TIDIY Ceramics: Transforming a Traditional Manufacturing Business

Yu Zhang, Chi Zhang

Research output: Other contributionCase Studies

Abstract

This case examines how a traditional manufacturing company can be challenged by a new market environment and its strategic options. The company in this discussion, TIDIY, is a middle-sized ceramic tile company based in Foshan. In 2014, TIDIY split from Oceano, a sibling brand under parent company Teda, and became an independently managed entity. TIDIY's restructuring coincided with major changes in the construction ceramics market in China. As such, TIDIY faced a market that was fundamentally different to the one in 2004 when it was founded. Once rapid growth had slowed, overcapacity and product similarity created fierce competition, and the industry was fragmented. The preferred sales model also changed from selling via distributors, to strategic partnerships with large real estate developers. Newly independent TIDIY had to find its own path. Compared with better-established competitors, TIDIY's brand awareness and access to capital were limited. What should TIDIY do to achieve differentiation? This case explains how TIDIY leveraged anion technology and "charted itself a new path". Company chairman Feng Hongjian and Managing Director Li Qiang renamed the brand "TIDIY Ceramic Tiles", upgraded stores into anion experience centers and sciences museums, trained distributors' salespersons, engaged designers, improved customer satisfaction to create positive word-of-mouth, iterated products. He implemented various policies to provide strong organizational support. These strategies enabled TIDIY to grow by 37% during the first year after independence. TIDIY then set itself a goal to double its revenue in three years. To this end, TIDIY identified three possible strategies: investing in R&D and inventing tiles with new functions, applying anion technology to products other than tiles, or expanding its business scope to the health industry. What might be the right strategy for TIDIY? This case will help students understand the challenges and strategies of transforming a traditional business.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages11
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2021

Case number

STR-21-797

Case normative number

STR-21-797-CE

Case type

Field Case

Update date

07/03/2023

Supplement

For more details, please visit www.chinacases.org

Published by

China Europe International Business School

Keywords

  • Blue Ocean Strategy
  • blue-ocean strategy
  • Differentiation Strategy
  • resource-based view of development
  • traditional manufacturing industry
  • strategic transformation and upgrading

Case studies discipline

  • Strategy

Case studies industry

  • Manufacturing
  • Construction

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