IAC to raise output capacity

JAKARTA (JP): PT Indo American Ceramics (IAC), a producer of ceramic sanitary goods of American Standard brand, will increase its production capacity by about 64 percent from 730,000 pieces to 1.2 million pieces per year later this year.

The company's managing director, Alan J. Silver, expressed his optimism over the expansion as the demand for the goods would be increasing. "We also have a niche market which is not so affected by the economic crisis here," he said.

He declined to quantify the sales increase for 2001. But said his company's sales this year would be up by about 25 percent to US$15 million from $12 million last year.

He said PT Indo American Ceramics is the second largest producer of ceramic sanitary goods in Indonesia with a local market share of 25 percent, while its largest competitor Toto commands about 50 percent. "We expect to raise our local market share up to 35 percent," he said.

PT Indo American Ceramics is 100 percent owned by American Standard, the world's largest producer of ceramic sanitary goods with a market share of 15 percent. Based in New Jersey, the American company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (bnt)