UWDMA INTRODUCES QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR WINDOW & DOOR PROFILES

UWDMA Introduces Quality Guidelines For Window & Door Profiles

Mumbai: The uPVC Window and Doors Manufacturers Association (UWDMA) has recently drafted a set of Quality guidelines to create benchmark of technical specifications of uPVC Windows and Doors. The new guidelines have been set in order to give consumers a better understanding of the options available and help them make the best choice. For ease, convenience and accessibility, the association has also listed the guidelines online at www.uwdmaindia.org.

Currently the windows and doors profiles in India are dominated by aluminum and wood. World over, uPVC profile is the default choice. They not only provide greater durability, but also offer stunning looks and ultimate energy efficiency by entirely keeping out noise, dust, heat or cold. uPVC windows also are more cost effective than aluminum and wood when compared apple to apple. In the last few years, more and more projects in India have upgraded to uPVC windows and doors profiles and have become the fastest growing segment in the industry.

The draft will be shared among all stakeholders, directly and indirectly involved in the line of

business, across India. Some of the key points covered under the new guidelines will address all aspects of a given uPVC window and door profile. This includes Profiles Quality parameters, hardware tested for functionality, strength, operation & smoothness, usage of galvanised steel, processed glass only as per standards set by Federation of Safety Glass, Quality System Procedure or Quality documents to be verified of the manufacturer and installation.

“Lately, we have started witnessing some players, especially from the unorganized segment, compromise on the quality and safety to achieve better sales. It is our endeavour to protect the consumers’ interest by providing them with adequate information via setting down Quality guidelines that’ll help them make an informed decision,” says Mr. Rajesh Chawla, Vice-President, UWDMA.

UWDMA through Bureau of Indian Standards is also working on a standard for the Indian market based on the EN 12608 with certain parameters adapted to suit the Indian climatic conditions and test ability. The profiles, besides being required to conform to EN 12608:2003 are also required that their class be specified by the manufacturer clearly printed on the profile so that the customer can identify the brand or original manufacturer and the standard followed. A draft copy of the current UWDMA standards can be downloaded through the website http://www.uwdmaindia.org/

“uPVC as a material is not only used in window and door applications but also in piping, water storage, roofing membranes, electrical insulation among others. However, when it comes to the windows and doors industry because of non-adherence in standardization here unlike in the western countries, uPVC products may lose sheen. Since the uPVC windows and doors market is expected to grow in the years to come, we want to build a strong foundation so that the market does not get infiltrated with sub-standard products. If we cut corners at this juncture the windows and doors market may end up like the unorganized aluminium or wood products. The new benchmarks have been created with the objective of streamlining the industry and instilling trust in the minds of consumers. We are also aggressively driving membership in the association so that more and more stakeholders become part and voice of the booming uPVC windows and doors industry,” concludes Mr. Chawla.

About UWDMA: uPVC Window & Door Manufacturers Association, known as UWDMA is a non-profit body formed to create value proposition benefiting all from use of uPVC windows across India. Established in 2008, UWDMA is a non-governmental organization formed by industry leaders to promote and propagate uPVC windows and doors and its benefits to the Indian construction industry and general public at large.

VEKA MARKS TEN YEARS IN INDIA BY INTRODUCING WORLD’S CHOICEST COLLECTION OF UPVC WINDOW & DOOR PROFILES

US $ 1.4 Billion VEKA To Step Up India Operations 

Mumbai: VEKA India, a subsidiary of VEKA AG – the world’s second largest manufacturers of windows and doors systems recently marked ten successful years of operations in India. To commemorate the occasion, Mr. Andreas Hartleif, Group CEO and Managing Director, VEKA AG visited its India facility located in Navi Mumbai and inaugurated its newly built state-of-the-art showroom and application centre. The company also announced its plans of expanding its operations and making strategic inroads into the Indian markets including residential projects, hotels, hospitals and other commercial establishments.

(L-R) Mr. Andreas Hartleif, Group CEO & MD,
VEKA AG with Mr. Rajesh Chawla, Director,
VEKA India at the launch of  a new facility in
Navi Mumbai

“The overall market size of PVC window profiles in India is about 40,000 tons in an annum. In Germany, VEKA by itself surpasses the figure in less than a month. We believe there is room for exponential growth in India and we are here to capitalize on it,” says Mr. Andreas Hartleif, Managing Director, VEKA AG.

“Currently the door and window profiles in India are dominated by aluminium and wood. Also the fabrication is very primitive. World over, uPVC profile is the default choice. This not only provides greater durability, but also offers stunning looks and ultimate energy efficiency by entirely keeping out noise, dust, heat or cold. uPVC profiles also are more cost effective than aluminium and wood when compared apple to apple,” adds Mr. Hartleif.

“New demand for urban housing in India is expected to be nearly 13 million units by the end of 2018. Even if 10 % of these to be residences install our profiles, it translates roughly to 13000 tons of uPVC material requirement and we intend to capitalize on this possibility. Besides keeping with the global trend, the traditional systems are becoming obsolete and are being replaced by the uPVC for more obvious reasons,” says Mr. Rajesh Chawla, Director, VEKA India. “Most quality conscious developers and realty majors including L&T Construction Co., Godrej, Raheja Builders, Mugdha Developers, Runwal Group and Purvankara among others use our products,” he adds.

Besides residential projects VEKA India has installed their products in non-residential projects including the American Embassy in New Delhi, The Taj Hotel, Novotel Hotel, Fortis Hospitals and MGM Hospital among others.

With the recent acquisition of the Germany based Gealan Holding and the UK based Bowater Building Products; VEKA has become the largest manufacturers of doors and windows systems in Europe and the second largest in the world.

“The home - office deco industry in India will witness one of the most radical transformations with the aggressive promotion that VEKA will initiate in India,” concludes Mr. Hartleif.

About VEKA AG: A US $ 1.4 Billion Group company with its origins in Germany, Veka has been a leading player in the uPVC industry for almost as long as the material has been used for door and window frames. The Group employs more than 3600 people through 25 subsidiaries in three continents around the world. Its manufacturing facilities are spread across Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain, Poland, USA, Russia and Mexico. The VEKA Group generated US $ 896 million turnover in 2013. Internationally, more than 2200 fabricators use VEKA systems to create top-quality uPVC products.

About VEKA India: In India, the company started operations in Gurgaon – Delhi NCR a decade ago. Today, Veka India is vendor to some of the leading companies and has provided window and door systems to India’s premier and well-designed homes and offices. Its 20,000 sq. ft. facility in Navi Mumbai houses a state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution set up, a fabrication training workshop and a Window Testing rig along with an application centre. VEKA India, as a part of the worldwide VEKA Group, remains a wholly family-owned business, just as it has always been since its foundation in 1967.