Successful roof tile maker thanks God for good fortune<\/p>\n
By Ali Budiman<\/p>\n
KEBUMEN, Central Java (JP): Haj Moeflich, at 81, feels very
\ngrateful for his good health: he walks easily, his hearing and
\nsight do not need aids, and he does not suffer from any chronic
\ndisease.<\/p>\n
There are other blessings too. He has nine sons and five
\ndaughters, who have succeeded in their studies and careers. And
\nthey have given him a total of 68 grandchildren and 20 great-
\ngrandchildren.<\/p>\n
His roof tile production business has grown well. He has three
\nfactories, each situated on at least two hectares of land. A
\nfleet of middle-size trucks take care of nearby deliveries and
\none Fuso truck services long-distance destinations. His big truck
\ndelivers roof tiles to Lampung and Aceh in Sumatra and to Bali in
\nthe east. He employs some 100 workers in his factories, which
\nlook modest from the outside.<\/p>\n
"The important thing is to be resigned to God's will. We do
\nthings with good intention; God willing, we can overcome all
\ndifficulties. We must pray regularly expressing our gratitude and
\nask the Almighty for the things we need," he said<\/p>\n
Asked about the key to his business success after three
\ngenerations, he explained that it's all about quality.<\/p>\n
"Quality and durability are of prime importance. The products
\nmust not crack or leak. They must link perfectly at the
\ninstallation," said the old man, who is an elementary school
\ngraduate.<\/p>\n
Another important element is timely delivery. "If the time is
\nshort, negotiations are necessary. My motto is thus: quality,
\npunctuality and honesty."<\/p>\n
The period between 1980 and 1985 was prosperous with big
\norders his Soka roof tiles coming from state oil company
\nPertamina in Cilacap and a number of real estate companies in
\nSemarang. Work shifts were supplemented with additional labor and
\novertime work was routine. The chimney from the kilns seemed to
\nwork 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n
But the crisis that started in 1997 also affected his
\nbusiness. It was not until a few months ago that he began to
\nenjoy some stability, allowing factory workers to take a deep
\nbreath.<\/p>\n
Among the workers are Saliman, 30, and Parinah, 35, a married
\ncouple who work together turning the wheel of a manual molding
\nmachine. "We little workers do not have big demands. If we must
\nearn our living by the sweat of our brow, we just do it as long
\nas there are still orders and the crisis does not force us to
\nstop," Saliman said.<\/p>\n
"Now everything is so expensive and unemployment is
\neverywhere. We are grateful to God that Pak Haji and his children
\nare always blessed with luck in managing the factory, thus we
\ncontinue to receive our salaries and have two meals a day at the
\nfactory.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, instead of receiving the Idul Fitri bonus,
\nhe received Rp 10,000 in the form of religious alms from his
\nemployer. "Let us hope there will be an Idul Fitri bonus next
\nyear."<\/p>\n
Saliman met Parinah 11 years ago at the roof tile factory and
\ngot married the next year. They now have a daughter aged 10 and a
\nson aged four.<\/p>\n
The couple, like other workers who turn the wheel of a manual
\nmolding machine, receive a salary of Rp 3,500 a day each. Male
\nworkers loading and unloading trucks and female works arranging
\ntiles for drying under the sun earn Rp 6,000 to Rp 8,000 per day.<\/p>\n
Bars measuring 15 X 15 X 5 centimeters (for standard tiles)
\nare formed from a mixture of clay and choice sand, then smeared
\nwith residue oil before pressing with the tile molding machine.
\nThe oil prevents the mixture from sticking to the molding
\nmachine. The workers shaping the bars are usually men who are
\npaid by the quantity produced, Rp 22,000 for 1,000 bars.<\/p>\n
The clay is bought from local rice field owners for a lump
\nsum. The initial process needs the cooperation of the weather
\nbecause the bars must be pressed and cleaned immediately before
\ndrying in the open air for one day. After drying, the tiles are
\nfired for 24 hours in a wooden oven with a capacity of 30,000
\ntiles.<\/p>\n
The production of Soka roof tiles was pioneered by the Dutch
\ngovernment which built limekilns not long after the Dutch East-
\nIndies Company had expanded in the archipelago. They made a soil
\nsurvey in many areas, searching for soil suitable for roof tile
\nproduction. Firewood for curing was not a problem because it was
\neasily obtained from plentiful forests.<\/p>\n
At that time, tiles were transported out of town via a railway
\nstation called Soka. This name was linked to the now famous tile
\nproducts.<\/p>\n
After independence, the local population showed they had
\nmastered the production methods. And people like Moeflich's
\nfather continued the production of tiles, recognized as the best
\nquality tiles in Central Java.<\/p>\n
If by chance you are traveling Jl. Raya Jabres, Sruweng,
\nKebumen one evening, with many limekilns on both sides of the
\nroad, you might hear the reverberations of the call for prayer.
\nThat is probably the voice of Haj Moeflich, who is gifted with a
\nmelodious voice that glorifies the greatness of God. He was once
\nacclaimed as the man with the best call for prayer in Kebumen
\nregency.<\/p>",
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