Dubai – Itagres, a porcellanite tile and facing manufacturer, has closed a sale during the Big 5 construction fair, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The company will export a container of floor tiles to a retailer in Kuwait.
The buying company, Al Mousawi Sanitaryware, has been purchasing from Itagres for nine years. According to the manager of the Santa Catarina state-based company, the new order should be delivered within a month. The Arab client also became interested in other types of ceramic, samples of which will be shipped to Kuwait.
“They enjoy ceramics with reliefs very much,” explains Ronaldo Castro, the Import-Export manager for Itagres. According to him, apart from floor tiles, the Kuwaiti buyer also purchases decorative ceramics on a regular basis.
“Their ceramic is unique and yields a goof profit, and I am buying the most expensive variety,” says Mahmoud Al-Mousawi, the owner of the Kuwaiti company. The deal was closed on Tuesday, but this Wednesday (27th), Mousawi paid another visit to the Itagres stand. In addition to prospecting new clients, the Big 5 is a meeting point for Brazilian companies and Arab buyers with whom they do business.
More sales
The fair can lead to further deals for Itagres. According to Castro, he made contact with 15 potential new customers. “The fair is being interesting because there are several attendees from countries like South Africa, Iraq, Iran and Yemen." According to the executive, they represent construction companies, stores and distributors.
He explains that Arabs favour shinier and large-sized ceramic tiles. Sales to the Middle East account for 30% to 40% of Itagres’ overall exports. “They are our second best market,” he says.
The executive also reveals that next year, Itagres should start shipping ceramics by its other brand, Porcellanati, to the Middle East. “We will make exclusive products targeting the Arab market, featuring customized design,” he says. Porcellanati is a newer brand of Itagres’, launched approximately four years ago, with a plant in Mossoró, in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
