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THE STAR OF THE
              Ceramics Industry                                                           CERAMICS INDUSTRY


                                                                                                                                           CAPTURING COLOURS,
                                                                                                                                           CULTURES, AND CLASS
                                                                                                                                           Star Ceramics understands that every
                                                                                                                                           person is different; that their lifestyles
                                                                                                                                           are different. As a result, Star Ceramics is
                                                                                                                                           working on a range of thematic designs
                                                                                                                                           so that it can extend its products to
                                                                                                                                           people of all ideologies and lifestyles.
                                                                                                                                           With the help of a skilled creative team,
                                                                                                                                           Star Ceramics has created more than 16
                                                                                                                                           designs centered around festivals, events,
                                                                                                                                           and lifestyle. For example, Lokoj is
                                                                                                                                           themed around aristocracy and fashion
                                                                                                                                           trends, and Deja vu represents geometric
                                                                                                                                           shapes. It also offers Tropical to represent
                                                                                                                                           the forest, Hollywood to represent glam,
                                                                                                                                           as well as unique and aesthetic themes
                                                                                                                                           such as Jade, Castle, Finery, Veneer, Troy,
                                                                                                                                           Reva, and Eden.
                                                                                                                                           The Sanitary Ware Division also offers a                                                                                     when both fuel prices and freight charges
                                                                                                                                           variety of designs with several themes                                                                                       increased. Star Ceramics receives
                                                                                                                                           such as Star Deluxe, Day by Day, Sara,                                                                                       shipments via sea but due to COVID-19,
             AN INFRASTRUCTURAL FACELIFT                              UNIQUE SIZES, POPULAR                                                Iris, Pearl, Lily, and many more.                                                                                            sea freight operations slowed down from
             The ceramics industry, which consists of tableware,      CHOICES                                                              the highly skilled design and laboratory                                                                                     15-day shipments to 2 to 3 months. Star
             sanitary ware and tiles, is constantly growing and       Star Ceramics plant entered the market on the 1st of                 teams are constantly testing new and                                                                                         Ceramics responded by opting for air
             shaping the economy of our country. There was a time     January, 2013. The key factors that led it to succeed                innovative tiles and sanitary ware,                                                                                          freights even though it incurs a higher
             when people used to decorate their floors with mosaics.   in such a very short time in this competitive market                maintaining international standards, and                                                                                     cost. Despite the rising cost of fuel price
             Over time, mosaic started being replaced with floor tiles,   are its cutting-edge technology, the latest and                  as a result, the brand is constantly                                                                                         and freight charges, Star Ceramics bore the
             which rapidly grew in popularity among the general       advanced machinery, and the unique sizes and                         introducing new products in the market.                                                                                      cost in consideration of its customers. Till
             masses. Soon afterwards, people started decorating their   designs of the tiles. In the industrial market, Star               Star Ceramics is the only company in                                                                                         now, Star Ceramics has not raised prices
             washrooms and kitchen walls with wall-tiles. In our      Ceramics is the pioneer of nanotechnology and digital                Bangladesh which offers so many unique                                                                                       due to increased fuel price and freight           other countries. Star Ceramics has nanotechnology, digital
             country, most houses generally have tile flooring and    print. It also pioneered the 20cm x 50cm , 33cm x                    designs.                                                                                                                     charges, but due to inevitable constraints,       print, and mirror polish technology in its factory. It also
             painted walls. But now, people’s mindsets are changing   50cm , 50cm x 50cm, 60cm x 90cm and 60cm x                           Star Ceramics believes in continuous                                                                                         the entire ceramics industry will be bound        produces the largest sized tiles in the market, with dimensions
             along with their lifestyle. They are now leaning towards   120cm tiles. According to Bangladesh Ceramic                       innovation not only in the production,                                                                                       to raise prices, sooner or later.                 of 60cm x 120cm and 60cm x 90cm. Additionally, it also
             tiles as the complete solution, both for flooring and their   Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA), Star             but also in technological advancement,           A CONQUEROR AMIDST A CRISIS                                                                                                   produces unique sizes such as 30cm x 50cm, 30cm x 60cm,
             walls.                                                   Ceramics ranks 4th with a market share of 10.7%. In a                development of new marketing                     While the ceramic industry is a growing manufacturing                       FIGHTING FOREIGN                                  among others. As a result, Star Ceramics has a large amount
             Sanitary ware is also expanding its footfall, especially in   very short period of time, it has gained massive                strategies, exploring new opportunities in       industry in Bangladesh, it continues to face numerous                       FORCES                                            of production and stock capability which can easily meet
             rural areas. People living in rural areas are replacing their   market share and popularity, which is reflected in its        the marketing avenue, and formulating            challenges in the way of its growth, namely inconsistent gas                                                                  consumer demands.
             undeveloped latrines with Asian water closets. This is   accolade as the 3rd Most Popular Ceramic Brand in                    new trade-based strategies. Through this         supply, an over-reliance on imported raw materials, and rising              There was a time when customers used to
             also helping them achieve a higher social status and     the country, awarded by Bangladesh Brand Forum                       continuous innovation process, it has            fuel price and freight charges.                                             look for foreign tiles and sanitary ware.         RECOVERING FROM COVID
             giving them an increased perception of self-esteem.                                                                           brought 0% EMI to the market. 0% EMI is          The inconsistent gas supply has not only affected the ceramics              There were only a few domestic companies
                                                                      during the Best Brands Awards 2020.
                                                                                                                                           now authorized at more than 50 outlets           industry, but also those factories across various industries                in the market back then. Over time,               The entire ceramics market lost its momentum during the
                                                                                                                                           across the country, and the number will          that rely heavily on gas. Some factories need to draw gas lines             domestic products have grown, at one              COVID-19 pandemic and became inactive. Almost all
                                                                                                                                           increase in the future. Star Ceramics has        over large distances in order to meet demands, and as a                     point capturing 80% of the market share.          construction projects came to a halt, and as a result,
 Star Ceramics is the new driving force in the ceramics                                                                                    6 banks involved in this strategic               result, whenever there is a leakage or low pressure, they have              Now, the business is growing at an                consumer demand decreased accordingly. With the decline of
 industry. With a firm understanding of the people’s                                                                                       marketing to facilitate customers with 0%        to temporarily shut down all operations. Star Ceramics has                  average rate of 20% per year.                     COVID-19 cases in the third quarter this year, the ceramics
 desire for thematic tiles, the company has pioneered a                                                                                    EMI. 0% EMI was initiated with a specific        overcome this challenge as its factory is situated in the                   Recently, the Government of Bangladesh            market is gradually returning to its old form. There is hope for
 new style of flooring and wall tiles that exude a higher                                                                                  consumer market, particularly, those with        Habiganj District, near a gas field. As a result, it does not               cut tariffs on imported tiles by 1 USD per        a return to the previous momentum. Previously, Star Ceramics
 The ceramics industry is a rapidly growing   standard of living. With their cutting-edge                                                  800 to 1200 sq. ft. houses. Customers are        have to encounter inconsistent gas supply, and is able to                   square meter resulting in a price reduction       had exported products to countries like India and Bhutan,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          however, in the last 2 years it has not exported any products
 manufacturing sector in Bangladesh, making bold   manufacturing technology, and a highly skilled design                                   able to avail 0% EMI up to 3 months,             operate its factory 365 days a year.                                        of foreign products by 12 BDT per sq. ft.
 strides in both the local and international market.   team, Star Ceramics offers unique varieties and sizes                               which has been financially beneficial in         Another challenge that the ceramic industry faces is the huge               This again creates a challenge for the local      due to the pandemic. Between 2014-2019, the business has
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          grown by 40 percent and Star Ceramics has been able to
 The local ceramics industry has evolved alongside   of tiles for a variety of purposes. While the turmoil of                              the face of the difficulties brought on by       tariff placed on imported raw materials. Due to the continuous              companies as it helps to reduce cost for the
 people’s lifestyles. With the consumer base   the COVID-19 pandemic caused global logistical                                              COVID-19. Through digital activities, the        increase in the price of raw materials, the company has had to              importers of foreign tiles.                       achieve an annual sales milestone of around BDT 550 crore.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          However, after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the loss in
 increasing every year, the ceramics industry has   disruptions, Star Ceramics’ strategic solutions ensured                                0% EMI campaign has been able to                 increase the price of its tiles by an average of BDT 3 per                  Today, tiles and sanitary ware of
 grown significantly since its inception in the   steady supply of raw materials, while offering                                           generate over 12,000 leads since its             square feet.                                                                international quality are being produced          momentum has created a challenge not of growth, but of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          survival.
 1950s.  financial solutions to consumers.                                                                                                 inception.                                       The other challenge has been most evident during COVID-19,                  and marketed both in Bangladesh and in



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