Hochiki : The masters of fire detection
Q. Today corporates are more conscious about fire & safety products, how do you countering this demand of fire safety systems in India?
Corporates nowadays are highly exposed to the international world and standards. Export units in India have to follow the safety standards which are made mandatory by the buyer for purposes of purchase audit. Government of India’s implementation of stringent fire standards also led to this consciousness. Hochiki along with other life safety companies is contributing to meeting the demands of corporates by advising them the most suited products as per the application, giving them technical support, sales support etc.
Q. Please also highlight the latest initiatives in your industry domain?
This is an industry with continuous R&D to improve existing products and develop new products. Companies are moving towards making the technology more and more reliable, newer laws for installation and moves like the BIM implementation to clear hurdles for installation challenges. More products are being developed to include various fire scenarios thereby ensuring no false alarms. Companies like Hochiki invests a substantial amount on R&D to develop very reliable fire products.
Q. What are the market opportunities for your company’s products in India?
All sectors require fire detection systems, PAVA systems and emergency lighting systems and some sectors need special application products. Hochiki has a wide range of products that suit many industries from Real estate to heavy industrial, commercial to sports arenas, schools to universities etc.
Q. Does “India” as market has a great potential? What are the key performance areas?
India market has a great potential. Key performance areas are: strict implementation of fire laws, very stringent system-maintenance laws and regular awareness programmes by the government and private organisations.
Q. Could you brief us the Indian & global scenario of safety industry?
Safety industry is growing at a very good pace in India. With development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities the growth is immense. Global scenario is ruled by laws and bye-laws which direct the upward trend in the industry. With President Trump announcing $1 trillion for infrastructure in USA, the demand of safety products will see big rise. Similar announcements in countries like India, UK and some countries in Africa will see an upward graph.
Q. According to you what are the factors affecting the life safety product business?
Development and Increased industrialization in India has led to various activities which are positive and with positive comes negative activity. Such negative activity makes us aware of our surroundings and hazards associated with them. Governments have also identified the hazards and made laws pertaining to them. This has led to India becoming a huge potential market for Commercial, Housing and Industrial sectors.
Q. What are the opportunities and challenges for Indian products in the global market?
Opportunities:
- Low import duties in developed world
- Dedicated marketing teams in developed world could create awareness about Indian products
- Systematic growth and permanent demand because of replacement goods
Challenges:
- High Labour cost compared to China
- Finishing of product in-spite of better quality
- Export promotion fairs and shows must increase by some fold
Q. What are the key technological trends that are driving the safety industry?
Government approved Wireless products with approved frequencies, Integrated products which does not necessarily mean one housing but less wiring, better safety features like weatherproof and explosion proof products with related approvals like ATEX and SIL etc are setting the scenario.
Q. What is your vision for your company?
My vision for Hochiki in India is to take the company to a level where a Japanese company should be in terms of its product quality, acceptability and suitability in India along-with the fulfillment of Hochiki’s responsibility to make people aware of fire hazards.