Knest is synonymous with monolithic aluforms structures in India

We hope to employ 2000 people by the end of 2025 as a contribution to society.

- Nitin Mittal, Chairman, Knest manufacturers

How do you assess the growth opportunities for aluminium formwork?

Aluminium formwork is the future of Indian construction. The faster the developer / builder fraternity understand this fact, the better it would be making up for the losses incurred during the lockdown.  

What do you think the reasons for the low appreciation levels? 

It is the mental block that aluminium formwork is an expensive proposition hence venturing into it requires way more capital than the conventional methods of construction. This used to be the case a few years ago when formworks was a new concept in India. But now, the scenario is different.

Tell us about some of the advantages of aluminium formwork? 

First of all the speed of construction is better. Aluminium doesn't rust in extreme weather conditions and allows for leakage and seepage free construction hence it is a very durable product.  Also, there is a minimal dependency on labour which is a very big plus given the situation post Covid19. Another very important factor, it does not involve usage of wood during construction which makes it a very environment-friendly option. Aluminium formwork can be recycled, refurbished as per the client's needs, which is not possible with other construction methods. And finally, the scrap value of aluminium formwork is very high which makes the ROI worth every penny.

How important is quality check while opting for aluminium formwork?

A very important step when opting for aluminium formwork is the quality check of the material that is being procured. Knest is extremely particular about the quality of its products and hence all material is imported so the quality is not tampered with. Also since single extrusions are imported, it cannot be tampered with. A thorough check of the aluminium grades is very important. When purchasing aluminium formwork one must only opt for 660-61-grade aluminium. The role of the quality check team is of utmost importance here to ensure the most superior quality alloy is being used for construction.    

Knest has forayed into this market recently. How do you rate your journey so far? 

It has been a great journey thus far. Way before Knest's inception in 2014, we have been very mindful of the importance of this new system and how badly the Indian construction industry needed it. It was only about changing the mental block of the developer fraternity to whom we owe all our success. We didn't leave any stone unturned when it came to meeting and introducing this new technology. Our efforts paid off when we had some of the best brands sign up with us… this was a huge boost and ever since there has been no looking back.     

How do you assess and foresee the competition from other materials used for formwork?  

Steel and plastic have their issues and are not durable for formworks. Steel rusts and is a very heavy metal. Plastic bends during summer or when exposed to heat and is not fire-resistant. Both do not have any scrap value compared to aluminium. The durability, precision and finish of aluminium cannot be compared to any other material hence it is the best option for Formworks. 

What are the major challenges the formwork manufacturers facing in today's context?

The most immediate challenge is changing the mindset of the builders and developers. Despite knowing the benefits of using aluminium formworks builders and developers had a mental block towards it. Cost of the product and procuring the raw material have been major challenge areas, however, the scenario is fast changing.   

Could you throw some light on the production facilities?

The Knest manufacturing unit is located at Talegaon, close to Pune and is spread across three acres of land. The unit houses highly automated machines and is also a storage unit for the raw material that is procured. At the unit, the raw material goes through a stringent quality check after which the following processes are followed - cutting, punching, milling, robotic welding, buffering, lacquering, drying, barcode scanning and finally dispatch.     

How do you assess the current market trends?

Having been a developer myself for over a decade, I know very well how the construction industry works. The real estate sector is the most trustworthy market and it will bounce back very quickly. During such times it is essential for us to just abide by the new way of life and work our way around it. Talking to builders and developers about aluminium formworks hasn't stopped even during the lockdown. Only the ways and means will change hereon… maintaining social distancing, we will use technology and promote Knest digitally. That's it!"            

Also tell us about the core competencies and strengths of your company.

Since Knest is an Indian company, it can provide unlimited support when it comes to service to developers which might be difficult for other international companies to do. The material is specially imported to ensure the quality is not tampered with. The material Knest uses is of high tensile strength and all are single extrusions. The panel of aluminum that Knest manufactures is 600mm without any welding, which is a single extrusion compared to 200 to 300 mm from other manufacturers. Also, any kind of dimension or groove in a structure can be manufactured by Knest. Moreover, Knest manufactures different risers, which can be made in different sizes and this so far no other company in a similar line of business has been able to create.           

The lead time is faster since Knest always has all the raw material and accessories necessary in stock. The machinery used for cutting is highly automated and the robotic welding technique used by Knest is accurate and the end product has a clean finish.       

The after-sales service is excellent leading to the exponential growth we have seen in the last couple of years. And last but not the least, the zero usage of wood throughout the construction process thereby supporting the environment is the biggest USP and contribution of Knest. 

Tell us about your future vision of the company?

Knest is synonymous with monolithic aluforms structures in India. We would like to see Knest Manufacturers LLP listed in the stock markets soon. Also Knest's very own extrusion plant is something which will propel the growth of the company further. For me Knest is a way of giving back to society and the developer community. Job creation is always going to be our number one vision and mission and support the 'Make in India' movement. We hope to employ 2000 people by the end of 2025 as a contribution to society. Also, the creation of many more aluminium products is something that we aim for in the future.

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