Where there is a will, there is way! This maxim got resonance for the recently concluded 3-in-1 ZAK Exhibitions i.e. 12th Zak Glass Technology Expo, 11th Zak Doors & Windows Expo and 6th Zak Aluminium Extrusions Expo, held during December 5-7, 2014 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The triplet expo provided all that the industry observers and experts were looking for, besides reinstating the fact that the Indian Glass Industry has become an embodiment of technology, innovation, and sustainability.
The Show saw the participation of over 300 exhibitors representing around 450 brands from 22 countries, presenting their products, technologies, and solutions to a large chunk of trade visitors comprising architects, interior designers, builders, developers, dealers, distributors, contractors, fabricators, and consultants, who thronged the exhibition halls. On the display were machinery, systems, equipment, and products in glass production technology, glass processing and finishing, glass products and applications, silicone sealant and adhesives, doors & windows façades, auxiliary products, fittings, tools, aluminium surface finish, aluminium thermal break, and uPVC profiles & window systems. The wide array of exhibits together provided an ideal platform and unique opportunity for the participants to learn about their respective technologies through industry discussions. The number of trade visitors this year has gone up to touch 19,000, to record a growth of 8.5%, over the previous New Delhi edition in 2012.
It is needless to say that over the years with rising popularity, architectural glass has started playing a major role as a preferred building material. New trends in design and applications, and advantages of embracing this as a construction material got added momentum in this expo. With eleven successful editions, the expo has emerged as the single largest venue in India and South East Asia, acting as a bridge between exhibitors and visitors to display and generate awareness about the radical changes in building products technology. It won't be wrong to mention that the expo has become an annual destination for exhibitors and thousands of visitors from the glass & glazing and fenestration industries to interact, to find opportunities, to invest in, and to boost their presence in the category.
In all, amidst the extremely engaging three days of hodge-podge, the show unearthed a concealed sentiment of a relentless pursuit to move ahead and set new milestones. Among the exhibitors, the greed to tap the Indian market's exuberating potential was more than apparent, while visitors found the show apt to engulf with the latest – be it in product, technology or application. Riding on the back of the stable governance at the centre and its concrete development plans, the show was proved to be a reflection of the rapidly growing Indian glass and fenestration industry.
Equally enriching were the workshops on glass, named as 'Kaanch Ki Paathshala' where experts spoke extensively about the technological advancements and demonstrated right selection and application of glass and hardware to be used and their relevance in Indian context. Well, the success of this edition is evident from the fact that the organizers have extended the duration by one more day, making it a four-day Show. The next edition of the show is scheduled during 10-13 December 2015 to be held at MMRDA Exhibition Centre, BKC in Mumbai.
Ozone Unveils Super Spring
The Show also witnessed the launch of Ozone App for better shopping experience while choosing hardware products. Ozone App was launched on 2nd day of ZAK Glasstech Expo by Ar. Anupam Mittal of ARINEM Architects who shared his views on need & importance of adapting next generation technology even for hardware industry and consumers - be it institutional or end-users. He said that the launch of Ozone App will change the way of selecting and shopping the hardware products for various living spaces.
Accura Introduces Turkish Balcony System
Bangalore-based Accura Bautek Pvt Ltd has now partnered with Turkish giant Akdeniz Cam & Aluminium A.S. to supply frameless balconies, loggias and terraces glazing under the brand Vizyon. Accura Vizyon Balcony System (VBS), which was displayed and demonstrated at the recently concluded ZAK Doors & Windows exhibition, is a unique frameless balcony glazing system that allows highest level of transparency without altering the elevation appearance.
In India, presently most of the residential properties are sold without any glazing in the balcony, leaving it to end–customers to decide once they own/occupy the property. "With Accura VBS, not only the new projects can have a solution but the existing ones can also choose it without affecting the elevation of the building. This system is best suited for balconies with glass railings. For better acoustic performance, we can supply the system with Insulated Glass," said Mr. Lakshman T, Head–Marketing at Accura Bautek. "We seriously expect the concept to become a standard design feature for housing projects in times ahead," he anticipated adding that Accura chose Akdeniz as its partners for their quality, technical support, and their experience of over two decades with this product.
Also present at the Show was Mr H Fevzi Karaaslan, Area Sales Manager from the parent company Akdeniz Cam & Alumiyum A.S. that owns the brand 'Vizyon'. He explained that how this system is distinguished from other similar ones currently present in the market for their design. "It is a complete structural solution, invisible on the outside, but it is very important for long-term system operation and reliability. Once covered, when it is cold outside, the balcony may still maintain a comfortable temperature, providing attractive and comfortable extra space during most parts of the year and especially in Indian context it can protect the balcony from getting dusty making it more usable for daily life. Frameless sliding opening system makes it possible to arrange glass panels into one package and to allow a free flow of air. The glass panels are parked in near the wall with the help of special bracket. It is extremely easy to use and can be opened completely for cleaning."
Among the other offerings on the display from Accura Bautek was its new sleek sliding glass systems facilitating 80% opening with very low threshold to favour disabled people, besides making them safe otherwise. The company also had showcased its motorised Pergolas that come integrated with lighting for exterior applications.
Closma Commits Competitive Prices
Mr Sayal shared that the company showcased a variety of hardware solutions, wherein the crowd pullers were its hydraulic patch fittings and shower sliding series. "Our shower sliding series is competitively priced and is available to end-users at just Rs 18,000, which also includes the price of the glass," he informed adding that all the hardware are made with SS 304 and carry lifelong manufacturers' warranty.
He informed that the company manufactures and supplies complete architectural glass hardware solutions comprising over 2,000 products. These products are grouped under five broad categories – frameless door fittings, shower enclosure fittings, door control series, sliding series, spider & canopy fittings, and stainless steel railings. All these products are produced at the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing units located in Delhi and Haryana.
"Our facilities are equipped with the latest CNC machines, water jet cutting machines, and hydraulic bending machines. Apart from that, we boast on our team of designers and engineers, who have the capability to listen and understand the customers' requirement and accordingly develop products," said Mr Sayal. The company also offers turnkey solutions for projects like installation of SS railings, SS claddings, glass facades using spider glazing, canopies and shower enclosures.
He added that over the years, Closma has built a well-established network of distributors and branch offices all over India, through which the company gets the ability to supply products and solutions in time with proper after sales support.
Giesse Firms up its Casement Windows
Fixtures are often fitted with a mechanism known as a 'window crank', consisting essentially of a lever that can be turned to push the sash open and pull it shut. This operates in conjunction with an independent and separate locking system generally cam handles used to secure the sash when closed. "What Giesse has done is to simplify these 2 conventionally separate operations by combining them into a single movement of the cremone handle. If the window has a fly screen, the new function brings the added advantage that there is no need to open the screen in order to close the locking points," explained Mr Anwar.
In fact, the OS Operator 2.0 system is a set of accessories allowing the user to push a casement sash open, then pull it shut, and at the same time operate multiple locking points on three sides of the fixture. The initial movement of the cremone handle (0°-60°) releases the locking points, thereafter, as the handle is turned further (60°-180°), the internal mechanism turns an arm that will swing the sash open to a given angle, determined by the length of the arm. From the open position, turning the handle in the opposite direction will close the sash and re-engage the locking points.
OS Operator mechanism provides two locking points as standard. Depending on the size of the sash, the locking points can be increased. The sash opening distance depends on two factors: profile width and arm length. Therefore, OS Operator is available with two different length arms i.e., 172 mm and 152 mm. The standard OS Operator mechanism is 725 mm long, comes for (right and left with two locking points, extension can be joined on the top and bottom). OS Operator is also available with a single lock point 466.5mm long, right or left (extension can be joined on the top), for small windows.
profine Strengthens its Footprints in India
profine India's recently commissioned 1st profile extrusion plant in India, and 11th worldwide, is nothing but an example of this positive stint. Located at Vadodara in Gujarat, the plant boasts of four extrusion lines with a cumulative capacity of 3,500 metric tons, while there are plans to expand this to 10 lines soon, to take the capacity to 12,000 metric tons. For this, expansion, the company has earmarked Rs.100 crore and is geared up to pump in more funds as and how the market opens up.
The German uPVC profile major is taking the first-mover advantage by setting up a plant in Vadodara, which has rejuvenated its fabricators' sentiments and the outcome is rather impressive. According to Mr Hashmi, the setting up of the plant has boosted the confidence of the company's channel partners and this is clearly evident from the fact that the number of associates has grown substantially since 2013.
Commenting on why fabricators opt Profine to work with, he explained, "This is because the company provides them immense all-round support – be it in the form of technical training/support or marketing backup. What's more, profine India has also listed them on its website with their hyperlink," he said adding that this is apart from the company's active participation in ZAK Doors & Windows Expo, ZAK-World of Window Conferences, Fensterbau Frontale-India etc., so as to support them constantly through these events.
SG Bets Big on North India
The plant is located at Sector 2 in Noida. Spread over a 1,500 square meter of floor area, the plant has the capacity to produce 4,000 square feet per day. "We are currently catering to the local needs of fabricators and shopkeepers in the country's northern region, specifically in the Delhi-NCR, thereby saving them on margin and time. Our clear glasses are successfully finding applications in residential, official, commercials, malls, etc., depending on the requirements," informed Mr Sharad Gupta, the company's managing director who was happy with the response he received from the Show. "This is our first participation in any trade show with the only aim to make our presence felt to a market which is stable at this point of time."
The company, which claims to have the widest range of glass processing facility using the most modern high tech machines and equipment at its Noida unit, supplies glass suited for various specific needs. "In today's environment, safety is a primary concern for all. Safety glass provides not only protection against damage to life but also makes the space resistant to many naturally occurring hazards such as high wind and thermal variations. We provide a wide range of highest quality safety glass for residential and office space," said Mr Gupta adding that the type of product required may vary based on application and surrounding environment making use of glass more versatile.
As for energy saving glass, the company can supply customised products to suit specific application purposes. "These products are designed as per the needs and requirements to ensure the satisfaction of esteemed clients," said Mr Gupta. Divulging the specific requirements as per glass types that he comes across, he shared, "Human hearing range is from 20 to 20000 hz and normal human comfort the level of sound should range between 35 to 55 dbs depending upon the vicinity. For example, in bedroom it should be 35 dbs and in normal office or living area it may reach up to 55 dbs. And to achieve this level, we must use the sophisticated and improvised glasses. However, the kind of acoustic isolation reached depends heavily on framing material and the installation techniques which have to be kept in mind."
WACKER Presents New Silicone Sealants
WACKER® SG 79 Structural Glazing is a one-component, neutral-curing silicone sealant that cures rapidly once it reacts with atmospheric moisture. "Once fully cured, the sealant can be stretched by up to 500%. This allows the product to compensate movement within a joint by up to 50% of the gap width," said Mr. Kishor Srinivasan, Business Development Manager at the company's Construction Sealants division. He further added that this new sealant defies temperatures between –30°C and +80°C and is thus suitable for structural-glazing applications in various climate zones. "The product cures virtually without odour and can be processed at temperatures ranging from 5°C to 40°C. In fact, WACKER® SG 79 adheres excellently to all conventional building materials such as glass, steel, concrete or stone, even without a primer," he informed.
The second product that the company showcased at the exhibition was WACKER® WS Weatherseal Superior. Meant for curtain walls, this is also a neutral-curing sealant. It was specifically developed for natural stone and does not stain stone or ceramic joint edges. Mr Srinivasan informed that even without a primer, WACKER® WS adheres to both porous and smooth materials, as well as plastics. "The sealant cures within 30 minutes and is elastic, extremely robust and weathering- and UV-resistant. The product is ideal for sealing and installing large curtain walls and elaborate panel structures."
Mr. Srinivasan shared that Glass facades, especially in Asia, are increasingly mounted and bonded at the construction sites. Accordingly, the adhesives and sealants used on glass facades and exterior walls of buildings are exposed to the extreme environmental impacts. They must withstand heat, frost and UV radiation, as well as rain, aggressive salts, and industrial emissions. The mechanical stresses are also substantial. "Construction materials such as concrete, steel or glass deform quite differently in response to rising or falling temperatures, which results in surface tension and movement between the facade and supporting elements. Sealants are thus exposed to permanent mechanical stress for years – and no sealant can cope with this better than silicone sealants from WACKER," he insisted.
DNV Meets its Objectives
DNV Solutions, which claims to be the first manufacturing company of hardware for uPVC profiles in India, received very good response from the Show. The company had put its range of products including multipoint locks, handles, rollers, friction stay and other accessories on the display for a large chunk of visitors. "We received overwhelming response for our Espags (TG), which we have just developed in SS 304, for sliding as well as casement doors and windows," said Mr Vikas Malhotra, the company's Director.Notably, the highlight of the Show for the company was the launch of its 'DNV+' – an extension of the brand DNV – to cater to the needs of rapidly emerging retail segment. "Our new range comprises high-end hardware and comes in Gold- and Silver-plated finishes. In fact, we have noted an increased demand for the coloured profiles in the retail segment for which fabricators are highly dependent on imports. I am sure, DNV+ would prove to be a cheaper, but equally reliable substitute for them," he said.
Meanwhile, at ZAK Doors & Windows 2014, the company's motive was to educate fabricators about the proper application of hardware. "Selection of hardware varies with the structure of profiles. We demonstrated this to fabricators, visiting our stall, by fixing different hardware for different uPVC profiles being manufactured by EnCraft, Kommerling, NCL Wintech, etc," he said adding that the company met with over 100 fabricators, of which 25-30 were new ones, who were certainly the potential customers for them.
"Growth of our products truly depends on the acceptability of uPVC by end-users. Today, market share of uPVC is 5-6% and is currently increasing at a good pace," Mr Malhotra anticipated by adding that being a rather green building material, the government will have to come forward with some relaxation in tax structure for this. For instance, today VAT on uPVC is 12.5 % across the country except for Chhattisgarh where it has been reduced to 5%, which is really a good sign. All the states should follow the same way to propel the Green Movement in the country," he suggested by saying that the company is fully geared up for capacity expansion in case there is any positive sign.
Primero Industries Rides high on Soft-closing Hinges
Chennai-based Primero Industries, the Indian subsidiary of an Australian architectural hardware giant that manufactures a range of stainless steel products, frameless glass systems, soft closing hydraulic hinges, energy-efficient glazed units, and polished architectural & structural profiles, is now a decade old in India. It has till date executed scores of projects in collaboration with M/s V V Enterprises including the Cable Truss System for Niletech Building in Gurgaon, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, L&T Info Tech Park, Powai – Mumbai, The Hyatt Regency in Chennai, Le Meridian in Coimbatore, etc. among others.According to Mr Michael Y, the company's Managing Director, Primero is part of a group of companies holding several registered trademarks and patents for products invented for the convenience of everyday living. "The ingenuity of our products enables tradesmen to install them speedily with minimal maintenance needs. In fact, our products are so simple to install that DIY enthusiasts will fall in love with it," he said adding that the company can develop customized products to meet the market's varied needs. "Besides, we have a department where we design, value engineer and manufacture products to the client's needs and specification… kind of like an OEM". Primero's' ranges of products are marketed worldwide through associated companies in America, Europe, India, Middle-East and Singapore.
This is the second time that the company participated in ZAK Glasstech with an aim to penetrate further to enhance its presence across the country. "The show attracted the right kind of buyers, if not the immediate ones," said Mr B Vaithianathan, Regional Director for South Asia & EMEA, adding that they have generated quite a few enquiries which are expected to materialize soon after.
Elaborating, he added that the attraction for this show was Primero's Softerclos® Hinges. "First of its kind in the market, these hinges provide soft closing of doors without the assistance of door closers. Patented both as a system and for the working mechanism within, it out-performs many existing products in the industry. Manufactured in SS 316 L for pool fence and SS 304 or colour-coated MS, Softerclos hinges are designed and made to perform for interior or exterior uses. Installation of these hinges is easy and their adjustability to close softly is unrivalled. One obvious advantage over its rival is that with the correct selection of hinges, the Softerclos® Hinges eliminates the use of door closers and easily retrofits to existing doors."
Another product from Primero on display was its EEGU®, the acronym for Energy-efficient Glazed Unit. "It is trademarked for its uniqueness, ingenuity and outstanding quality over similar products. The V series, an integration of a venetian blind within a double glazed unit offers both privacy and energy efficiency. We have developed a SMART technology where as many as 8 windows can be remote-controlled at the same time. With this SMART technology the blinds can be set to open with the first ray of the morning sun or to close at the onset of dusk. This innovation unveils advantages beyond just energy saving and shielding of household activities from eyes of the watchful passer-by or neighbor, adding safety enhancement because the danger of accidental death from exposed cords does not exist since there is no cords or strings," said Mr Nikolaus A. Farrugia, the Marketing Director, Primero Industries for Australia and Oceanic Region, who was in India for the first time.
