Local manufacturers have been urged to pursue the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)’ prestigious Diamond Mark of Quality to boost product credibility, enhance competitiveness, and combat counterfeits in the local market.
Speaking at a KEBS-hosted event celebrating holders of the Diamond Mark, Mohamed Hassan Ali, Director of the Royal Group of Companies, emphasized that the mark has become a critical tool for business growth and customer trust.
“We manufacture steel, TMT bars, plastic tanks, PVC and HDPE pipes, and we also operate in the real estate sector under King’s Developers,” said Ali. “The Diamond Mark has helped us immensely. It’s voluntary, but it has proven to be a powerful endorsement of the quality we deliver.”
Ali noted that Royal Group currently holds the Diamond Mark for its steel products, tanks, and most recently, HDPE pipes, which were certified at the latest event. The group has held the mark for its pipes and tanks for over six years, while Royal Steel Mills secured its D-Mark in 2022.
He credited the certification with expanding the company’s customer base and securing major projects, especially in sectors where product quality is non-negotiable. “Every project client now asks for certification. We present the D-Mark, and it gives them confidence from the start.”
In a market increasingly flooded with counterfeit and low-quality products, Ali said the D-Mark has distinguished Royal Group’s products. “There are those who go for price, and those who go for quality. For the latter, they know what to ask for— and that’s the Diamond Mark.”
Ali encouraged other manufacturers, particularly in the pipes and steel sectors, to seek the certification, describing it as essential in today’s competitive and often unregulated market. “Quality is everything. With so many cheap and counterfeit products out there, the Diamond Mark sets you apart. This is the direction Kenya is moving in.”
KEBS introduced the Diamond Mark of Quality in 1996. It remains a voluntary, premium certification awarded to products that consistently meet and exceed quality standards. The mark is seen as a symbol of excellence and integrity in manufacturing.
The event brought together certified companies and industry stakeholders committed to strengthening Kenya’s manufacturing standards and driving the nation toward a more quality-conscious economy.