KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 24

Lumbini Ceramics Ltd (LCL), the first ISO-certified company for its world-class vitrified tiles and Nepal's first and only 100 per cent vitrified tile manufacturer under the brand name Laminar Tiles, has officially started production in Nepal.

Just weeks after starting production two months ago, the company received certifications under three categories: ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems, ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management systems, and ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and safety management systems.

The company was incorporated to establish Nepal on the global standards map by adopting strong management practices, corporate governance and internationally accepted manufacturing norms. The ISO certification has reaffirmed the company's vision and commitment to upholding the highest standards in quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety.

Speaking about the certification, Ashutosh Khetan, managing director of LCL, said, 'This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for our company, affirming our steadfast commitment to excellence across all facets of our operations. We will continue strengthening our quality control and management processes, ensuring we only provide the most exceptional products. It also reaffirms our vision to not just meet, but beat international standards for quality and safety.'

Laminar's Tiles are manufactured in a European-standard state-of-the-art facility set up in Gulariya, Bardiya spanning across 12.5 bighas of land. Available in over 500 premium designs, the tiles appear in four size categories (16x16 inch, 2x2 feet, 2x4 feet, and 8 inchx4 feet).

The company boasts its tiles are 99.92 per cent water-proof, non-porous and offer excellent resistance to water, scratches and stains. With the use of high-quality raw materials and a meticulous manufacturing process, they retain their appearance for extended periods and are highly durable, resisting breakage and wear.

The company is ready to employ approximately 300 employees including senior technical personnel who are foreign nationals. The total investment in the company is upwards of three billion rupees and given the rise of local manufacturing facilities for tiles, it aims to make Nepal self-sufficient in tiles over the next few years.

'All our products are 100 per cent vitrified tiles that are water resistant, robust and non-porous. These can be applied indoors and outdoors, on walls and floors, in residences and commercial spaces. The company produces over 500 different tiles that differ in design, size, finish and usage and are divided into 10 collections and a variety of finishes such as matt, glossy, high-gloss, matt carving, etcetera,' Abhinav Churiwal, managing director of LCL, shared.

'The total production capacity is approximately 41.5 million square feet per year and we hope to utilise up to 80 per cent of production capacity in the first year,' he added.

Apart from being the first manufacturer of 100 per cent vitrified tiles in the country, the company also creates custom designs and sizes based on client's needs and preferences.

The company has also aimed at exporting its products but is currently focused on addressing the demands of the local market. The company also has an experience centre in Kathmandu.