Q. You have launched a new brand Reynobond in ACP. How is the journey so far?
We have experience, and we are a leading face in the market for ACP. When we started working with this new brand, we did not have to face many issues. We were working with it, as we were before. Within two years, we managed to do it like it was before. The best part of this journey is that we established ourselves as a quality manufacturer rather than selling in large volumes. We maintained the quality to meet the requirements of the markets, and we are very comfortable.
We will be launching new series in the near future. We introduced several new product lines to the industry in the previous era. We are the same, innovating with the same base, so in coming times we will offer a considerably wide range of products in this era as well. The ACP industries used to copy our concepts earlier as well, and we are confident that in coming times also they will be copying us.
Q. What is the installed production capacity in Reynobond?
Our installed production capacity is 30 lakh square feet per month, and we are currently operating at 50% capacity, according to estimates. Capacity utilisation will rise in the coming years. We do not manufacture Partition Panels. We have nearly 25% production of FR grade ACP.
Q. Can we say Reynobond has become a brand worth over Rs 100 crore?
Last year, we completed numerous projects, many of which were very good. We made Rs 153 crore turnover from them. It should be noted that we had a few export orders as well as a few large projects during that time period. This is why we did something unexpectedly good, possibly exceeding our expectations by a factor of two. This year also, we are expecting to cross the target of Rs 100 cr in turnover, and in coming times, the brand will continue to grow and our turnover will continue to increase with our innovations and quality offerings.
Q. Do you have any plans to come up with a new venture?
In the near future, we have several other ventures besides ACP where innovation is much needed. So, we are focusing on those industries where there is a wider gap. In Silicone Sealants, we are working strongly, and I wonder if there is any India-made brand in this segment. So, whether it is WPC or Silicon, Alstone is number one. We offer a diverse range of WPC products, including boards, door frames, Jaalis, and Flooring. We have developed and released a number of sealants and foams in silicon as well. Today, we are proud that we are manufacturing them in India and that we have maintained ourselves as the number one brand.
Q. What is the group company’s infrastructure, and what goals does it hope to achieve in the near future?
If we talk about infrastructure, we have two manufacturing units in Kothputli. One factory is under construction and will hopefully begin operations in March of next year after it is completed. We will also bring some innovative products from that plant. As a group, with all these product offerings, we are at a turnover of Rs 275 crore, and by two to three years, we will be able to achieve the target of Rs 500 crore. Innovation is in our blood, so we will continue to innovate and offer a new range of products to the market.
Q. What is your message to the dealers and users of Reynobond?
I’d like to state that we are the same old people who took the initiative for this industry and provided it with a foundation for growth through quality and innovative concepts. We will continue to work hard for the industry and provide customers with innovative products. We will never compromise on quality and make inferior products. We will continue to offer a quality and innovative range of new products. This is our identity, and it will continue to be the same.
Q. How do you see the ACP industry as a common man?
The ACP industry as a whole is expanding, but its quality is deteriorating due to compromises made in manufacturing. A few years ago there were only 5 to
We will also bring some innovative products from that plant. As a group, with all these product offerings, we are at a turnover of Rs 275 crore, and by two to three years, we will be able to achieve the target of Rs 500 crore. Innovation is in our blood, so we will continue to innovate and offer a new range of products to the market.
10 players; now the number has reached 50 to 60. All are growing, so there is no issue with the growth of the industry except the quality compromise.
Q. Can you elaborate the types of quality compromises you are referring to?
The materials were available in 4.5 mm thickness with PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) coating when the industry was just getting started in the country. At that time, 80% of the market belonged to quality offerings and the rest with compromised quality, which was called the 4.25 mm market. But, today, the market sees a further drop in quality and thickness, which has even dropped considerably from the compromised quality of 4.25 mm also.
Q. Can’t we call it an engineering advancement (reducing the coil thickness)? Or is there any fixed parameter for it?
See, cost competitiveness is a world issue, not just for India, but the product has to have its base as well. Today, when the products are getting cheaper, the issues are also rising to the next level. We used to say that if you get ACP installed, it will work flawlessly for the rest of your life. We claim the ACP installed will look the same for 20 to 25 years. But, now with a wider spread of compromised quality, the product is losing its glamour in the last 3 to 4 years only, and it appears in the form of warping, bending, fading, etc., despite the companies giving a warranty for 10 to 15 years.
Q. If, for the government or any other PSU project, there is a fixed standard for quality acceptance, how does it get checked?
When it comes to government projects, the parameters are very good and standard, and they must be followed, but the buyer is usually a fabricator, who installs the product. Somehow, the industry is also reaping its benefits along with the fabricators. So, the big architects or government projects are not taking ACP seriously as an acceptable product. Due to its cost effectiveness, they don’t have any other alternatives, but their confidence in the product has definitely loosened up.
Q. Do you believe that the compromised practices will continue as long as ACP is the only option?
This is not the case; there is no alternative to ACP. Many products, such as tiles, have evolved to be less expensive and better for walls. Furthermore, zinc has proven to be a good material for façade applications. There are good copper finishes also, so there are several new innovations in the industry that can emerge as an alternative to ACP. It is also true that they are a costly alternative and cannot replace ACP at the moment. So, I think for the near future, the industry will continue with this compromised quality because no one is working to educate people.
Q. These days, people are talking about fire-rated ACP. Is there a lot of interest or what?
The market for fire-rated ACP is extremely strong. Every government project as well as the private players in the real estate sector wants fire retardant ACP for their buildings. This technology is incredible, and we have worked for over 10 to 15 years on it to date. You very well know that once you install fire-retardant ACP on your building, it will not catch fire. If anything happens and the building caught fire, ACP would not be the cause of it. In this segment, many people are compromising with quality and claiming they are fire retardant as well, they are risking the buildings. We don’t know what will happen to those buildings in the event of a fire. But yes, the fire retardant technology is perfect.
Q. ACP coating is currently popular in the industry. How do you see them?
The ACP industry should install coating lines. It is a good subject, and those who have gotten it installed are very comfortable because they have an edge over others. They can provide any colour at any time when a need arises. If anyone is installing coating lines, there is nothing wrong with that. Today, the coils are also
The market for firerated ACP is extremely strong. Every government project as well as the private players in the real estate sector wants fire retardant ACP for their buildings. This technology is incredible, and we have worked for over 10 to 15 years on it to date. You very well know that once you install fire-retardant ACP on your building, it will not catch fire.
available from HINDALCO and coating is being done. Paints are already available in India now. So, the coating line is comfortably working well in India, too.
Q. In terms of availability of raw materials for making ACP, how self-reliant is India?
As far as paint is concerned, there is no issue, as paint is available in India, but in terms of coil, we cannot say India is 100% self-reliant in it. There are only one or two coil suppliers, so there are still issues. There are no issues with granules, adhesives, coatings, etc.; its technology is mature in India, so except for coil, we can say India is self reliant in terms of raw material availability for ACP.
Q. What is your message to the team, Ply Reporter?
Ply Reporter is something I really like and appreciate. Their last exhibition, Matecia, was excellently planned and arranged for the industry. I was mesmerised by being a part of the exhibition. I hope the MATECIA exhibition will maintain its top position in this sector of the building materials industry. Heartfelt congratulations to team Ply Reporter for their vision in knowing how to turn heads. They understand the industry very well, and what they write in the Ply Reporter is always wellresearched and concise. It provides the industry with a vision, and as a result, industry players can confidently move forward with the right decisions.