MEDITERRÁN KERÁMIA LTD.

Please introduce your company. Which areas do Aquatop Design Ltd. & Mediterrán Kerámia Ltd. cover? 

Tamás Viczán founded Mediterrán Kerámia Ltd. in 2001. The company’s main profile is the retail of tiles and sanitary ware, operated from our Budapest showroom. Since 2020, we have expanded our operations to include the manufacture of custom furniture made from large-format porcelain stoneware tiles, and we are currently working on developing our own-brand, unique design products.

With production, delivery, and installation all managed in-house, how many different types of workflows do you typically handle?

As we control the entire production process, the risk of errors is significantly reduced, and there is no need to involve multiple external trades. Clients select materials in our showroom, which we then order and transport to our facility in Gyöngyös (ordering and logistics process). Following an on-site survey, we manufacture the products (surveying and production process), and finally deliver and install them on location (installation process). In total, a typical bespoke order consists of six distinct stages: customer service, procurement, on-site surveying, manufacturing, transport, and installation.

How is sustainability reflected in your manufacturing activities?

We work with porcelain stoneware slabs made from natural raw materials (clay, feldspar, quartz sand, and kaolin). The base materials are processed using CNC machining with water cooling. The water is recirculated, meaning it is reused within the system, so there is no unnecessary water consumption. We do not use chemicals in our processes.

How do you aim to compete with your competitors and stay up to date?

Our activities are built on several pillars: alongside trade, we are also involved in manufacturing, which allows us to offer a complementary service that is rare in the market. In addition, we have launched an online shop, which further expands our reach. The growing recognition and professional appreciation of our work is clearly reflected in the fact that our ceramic furniture is increasingly featured in competitors’ showrooms.

What are you most proud of since the company was founded, and which milestones would you highlight in particular?

We are proud of many of our achievements; for example, we have completed numerous outstanding projects, including hotels, restaurants, and the Róheim Villa. It is always a pleasure to see the finished result come together so successfully. We are also proud that we started as a family business and are now recognised in the market as a manufacturer as well. Most importantly, we have operated for 26 years with a stable, reliable reputation.

Why did you apply for the mentoring programme? 

Because it focuses on topics that are highly relevant to us, such as international markets, website development, and sustainability. All sessions were highly informative, engaging, and delivered to a professional standard.

What did you learn during the mentoring programme?

We received a very diverse range of training, but for me, the most interesting aspect was the finer points of sales techniques. Although they may seem like small details, they can make a significant difference in closing major deals (e.g. wardrobe, souvenirs). In addition, the information related to entering the German market was also very useful.

What are your future plans? 

As always, we are moving forward. This year, we plan to develop several new own-brand, unique design products. In the short to medium term, our goal is to enter international markets.