Ceramics crack under the pressure of global turmoil
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 31, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Turkey’s ceramics sector, ranking fifth in the world in exports, is feeling the effects of the global fall in demand. The government has to take measures to make sure idle capacity is added to production, says a top sector representative
As the global crisis continues souring the economy, the ceramics sector is hopeful ahead of a crucial fair April 1 to April 5 in Istanbul.
The manufacturers of the Turkish ceramic industry, which ranks seventh in production and fifth in exports, aim to gain new contacts for the domestic market and exports at UNICERA International Ceramics and Bathroom Fair, which has been held in Istanbul in April every year since 1988.
With the crisis, the sector has been forced to work at a low capacity, said Zeynep Bodur Okyay, chairwoman of the Turkish Ceramics Federation, and president of Kale Group. The idle capacity nationwide amounts to $1 billion, Okyay said. "A capacity of 100 million square meters in the tile market and 70,000 tons in vitrified products stays idle. If used, it would amount to production worth $600 million."
The sector had an active domestic market and exports until the middle of 2008, but then ceramics started to feel the negative impacts of the crisis particularly due to the stagnation in construction sector, she said
"Despite the crisis, we need to be hopeful for the future and fulfill our business in the best way. However, the government also needs to take some measures to secure that idle capacities are added to production," Okyay said.
Okyay requested that incentives be sectoral rather than regional. "Our sector should be within the scope of the incentive. This way, unfair competition will be prevented."
Energy prices should be reduced to a level equal to that of ceramic producers in rival countries, she said. "Private consumption tax on natural gas should be removed. Moreover, a gradual energy unit price implementation could be a solution. Heavy tax and premium burden on employment should be eased," said Okyay.
Fair to boost morale
UNICERA International Ceramics and Bathroom Fair is a global trade fair where the Turkish ceramic industry meets collectively once a year, promoting the newest products and technologies in the industry. Ceramic tile, vitreous ware, pools, saunas, taps, bathroom and kitchen furniture and accessories, and publications relating to these are exhibited at the UNICERA trade fair.
The Turkish Ceramic Federation and the Construction and Building Suppliers Association, or TİMDER, will hold Unicera at Tüyap Beylikdüzü Trade Fair and Convention Center, said Okyay.
"We believe the fair will also bring morale and activity to the domestic market. We launched this fair in 1987 on an area of 2,500 square meters at the Istanbul Exhibition Palace. Both our sector and fair have progressed a lot," she said.
"Last year, 215 firms and their representatives from 18 countries attended the fair. We reached 47,000 guests with visitors from 68 countries, including the United States, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Britain, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium. Our aim is to make UNICERA the world’s top ceramic fair," said Okyay. There were 37,320 visitors from 51 countries in 2006, and 54,305 visitors from 51 countries in 2007.
The Ceramic Honor Awards handed out by Turkish Ceramics Federation to members of the industry who have become prominent in various aspects such as art, science, industry, technology, design, application, and research and development, go to the winners at a ceremony held each year at this trade fair.
The manufacturers of the Turkish ceramic industry, which ranks seventh in production and fifth in exports, aim to gain new contacts for the domestic market and exports at UNICERA International Ceramics and Bathroom Fair, which has been held in Istanbul in April every year since 1988.
With the crisis, the sector has been forced to work at a low capacity, said Zeynep Bodur Okyay, chairwoman of the Turkish Ceramics Federation, and president of Kale Group. The idle capacity nationwide amounts to $1 billion, Okyay said. "A capacity of 100 million square meters in the tile market and 70,000 tons in vitrified products stays idle. If used, it would amount to production worth $600 million."
The sector had an active domestic market and exports until the middle of 2008, but then ceramics started to feel the negative impacts of the crisis particularly due to the stagnation in construction sector, she said
"Despite the crisis, we need to be hopeful for the future and fulfill our business in the best way. However, the government also needs to take some measures to secure that idle capacities are added to production," Okyay said.
Okyay requested that incentives be sectoral rather than regional. "Our sector should be within the scope of the incentive. This way, unfair competition will be prevented."
Energy prices should be reduced to a level equal to that of ceramic producers in rival countries, she said. "Private consumption tax on natural gas should be removed. Moreover, a gradual energy unit price implementation could be a solution. Heavy tax and premium burden on employment should be eased," said Okyay.
Fair to boost morale
UNICERA International Ceramics and Bathroom Fair is a global trade fair where the Turkish ceramic industry meets collectively once a year, promoting the newest products and technologies in the industry. Ceramic tile, vitreous ware, pools, saunas, taps, bathroom and kitchen furniture and accessories, and publications relating to these are exhibited at the UNICERA trade fair.
The Turkish Ceramic Federation and the Construction and Building Suppliers Association, or TİMDER, will hold Unicera at Tüyap Beylikdüzü Trade Fair and Convention Center, said Okyay.
"We believe the fair will also bring morale and activity to the domestic market. We launched this fair in 1987 on an area of 2,500 square meters at the Istanbul Exhibition Palace. Both our sector and fair have progressed a lot," she said.
"Last year, 215 firms and their representatives from 18 countries attended the fair. We reached 47,000 guests with visitors from 68 countries, including the United States, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Britain, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium. Our aim is to make UNICERA the world’s top ceramic fair," said Okyay. There were 37,320 visitors from 51 countries in 2006, and 54,305 visitors from 51 countries in 2007.
The Ceramic Honor Awards handed out by Turkish Ceramics Federation to members of the industry who have become prominent in various aspects such as art, science, industry, technology, design, application, and research and development, go to the winners at a ceremony held each year at this trade fair.