Rocell Bathware, a production facility that is a technological marvel - October 31, 2007
Sri Lanka’s only bathware manufacturer, Rocell has invested over SLR 1.5 billion in a state of the art manufacturing facility that is billed to be Asia’s most modern. The facility, now nearing completion, is currently at a stage of commissioning of machinery with trial production scheduled to begin later next month.

The project – a bold and decisive initiative by Royal Ceramics Lanka Limited to diversify its product portfolio – was born in late 2005. As the outcome of careful conceptualization, design and selection of appropriate technology during the last two years, Rocell Bathware (RBL) will be a state of the art production facility equipped with the latest innovations in production and process technologies. Two of the world’s leading bathware technology providers, UNIMAK of Turkey and SACMI of Italy are the lead suppliers of machinery and technology. At present, foreign installation teams from both UNIMAK and SACMI are collaborating with the Rocell Bathware team to install, commission and transfer technology seamlessly. The production facility is a 180 meters in length with total facilities covering approximately 180,000 square feet.

Design development of the bathware models has been undertaken by two renowned industrial design companies hailing from none other than the design capital of the world, Italy. Lead designers of the design studios Sisa of Milan and Modelli of Rome have worked tirelessly to produce and perfect a range of bathware masterpieces, exclusively for Rocell Bathware.

Sourcing some of the world’s best raw materials for its manufacturing process has seen the company tie-up with a host of European raw material suppliers including WBB of England - the highest quality clay supplier to the global bathware market -. Rocell Bathware will utilize clay from WBB’s mines in England for the development of the bathware body.

“ As regards our production capabilities, Rocell Bathware will produce vitreous china (porcelain) bathware products as well as large format fine fire clay products,” noted Tharana Thoradeniya, CEO/Director of Rocell Bathware Limited. “ Fine fireclay is one of the latest innovations in the Ceramics industry. Apart from using an advanced production technology, fine fireclay allows the manufacturer to produce large format products in Ceramic. This is the latest design trend in the European and North American markets”, he added.

The Rocell Bathware manufacturing facility is equipped with a ninety cubic meter kiln, semi pressure casting machines, automated driers and robotic glazing lines, giving the company the ability to produce a range of sophisticated products and to meet the quality norms of the European Union. As such, the company’s products will be on par with world-renowned brands achieving the same design concepts and quality standards.

In addition, the manufacturing facility has one of the most advanced and well-equipped laboratories in Sri Lanka, particularly within the Ceramic industry. The laboratory will have the capability to conduct R&D and product quality assurance procedures, in-house. An additional second dedicated product-testing laboratory will carry out functional tests on finished products. These include equipment to conduct dimensional stability tests, tests to determine weight bearing capabilities, flush and disposal testing as well as leakage testing.

Commenting on Rocell’s commitment to bring the very best in design and technology to the Sri Lankan consumer, Thoradeniya noted, “through Rocell flooring we have infused a sense of style and elegance to homes, now through Rocell Bathware we intend to extend that elegance to a lifestyle”.