SOTICI – Manufacturer of Polyethylene (PE) pipes, and PVC fittings in West Africa

SOTICI (Société de Transformation Industrielle en Côte d’Ivoire), is the leading manufacturer in West Africa of PV and Polyethylene (PE) pipes, and PVC fittings. It is also one of Côte d’Ivoire’s major manufacturers and exporters.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a common plastic pipe used for cold water distribution. PE (polyethylene) pipe is a plastic pipe that typically used for gas distribution. Thus, SOTICI’s main markets are to water and gas companies. However it also supplies pipe for telecom wiring and cables; drilling; as well as myriad other uses.

Founded in 1973, SOTICI supplies 90% the needs for PVC and PE in Côte d’Ivoire, and exports to 26 African countries. According to its President Director General, Ramzi Omais, “SOTICI is an export-driven international company.” Over 80% of SOTICI’s production of more than 20,000 tons annually is exported.

SOTICI’s Future is in Water Supply and Waste Treatment

SOTICI sees its future growth opportunities in meeting the pent up and growing demand for water supply and water treatment. According to Omais, “There is a big need in the water sector and waste systems and we are perfectly placed to capitalize on the opportunity and we are No1 to supply the market.” Anticipating this demand, SOTICI has an investment plan to double its present production capacity. 

There is a large pent up demand resulting from the politically “turbulent times” that Côte d’Ivoire has undergone over the past several years. However, the end of the recent unrest and civil war, and the establishment of order as well as the reestablishment of international aid and support, means that the investment opportunities are great. According to Omais:

“The large infrastructural projects are coming online in Côte d’Ivoire and SOTICI will be there to meet the future demand from these companies. One of the most pressing concerns in Côte d’Ivoire is access to the drinkable water and the second is waste. The international financial institutions have recognized the need and to remedy these concerns are providing funding to the public institutions.”

Omais believes that Côte d’Ivoire is well positioned to take advantage of the new internal as well as external conditions.

“Although run down, Côte d’Ivoire is lucky to have an excellent infrastructure in terms of electricity, potable water and roads. These elements are missing in countries such as Nigeria or Cameroon. Côte d’Ivoire is a developed economy and an emerging regional player. Personally, I am very optimistic about country’s future.”

A Great Future in Exports

Omais sees SOTICI’s location as having a great competitive advantage. As he explains:

“Before our competitor was Europe, but now the cost of labor in Europe is relatively high, meaning it is cheaper to ship from here than from Europe. Pipes is a very heavy material, you have to haul it and when it reaches more than 300 kilos you need labor. In Europe it would cost 2-3000 Euros, here it’s only 2-300 Euros. We are competitive with Europe…”

Omais is also confident that SOTICI is positioned not only in regard to labor cost, but also in terms of quality. “We are the only company with the diploma and quality system; furthermore we received ISO 9003 certification in 1998, ISO 9003:2000 in 2000 and 2003, ISO 9001:2008 in 2009. These certifications are a witness to our unrelenting interest in quality improvements.”

As a result, not only is the quality as high as Europe’s but
“the service is better because we own the company, if there is a problem, we can solve it. If your truck is on the front line and has a problem, you can call and we can give you the green light. If you have a quality problem we can send a controller to talk to the customer. We provide service, permanent service. This is important: we are close to the client. We apply the quality system we put in place. This is our advantage.”

Thus, as West Africa’s largest manufacturer and exporter of PVC and PE pipe, Omais is bullish on SOTICI’s future: “Africa is big. There are a lot of opportunities. I encourage anyone who wants to invest to come.”