"Lingel India has taken its fenestration products to a next level. High end thermal break Aluminium systems from Lingel Germany are now available in India," divulges Mr. Mario Schmidt, Managing Director, Lingel Windows Systems.
The fenestration industry witnessed a leap in the 90s with an incredible growth in the demand of doors and windows with the rising demand of the housing sector. What is the condition now in India and worldwide?
Presently, the industry has a tough time considering that overall slowdown in construction in India.
With unsold assets of upto 30% developers are under extreme pressure especially in NCR and Mumbai. Even at residential construction, we have witnessed a slowdown over the last one year.
What is the percentage of sales of uPVC, Aluminum, wood, steel Windows, and doors in India and globally?
As per my information and our internal research with our association UWDMA, the size of the upvc market has reached almost Rs.1,500 crore across India. Considering that, the overall market share of upvc is still 10% or even little less; the overall fenestration industry must have a size of Rs.15.000 cr / year.
We know, that for all economical, budget buildings and houses, Aluminium or low quality wood is the main material used. I presume 80% of the market goes to those materials.
To what extent have you seen a growth/slump in your sales over the past year and what reasons you attribute to it?
Difficult question with many possible reasons:
- For me, the personal effort of the sales representative along with the right product is still the main key factor of success.
- Providing a best possible service and a personal and quick attention to all kind of possible mistakes will surely rise your company value and will be appreciated by all buyers.
- Luck or unluck play's a critical role as well.
- Changes in price policies of our competitors also have always positive or negative impacts.
- In all over India the just specified slowdown in construction has been witnessed, more or less the entire industry is under big pressure as well. This at times forces fabricators to work at rates which are practically impossible.
- For us (LINGEL) IRs.m happy that at the right point of time we have created a large network of sales channels. This network is balancing regional differences. In totality, it is helping us to achieve a reasonable amount of grow very year.
Challenges:
- Main trouble to all of us is still the unorganized situations at construction sites.
- After installing our product, it is practically close to impossible to secure the windows against damages done by other vendors at site.
- Timely readiness of openings for production and installation is a further challenge as well. Due to this reason, it is again almost practically impossible to make a prior production planning.
- For upvc fabricator and system Aluminium fabricator, the unorganized segment of wooden and Low cost Aluminium window creates a further challenge.
There have been ongoing deliberations on the comparisons between uPVC and aluminium in terms of strength, performance, cost–effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. What is your take on this?
In my opinion, it is important to compare the right products. For a customer, it is always advisable to have a look at the final product / sample before making any decision.
Local aluminium sections available at the shops should not be considered in comparison between both products. A good System Aluminium and equivalent uPVC window will have a same performance. It will be finally the customer choice if he likes the "metal sound" while operating the Alu window or he wants to feel the wood performance while using upvc windows.
Both Systems, if designed correctly are able to meet the structural requirements. Both systems are able to create large span openings.
In terms of thermal insulation, of course UPVC is much better then NON thermal break Aluminium. Thermally broken Aluminium sections are similar to upvc section. I'm excited that slowly this high end product range of thermal break Aluminium is finding acceptance in India as well.
Aluminium is being used in most of the housing high-end projects, While uPVC enjoys a global popularity over many years. What are the major challenges in the uPVC /aluminium Window & door Industry in the current market in India? What are the reasons and solutions for the same?
Both products are equally good.
As instance using Thermal broken Aluminium for a Lift and Slide Door or a Slide and Fold door, uPVc will also show the same performance.
Performance changes only due to changes in hardware. But considering that, the upvc industry is still very young, it becomes very difficult to explain to a customer during sales that upvc door within the above specification can easily cost 5 to 6 times of the starting range of a simple upvc window.
There has been no standardization such as BIS for fenestrations in India. How is the absence of regulatory body and industry standards affecting the marketing of products in India?
We as UWMDA, are working since 2010 with BIS to set the standard in place. A long way has already gone, but some more steps a are still to be taken.
But finally I can say we are in the right direction and close to a final stage. The Final proposal is available on UDMA web site.
To speed up the process to ensure quality windows in India, UWDMA is soon going to introduce a fabrication and installation guideline to all the fabricators, architects, and developers. Whosoever will follow the standard, has to make a quality product.
It will further help the buyer to select between quality and sub standard products. IRs.m sure it will create shortly a huge change within the industry.
Where do you see the fenestration business in India by 2020?
Considering that I came to India 10 years back, I could witness a huge change over the years, I presume that the speed is going to continue.
I don't expect wonders, therefore our product is too technical, but the move will go towards the right direction.
I only hope that the development / housing sector will improve, that developers will have a chance to use better products, introduce new technologies where finally the buyer will be benefited.
I hope that branded companies and system providers and we as UWDMA are able to educate the market / consumers, so that the product will not move into the wrong direction, which the low end Aluminium did 20 years ago.
What is the vision of your company for the year 2020?
We are very sure to move into the same direction as we did in the last 10 years. Introducing new products, technologies, and always keep in mind that we are only there because of our customers.
Currently, we are introducing high end Aluminum and Wood windows. Our vision is to have the same market share with these products within the next 10 years as we have as on date our successful upvc products.
