Industry thought leader, writer, and diversity sponsor Bhavana Bindra, Managing Director, REHAU South Asia the organization major milestones and her leadership vision for the company and the industry
The year 2022 holds great significance for the Indian arm of REHAU, a global provider of advanced polymer and composite products for industries and end-users. The organization is celebrating the silver jubilee of its presence in India, and also the completion of a highly successful year of leadership of Bhavana Bindra, Managing Director, REHAU South Asia. Ms. Bindra is an acclaimed thought leader, writer, speaker, a diversity sponsor, and a member of the boards of prestigious organizations such as Kennametal India. DMI Editor Aanand Pandey got the opportunity to ask Ms. Bindra about the company’s aims, major projects, top strengths, and her leadership vision.
Energy conservation and efficiency has been a significant focus area for REHAU in recent years, which the company has demonstrated through numerous projects globally. Notable among these projects in India are the construction of the Ministry of Environments and Forests’ new office building in New Delhi, and Infosys’ SDB-1 office building in Hyderabad. Can you tell us more about your energy-efficiency focus, main objectives, and the solutions you deploy into the making of these projects?
Bhavana Bindra (BB): At REHAU, we are constantly focusing on curating sustainable solutions with technological innovations like Radiant Heating & Cooling that help reduce carbon footprint. The REHAU technology of Radiant Heating and Cooling is applicable to work in any type of climatic conditions, including extreme temperature variation and changing humidity factor. The primary advantage of using radiant heating and cooling is that it significantly reduces the amount of energy needed for air conditioning. This, in turn, significantly reduces CO2 gas emissions and the environmental harm caused by the mining of non-renewable resources. For instance, around 75% of the electricity in India comes from coal-based power plants, which have a high rate of carbon emissions.
In 2009, REHAU introduced this technological solution in India for the first time and since then the company is constantly working towards improving the results of sustainable building projects in the country. Contrary to belief, the technology is applicable to a wide range of industries from residential projects to large manufacturing plants, commercial projects like corporate parks, hotels, institutes, hospitals and government buildings, office spaces, and any other energy-intensive building set-ups. The two projects mentioned are among the prestigious ones that REHAU has delivered in India.
The primary goal of the ‘Ministry of Environments and Forests’ collaboration with REHAU was to realize the project’s key design concept of creating a net zero energy green building. The structure aimed for a LEED Platinum rating, as well as an IGBC and GRIHA 5-star rating (Indian green rating system). To get the desired outcome, REHAU optimized the building’s overall design load by utilizing a variety of energy-saving measures. Geothermal cooling technology and uPVC windows with hermetically sealed double glazing made of low heat transmission index glass were part of the REHAU solution for the project. To replace the cooling tower’s condenser heat load, REHAU provided 180 geothermal heat exchangers with U-shape PE-100 probes.
Given that technology has many real benefits, the installation resulted in huge water and electricity savings for the Ministry of Environment & Forests. A structure of this size typically utilizes gallons of water-based HVAC, compared to zero for a geothermal system. In DELHI/NCR, which grapples with serious water challenges, this has proven to be the biggest benefit, making it a remarkable project using a sustainable approach.
In addition, Infosys Software Development Block, Hyderabad, made news as the building was the first radiant-cooled building in India and the world’s largest side-by-side comparison of hydronic radiant versus conventional forced-air HVAC systems. SDB-1 has been designated LEED Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council, bringing the total Platinum-certified building area at Infosys to more than 1 million square feet and moving the company closer to its goal of carbon neutrality. REHAU radiant-cooling specialists supported the project engineers from Integral Group and ARCO Engineering during the design, fabrication, and installation of the radiant cooling modules. A total of 230,000 feet (70,000 meters) of REHAU O2 Barrier PEXa pipe was integrated into the massive concrete slabs.
By saving 35% on electricity, and thereby lowering its electricity bills, which is a recurring profit, the company has been able to lower the overall cost of fabrication. This was found with various company data analysis. The radiant heating and cooling system also scored higher on thermal comfort in a survey of the building’s 2,500 occupants by the University of California at Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment. Employees working in the radiantly cooled wing felt that the room temperature was cooler than those in the VAV wing, even though the physical air temperature was about 3.6°F (2°C) warmer. Hence, with SDB-1, Infosys proved to themselves and the world that radiant cooling improves comfort, lowers HVAC energy use, and saves HVAC construction costs. We see India is very adaptable to new technology and sustainable solutions to save our environment from harsh industrial applications. Today, REHAU has completed more than 100 projects in India. We believe that radiant heating and cooling technology can be used to create greener buildings, and there is a growing awareness among stakeholders to adopt such measures.
In your tenure, REHAU has collaborated with TITUS to launch hardware solutions. Please tell us about the significance of this collaboration and the USPs of REHAU’s hardware solutions when compared to its competitors.
BB: The collaboration between REHAU and TITUS provides the Indian market with high-end hardware solutions. There is a huge demand for high-quality hardware in the country, and this partnership is a great example of seizing the opportunity. The collaboration brings together two companies that value a strong relationship with their clients and aim to offer them cutting-edge manufactured products. REHAU’s expansion into hardware on the back of this partnership is a strategic move to provide a complete solution for its B2B partners while giving us the opportunity to enter the B2C market.
India’s real estate sector is poised for a significant expansion, particularly in the luxury segment, which will result in a desire for higher-quality, aesthetically modern furniture with long-lasting and reliable hardware components. As consumers in India are willing to invest in premium furniture components, this segment becomes a favorable proposition for REHAU and TITUS to introduce new hardware solutions. The wide-ranged product portfolio offers from Hinges, Drawer Systems, and Connectors to Damping Solutions.
Furthermore, hardware acts as the backbone of the entire furniture assembly system. Any furniture support system requires hardware, which also completes the piece and significantly adds to product’s functionality, quality, and durability. At REHAU, we are conscious of these facts. As previously mentioned, we introduced a range of hardware that is not only of top quality but also has the functionality that is essential for a furniture article’s durability. There are several features of our hardware. For example, the hinges we offer are soft close hinges enabling time-saving cabinet assembly. This assures life-long performance with Confident Close – a long-lasting constant performance of 1,00,000 cycles that is especially important for thicker doors and cabinets, saving them from sagging. The drawers are of a new generation that optimize space utilization with a sleek look, flexibility of runner system, and Confident Close with damper. In order to provide our clients with high-quality products, REHAU’s motto is to “Bring the Best of Both Worlds” and our partnership with TITUS is an excellent example of this approach.
The year 2022 marks an important year for the Indian manufacturing industry as it does for REHAU. As India celebrates 75 years of independence, REHAU India completes 25 years of serving Indian customers having had set up the company’s first manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra in 1997. REHAU Industries CEO Dr. Uwe H. Böhlke recently visited India to highlight your company’s long-term commitment to the APAC region. Could you share with a snapshot of your 25-year journey, the biggest milestones, and how successful you’ve been in bringing your global vision to India?
BB: We feel proud that the company is celebrating 25 years in India and a remarkable journey so far. As the most popular choice for Edge bands in India, REHAU is the undisputed leader in this market. We have had outstanding customer acceptance over the past 25 years, which inspired us to broaden our focus and move beyond. It has been quite a journey from being an Edge band supplier to a complete furniture solutions company today. Since, 1997 REHAU has grown to three plants, eight warehouses & four offices. It has established a strong network base in India with more than 1000 direct customers, over 500 dealers, and around 2500 retailers. This has been built over relentless efforts of our last 25 years whilst delivering world-class quality and premium products to the industry. In this journey of success, our trade partners have played a very vital role along with the entire team at REHAU. It is a mission for us to make REHAU a household name with the support of our partners. In addition, as part of the company’s drive into the retail market, REHAU is having a comprehensive range of furniture solutions including edge bands, adhesives, roller shutters, and plinths, under one roof branded as REHAU Retail for the market. We are rapidly expanding in the Industrial solutions category through our fully dedicated production facility in Pune that caters to the needs of the Industrial customer. REHAU is one of the biggest Third Rail Suppliers to India’s rapidly expanding Metro Rail Projects. We are in the process of localizing production by bringing German technology to India in order to support the “Make in India” initiative and contribute to India’s economic growth story.
To add to your innovation and energy efficiency focus, REHAU India is known for exemplary people management. Earlier this year, the World HRD Congress recognized REHAU India as the ‘Best HR Organization to Work For’. The company has particularly gained in this aspect with you having led and promoted the causes of leadership development, good governance, and women empowerment in the industry. As you complete a year of leadership at REHAU India, tell us the main values and advantages that you championed in the past one year, and your vision for the growth of your organization?
BB: I completed a year in the current role and my experience has been amazing. As I recall my journey here, it takes me back to the initial days in this organization. I used to tell my manager that this experience is like ‘drinking water through a firehose’ where the pressure of water is so high that while quenching my thirst I have got drenched. That is the kind of ride I had been in the past one year filled with many challenges, commitment, and learnings. To succeed at work, one must enjoy diversity, be entrepreneurial and open to trying new things, and constantly alter and enhance problem-solving techniques. Pushing the boundaries is more important than taking safe and comfortable steps. Thus, my approach involves having the interest and perseverance to finish a difficult task that has never been done before. I embraced those opportunities and tried to make the most for myself and the organization. As a result, inspiring the team to deliver their utmost effort has always been my primary goal. When the team is aligned with the values and vision of the organization, it can accomplish its goals. In addition, I can’t wait to unearth what each day has in store for me. It is very overwhelming to witness that REHAU India has been given the “Best HR Organization to Work For” award at the prestigious World HRD Congress because we monitor HR procedures at REHAU consistently. We have always believed in the value of maintaining and encouraging workplace diversity while fostering positive employee interactions. Receiving the award is undoubtedly another success for REHAU India in its quest to become “an employer of choice!”
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