Mulia expects higher profits

Mulia expects higher profits

JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed ceramic tile and glass maker PT
Mulia Industrindo expects a 56 percent rise in net sales to Rp
810 billion (US$339 million) this year from Rp 291 billion in
1996.

The company announced yesterday its net profit rose 65 percent
to Rp 113.1 billion from Rp 68.5 billion in 1995. This year's net
profit is expected to rise 43 percent in 1997 to Rp 162 billion,
the company said.

The increase in profit and sales will be because of the
company's expansion of its production facilities in 1995 and
1996.

Its float glass division obtained ISO 9002 certification in
November 1996. This division expects to increase annual
production to 595,000 tons from 385,000 tons.

The company expects to increase its share of the glass
container market because of growing demand from the country's
food and beverage industry.

The company recently completed its third glass container
production unit which will increase the company's production
capacity to 175,000 tons from 35,000 tons.

Ceramic tiles make up 80 percent of Mulia's sales and the firm
will increase tile production to 52,500 square meters this year
from 42,000 square meters in 1996 to meet growing demand from
local and overseas markets. (10)