Ceramics industry faces turbulent times
By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE
The ceramics industry is facing turbulent times due to the high cost
of production and the eurozone debt crisis which has caused the export
market to shrink, ceramic exporters said.
The rising cost of production and the declining demand from export
markets is posing a major threat to the Sri Lanka's ceramics industry,
an exporter said.
 He said that it is a tough time for the industry but if manufacturers
are willing to be flexible and change according to customers needs they
would be able to over come this turbulent time. Sri Lanka has a good
reputation for being an easy and fair country to do business with.
The ceramics industry has been adversely affected by the staggering
energy and labour costs, an official of the Sri Lanka Ceramics Council
(SLCC) said.
Midaya Group of Companies Chairman, Dayasiri Warnakulasooriya said
that Sri Lanka has to compete with low cost markets such as Bangladesh,
India and Vietnam which have gained an edge over many countries in the
global market.
Sri Lanka is reputed for some of the finest ceramic products through
a vibrant industry which is several centuries-oldand provides direct
livelihood to over 7,000 people.
The income from ceramics exports in 2010/11 was Rs. 5,777, 460, 240
as against Rs. 5,044, 769, 499 in 2009/10.Porcelain tableware,
ornamental ware and glazed wall and floor tiles are exported to the USA,
Australia, Italy, Germany, UK, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan
and Singapore which are primary markets for Sri Lankan ceramic products.
“The cost of production is rising and we will have to move towards
high end, niche ceramics to get international orders. We will have to
keep innovating and trying to stay ahead of what other low cost
producing countries such as China and Bangladesh are manufacturing’ a
leading manufacturer said.
He said that the ceramics industry is severely affected by the global
economic crisis but certain companies which produce niche products are
less affected. Orders from Europe and USA have seen a decline.
The high cost of LPG, electricity, increasing cost of labour due to
the rising cost of living hampers operations of many energy intensive
industries. The ceramics industry in Sri Lanka has a distinct advantage
due to the availability of raw material such as kaolin, ball clay,
feldspar, silica, quartz and dolomite.
The literary and skilled workforce are unique advantages for the
industry.
|
