Gandhi Automations Pvt Ltd, India's No.1 Entrance Automation & Loading Bay Equipment Company, has set the international ball rolling. The company's participation in international exhibitions like R+T at Stuttgart, Germany and Big 5 at Dubai has amply made its intentions clear to go international in a big way.

R+T Stuttgart is a global platform for presentation of innovative varieties of doors, doorframes, roller shutters, sun protection systems, blinds, gates, security sensors, and such other products. This event is a platform where exhibitors across the globe present the most innovative of their offerings in the presence of top decision makers of the construction industry. Top architects and decorators from the world over come to this event to evaluate business and partnership opportunities with global construction giants. A platform for innovative designs and world class products, this event is one not be missed. R+T is held once every 3 years in Germany at Stuttgart.

This year as many as 827 exhibitors from 125 different countries and more than 60,000 visitors attended the exhibition. Approximately 85 per cent exhibitors came from Europe, primarily from France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Austria. Speaking to Industrial Products Finder, Samir Gandhi, Director, elaborates on his experience at R+T and future plans of the company. Excerpts...

How was your experience at R+T?

I have visited R+T many times in the last 20 years personally. This was the first time we took part as an exhibitor. R+T is the undisputed No. 1 trade fair - a leading world trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems. Gandhi Automations Pvt Ltd was the only company representing India in this gigantic trade fair. We took immense pride in seeing our tri-colour flag hoisted, among flags of all other countries.

What are your takeaways from R+T Stuttgart?

It's held once every 3 years. R+T has become an international industry meeting place for trade and industry. R+T had visitors from other industries: architects and planners, interior designers, window and prefabricated house manufacturers.

We had an opportunity to see trends, which are influencing international markets and technical advances, manufacturers, and craftsmen. We are happy to say that our products meet international standards. More than 800 exhibitors of the roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection industry, including key global players, were present with impressive trade fair stands and spectacular product innovations.

How was over all response from R+T?

Industry veterans from diverse backgrounds visited our stall and we had an opportunity to exchange ideas and we are glad that they were impressed with the kind of product portfolio we have and they were in awe of our technical expertise. Many have expressed their desire to partner with us. In the next few weeks we will be scrutinising proposals from different companies and we will be meeting lot of them again to discuss the possibility of export in respective countries.

In a short span of time you have reached international level. To whom will you credit this achievement?

The synergy between the different processes allows us to offer our customers high quality products. All thanks to our highly trained and experienced technicians and the use of special materials, we are able to satisfy any customer requirement. We look forward to providing most reliable solutions for any environment.

What are your future plans?

We are No. 1 in the domestic market. There's huge untapped international market for our products, which meet international safety standards. With the right kind of product portfolio, we are ready to meet the demands of this huge international market.

With increased globalisation and countries opening up for business we see a great opportunity in neighbouring countries also. For instance in Myanmar, in the last few years, foreign investment has increased from few million to several billion dollars (300 million dollar 2009 to 5 billion 2014). The Myanmar government has relaxed import restrictions and abolished export taxes. Such policies boost our confidence and we will venture in such countries.

Our current target for export is the Gulf and European countries. In coming years we will be aiming at neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and few African countries. I have visited few of these countries and we have better products to offer them, than the ones they are currently using. By 2018 years we are targeting 50% revenue from export.