Vishaal Bhatt, Vice President – India, and Dhanraj Panchaal, Managing Director, Volks Lifts India Pvt Ltd, in conversation with Industrial Products Finder.

What is the future of elevators and escalators in Indian Market?

Elevators market in India is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of over 8% between 2016 and 2021 with the size of the market forecast to cross US $ 1.6 billion in 2020, according to research firm TechSci Research. Increasing urbanisation, growing demand for high rise buildings and government initiatives such as 100 Smart Cities and AMRUT cites were cited as the major growth drivers for the segment in the report titled india elevators and escalators.

What are the pros and cons of retrofitting elevators for energy efficiency?

There are various pros and cons of retrofitting an elevator for energy efficiency. In most cases, it makes sense to consider energy efficient technologies when an elevator repair or modernisation is already planned. I would say that you would never change an elevator for the purpose of energy saving, but if you are changing elevators to increase dependability, reliability, safety, or due to obsolete, unrepairable equipment, then you would certainly look at the different efficiencies of what technology is currently available.

Typical modernisation consists of reconditioning the hoist machine and replacing many of the components of the elevator system, including the cars, controller, motor drive, door operator and related hardware, and the hoist way wiring.

Which technology would be use in future in elevator industry?

In the future, even more efficient elevators will be introduced like solar elevators, solar panels installed on the top of the hoist way will generate power to run the elevator. In areas that don’t get a lot of sun, another form of energy will supplement the solar power. The elevator industry is always trying to get to a point of maximum efficiency. Can you tell something about Volks Lift India Pvt Ltd?

Volks is a professionally managed, vibrant and dynamic company engaged in manufacturing, sales, installation and service activities at major locations across India. Today it is a leading name in elevator industry with products like home elevators, passenger elevators (capacity 2 to 26), capsule elevators, hospital – bed and stretcher elevators, car elevators, dumbwaiters with latest technology, running safe and smooth riding. The company offers a complete range of elevators to suit all types as per customer’s demands and specifications.

Volks offers a world class elevator with the unusual but striking combination of beauty and German technology, stunning aesthetics, from the leader in the elevator business. It is designed to give the best elevator ride. The company has a pool of well trained, highly talented and skilled technical experts.

Volks elevator systems offer safety, reliability and high performance standards. We are developing day by day new technology, functions and methods in accordance with our policy and continually improving the performance of our product, giving simple solutions to complex problems. The company offers turnkey capability on installing, commissioning and maintenance of all kinds of elevators.

High-speed, high-efficiency elevators are witnessing increasing adoption in the India’s elevators market, particularly in high-rise buildings. As a result, high-speed elevators designed for high-rise buildings in metropolitan cities are expected to gain significant market share during the forecast period. Moreover, multinational companies operating in the Indian elevators market have realised the need to customise their products to address specific consumer requirements and expand their business in India.

Are Volks Lifts indigenously manufactured? How strong and effective is the after sales service?

We provide industry-leading elevators, escalators and innovative solutions for maintenance and modernisation. The company has a strong team of experienced technical personnel, which gives the unique advantage in providing world class quality elevators at affordable price backed by reliable service for safe comfort & vertical transportation of people and material. Almost all the items used in Volks Lifts are being manufactured indigenously. Only technology and certain electric system are being used from Germany and China. The company is well known for its effective after sales service through professional maintenance concepts. It has well trained and experienced engineers who always endeavour to provide best consulting and maintenance experience.

What are the plans in terms of expansion and diversification, if any?

We are very much focused and statistically clear with our mission and vision to move ahead aggressively since we have created a strong foundation for ourselves. We are continuously engaged in taking up turnkey projects all over world. We have associated with Sicher Elevator Co Ltd (SRH) – a Sino-German joint venture with manufacturing, technical and testing facilities in china. In future we are always open for associations.

What are the new product launches planned for 2017?

Yes, it’s EasyLift!!

A lot of people think that home elevators are for the rich and famous and are for those who live in large mansions. This is not really true. While there is an element of luxury associated with having an elevator in one’s home, it is not really something that is unaffordable. An elevator provides convenience and it is ideal not only for large homes that are multi-storeyed but for any home that has more than one floor. It provides tremendous amount of convenience both in terms of moving things like groceries, furniture and other heavy goods and people. Some elevators might need to be worked into the original plan of the house if you are yet to construct it. If you have an existing house and you want to add an elevator you can opt for that as well. You can either modify the house a bit or you can use residential elevators that don’t require a regular pit or a machine room.

As for a new launch, the EasyLift (personal elevator/home elevator) can be a great aid for handicapped persons. The elevator makes it possible for these physically challenged people to move about freely and not be contained to a particular room or floor of the house. More importantly they will not need people to carry them down the staircase, etc. All they will really need now is just one person to accompany them. Most people will have an aged person living in their home at some point in time. In some cases it can even be a disabled person. In situations like this, life becomes very difficult for the person in question especially if they are living on the top floors of homes. Movement up and down the stairs can be tiresome as assistance would constantly be required.

EasyLift has an element associated with it. Therefore if you have an elevator put into your home, you are not only creating a convenience for yourself but you are also adding to the value of your home. If you were to put your house on the market, or lease it out or even mortgage it you will find that the value for it is automatically higher. You will also find that getting buyers or someone to lease your house is significantly easier just because of the presence of the elevator.

EasyLift is often associated with ‘Lifestyle’. This can actually be a huge boon when you are living in a multi-storied home as they are a big assistance when you are moving things from one floor to another. Just imagine that you need to carry a whole load of things to the top story of your home. It would be easier to make multiple trips up and down till you have moved everything or would it just be easier to load everything in an elevator at the bottom and then unload everything at the top.