- Farid Khan, Director and CEO, Profine India Window Technology Pvt Ltd

Profine India Window Technology, a subsidiary of Profine GmbH represented internationally, is a leading manufacturer of uPVC window and door profiles. Farid Khan, Director and CEO, Profine India Window Technology Pvt Ltd, shares on the evolving Indian windows and doors market and the wide range of exclusive products the company offers.

How do you view the current market for doors and windows in India?
India´s GDP is expected to rise to 12.1 per cent in 2020 from 7.0 per cent in 2011. This environment makes India a perfect destination for investment in sectors associated with infrastructure; doors and windows is not different from this. We have seen a shift from traditional windows to modern windows and doors that include aluminium and uPVC. People are getting aware of the advantages and performance of modern windows that not only give aesthetically good looks but also improve quality of life. As a uPVC profile manufacturer, we see these factors not only sustain the current windows and doors market, but also help it rise in the coming future.

Tell us about your products and offerings for the Indian market.
Under the brand ´Koemmerling´, we produce various window and door systems that are fit for all kind of residential structures, offices, hotels, factories, hospitals, etc. We are manufacturing and supplying Casement Systems - outward and inward open windows and doors, Orta System - sliding windows and doors along with SF2 and Provent System. In addition, we are also supplying Tilt and Turn window and door systems, Lift and Slide door system and Slide and Fold system, coloured laminated profiles. These are manufactured and supplied from our facility at Vadodara, Gujarat. Besides, what makes our window and door systems different and unique is its qualities such as sound-proof, dust-proof, water-resistant, thermal insulation, energy-efficient, eco-friendly and termite-free.

Any low-cost products - but which are high on quality - that you have planned or are planning for affordable homes?
We produce window and door systems in India that can be accommodated in projects varying from small to large scale, without compromising on the quality parameters.

Introduce us to the features in your products that cater to the requirement of green and smart buildings.
The extrusion process of uPVC window and door profiles is relatively energy-efficient as compared to other conventional materials. Another benefit is that where uPVC has been specified as an alternative to wood, the rate of consumption of forests has slowed down. Koemmerling profiles are environment friendly; can be recycled and reused for the production. For several years now, all its window and door profiles bear the patent of ´Greenline´ trademark. Calcium-zinc is a new kind of stabiliser that makes these even more resistant to the most aggressive weather conditions. All these features make uPVC the best product to cater to the requirement of green and smart buildings.

As manufacturers what are the challenges you face in this business? What are the strategic steps taken by you to overcome the same?
Market awareness of uPVC window and door systems has been a major challenge for us. Introduction of uPVC to Indian market was a delayed process and is taking its time to create market awareness for the products. As a result, the consumer in India is not aware of the benefits and advantages of uPVC over the other available door and window systems. To overcome this, we have been conducting seminars, conferences and exhibitions, where people from the construction and doors and windows fraternity are being invited to discuss about the future of uPVC, as a better alternative, both in terms of quality and durability. Now, due to a strong marketing campaign and public awareness activities, people in India are taking interest and are willing to use it.