Ashwani Jain, Director at Air Flow Pvt. Ltd., talks about his experience in manufacturing HVAC equipment and his perception of the ventilation market in India. Expressing a positive outlook on this market , he emphasises that the growing demand for ventilation products is being fuelled by the implementation of stricter safety regulations.
How do you view the ventilation market in India?
As a company with 49 years of experience in manufacturing HVAC equipment, we have observed that the ventilation market in India is experiencing significant growth. This is mainly due to the government’s increasing safety regulations driving demand for ventilation products. Overall, we are optimistic about the prospects of the ventilation market in India.
In the past, lower-efficiency motors were commonly used in the industry, but stricter regulations and improved standards have shifted towards more efficient fans. As a result, the industry now has access to the most efficient fans available to meet the growing demand for higher-quality ventilation products.
How does your company’s commitment to high-quality standards differentiate you from competitors in the Indian market?
Our product range is diverse, including centrifugal fans like DIDW SISW, Plug-type fans, Basement Car Park Ventilation fans like Tube Axial Flow fans, Vane Axial Flow fans, Jet fans, In-line fans, and specialised kitchen and industrial exhaust fans. In addition we manufacture wide range of Air Distribution products.We cater to a wide variety of applications and industries, meeting the diverse needs of our customers.
Our fans meet the latest industry standards and have received certifications from reputable organisations such as AMCA, Dedal and UL. We are the only company in India with UL and CE certifications, demonstrating our commitment to high-quality standards. Additionally, our fans boast a highly efficient rating of 70%.
How do you ensure that products are designed and installed for maximum efficiency?
Our dedicated R&D team has been working tirelessly for the past 15 years to improve our products and meet the latest industry standards. Their focus is on enhancing the efficiency of our products, reducing noise levels, and staying ahead of the curve. To achieve this, they continually invest in state-of-the-art equipment and regularly upgrade their testing Standards to ensure our products meet the International quality standards. As a company, we prioritise investment in R&D to ensure we always deliver our customers the best products.
Please share details about your manufacturing facility.
Currently our factory spans 2 acres, and we have recently established a new plant in Kosi Kalan in Uttar Pradesh, which occupies 5 acres and is now operational and additional 7 acres land has been purchased for future expansion. As a company, we understand the importance of investing in every aspect of our business, including R&D, future technology, machinery, and manufacturing processes. We consistently invest in the latest technology to remain at the forefront of our industry while making daily improvements to our processes. Our recent purchases of a laser machines and latest CNC machines are part of our commitment to reducing waste and increasing the efficiency of our products.
How do the standards and certification benefit your customers?
Our manufacturing standards comply with ISO and CE certifications requirements, which are mandatory for exporting products to Europe. Additionally, we follow the UL standards for manufacturing, ensuring that our products meet the highest quality and safety standards.
It is important to note that the manufacturing standards we follow are globally accepted and applied in our manufacturing processes and practices. This ensures that our customers receive products that are trouble-free and of the highest quality. One advantage of our location in India is that our manufacturing costs are economical compared to other places. Therefore, our customers can expect to receive world-class products that are globally certified, with the added benefits of fast delivery times and economical prices.
How is Air Flow aligned with the Make-In-India concept?
Air Flow has operated since 1973, focusing on manufacturing products in India to benefit our country and industry. Our commitment to this approach has enabled us to continuously improve our technical production skills, adopt new technologies, and maintain our position as a leader in the industry. Over the last 50 years, we have consistently upgraded our manufacturing processes while remaining committed to producing goods in India. We also purchase from Indian manufacturers to support the growth of our country’s economy.
Airflow is engaged in exporting its products to various countries. Currently, 10% of our total sales are generated through exports to African countries, Middle East, SAARC countries, and the USA. We are proud to say that we are the only organisation that exports smoke ventilation fans to the USA market.
Can you give us an example of any recent innovative products?
In 2008, we established our R&D department, and since then, we have continuously improved and added new products to our portfolio. We strive to set new industry standards and obtain new certifications every year. As a result, we introduced UL Listed fans, which is a first for any non-US organisation, followed by CE Listed fans, making us the first Indian company to do so. We also recently launched certified canvas connectors, which comply with BS 476, part 7 for class 1 and NFPA 701 standards. This year, we have adopted EC technology and introduced EC fans, and shortly, all our fans will be converted to EC.
What are the main application areas where Air Flow fans are deployed?
The primary usage of our products includes providing ventilation and normal air supply in basement car park, smoke extraction and ventilation, lift well pressurisation, stairwell pressurisation, lobby pressurisation, kitchen exhaust, and industrial exhaust.
How does your company ensure that its product will exceed the industry standards regarding safety and efficiency or acoustics?
Our R&D team is dedicated to improving the efficiency of our fans, reducing noise, and upgrading our products to meet the latest standards. In addition to serving the HVAC industry, we supply our fans to other industries and export to African countries, Middle East, SAARC countries, and the USA, adhering to their local standards.
What is the customer’s feedback, and how to incorporate it into product development regarding training?
Our customers are highly important to us, and we consider their feedback very seriously. We maintain excellent relationships with our clients by providing them with high-quality products. Whenever we receive feedback from our customers, whether it’s about adhering to the latest industry standards or making installation easier, we promptly adopt and deliver their suggestions.
What technologies are you introducing for production efficiency to reduce the carbon footprint?
This year we are introducing EC fans, and in the next 2-3 years, we plan to convert all our fans to this technology. In addition, we are incorporating solar roof panels in our production process and continuously upgrading our equipments to reduce power consumption and minimise our carbon footprint.
How do you focus on in-house training?
Our HR department is dedicated to training our employees, including those in middle and upper management. We organise workshops and sessions on leadership, soft skill development, production, and technology updates. We also regularly invite our clients to visit our factory and educate them on our new products and technologies. Additionally, we send some team members to their offices or sites for further training.
What are your views about green sustainability and automation in manufacturing facilities?
Air Flow was established in 1973 with limited resources. Still, over the years, the company has consistently upgraded its manufacturing facilities and adopted new technologies, becoming a leading player in the HVAC industry. The company aims to become a global leader in the next five to seven years and has grown 40% from FY 2021-22. Air Flow plans to expand its facilities, including building a new plant near Delhi NCR and opening new factories in West India and South India in the next two to three years.
Airflow is deeply committed to green sustainability. We strongly believe in minimising wastage and contributing positively to society. Our goal is to use resources efficiently and effectively, recognising that this is the way of the future. If we fail to prioritise green and sustainable practices, we will let down future generations, who will likely hold us accountable. Therefore, we must all embrace eco-friendly and sustainable technologies and prioritise sustainability.
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