GW: What are La Opala’s plans for a new manufacturing facility?


In addition to our current operations in Uttaranchal and Madhupur, we have acquired significant land located close to our Uttaranchal plant and will construct a new greenfield plant, to open in 2021.
With three lines, we will be able to produce a lot more glass, similar to our existing product range but with the benefit of different shapes. We are already recruiting the workforce and our experience in the business means we can train the engineers and operators with great expertise.

GW: What is the motivation for such significant investment?

The new plant is a major investment and is being funded internally… but with increased production comes the benefit of partly reduced costs too. And the new plant will greatly assist us in continuing to innovate with new products, designs and marketing. Investment in machinery and technology at the new plant will be with many of the same leading international suppliers we have worked with previously. If the quality is proven and the relationship has been maintained, our preference is to continue long-term partnerships. But there has to be constant development, because we are looking to improve all the time.

Having been the first company in India to convert to an electric furnace in 2008, we would not consider any other form of melting at the new plant. We are proud not to use oil or gas and we find real quality and environmental advantages with electric melting. Like our other plants with no chimneys and low pollution, the new plant will not look like a typical glass factory!

GW: Are market conditions in India demanding increased production?


In general, tableware is growing, becoming more affordable and better quality. Strength is also improving as we temper all our products. But demand for opal glass is not increasing. It’s a difficult market and whatever we produce is not necessarily easy to sell. Demand has to be created and we have to find new ways to sell.

As well as cost advantages, opal has many benefits over porcelain, being tougher with no scratch marks, for example. It’s also a real advantage and very important that opal glass is bone ash-free; with the big health agenda, there is a real opportunity to increase market share.

So these are both challenging and exciting times… but without challenge, there is no life!

GW: And how is the tableware market performing outside India?


Tableware is required everywhere, so the market should continue to grow… but there is competition across the world. La Opala’s design, innovation and world class quality is key. And then it’s about how you control costs when making a world class product.

GW: What were the highlights of the investment programme at your Uttaranchal plant last year?


We added one more line to make five in total, increasing capacity to 18,000 tonnes. With the addition of a press machine, we have added cups and mugs to our product range in Uttaranchal, having only been manufactured at our original plant in Madhupur in the past. This expansion has been very successful, providing logistical advantages for domestic sales and exports.

Now we also have an in-house decal plant and are manufacturing our own decal sheets. This investment means an improvement in the quality of paper and printing, particularly beneficial to vases. It also further supports our very talented design team with their innovative and original ideas.