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Abhishek Somany, joint managing director, Somany Ceramics Ltd
is a third generation entrepreneur and part of a Delhi based business
family that has seen the capital's transformation and changing business
climate. From anti-competitive laws to the clutter of unorganized
sellers Somany Ceramics leading tiles and sanitaryware manufacturer has
weathered many a storm and today is a Rs 750 crore company. Abhishek
Somany is the new face of this over 40 year old company and is now
responsible for cementing Somany's future as a pan India room.
Founded in 1969 Somany Ceramics today is over a Rs 750 crore venture with a production capacity of 20 million square meter per annum. Listed on both the BSE as well as the NSE, Somany today has an 8% market share in the tiles and sanitaryware market.
Talking about Somany's expansion plans going forward, Abhishek reveals that the company is looking at manufacturing sanitaryware. On the global front, the company is looking to double its revenue on exports to Rs 25-30 crore by next year. On the other hand, Somany looks to swell its showrooms in the franchisee mode from the current 100 to another 50-60 next year.
Below is an edited transcript of Somany's interview on CNBC-TV18. Also watch the attached video.
Q: I believe you enjoy racing cars. You were a Formula-2 and Formula-3 racer, what made you join the family business and give up a career in racing?
A: Well, I didn't have a career in racing, definitely wanted to. I guess I am the third generation in the family business, so I guess it was taken for granted that I would join the family business and somewhere down the line I think it's ones comfort too, I am not regretting that but I definitely would have want to pursued racing a little more.
Q: When did you join the business and what have you brought to the table?
A: When I joined the family business, we had a family split and my father used to look after the Hindware Glass division in Hyderabad and then after the family split, we came to Delhi which is when we took over a tile company. I was new to business as a whole. My father was groomed in the glass and sanitaryware business prior to tiles. So from that point of view, it was a new learning. I think what we have got to the table is completely a new way of looking at tiles.
Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/after-dressinghomes-pan-india-somany-tiles-eye-exports_655525.html
Founded in 1969 Somany Ceramics today is over a Rs 750 crore venture with a production capacity of 20 million square meter per annum. Listed on both the BSE as well as the NSE, Somany today has an 8% market share in the tiles and sanitaryware market.
Talking about Somany's expansion plans going forward, Abhishek reveals that the company is looking at manufacturing sanitaryware. On the global front, the company is looking to double its revenue on exports to Rs 25-30 crore by next year. On the other hand, Somany looks to swell its showrooms in the franchisee mode from the current 100 to another 50-60 next year.
Below is an edited transcript of Somany's interview on CNBC-TV18. Also watch the attached video.
Q: I believe you enjoy racing cars. You were a Formula-2 and Formula-3 racer, what made you join the family business and give up a career in racing?
A: Well, I didn't have a career in racing, definitely wanted to. I guess I am the third generation in the family business, so I guess it was taken for granted that I would join the family business and somewhere down the line I think it's ones comfort too, I am not regretting that but I definitely would have want to pursued racing a little more.
Q: When did you join the business and what have you brought to the table?
A: When I joined the family business, we had a family split and my father used to look after the Hindware Glass division in Hyderabad and then after the family split, we came to Delhi which is when we took over a tile company. I was new to business as a whole. My father was groomed in the glass and sanitaryware business prior to tiles. So from that point of view, it was a new learning. I think what we have got to the table is completely a new way of looking at tiles.
Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/after-dressinghomes-pan-india-somany-tiles-eye-exports_655525.html