Finolex Industries: Focus on Product Upgradation

"Finolex has continuously upgraded its product range so as to cater to the growing needs of the construction industry all across the country. Our inhouse technology in manufacturing PVC compound is the key in maintaining consistent quality for all Finolex products. Our tenure of over 3 decades in PVC pipes and fittings is itself a testimony to this. Finolex lead free pipes and UV stabilized plumbing systems have already been introduced in the Indian Market. We have also been introducing new range of products as per market requirement," says Mr. V.V. Khandekar, President, Finolex Industries Limited, in his Interview with S.K.Khanna.

What are your views on the technological development in PVC Pipes and Fittings domain in India and how does it compare with development abroad? How does Finolex Industries Limited, the largest manufacturer of PVC pipes and fittings bridge the difference through its innovative products?
There has been consistent study on PVC pipes and fittings in India which has resulted in substantial development in this segment from the traditional piping system to the modern ones. We have been at par with the development which is seen abroad.

Finolex has constantly been upgrading the products range. Finolex lead free pipes and UV stabilized plumbing systems have already been introduced in the Indian Market. We have also been introducing new range of products as per market requirement.

How over the years Finolex Industries Limited has evolved itself in this field. Tell us something about the company, its manufacturing facilities, their locations, business areas, its product range as related to plumbing and other applications.
Finolex Industries Ltd. was established in 1981 and has made a remarkable growth since then. As a step towards backward integration, Finolex got into production of PVC Resin at its ultramodern plant at Ratnagiri. Finolex today has its PVC pipes plants at Urse in Pune and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra and is the first pipe manufacturer in the country to get ISO 9001:2000 certification. Finolex has its dealer network present across the country. Our products, ranging in size from 20mm to 400mm in diameter, find application in Agriculture, Housing and Telecom sectors. Finolex Plumbing & Sanitation System are targeted specifically for the construction sector. The plumbing pipes are available from sizes ½” to 4" as per ASTM standards as threaded and plain. SWR pipes are available in sizes of 75mm, 90mm, 110mm and 160mm diameter, with a choice of solvent cement or rubber ring jointing. These pipes are also rodent repellent and chemically inert to most of the acids and alkalis.

Finolex Industries Limited product range has made rapid strides in meeting the growing sanitation and plumbing requirement in the country. What are their important technical attributes having an edge over other comparable products in the market place?
Finolex has continuously upgraded its product range so as to cater to the growing needs of the construction industry all across the country. Our inhouse technology in manufacturing PVC compound is the key in maintaining consistent quality for all Finolex products. Our tenure of over 3 decades in PVC pipes and fittings is itself a testimony to this.

Finolex Industries Limited pipes division has the distinction of being the first Indian ISO 9002 manufacturer. What are the effective Quality Control Systems placedto back up this credentials?
Finolex is the first manufacturer of PVC Pipes and Fittings in the country to be awarded with ISO 9001:2000 certification.

Finolex follows a policy of strict adherence to quality norms as per respective Indian Standards under which products are manufactured. Going beyond this, we have set a benchmark in quality as per “Finolex Standards.” This is the philosophy which helps us to offer products of the highest quality in the market and earn the confidence and trust of our customers.

What is Finolex Industries Limited market share in PVC pipes and fittings in the market and its future plans to garner more shares in the domestic markets?
The market of PVC pipes is by itself divided into organised and unorganised sectors, each contributing about 50% of the market. In the organised sector, we have a healthy market share and inspite of recessionary trends in the economy in 2009, we will be showing a substantial growth. Finolex Industries Limited looks forward to increase its production capacity to satisfy the growing demand of PVC pipes and Fittings. Our marketing initiatives are sure to drive the growth run.

Finolex Industries Limited was one of the important participants in the 2^nd International Exhibition of Plumbing and allied products—PlumbexIndia 2008. How gainfully the company has benefitedfrom this participation in terms of product promotion and business development? What is Finolex Industries Limited overall view of PlumblexIndia 2008 in projecting technicaland business prowess of country’s plumbing and fittings sector?
We have been participants of PlumbexIndia since its inception. We find it as an excellent avenue to converge with the international market. Consumers in India get an insight of products available globally. Through Plumbex, Finolex has been able to educate the consumers about the upcoming trends in Plumbing industry and the advance technology used by Finolex to serve its customers.

It has been a platform to show how we are at par with the International market with respect to Plumbing Technologies.

A word about your marketing network, dealership and after sales support arrangements.
Finolex has a network of over 400 dealers spread across the country. We have further extended this spread through a network of nearly 15,000 subdealers and retailers all over the country, thus having Finolex products at the doorstep of the customers.

Finolex believes in a direct interaction with its customers which is done through exhibition and brand recall activities at prominent religious functions and through Road Shows. Finolex also focuses on customer education which is done through plumber workshops and farmer meets which are conducted on a regular basis by the field staff across the country.

Recently you have taken over as Chairman, Indian Plumbing Association, Pune Chapter. What would be your message to plumbing fraternity in India? Also views on Uniform Plumbing Codedeveloped by the industry. Can or should it be made mandatory to check unregulated plumbing products and services to protect the industry’s consumers on the one hand and raise the profile of Indian plumbing sector in overseas markets on the other hand?
After having been bestowed of this responsible position of IPA Pune Chapter Chairman, I have expressed my concern and tried to propagate the theme of “Good plumbing for a better hygiene.” We look forward to work with this motto not only in Pune but also out of Pune, i.e. we would be going to cities like Satara, Kolhapur, Nashik, etc.

Uniform Plumbing Code of India (UPCI) is necessary in this Industry to regulate the plumbing products and services, which is in the interest of the users. IPA is taking keen interest in promoting UPCI at various levels and we are very optimistic about it.