OUR HERITAGE
A Century Shaped by Clay
Crafting better living since 1920.
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100+
YEARS OF HERITAGE
35+
COUNTRIES
150+
SHOWROOMS
7M+
PIECES ANNUALLY
OUR HERITAGE
Crafting a Legacy That Continues
Since 1920, Claytan has evolved from a ceramic workshop into a diversified ceramic business spanning tableware, bathroom solutions and vitrified clay pipes. Across generations, this journey has been shaped by manufacturing expertise, product innovation and the ability to adapt to changing markets.
OUR STORY BEGINS
Claytan traces its origins to 1920, when Mr. Tan Soon Heng established a ceramic workshop in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, beginning a journey that would span more than a century of ceramic manufacturing.
Johore Pipe Company was established in Ayer Hitam, Johor, producing vitrified clay pipes for supply to the Public Works Department.
During the Japanese occupation, the business adapted its production to manufacture tableware and earthen containers for public use, marking the beginning of its tableware industry.
1951
Claytan became the first in Malaya to produce and supply vitrified clay pipes meeting British Standard 65.
Claytan supplied sanitaryware for the Singapore Improvement Trust and the Housing Trust of Malaya, marking an early chapter in its sanitaryware business.
Clay Industries Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated to strengthen vitreous china sanitaryware manufacturing capabilities.
Claytan introduced the first British-designed tunnel kiln in Malaysia for sanitaryware production, bringing modern kiln technology into its manufacturing operations.
Oriental Ceramics Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated and established its first dedicated tableware manufacturing factory, formalising and expanding Claytan’s tableware operations.
Claytan became the first Malaysian company to export tableware to the United States, extending its ceramic products into international markets.
Claytan expanded its sanitaryware business into Japan and the United Kingdom through OEM supply, serving established international markets.
Claytan started manufacturing sanitaryware under OEM arrangements for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Claytan established a dedicated R&D Centre and advanced its vitrified clay pipe capabilities with the production of DN300 and DN400 vitrified clay jacking pipes.
Claytan expanded its manufacturing footprint with a fifth factory, increasing sanitaryware production capacity to approximately 1.5 million pieces annually.
Claytan sanitaryware was specified for Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2), bringing its products into one of Malaysia’s major modern infrastructure projects.
Claytan acquired Silverdale Bathrooms in the United Kingdom, a specialist manufacturer of handmade ceramic bathroom products based in the historic English Potteries.
Claytan established its own SAMM-accredited testing laboratory, adding in-house testing capability for sanitaryware in accordance with recognised technical standards.
Claytan obtained ISO 14001 certification for the research, development and manufacture of ceramic sanitaryware, demonstrating its commitment to responsible manufacturing and continual environmental improvement.
Claytan secured a Malaysian patent for a ceramic flush water distributor designed for rimless toilet units, marking another milestone in Claytan’s continued technical evolution as it pursues new growth opportunities across ASEAN.
