InterfaceFLOR Foresees Strong Future in India
InterfaceFLOR initiated its business operations in India through a channel partnership model in 2001 and has reached a prominent position today. Over the years, what have been its marketing milestones offering wide range of modular products and services?
We commenced business in India in 2001 and for the last nine years, we have sold more than 3.1 million sq. meters of carpet tiles to over 300 major customers. We provide end-to-end solutions; starting from product design to after sales service. We have a CAD facility to do the representation system and product selection, a marketing team that works on product launches and other initiatives, a sales team to do the selling and a professional logistics team to handle the entire operation including customer service. Our project team handles the installation. In effect, we provide a total end-to-end solution to the customer. Today, we cater to the market’s diverse requirements on product, design, sustainability and we have grown from a channel partnership model to the market leader in the country which is a major milestone for us.
Please shed lights on InterfaceFLOR’s global operations & manufacturing facilities.
Interface has six manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Thailand, Australia, England, Ireland and The Netherlands and its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide.
What is the company’s comprehensive product range available in India and how do they combine high degree of functionality, style- as per the needs of architects and interior designers?
In India, our product range comes from our US, Europe & Asian centres. We constantly analyse the market and our global range and match the best products to the needs of the architect and designers. As a result we are able to cater to the need of the hour as well as provide the latest global trends to the market. Most of our products have very high recycled content and also help clients in their sustainability mission and LEED certification.
How is the company placed in this post recession period and how do you foresee this business growing in the next three-four years and your vision to garner more market share.
We foresee a strong future for us in the Indian Market. India is a key focus area for Interface globally and all efforts would be made to continue this strong growth. To strengthen our position further in the marketplace, we have recently initiated a channel sales model with a dedicated sales team handling the large dealer network across the county.
As market is on the upswing—do you envisage a stiff competition emerging in this business from now onwards?
We definitely expect competition to increase in the market going forward. However, we are confident of our growth as we have created a very strong brand in India and a clear leadership position. We are currently the only player in the market that has such a strong team providing end-to-end support and that differentiates us from others.
Recently, your company opened a showroom in Mumbai focusing on modular commercial floorings. What are your plans to open more such showrooms in the other parts of the country to take forward your presence in the industry?
Currently, we have showrooms in Bangalore & Mumbai and offices in Delhi, Chennai & Hyderabad. In future, we would be looking at opening more showrooms primarily in the cities where we are present now. This would tie in with our plans and initiatives in the market.
InterfaceFlor’s focus on environment and sustainability through” Mission Zero” has attracted our attention. How is the target to be achieved with a zero environmental footprint as part of the organisation’s ethos and culture and how this philosophy of sustainable business practices is emulated in India as well under your stewardship as company’s Country Manager?
Mission Zero is the company’s drive to achieve zero environmental footprint and is a central part of the organization’s ethos and culture. InterfaceFLOR addresses sustainability on seven fronts. These involve eliminating waste; eliminating harmful emissions; maximizing use of renewable energy; recycling waste materials and reusing products; developing resource efficient transportation methods; creating a culture that integrates the principles of sustainability into working lives; and creating new models for businesses. The company’s aim is to move from the traditional industrial approach of “take, make, waste” and move towards a more natural or cyclical system of material and resource flows. Encouraging other companies to follow its lead in resource- friendly manufacturing policies and processes is also a central part of the 2020 mission. In India, we are actively present in the various green forums across the country and have alliances with other similar organizations. Our Bangalore showroom is the first LEED Gold rated showroom in Bangalore and third in India.
MGS Architecture July August 2010
