There is a need to foster demand for affordable housing with PEB and prefab structures.

Rajesh Modi

Vice President - Infrastructure Division, Bajaj Steel Industries

What are the latest demand trends for PEBs and Prefab systems?

The world is changing at a rather fast pace. Apart from the cost effectiveness, speed of construction and flexibility in design, customers expect greater optimization in weight, longer life and ease of assembly for their PEB and prefab structures. Newer materials with better tensile strength, more wear resistance, lighter weight and ease of availability are the factors that turn the tide today. More and more people are now realising the effects of climate change. The trend is to move away from conventional building systems to a greener alternative like PEB.

Also, summers have become hotter, the rains more unpredictable and winters harsher; all these have brought into focus the greater use of insulation materials like puff panels and insulation as means of reducing the intensity of heat and possible use of air-conditioning even in PEB structures like cold storage. Internationally, small resorts and hotels are coming up in prefab structures which provide all the amenities of a conventional resort but at a fraction of the cost.

What is the role of PEBs in current infrastructure development projects?

Pre-engineered buildings are green structures with re-usability and re-locatability of the structure and ease of disposal. This brings to the fore the high potential that PEB offers. With a very wide possibility in enhanced design, possibility of accessories like cranes, hoists, mezzanines and very large clear spans, ability to carry varying loads at different locations, greater heights, quicker and simpler construction and erection, PEBs have become a choice not only for conventional warehouses and industrial sheds but also in hospitals and residential structures. PEB structures are growing with a CAGR in double digits and the market in India alone is estimated to be in excess of Rs 40 billion until 2030 due to increasing urbanization and demand for green buildings.

What are the key solutions from the company for PEB and allied segments?

Bajaj Steel Industries, Nagpur focuses on being the vendor of choice for its customers, not only in PEB but for all its group offerings. We are very well placed geographically to cater to most parts of the country. Our ability to execute EPC projects which we have successfully done for prestigious clients like MSWC, IOCL, Nuclear Fuel Complex Hyderabad, Baidyanath Ayurveda, Galaxy Transmissions and a host of others have placed us in good stead and in a way head and shoulders above our competition.

In addition to EPC contracts, our customers have the advantages of sourcing from our group companies customised electrical panels, active fire-fighting systems, fire safety doors and other metal doors for industrial and residential use, at par with the international standards along with completely customised and specialised material handling systems and hydraulic cylinders and manifolds. This makes Bajaj Steel Industries a provider of multiple services under one umbrella for most industrial sheds and warehouse applications.

How do you view the government initiatives for PEB sector growth?

The government has complete focus on infrastructure growth. Occasionally, it is providing incentives for sustaining the growth potential. However, sadly the construction industry as part of infrastructure domain does not get an adequate representation with the government. While the PEB sector can be given a fillip by enhancing the capital expenditure, it also needs to boost by promotion of ecologically sensitive building options in different infrastructure projects. There is a need to foster demand for affordable housing with PEB and prefab structures. PEB provides for efficient, durable and sustainable structures. Another major aspect of concern is the ever-speculative market for metals.

What are the latest trends/developments in roofing systems?

Roofing systems have seen a sea change. From the cement asbestos sheet to the screw down sheets, we are actively moving to clip-on and standing seam roofing systems which provides for better leakage proofing, better aesthetics and above all, enhanced life of the roofing system. More and more customers are demanding for roof-mounted solar panels which act as a source of power supplement and also help reduce the direct sunlight, thereby reducing the effect of heat.

What kind of sustainability and weather resistant features are evolving in roofing systems?

Roofing systems have evolved and better-quality roofing sheets with improved coatings for wear resistance and weather resistance have come up from large OEM players. Roll formed standing seam roofing systems have improved the leak-proof roofing possibilities.

Liner panels have not only improved the aesthetic look of the shed from inside, it has also gone a long way in ensuring better cleanliness and better reflective lighting.

Insulation systems have played a vital role in ensuring that the heat transfer due to intense tropical weather is felt in a more bearable way.

What kind of feature is trending in the roofing materials?

While Bare Galvalume sheeting is still the most sought-after and predominantly used roofing material, the RMP and SMP colour-coated sheets is catching up. Apart from the formed roof, the use of puff panels and liner panels is growing, especially in the specialised application sectors like cold storage, pharmaceutical and food industry.

What type of insulation materials are used in roofing and PEBs? What is trending in insulation materials?

Bubble insulation of thicknesses from 4 mm to 20 mm is the most widely used insulation material. However, based on the specific need of end application, rock-wool and in special cases glass-wool insulation are also used.

The use of insulation is slowly but surely finding a wider use especially along central, western and southern part of the country.

What will drive the demand of roofing systems in future?

More advanced systems in roofing like clip-on and standing seam will see a gradual rise in the usage based on the affordability of the same, however for now, basic screw down metal roofing system will continue to create demand. Hence, more sophisticated processes to enhance colour stability and atmospheric wear resistance coatings on the sheeting material will induce demand.

What kind of growth are you expecting from your business in future?

We are looking at about 25% to 30% CAGR growth over the next three years. Our portfolio has increased substantially in the past three years and continues to look buoyant and encouraging. Coupled with the portfolio from our group like the electrical panels, active fire-fighting systems, industrial metal and fire safety doors, speciality conveyors, heavy fabrications, hydraulic cylinders and manifolds and the ability to undertake EPC work, we intend to be a one-stop shop to our customers for their varied needs. This places us in an elite league for our customers.

What is your future expansion plan to meet market demand?

We have drawn up plans to aggressively expand to new emerging markets both in India and abroad. We are actively planning to foray into the western and southern markets in India where we have received an encouraging response. We are also exploring setting up of a completely owned unit/ subsidiary in the Middle East to cater to the hugely exponential potential in that part of the world.

Our management and the leadership team are looking forward to these expansions to fuel our next level of growth beyond our projected forecasts. The team is being aligned and so is the product portfolio. All products manufactured, whether for the domestic market or for the export market carry the same international standard of quality, reliability and trust that is synonymous with the Bajaj Steel brand.

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