Orient Ceramics & Industries was incorporated on 18 May '77. It was promoted by K C Kejriwal in collaboration with AGRDB, Germany, to manufacture ceramic tiles. The erstwhile collaborators and the Indian promoters were unable to produce any saleable tiles. The company was then taken over by Somany-Pilkingtons in 1981 under the rehabilitation package from IFCI and has since repaid all its dues under the deal. Somany-Pilkingtons sold off its holdings in 1993 and Mahendra K Daga has since been at the helm of affairs._x000D_ _x000D_ In 1998-99, the company introduced India's largest wall tiles, measuring 400mm x 300mm. _x000D_ _x000D_ A new mono-firing unit was commissioned during 2000-2001.By commissioning this unit the total installed capacity of Ceramic Tiles rose upto 95000 TPA.The company issued fully paid Bonus Shares of Rs.2.34 crores in September 2000. The company's diversification plan includes trading of other building products,like sanitary wares,bathroom fittings and designer tiles._x000D_