An interview with Sandeep Jaisinghani, founder and director of Ecoair Cooling Systems, about the company’s products and trends in the air-cooling industry

Initially Pune-based Ecoair Cooling Systems is one of the leading manufacturers of cooling and ventilation systems for industrial, agricultural and commercial applications with a range of innovative products like evaporative air cooling, 24-feet diameter HVLS (high volume low speed) fans, VRV and air-conditioning systems, air distribution products, etc. As the company’s product brochure states, its products provide an effective cooling option that is completely environmentally friendly low running costs. These products are suitable for open spaces like factory shop floors, restaurants, commercial premises, etc. and can be customised to as per requirements. Ecoair also offers a range of products for air distribution, including standard GI ducting, composite ducting, grills, and dampers. The company has an HVLS fan (large ceiling fan that moves a high volume of air at a low speed that delivers gentle air movement rather than disruptive wind over a large area) which is 100 per cent indigenised. Excerpts from the interview:

Could you provide some background details about the company and what prompted you to enter this field?

I had about 30 years of experience in the air cooling industry during which I came across various cooling requirements of the industry. However, all products and systems made for this requirement were expensive and also not eco-friendly or called for a lot of space that can be utilised for some other purposes. Therefore I gave some deep thought to the subject and developed evaporative cooling units with a combination of HVLS i.e. large diameter fans to provide a perfect solution for this. These products are environmentally sensitive and also consume very less power and space as compared to conventional systems.

In 2011, I set up Autodynamics Engineering Private Limited, which was later renamed Ecoair Cooling Systems. The objective was to provide an air-cooled green and clean environment to industries or commercial establishments that would make it very comfortable for those working there. We now have a production facility spread over 20,000 square feet at Hinjewadi equipped with state-of-the-art production machinery, an assembly line, testing facilities with quality control, etc. Our main products are evaporative cooling units, HVLS fans and exhaust fans.

What is the current market size for industrial air coolers in India?

The current market size of industrial air coolers in India must be more than Rs 100 crore per annum in various sectors comprising industries, commercial complexes, educational institutes, hotels, etc. The requirement is increasing day by day since all such sectors are now installing the latest air-cooling products which are in tune with the need to keep global warming at bay while also saving on power cost.

What is the kind of customisation that the company does for its clients?

We are equipped to design, manufacture and install products that are as per the requirement of our clients. For example, the HVLS fans are most suitable for large areas and we customise these depending on the floor area, the number of people working there, etc.

What kind of R&D is the company engaged in?

Our engineering and design departments are equipped with design software Auto Cad and CATIA which help us in the continuous development of the products for better performance and cost-efficiency.

What has been the percentage growth over the years? What are the triggers that will fuel further growth?

Our company has grown by about 50 per cent every year for the past three years. Continuous development in design that is attuned to the changing needs of our existing and potential clients is what is helping the company maintain its growth rate. Our engineering and design teams re-visit the needs of our clients and are always updated about national and international trends in air-cooling systems. Further, the government’s campaigns to boost industrial growth and economy such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Smart Cities’ will have a positive influence on our growth story.

What are your expansion plans?

We have already been expanding in geographical terms across India with branches at New Delhi, Indore and Bengaluru. We are now planning to extend our reach to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Patna, and Kolkata, thereby covering most parts of India. Our present infrastructure and team is equipped to handle bigger volumes and also competition. We have recently made huge investments in tooling and machinery and would therefore be able to manage increase in production demands and sales.

What about exports?

At present we do not have any specific plan to export our products though we have supplied to clients outside India in response to specific orders.

What is the kind of competition faced in this sector, especially from imported products?

Our main competition is from Chinese products. However, it helps that we have a pan-India presence with service backup facilities, which has built up a loyal base of customers. Also, our quality is far superior to imported products and much more cost-effective, which is what helps us beat the competition.

Could you name some of your clients?

Ecoair has several prestigious customers across India such as General Mills, Godrej Industries, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Cafe Coffee Day, Lumax Industries, Eaton Corporation, Yazaki India, Tata Toyo Radiators, TACO - IPD, Gabriel India, Blue Dart DHL, Cargill Foods, Mahindra Hinoday , Exide Industries , Haldirams, Kota College, Endurance, Autokit, Allied Refractories, Sunrise Colours, Noble Agro, etc.

– HUNED CONTRACTOR