Featured in EPC World - Smart cities require innovative solutions to traditional problems, says Freek Crum, President, Wavin APAC

India is a well-entrenched market for plastic pipe and fitting systems with organized and unorganized players garnering most of the market share. In this well entrenched market how are planning to place your products?
As the leading provider of innovative and technologically advanced water management solutions for the building and infrastructure industry, Wavin’s focus is to create a positive change in the Indian ecosystem and our passion is building healthy, sustainable environments. Our products and solutions are designed to address the challenges and meet the needs of India’s ever-expanding urban infrastructure by providing safe and efficient water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, helping build climate-resilient cities and better building performance. For example, Wavin’sAS+ represents the ultimate in noise reduction and performance. It is composed of unique high-density material, features specially developed noise reducing brackets. It is products and solutions like these that set us apart in the industry.
Wavin provides several distinguished solutions for sustainable water and sewage management from domestic to large-scale commercial use. Our range of PVC/CPVC/SWR pipes and fittings offer high reliability for applications from drinking water (hot and cold) to efficiently transport sewage at any setting including domestic, industrial waste, rainwater, storm water, and ventilation. The versatility and modularity of our units make them ideal for all application areas. It is fully compliant to governing standards without any compromises application wise.

What is the USP of your products compare to your competitors?
Wavin is a global leader in providing water management solutions for the building and infrastructure industry driven by innovation and technology. For over 65 years, we have been driving positive change across the world, sharing our passion to build healthy and sustainable environments. As industry experts, we have been addressing the challenges and meeting the needs of today’s cities by providing safe and efficient water supply, sanitation and hygiene, helping build climate-resilient cities and better building performance and infrastructure. We continuously work towards transforming cities to be future-proof, and buildings to be comfortable, clean, safe and energy-efficient with our technology enabled, innovative and reliable solutions that address sustainability.

Wavin is re-entering the Indian market after a hiatus? How do you find the recent initiatives taken by the government for the infrastructure sector beneficial for your organization?
Wavin has a long-standing association with India of close to 60 years. We see a great opportunity in the country. The infrastructure market in India is expected to grow double digits, propelled by the rapid modernisation of cities, and building of smart cities. In addition to this, the several commendable government initiatives that aim to bring various stakeholders together to ensure sustainable water supply system including water source and water supply infrastructure will drive the market. The government has taken commendable initiatives to that bringing various stakeholders together to ensure sustainability of water supply systems- water source and water supply infrastructure. Schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission has enabled greater awareness on the importance of sanitization while simultaneously also building toilets for every household across the country. On the other hand, the most recent Jal Jeevan Mission aims at managing and optimizing the delivery of safe and adequate water supply to Indians throughout the country. Jal Shakti Abhiyaan, which integrates demand and supply-side management of water at the local level including creation of local infrastructure, are aimed at meeting the collective goal of efficient water management systems. All these initiatives are a step towards ensuring a sustainable development of the country, which is where Wavin comes into play. Our products and solutions will help in building a better nation, infrastructure-wise.

Is there a plan to set-up manufacturing units or the products will be imported from your overseas manufacturing plants?
We are looking at local manufacturing and will be able to share details on this early next year.

What is your take on India’s plastic pipe and fitting system market and its growth potentials?
India PVC pipes market is projected to be worth USD 5,209.4 million by 2027 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. As India walks on the path of economic recovery from the pandemic, effective tools that equip the country with clean and safe drinking water and efficient sewer infrastructure for safe and sustainable development are essential. To empower India to build hygienic and sustainable environments and infrastructure, a critical component to economic recovery, Wavin, the world-leading water management solutions provider for the building and infrastructure industry, announces the launch of a new suite of innovative pipe and fittings solutions to mark its return to India.
At Wavin, we are committed to facilitating clean and safe water supplies and better sanitation and hygiene which are paramount in India as it recovers from the pandemic. We continuously work towards transforming cities to be future-proof, and buildings to be comfortable, clean, safe and energy-efficient with our technology enabled, innovative and reliable solutions that address sustainability. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders, from the public and private sectors to local communities to bring about positive changes in our environment.

What would be your strategies to increase your market share in India and where would be the maximum demand for your products come from?
Smart cities require innovative solutions to traditional problems that can be addressed in a cost efficient and environmentally-friendly manner. Wavin provides technology-based solutions for above and below ground projects in the application areas of Hot & Cold drinking water and Soil & Waste solutions, water & gas supply pipes & rainwater management, to build a sustainable environment. With our suite of products for more efficient water supply and sanitization, we are well equipped to enable India’s smart cities and make them more efficient.  For example, everyday millions of gallons of water are lost due to leakages and ageing infrastructure. With Wavin’s Tigris K5 and Tigris M5 products, we are positioned to help alert and identify areas where leakages occur, effectively plugging the problem at source. Thus, these solutions will cater to multiple industries such as hospitality, large-scale venues, hospitals, commercial and residential hubs, manufacturing units, etc.

Plastic pipe and fitting market is flooded with fake and counterfeit products of leading manufacturers.  How are you securing your products?
Wavin is committed to providing only the best in class products. All Wavin products are tested and certified by Third party certification standards associated with quality, such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization and local testing labs) are key in identifying the fake products in market.

Dealers and distributors are the vital link for the growth of any organization. How are you leveraging this vital link to market your products?
As we ramp up local capacity, we are also working with our partners to optimize our footprint in India. Apart from this, we are also currently building our local supply chain and commercial teams in India.

What are your growth plans including investments and expansion for Wavin in India?
We do see a  great opportunity in India and as the country moves towards urban infrastructure, Wavin’s technology enabled solutions will play a significant role in transforming cities to be future-proof, and buildings to be comfortable, clean, safe, and energy-efficient. Wavin is also committed to invest in the growth of the industry and hiring local talent for its workforce, as well as bringing new innovations tailored to the market.

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