Villeroy & Boch to expand India presence

German luxury ceramic company Villeroy & Boch plans to expand its presence in India through a chain of exclusive stores.

For Michel von Boch, the ninth generation owner of the €760-million company, India is an emerging market with immense potential for traditional classic and contemporary luxury ceramic ware. Founded by Boch’s ancestor Francois Boch, in collaboration with Nicholas Villeroy in 1748, the 265-year-old company offers its products across 125 countries. Speaking to Business Line , Michel von Boch, who is now in India, gearing up to commission the company’s exclusive store in Navi Mumbai next week, said the company sees India as the next big opportunity like China even though it is passing through a phase of economic slowdown.

This is a temporary phase and the situation is unlikely to last long. Though the rupee fluctuation versus the Euro is an issue which impacts the cost of the products sold in India, the demand for luxury products remains intact in metros and other major cities. However, a buyer has to bear additional costs due to currency fluctuation, he said.

Boch attributed the success of the brand to four important values — tradition, international identity, innovative power and high diversification. In India, about 60 per cent of the demand comes from projects or institutional business, including hospitality and the rest from retail sales. The brand operates in India with 25 showrooms of Villeroy & Boch and sees potential for luxury products beyond major metros. The Indian market is constantly growing and offers great opportunities to expand further. It is served by products made in Germany and other facilities in Europe and a plant in Thailand.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in