TULUNGAGUNG – Tulungagung marble has long shaped the identity of the East Java regency known across Indonesia as the “Marble City.” Today, local entrepreneur Muhammad Abdillah Subhin is working to bring that reputation to a global audience through his natural stone and handicraft business, Kiai Rampak.
Like many people, Abdillah faced uncertainty when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted daily life in 2020. As educational activities shifted online, he began looking for new ways to stay productive and create opportunities.
“As Javanese people say, ‘ora obah ora mamah’—if you do not move, you do not eat. So I chose to take action, and I found my path through stone and wood,” he said.
That decision led him to establish Kiai Rampak, a craft business that transforms natural materials into artistic and functional products. Over the past six years, the company has produced a wide range of items using Tulungagung marble, onyx, river stone, petrified wood, and teak wood.
“In the beginning, I only made simple products such as cups and soap holders. Later, I realized there was strong potential in the local materials available here,” Abdillah explained.
For Abdillah, Kiai Rampak is more than a handicraft business. He sees it as a platform to introduce Tulungagung’s natural resources and creative potential to wider markets.
Each product combines local identity with designs that appeal to modern consumers. Through that approach, he hopes customers not only purchase a product but also learn about the region behind it.
The brand name itself reflects that ambition. Kiai stands for Kerajinan Asli Indonesia, or Authentic Indonesian Crafts, while Rampak means equal or on par.
“The idea is that Indonesian handicrafts should stand alongside products from other countries. We should not simply watch from the sidelines of the global market,” he said.
Marble remains the company’s primary material. Abdillah believes Tulungagung marble possesses unique characteristics that distinguish it from other stone products. To maintain quality, his team carefully selects raw materials before beginning production.
“Tulungagung marble has its own character. We try to turn it into something that carries both artistic and economic value,” he said.
Building a handicraft business, however, has not been easy. Competition from other artisans and marketing challenges tested the company during its early years.
“The hardest part is not making the product. The hardest part is convincing people that local products can deliver high quality,” Abdillah said.
Instead of giving up, he focused on consistency and innovation. His persistence paid off in 2022 when Kiai Rampak secured its first international buyer from India.
“That was an important moment for us. After that, new opportunities started to open,” he recalled.
Today, Kiai Rampak products have reached overseas markets and continue to gain exposure through international exhibitions. Abdillah takes pride in seeing products made from Tulungagung marble find customers abroad.
“It is not only about sales. It is also about bringing pride to our region,” he said.
Looking ahead, Abdillah hopes more young Indonesians will embrace local resources and transform them into valuable products. He believes creativity and determination can help regional potential compete on the world stage.
“Do not be afraid to start small. Sometimes a simple idea from a local area can take you much further than you imagine,” he said.