Completed over 1000 buildings, ERA Buildsys Ltd plans to expand its product line and introduce new puff panels, sheeting profile range, girts, porta cabins, perlins etc. along with exploring new avenues for introducing PEBs, inspires Amit Bharana, President, ERA Buildsys

Mr. Bharana, could you discuss about the current status of PEB industry in India as compared to the developed world?
The present market share of the PEB is estimated to be at 33 per cent of the construction industry. The current market size is approximately of Rs. 5,000 crore and is growing at a rate of 10 -15 per cent . The pre-fabricated steel structure due to its advantages has become a popular choice for all sectors.

While the initial cost of building may be marginally higher than conventional construction techniques, the speed of execution of the project, leading to quicker turnaround time, and the low cost of maintenance are some of the reasons that the concept is fast gaining ground. The cost of a building is calculated on the basis of the amount of steel used. As a benchmark, it will be safe to say it works out to around Rs. 1,00,000 per tonne of steel used. The weight of steel used in any project depends on the end use of the structure, and can range from 25-150 kg per square metre.

Since PEB is economical, has high strength, portable and gives an elite look; its popularity has spread across areas like automobile, aircraft hangars, stadiums, workshops, factories, warehouses and many more.

As far as its popularity in the developed world is concerned, it is already the preferred choice and there is a stable market. The Obama administration has taken the strategic step of placing infrastructure investment in a prominent position in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) which will redefine the way in which infrastructure industry is addressed. Even in Europe, new strategies are being defined to invest in the infrastructure sector in a better way. However, growth of this industry in India is estimated to be the fastest.

What are the prime reasons for lower acceptance and slower development of PEB structures in India?
The PEB industry in India is at a rise and there is still a lot of scope to expand and explore. The development of PEB structures is growing at a rate of 10 -15 per cent and more and more sectors are now adhering to its advantages. In fact ERA Buildsys today has done over 1000 buildings and maintains a record of getting repetitive orders from its clients. These facts are a proof that PEB industry is on a rise.

Brief us about your activities across PEB vertical.
ERA Buildsys is the pre-engineered and structural steel arm of the ERA Group. To cater to all kinds of needs of its clients, EBL has bifurcated itself into three individual profit making centres namely: Design & Engineering, Manufacturing and Erection Vertical.

Engineering Division: Today Era Buildsys is one of the companies which provides engineering & design solutions with sophisticated software like Staad-Pro, MBS, and Tekla-the best software in Indian PEB industry. EBL Design Centre delivers quick, accurate and cost effective solutions like railway overbridges, steel girders and highways etc to name a few.

Manufacturing Division: EBL has two automated manufacturing plants- one in North India at Pantnagar, Uttaranchal and the other covering Pan India near Nagpur in Maharashtra. EBL has a machine installed capacity to manufacture approximately 80,000 MT at Pantnagar plant and 1,60,000 MT at Nagpur plant, to serve the market needs. We have the largest product range which includes all major PEB components such as: main framing or vertical columns, end wall framing; purlins, girts and eave struts; sheeting and insulation or prefab panels; crane system; mezzanine system; bracing system; paints and finishes; and miscellaneous services.

Execution Division: EBL stands among top players with well qualified and professional marketing experts who have technical and great understanding of the PEB market and products to provide turnkey construction solutions to all kind of projects (civil + PEB). We also have a very strong experienced erection team to convert a dream into reality, from highways to railways projects including metro projects, from industrial to power projects, from institutions to airport projects.

Tell us about your production facility and capacity. Do you have any expansion plans in pipeline?
ERA is having one of the largest machine installed capacity of 2,40,000 MT at its automated manufacturing plants.Our manufacturing plants comprise of automatic machines for doing almost all kinds of manufacturing processes involved in PEB such as for Shearing - MIC machines(can cut upto 25mm thick and 6m long sheet); Auto welding- JING JONG, Steel Invest; Auto punching; Sheeting ; Welding- MIG (400 Amps- 47 nos); ARC type(45 nos.); SAW- Submerged Arc Welding (4 nos.); Painting - VR Coating (4 Spray Guns); Drilling - CNC Automatic drilling machines, 3D axial machines(for precise bolted sections). Our other manufacturing machines are capable of producing a fabricated beam of a maximum height 2,500 mm and can have a weight of up to 35 MT. The plate thickness can be up to 100 mm and holes of 80 mm both for welded joints or bolted construction can also be carried out. For the flame cutting feature, each machine has multi head oxy-acetylene torches to cut plates in required sizes.

For Cold Form, there is the C&Z Purlin line capable of manufacturing accurate C and Z purlins. This machine can produce a maximum of 3.15 mm thickness, depth variance from 150 mm - 250 mm and maximum length of 12 metres. The threading machine is suitable for threading rods of 45mm on both sides.

With such elite equipment, skilled labour and expert quality team; EBL is capable of delivering almost all kinds of PEB equipment and projects.

In future, EBL plans to expand its product line and introduce new puff panels, sheeting profile range, porta cabins, girts, perlins etc.

Your comments on Union Budget 2012-13 in regards to your business.
The Union Budget 2012 has been a boon for the infrastructure sector as the decisions of Rs. 50,00,000 crore investment, allowing Rs. 60,000 tax free bonds for financial infrastructure projects and allocation of road transport and highways ministry enhanced by 14 per cent to Rs. 25, 630 crore support the growth of this sector in a big way. ERA Buildsys definitely aspires to gain from these inferences as it will strive to bag all the major turnkey projects that will be opened in the near future.