The northern Vinh Phuc Province-based Granite Co. Ltd, a member company of Prime Group, exported its first batch of ceramic bricks, codenamed SS-B1 and SS-R1, to South Korea on May 8, 2006. The total value of this batch is $80,352. The sending ceremony was attended by Mr. Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy General Director of Prime Group, Mr. Juan Jose Goyeneche, technical supporter from Spain’s Colorobbia Group, representatives from Prime Group and reporters.
From 2002 - 2005, Prime Group was the largest ceramic brick supplier in Vietnam with a total output of 35 million square metres, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the market share. Prime’s favourite brands include Veronio, Tiptop and Solido. The sales network of the group has presence in all 64 provinces and cities nationwide.
This is the first time the Prime Group has exported tiles to South Korea. In the first quarter of this year, the group signed US$17 million in export contracts.
This is the initial success of Prime Group in particular and the construction material production industry in general on the threshold of Vietnam’s entry to the WTO.
The South Korean market is a hard destination for any export firm because it requires products of high quality and beautiful design. According to orders from the importer, exported bricks must be of the highest quality, meet European standards, have excellent designs (shiny surface, fine enamel and colour schemes) and satisfy all best technical specifications (hardness, water absorption properties, chemical erosion properties and hygiene properties, and have pasteurisation certificates from authorised authorities.
Representatives of the importer visited Prime Group’s factories for visual surveys. After witnessing production operations and scales of Prime Group and testing product quality, they chose SS-B1 and SS-R1 bricks. The representatives said Prime Group’s ceramic bricks have a wide range of designs, sizes and colours, meeting international standards, while their prices are very competitive and suitable for the South Korean market. Hence, they selected Prime Group to be their long-term partner.
Prime Group have a wide range of ceramic bricks such as floor tiles, decorated tiles, ancient-design bricks and anti-slipping tiles. With technology from Italy and enamel from Spain, Prime Group’s ceramics have gradually conquered even the choosiest markets.
Hoa Cuong or Granite Co. Ltd, based in Binh Xuyen Industrial Park, Vinh Phuc Province, is one of 14 subsidiaries of Prime Group. Since the first quarter of this year, Prime Group has implemented 10 projects, including five construction material projects, which comprise of three projects for expanding three tile factories by 50 per cent, a project to produce decorated cotto bricks and roofing tiles and a project to produce hot water tanks.
The Prime Group is an exemplary multi-sector private economic group in Vinh Phuc Province and Vietnam in general. The exportation of the company proves that Vietnamese enterprises have learned to grasp international trade opportunities and prepared for the country’s entry into WTO.
Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
