KALCO Focuses on Offering Customization, Standardization, and Cost-effective Solutions Keeping Quality Intact
Could you please brief us about your various business verticals, expertise, and group progression so far?
In 1992, Mr. Neeraj Singhal, as founder member, started providing aluminum architectural products - Doors, Windows, Louvres and Facades - to the building industry. It later on was registered as Karshni Aluminium Company, now a leader in the fenestration industry. This eventually became the parent company of KALCO group. This apart, in order to meet the quality specifications of finishing work, the company started its own powder coating, anodizing, and electro-coloring units.
A separate company KALCO Alu-Systems (P) Ltd. was formed in 2007 to exclusively take care of the manufacturing works of the company.
In order to ensure that the manpower employed at all its units are highly professional; the company started the Kalco Industrial Training Institute. The company with its current strength of over 250 people started with less than 10, speaks for itself the progress made. The group believes in "Together We Grow" principle.
What are the emerging trends in the fenestration industry and since how over the years you are serving this industry?
We know that now-a-days everyone is talking about conservation, whether it is energy or any other resource. Need of the hour is energy conservation. It is a well-known fact that energy saving is equivalent to energy production. Architects are focused on Green Building concept by using energy saving products. Kalco is a pioneer in India's manufacturing facility and always offers latest and innovative trends in fenestration industry including energy saving windows. The company offers energy saving windows through its Aluminium Thermal Break systems as well as Alu-Wood systems since 2008. This coupled with sealed units (double glazed units) offers high thermal efficiency to Kalco products.
Tell us about your latest offerings and their USPs?
Your products are in the premium range but India is a very price sensitive market. How do you reconcile the price-quality conflict?
Although India is a price sensitive market, there is demand for all range of products. In such a market where Porsche and BMWs are sold, there are true quality conscious people who need premium architectural building products like those offered by Kalco. Despite all these, with its technical and design teams' capability, Kalco has developed some systems suitable for Indian geographic and climatic conditions with European technology, which are cost-effective but without compromising the quality objectives - effectively European systems at Indian price.
How important do you think is customization in order to thrive in the Indian market and are you providing customized solutions to your clients?
Customization is indeed a key factor in India. Apart from the customers being quality conscious, they also want uniqueness in the products they buy. Kalco offers all kinds of customizations to the products range offered. In order to make customization successful and seamless, Kalco uses sophisticated software customized for the company's specific requirements, so that the customization factor does not affect the quality or the time frame - be it the quotation or the final delivery and installation; at the same time avoiding manual calculation errors. In addition to customized products, Kalco believes that there will be a great demand in future for standard size windows and doors due to fast paced building constructions. Anticipating this trend, company is working on launching Insta range readymade windows.
Also please tell us how you are creating awareness about the benefits of your products among consumers?
Kalco creates awareness among consumers by various means including up-to-date website as well as media advertisements. The company also participates in various industry exhibitions where customers and prospects can see/feel the latest offerings. It also gives them a chance to directly interact with the experts to clarify any query they may have, regarding the features or suitability of a particular product.
A word about the initiatives taken by your company for the applicator's training.
As mentioned earlier, company recruited workers are first professionally trained at Kalco Industrial Training Institute. They are then practically trained at sites/factory as the case may be, before assigning duties. Theoretical training together with the practical exposure ensures that the workforce employed is indeed skilled ones. Kalco also ensures refresher trainings are given to its employees from time to time, to sharpen the skills and educate the latest know-how. It is noteworthy here that a very good product installed shabbily spoils the aesthetics, life as well as real value of the product. This is where Kalco stands out from the rest.
