H&R Johnson Redefines Interiors [Dec 2011]

H&R JohnsonRedefines InteriorsExotic tile maker H&R Johnson (India) recently launched an array of premium products across the niche categories. Innovation together with intelligence is all set to develop many new trends. An exclusive interview with Vijay Aggarwal, Managing Director, Prism Cement
The New TrendsettersH&R Johnson, a division of Prism Cement and the world’s 7th largest tile company recently launched an array of premium products. The products were launched across five different categories. Under the Marbonite GVT brand, glazed vitrified tiles were introduced. This category consists of three sub categories; fully polished digital tiles, semi-polished lapato range and the infinity series. Digital wall tiles, the second category available in 30 by 60, 30 by 45 sizes also come in glossy marbles and nepto stone claddings. These are the two categories in this range with two different sizes. Engineered marble and quartz was the third range launched in 10 by 4 feet marble and quartz. This quartz can also be used for kitchen platform apart from flooring and cladding. The fourth category comprised of the imported series, under this category products are available in special sizes such as one metre by one metre, 30 by 90 wall tiles. Continuing with the trend of launching new products, yet another smart and suave product called ‘Intellimate’ was launched under the bathroom range. Synonymous to its name, ‘Intellimate’ has smart features like remote sensor, night light, MP3 player, a massage cleaner, air dryer and many more. These are the five basic categories launched. Apart from these, a lot of innovations in the form of new designs and patterns take place on a monthly basis.
Products with Innovative FeaturesInspired by the incredible beauty of natural marble, H&R Johnson recently launched ‘Johnson Cristal’. This engineered marble and quartz bridges the gap between nature and technology by maintaining the look and feel of natural marble and granite. “An amazing mélange of beauty and durability, Johnson Cristal is undisputedly the most versatile and practical building material that was ever produced”, Vijay Aggarwal, Managing Director, Prism Cement elaborates. “In the Cristal range, the prime advantages are availability in different size. Also, the marbles can be re-polished later whereas tiles are not”. 
Marbonite being the flagship brand consists of glazed vitrified tiles wherein the body is vitrified and the process is glazed. A hybrid between traditional glazed tiles and modern vitrified tiles, the beauty of this range lies in its sizes and its finish. Johnson Digital is a unique revolutionary technology wherein a high degree of resolution and precision can be maintained. Therefore a new range of digitally printed tiles, semi-polished and fully polished tiles are introduced for this purpose. Johnson Digital has been launched in 30 alluring designs in 3D. This digital series consists of elevated collections, marble effect on structured surfaces and wood finish.  
The ‘Green’ FactorH&R Johnson as a company is a member of the IGBC and is working on some green products which will be ready in a few months. “We will be working on the existing products to make it green adding unique eco-friendly features to it. It will not be a new product as such only the recipe will be different.  What you see on the surface will be the same product, same Marbonite, same GVT but the recipes will be such that it will be sort of green certified”, added Mr. Aggarwal.
In the intelligent series, H&R Johnson recently launched ‘Johnson Senso’, a uniquely designed urinal with sensor at base as against conventional urinals which have sensors on top. The sensor has a detection zone of 70 cm and does not need an external power connection. “The product is eco- friendly and uses just 2.6 litres of water pre and post flush put together as compared to other sensor urinals flushing of 3 to 3.5 litres”, Mr. Aggarwal informed.
Advantages Being LocalIn H&R Johnson, most of the products are produced locally; only 25 per cent are imported and the rest are manufactured locally. Special products, for example, metre by metre are imported. Commenting on the factors leading to import some of the products, Mr. Aggarwal said, “The domestic market is not big enough so it doesn’t make sense to manufacture them. Absence of critical mass is one factor for some products being imported – the same is the case with 30X90. It will not sell much. For such small quantities it will not make sense to produce on our own. We have the capability but it is economically viable to import it rather than to produce it”.
Turnover The company experienced a turnover in the TBK (tiles, bathroom, kitchen) division in excess of Rs. 1,600 crore last year. H&R Johnson has grown around 23 per cent in the first half and is expecting a turnover of 20 per cent this year. With a significant presence overseas, the company holds a stake in HT Johnson UK, Johnson Australia etc.
Growth PlansHighlighting the company’s future expansion plans, Mr. Aggarwal informed, “We plan to invest around Rs. 400 crore in manufacturing facility that will enhance our capacity”. H&R Johnson plans to expand some of its plants that include the Marbonites manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh. Presently, H&R Johnson has manufacturing facilities in Vijayawada for floor tiles, Bangalore for wall tiles, Pondicherry for wall tiles, Pen near Mumbai for Marbonite and digital wall tiles, and at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh for industrial tiles. The company has 4 plants in Gujarat for manufacturing wall, floor, and vitrified tiles. 
H & R Johnson is in the business of innovation and fashion. Therefore the company keeps innovating. Taking a step forward in the direction of innovation, the company has pioneered the concept of germ free, stain free, and scratch free industrial tiles. This way, the company keeps adding new niches and introducing new ideas. 

5