David P Gayen, Managing Director, GEZE India Pvt LtdIt's an open-and-shut case. Cutting-edge products from GEZE can be found in renowned buildings worldwide, offering countless people technologically advanced and aesthetically superior door and window systems. GEZE India, headquartered for India and SAARC in Chennai, is responsible for the sales, supply and service of the company's product solutions in countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius. Focusing on the company's offerings and latest advances, David P Gayen, Managing Director, GEZE India Pvt Ltd, shares the reasons for GEZE's growth in India with Shriyal Sethumadhavan.What are the latest technological advances in doors and windows?While these are vital constituents of every building system in India, there is a dire need to create awareness and emphasise on aspects of safety, security and ventilation. Today, however, the trend is slowly moving towards the latest building technologies such as barrier-free and energy-saving entrances, emergency break-out exits, smart space-dividing systems, acoustic partitions and natural ventilation systems.What do your offerings include?Our comprehensive range for the building industry includes various systems for door control, manual and automatic door, natural smoke and heat ventilation, window opening, access control, emergency exit, barrier-free and movable sliding wall systems.Expound on GEZE's background in brief and its growth in India.GEZE GmbH was established in the year 1863 and is one of the leading providers of systems for door, window and safety technology in the world. The independently-managed family company has decisively influenced building technology with its pioneering product solutions. With 28 subsidiaries, we are present globally with a flexible and highly efficient sales and service network, which has about 2,300 employees, and a turnover of about Euro 312 million in the financial year 2010-2011.In India, GEZE had its roots from early 2007 in the form of a liaison office. Despite the subsidiary being set up late, in 2008, it made a successful breakthrough among the architect and building fraternity. India is a high growth market for any multinational organisation with a variety of customer segments. We stepped in here to educate, provide consultancy and service to the Indian building industry with our highly engineered product solutions. Backed with strong technical and service support, in India, we have serviced several milestone projects.Could you name a few projects and your products used?We have serviced customers across various industry segments. A landmark project would be our fully automated revolving door supplied at the Chandigarh Airport. Satisfying the highest level of international norms, this product considers the safety and security requirements at the airport. Also, Hilton Hotel in Chennai is yet another milestone, where the RWA (natural smoke and heat ventilation) system has been installed on various floors. The windows here are connected to the hotel's building management system and are configured to open automatically in case of accidental fire to enable dispelling of smoke. Furthermore, we have supplied unique product solutions at HCL Technologies, Chennai.How do you cater to the 'consumer demand' for automated windows?The need for automated window opening arises in two situations – when reaching the window or skylight is not easy, and to open it automatically in case of a fire emergency. However, we offer solutions for both these situations. Although there is a paradigm shift from conventional to contemporary window systems, the need for automated window opening systems is still unheard of in India. Contemporary ventilation techniques like these also help in minimising cooling loads on HVAC systems. This further helps in reducing carbon footprints and is an ideal solution for use in green buildings. Hence, we initiated awareness among planners, investors, promoters, architects, contractors, window manufacturers and fabricators, façade consultants and other related industry experts about this nascent concept.Highlight your latest offerings in India.In India, we offer our complete range of product solutions with technical, supply and service backup through a network spread across the region. We are recognised globally for our innovations; this is part of the company's philosophy - to present new concepts and product solutions year after year. Some of our latest solutions include barrier-free and energy-saving entrance systems with an in-built emergency exit break-out function, space dividing system, toilet entrance solution for the differently abled, natural smoke and heat ventilation system, etc.What about GEZE's heat and smoke systems?In India, we pioneered the concept of natural smoke and heat ventilation through RWA systems. These divert smoke efficiently from the building after automatic or manual triggering. With strong technical capabilities and infrastructure, we cater to tailor-made solutions for every building.How do you see the industry and GEZE growing in the near future?The emerging trend of using modern technologies in the building segment will add potential and scope for GEZE's growth in India. We expect GEZE India to become one of the leading solution providers in the building industry.To share your feedback, write in at feedback@ASAPPmedia.com