbini Province begins production of high-quality Laminar tiles (photos)

KATHMANDU: Lumbini Province has started producing high-quality, strong, and durable Laminar tiles for the first time. Lumbini Ceramics Limited has launched the production of Laminar tiles in the region.

With an investment of around Rs 4 billion, the tiles are now being sold through more than 100 depots in major cities across the country.

The factory, located in Bardiya, began production in a 12.5 bigha area, and tile manufacturing and sales commenced in August, according to the company’s director, Abhinav Churival.

The industry was established with investments from entrepreneurs such as Subrat Dhital, Shyam Sundar Khetan, Ashutosh Khetan, Chamakdar Khetan, and Abhinav Churival.

The total investment in the company amounts to around Rs 4 billion. In terms of shareholding, Subrat Dhital holds 31%, while Shyam Sundar Khetan, Ashutosh Khetan, Chamakdar Khetan, and Shashi Churival each have a 15.9% stake.

Additionally, 5.6% of shares are held by other partners. The company’s board of directors includes six key shareholders, including Subrat Dhital, Shyam Sundar Khetan, Ashutosh Khetan, Chamakdar Khetan, Abhinav Churival, and Srijan Aryal.

The factory employs over 300 workers, including some senior technical staff. The production capacity of the factory is approximately 41.5 million square feet annually.

The company aims to manufacture tiles suitable for a wide range of applications, including personal homes, airports, complexes, malls, hospitals, and apartments.

The company utilizes technology and machinery developed in Spain, Italy, China, and India for tile production.

Digital printers and quality-testing machines have been imported from Italy, while glazes and masses are also sourced from Spain and Italy. The raw material, clay, is imported from India, according to director Abhinav Churival.

Similar to the cement industry, the tile industry has the potential to significantly contribute to Nepal’s value chain and fully replace imports.

According to Churival, all Laminar products are 100% vitrified tiles, which are water-resistant, strong, and non-porous.

These tiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, including walls and floors, in residential and commercial spaces.

The company has also provided consumers with a wide range of choices in terms of quality. Laminar tiles are available in more than 500 different types, differing in design, size, finish, and usage.

The company has priced its tiles between Rs 80 to 200 per square foot, which is about 20% lower than imported tiles from abroad.

Chairman Subrat Dhital mentioned that the Laminar industry was established with the goal of providing high-quality tiles to Nepali consumers and replacing imports. Churival is confident that Laminar tiles, with their superior quality and competitive pricing, will lead the market.

Currently, over 100 Laminar tile dealers are operating in major cities, and the company expects to expand its presence to all cities across the country.

The company has categorized its products into 10 different groups, each designed for specific purposes. These include “Mat” tiles for maintaining surfaces in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, terraces, balconies, residential areas, and commercial spaces, as well as glossy tiles for use in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms. Other groups include “Mat Engraving” tiles, ultra-gloss tiles, and high-grip tiles for exterior environments like parking lots, terraces, and gardens.

Additionally, the company produces full-body tiles with wear resistance for high-traffic areas such as malls, public buildings, office buildings, lobbies, and parking areas.

For busy areas like hotels, restaurants, stores, and meeting rooms, the company manufactures friction-resistant tiles with an extra hard surface, designed to withstand the pressures of commercial environments.

With its focus on innovation, high-quality production, and competitive pricing, Lumbini Ceramics is setting new standards in Nepal’s tile industry.