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Though there is a slump currently, we are expecting the market scenario to recover over the next 8-10 months. PEBs are largely accepted only for industrial usages. From a technical and conceptual perspective, there is no limit for PEB. Any building that is constructed using bricks and mortar can also be built using PEB. In the US even residential buildings are constructed using PEB.

The domestic market might take some more time to reach this level but we are already working towards breaking this jinx. As a new initiative towards this end we are working towards coming up  with a Green-PEB for the first time in the country. 
 
From a client perspective what are the USPs of opting for PEB solutions? How does it compare on quality, cost and efficiency parameters with conventional solutions?

Previously, PEB used to be a sub-entity of construction. Now, it has matured into a separate sector with distinct identity of its own. In a fast paced environment, time is money. The customer always wanted the building yesterday. Here I would like to mention that we have delivered an Express-PEB to some of our clients. In one case, we delivered 1 million square feet in less than a month.

While PEB scores high on quality, delivery, methodology and economy, Phenix furthered it with enhancements like bar-coded material, erectable-sequence-supply.

How would you define the key issues and challenges facing the domestic PEB segment today? What according to you needs to be done to rectify this situation?

The first and foremost challenge lies in changing the mindset for acceptance of a PEB vis-à-vis a conventional steel or concrete building. If the market is considered huge with only low rise industrial constructions, you can imagine the potential if high rise or residential projects also start using PEB. I personally feel that awareness has to happen in a big way.     

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COMMENT Comment on this article

This is part of a cycle. Whatever goes up has to come down and vice-versa. Strategy is the key here. The first priority should be having the right capacity for all weathers with ROI as a base.

A slowdown as such is different from a standstill. We are not in a standstill today. Again, the current situation is not patterned. We are catching the right clients at the precise moment with an accurate approach. For example, the defence sector is slow down-proof. We got registered with Military Engineering Services recently, making us pre-qualified for all government projects.

How is Phenix VP placed on the manufacturing front and what is your current production capacity? Do you plan to augment/reduce capacity in keeping with the existing market scenario?

We have a production capacity of 75,000 MT per annum, one of the largest in the country. In a nutshell, I would say Phenix VP is comfortably placed in these turbulent times. This is a scientific conclusion based on re-evaluation of certain critical parameters. I prefer not to comment on augmenting or reducing our capacity for policy based reasons.  
 
As a technology-driven company to what extent has Phenix VP leveraged technology across key processes like:  Design, Production Planning & Control, Manufacturing & Logistics?

 We have revolutionised the system here. Most of our processes are automatic and all our functions are integrated. We are crystal clear in our objective right from the conceptual stage. While most of the current players are struggling for ‘customer satisfaction’ itself, we are moving towards ‘customer delight’.

How would you define the role played by latest technologies in assisting Phenix VP’s endeavours to manufacture innovative and cost effective products?

In the orientation classes itself, we remove ‘technology-stop’ from the minds of our human resources. We formed a separate department consisting of industry seniors, which ensures regular upgrades to latest innovative technologies related to us. For us, the definition of innovation is slightly broader. We all assemble on a weekly basis to discuss, debate and conclude on many such related aspects.

Lastly, going forward what according to you will be the key growth drivers for the PEB segment in India over the next two years? 

I see two factors broadly. One is an increased awareness about the  availability of cheap (RoI model), effective and innovative solutions in the form of PEB. Another is good customer service, which should be quantifiable.