Spanish sanitaryware major Roca cementing operations; to make India an export hub

Spanish sanitaryware major Roca Group, is upbeat on its Indian operations as it consolidates its business, while stepping up exports to other markets making it a global hub.

The €1.8-billion major, which celebrated 100 years of its business globally, has completed 10 years of Parryware ownership, which it acquired from the Murugappa Group in 2008.

It has charted out a 360-degree approach in India, engaging various brands, its business partners, architects and other stakeholders, for a mutually beneficial engagement.

KE Ranganathan, Managing Director, Roca Bathroom Products, the 100 per cent subsidiary of Roca Group, said: “The year ahead will be a period of consolidation of the company business after a tough year, where the growth was slower.”

“With eight manufacturing units in India, of the 78 spread across the world, we now manufacture products that conform to Roca's global designs. This enables us to export to various markets across the globe. We expect the exports to go up further transforming Indian operations into a global hub,” he told BusinessLine.

In India, Roca offers several brands under the product portfolio to cater to various consumer segments, covering super luxury through Armani Roca and going down to the budget market products made under the Johnson Peddar.

The consolidated business of the country's sanitaryware market is estimated at ₹18,000-19,000 crore and growing at about 7-8 per cent per annum.

However, in the last year, it was lower at about 4 per cent. About 60 per cent market is in the unorganised sector. But this is gradually changing towards brands, he said.

Referring to Parryware, with whom the company was engaged as joint venture partner in 2005, he said, “Roca acquired entire stake in 2008. And here we are celebrating 10 years of Parryware in India under Roca.”

Of the 40-million units sanitaryware manufacturing capacity globally, four million capacity is based in India across four facilities. In addition, Roca has three units for plastic-based products and one for faucets.

Some of the products made in India are being exclusively sold in markets such as the US for entertainment vehicle segment, including marine products.