The company is already a leading player in the ceramic wall and floor tile business. The Nandur plant has an installed capacity of 44,000 to produce wall and floor tiles. The expansion project is being part financed by the financial institutions to the tune of Rs 15 crore. The balance will be met through internal accruals and fresh issue of equity shares. The new vitrified tiles are expected to cost 20 per cent lower than other synthetic granites yet have a similar granite finish.

A new process that does away with polishing of granite and instead gives it a glazed finish is an innovation that has been carried out inhouse. Sourcing of the technology from within the company has also led to lower investment requirements for the expansion plans. The project is expected to be completed and start commercial production by end of this year. The turnover of the company is expected to cross the Rs 100 crore turnover mark with this addition to the product range. Promoted by Gaio Pedder after the Pedder family disinvested from H&R Johnson (I) Ltd, Pedder and Pedder is now a Rs 55 crore turnover company.

For year 1999-2000, the company expects to touch a turnover of Rs 65 crore. Pedder enjoys a 11 per cent market share each in the ceramic wall tile and floor tile business. The company is tapping the Kerala and Tamil Nadu markets in a big way. To start with new company showrooms are coming up at Cochin and Chennai. The dealer network all over the country is being expanded to 225 by end of the calender year for a 15 per cent share of the ceramic tile market.