Sicagen-Danube to expand retail touch points

Sicagen India, which has been in wholesale trade of building materials’ sales and services, has tied up with UAE-based building material firm, and is planning to set up dealership points for the latter's premium sanitary ware across South India.

Sicagen's Building Materials Division is the sole authorised distributor of Danube products in India. The company today launched the second Danube Orientation Centre, a retail initiative, to showcase luxury sanitary ware and bath fittings, focusing on end customers in Chennai today.

"Sicagen has been in the building material industry for long and has been strong in the traditional commodities business such as steel. Now, we want a pan India presence with our retail business," said Ashwin Muthaih, chairman, Sicagen.

It would be expanding its retail presence across South India in partnership with Danube. Starting its dealership in Kerala in December 2014, it currently has around 50 touch points and it would be looking at expanding it to another 70 touch points in Tamil Nadu, said Sunil Desmukh, chief executive officer, Sicagen India.

Danube has entered into the market comparatively late. It has around 20% market share in the Middle East and would look at establishing brands in India, said Anis Sajan, managing director, Danube.

The sanitary ware segment in which the company has presence in has a total market of Rs 8,000 crore in India and almost 30% of it is in South India. The company is planning to focus on the South Indian market initially, they said.