Private equity firm Resolve has acquired one of South Africa’s biggest tile and bathroom specification businesses, Tiletoria, which is located in Cape Town.

Resolve says the deal signals renewed investor confidence in traditional, asset-based sectors which form the backbone of South Africa’s economy.

“While many investors continue to focus on technology and energy, Resolve believes that asset-based, infrastructure-linked and traditional industries still hold deep, untapped value to drive localisation and job creation alongside industrial growth,” the company states.

Tiletoria operates in a sector that is expected to deliver growth, driven by renewed infrastructure activity, local procurement priorities and steady consumer demand. It is also a business that touches the lives of South Africans every day in their homes, shopping centres, food outlets and workplaces, says Resolve partner Phumi Twantwa.

Tiletoria has, since 1995, grown to become a foremost tile and bathroom specification business in the country, supplying major retailers, property developers and commercial projects.

The company provides tailored product sourcing and design solutions to clients such as Woolworths, Checkers, Clicks, KFC and residential developers.

Unlike most tile retailers, Tiletoria derives revenue from high-volume, project-based clients rather than direct-to-consumer sales.

About 80% of Tiletoria’s product range is sourced locally, compared with a near-reversed ratio for imports ten years ago.

“Partnering with Resolve allows us to preserve that foundation while regaining the entrepreneurial agility that defined our early years,” says Tiletoria CEO Sven Swart.

The company intends to enhance its decision-making speed and flexibility – traits that have helped Tiletoria stay ahead of competitors historically.

“In today’s market, the ability to adapt quickly is crucial. Working with a partner that values that entrepreneurial DNA enables us to grow more dynamically and continue serving our customers with the quality and responsiveness they expect,” Swart states.

Resolve states that Tiletoria’s growth directly supports the local manufacturing sector through sustained procurement and specification work. As the business expands in step with construction and retail demand, the company expects to create new employment opportunities, particularly for first-time job entrants.

“There is still meaningful value to unlock in bricks-and-mortar industries, provided investors take a selective, informed approach. We believe that investing in tangible, established businesses not only generates returns, but strengthens the country’s economic backbone,” Twantwa concludes.