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In its latest move, Somany Ceramics unveiled Somany Atelier in Delhi, a premium destination showcasing a curated collection of Tiles, Bathware, and Adhesives. At its grand debut, Realty+ caught up with Abhishek Somany to know his brand vision and expansion mode over next few years.
Is Somany Atelier conceived as an experience centre for the visitors and how will it benefit the customers.
Abhishek Somany - Yes, the showroom is positioned right in the marble market, frequented by luxury product customers. Many products displayed here are designed to replace natural stone, be it granite, marble, or any other material. We have chosen this location, so that consumers can explore alternative premium products for flooring and wall coverings, that will add a touch of luxury to their spaces.
We noticed the collection draws inspiration from Indian monuments. What was the vision behind that?
Abhishek Somany - We are very proud to be “Made in India” brand. In fact, we are probably the only manufacturer in the country that has never imported a single tile from abroad. Every other manufacturer, big or small, has imported products. Many brands look to monuments in Italy, Spain, and other countries for inspiration. We decided to focus on India. Our current collection takes inspiration from Indian monuments, and we intend to continue drawing from Indian art and architecture moving forward.
How has the overall bathware market evolved over the last five years?
Abhishek Somany - When it comes to tiles, the segment has moved beyond the traditional bath area usage. We've showcased tiles in various new applications, from lift jambs to tabletops, furniture pieces, and even bedheads, all made using tiles. Additionally, Bathrooms have also evolved. They are becoming bigger and plusher. People are investing more in decorating their bathrooms, choosing products beyond functionality to offer luxury and style. That's been the biggest change from our perspective.
What is Somany's expansion plan for FY26?
Abhishek Somany - Over the last 24 months, we've increased our capacity by 25%. We're currently sitting on enough capacity, especially for tiles, our core business. For the next two to three years, we're well-positioned in terms of production capacity for tiles. Regarding bathwater, we're looking at adding capacity, possibly towards the end of next year.
Where do you see the brand in next five years?
Abhishek Somany - We are currently the 12th largest tile manufacturer in the world. We aim to continue growing and become an even larger global player. Somany has become a more serious contender in India's bathwater segment and adhesives. Tiles will remain our bread and butter, but Somany will evolve into a much more 360-degree brand across tiles, bathware, sanitaryware, and adhesives.
Is sustainability part of your product strategy?
Abhishek Somany - Absolutely. Our main manufacturing cost in tile production is gas. It's not only expensive but also critical to the process. So, we're constantly working on making our gas usage more efficient, which directly supports our sustainability goals. In adhesives, we're using a lot of recycled tile waste. In bathwater, we're continually researching and implementing technologies that save water. Across the board, sustainability is a key focus area for us.
