Ceramic materials producer Siceram SA, based in Sighisoara, has budgeted investments worth 3 million euros for this year, aimed to develop the production line for construction materials, as well to upgrade the roof tile production line.
Investment in the brick production line was completed in 2005, with a value of 8 million euros, with the products being sold under the Termobloc brand. Siceram also started another investment worth around 9 million euros in retooling the tile production line in December last year.
"The first part of this investment will be completed in May and involves modernising the preparation, handling and burning processes. In March 2008, the entire production line will become fully functional," Nicolae Neag, financial manager of Siceram, told ZF Transilvania.
The management estimates 16.5 million-euro turnover for this year, a 15% rise against 2006, when it stood at 14.3 million euros. Early last year, forecasts made by company representatives did not exceed 13 million euros.
"We experienced greater growth than originally estimated, as once we had completed investments in the brick production line, we managed to diversify our range of construction products, which prompted a significant sales increase. Currently, this division accounts for over 65% of turnover," specified Nicolae Neag.
The company's financial manager also said that, in 2006, the company's construction materials production capacity stood at around 600 tonnes per day, an increase from around 230-250 tonnes daily before the investment in the new plant had been completed.
In addition to new products, Siceram also makes ceramic vases and floor tiles, which exclusively target an external market.
Last year, exports accounted for 7.5% of the company's turnover, with its main foreign market being Italy, accounting for 75-80% of the total exports.
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