AIS is the second largest company in the float glass segment and the largest company in the processing segment says Vikram Khanna, CMO, Asahi India Glass Ltd
What is AIS’ market share in automotive glass? What are the types of automotive glass manufactured by AIS?
With a wide range of hi-tech automotive glasses for the best in safety, comfort, and style, AIS Auto Glass is the largest manufacturer of world-cl ass automotive safety glass in India. It is the most trusted supplier to the leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) – both in the passenger car and commercial vehicle segment (including buses, trucks, off-highway/ earthmoving equipment, etc) and glasses for metro coaches. Besides catering to needs of all OEM vehicle manufacturers in India, AIS is also supplying to Aftermarket and exporting to SAARC and Europe region. Products of AIS have capability of meeting stringent quality norms of both Global and Domestic OEMs and the International marking standards like ISI marking, E marking, DOT marking, CCC, SNI, ANSI etc.
The widest range of glass products available in automotive sector in India today is from AIS and includes not just laminated windshields & tempered Glass for sidelites and backlites but also host of sub-assembly and value added products like defogger glass, acoustic glass, encapsulated glass, etc. and innovative products like plug-in windows, water-repellant glass and rain-sensor windscreen, to name a few.
What are the current trends in Indian architectural glass industry? What is the percentage market share AIS command in Indian architectural glass segment?
AIS has taken the lead in delivering green solutions for an eco-friendly future, with innovations in glass processing technology to develop both single-glazed and double-glazed products with the best ‘Green’ parameters. The result is greater choice for developers and architects, with the ability to explore new building solutions that enhance the aesthetics, energy efficiency and economics of commercial and residential spaces.
Based on climatic study and optimum orientation, AIS works on a 4G approach and provides shading and daylight analysis, whole building simulation, wind load analysis and acoustics analysis. It then generates a comparative analysis (with cost-benefit mapping) to make recommendations that are best suited for the customer. Taking complete ownership across the value chain, with an array of services such as new product development, float manufacturing, soft coat manufacturing, glass processing, customer servicing, R&D, Market study and Quality Assurance, AIS is able to ensure substantial savings in glazing and total construction costs.
Architectural glass industry in India primarily comprises of approximately 4000 crores float glass industry with 5 players and approximately 2000 crores processing glass industries with about 200 small players (mostly unorganized and small) across the country. AIS is the second largest company in the float glass segment and the largest company in the processing segment.
Highlight your key products/solutions offered in the glass facades segment?
High performance glasses (Reflective Glasses)- A metallic coating is applied to one side of the glass in order to significantly increase the ability of the glass to reflect both the visible and infra-red (light and heat) range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Reflective glass also known as Solar Control Glass reduces heat gain and glare from the exterior and allows optimum visible light transmission to the interior. It facilitates energy savings through reduction in interior solar heat gain and cost reduction in the cost of heating and cooling systems. It also improves occupants comfort as interior temperature variations are less and easier to control and it reduces the air- conditioning load of the buildings. The hard coat range includes AIS Opal which is available in 5 vibrant shades. The soft coat range Ecosense, the green standard in glass comes in three categories – Enhance (Solar Control), Exceed (Solar Control Low-E) and Essence (Low-E) high-performance glasses. Ideal for solar and thermal insulating parameters, Ecosense combines aesthetics with environmental sensibility and conforms to all International and National Green Standards, making it the natural choice as a Green Building solution.
Tempered/Toughened Glass - Glass is strong to compressive forces and weak against tensile stresses. Toughening is a process which makes the glass invulnerable to tensile stresses too, by imparting strength to the glass that makes it 4-5 times stronger than normal annealed glasses. The process involves slow heating the glass in tempering furnaces, up to around 6800C, which happens to be the softening point of glass and then rapidly cooling it by blowing air on either side at room temperature. This causes the surface of the glass to harden. A stable compressive stress layer is formed which makes the glass nearly unbreakable and 4-5 times stronger than normal annealed glasses. In the event of breakage, tempered glass breaks into small, relatively blunt glass fragments. The brand name of tempered glass by AIS is AIS Stronglas.
Laminated Glass - Laminated glass is safety glass that has been manufactured by adhering two or more sheets of glass together with a flexible PVB interlayer. The bond between the glass and interlayer can absorb accidental human impact. Even if the glass breaks, the fragments adhere to the interlayer thus minimizing injury. Laminated glass offers greater protection for people and property by providing an effective barrier when under attack. Also, laminated glasses have excellent sound insulation properties. The range of specialised laminated glass from AIS includes – Valuglas (heat-strengthened laminated glass with 1.14mm PVB interlayer), Securityglas (Intrusion-resistant laminated glass with 1.52 mm PVB interlayer), Securityplus (Dupont Sentry Glass interlayer makes it 5 times stronger and 100 times stiffer than conventional laminating materials), Acousticglas (noise-cancelling glass).
Which is your largest selling product in the architectural glass segment? What is its USP?
One of our best selling products is AIS Opal which is a solar control heat reflective glass, manufactured using cutting-edge CVD technology which makes it a long-lasting and durable glazing solution. Its solar control characteristic reflects heat, hence preventing a large part of it from entering the building. The product was available in 5 vibrant shades –Cool Green, Pearl Grey, Golden Bronze, Royal Blue and Aqua Blue. AIS has now unveiled one more shade under this brand – Olive Green to give the customers one more beautiful option for creating sophisticated and contemporary exteriors. A variant of the Opal series, Opal Trendz is available in 3 patterns – mini squares, box stripes and cross hatch.
Kindly tell our readers about your uPVC doors and windows brand - AIS?
AIS VUE is a range of high performance uPVC doors and windows introduced by AIS in 2011. VUE offers customers the opportunity to customize like never before. Each product is a class apart, with profile, glass, and hardware from industry leaders. The manufacturing process is tuned to meet every functional as well as aesthetic requirement. The comprehensive product offering is further complemented by an expert service proposition that offers consultation along with pre- and post-installation support.
The perfect mix of style and safety, the right balance between elegance and efficiency, the ultimate combination of form and function – AIS VUE gives customers the best of all worlds in one comprehensive offering. Designed to meet every contemporary lifestyle need, AIS VUE uPVC door & window profiles feature state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and international quality standards.
AIS VUE provides door and window solutions in various sizes depending upon the customers’ design requirements. AIS VUE offers various profile designs for different applications - Casement, Awing, Top hung, Tilt and Turn, French and Sliding windows - to name a few. Arched and triangle windows, louvers and combination of the above are also in the product range. Apart from white, these uPVC profiles are available in wood finishes – dark oak, golden oak and mahogany.
Tell us about your consumer facing businesses - Glasxperts and Windshield Experts?
Windshield Experts (WE)
While looking to explore possibilities beyond automotive glass manufacturing, AIS saw an opportunity in the automotive glass repair and replacement business. This lead to the conceptualization of Windshield Experts – entity solely dedicated towards repair and replacement of automotive glass.
It is India’s premier service provider for automotive glass repair and replacement and has 65 stores across 32 cities. The company provides a fast, world class service with warranty and has become the preferred choice for corporate, fleets and car owners.
Value-added services, specialised products, exclusive benefits; Windshield Experts provides its customers with all of this and a whole lot more. It offers a wide inventory covering both Indian and imported cars. In partnership with leading insurance companies, Windshield Experts also offers cashless services to customers, making it easy for car-owners to get instant access to a wider range of expert services.
Glasxperts (GX)
AIS Glasxperts is India’s leading glass lifestyle solutions provider offering comprehensive, end-to-end services. Since its inception, Glasxperts has been delighting customers with innovative concepts and cutting edge solutions in ‘Living Glass’ to personalize their environments. End-to-end offerings in glass doors and windows for aesthetics, safety and security, energy efficiency, and acoustic & privacy needs, combined with an integrated approach, and specialized knowledge in glass selection and installation, all make Glasxperts nothing less than a 360˚ best-in-glass experience!
A standing testimony to the accomplishments of Glasxperts is the large number of projects executed successfully by Glasxperts for residences, retail spaces, office and commercial spaces, and in the hospitality sector across India.
The nature of glass is such that it needs to be experienced first-hand to comprehend its applications and its visual and spatial effects – something that is made possible by our Glasxperts Experience Zones. Located in Punjabi Bagh and in South Extension, New Delhi, these interactive showrooms bring alive the world of imaginative possibilities that is Glasxperts. They showcase our various glass solutions, and give visitors a first-hand experience of the world of glass.
