Going forward, the real challenge will also be about delivering best-in-class service, creating a better customer experience, developing long term relationships and delivering tangible value says Mayur Patel, CEO, Proflex – a division of M & B Engineering Ltd.

How do you see Atmanirbhar Bharat to impact your sector?
The dream of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ will be realised in the true sense only when employment opportunities are created near villages and towns in the country. This calls for investment in infrastructure, industries and modernisation in agriculture. It’s time for us to reap the benefits of demographic dividends by accelerating growth in the rural economy, core manufacturing and thrust on the service sector. There are 5.6 crore MSMEs in India giving employment to 12 crore people and 45 per cent of exports come from MSMEs. They are the backbone of our economy and their revival, sustenance and growth are imperative to fulfil the dream of becoming Atmanirbhar.

In terms of current market dynamics, what will be the new normal after 2020?
What kind of infrastructure upgrade initiatives should the government focus on to ensure the construction sector remains in robust health? Subdued demand and broken supply chains due to lockdowns have resulted in slowing down of the economy. Cash is being spent very wisely and only in those areas of business that are critical. In the given scenario, customers’ expectations have also gone high and they have become more demanding.

Good rains and the recent pickup in demand indicate a sign of recovery. Going forward, the real challenge will not be about having enough opportunities; it will be more about delivering best-in-class service, creating a better customer experience, developing long term relationships and delivering tangible value. Meeting customers’ expectations will be the biggest challenge. So the new normal will be revolving around those parameters and the next level of growth will become reality for only those companies that are willing to listen to their customers, stakeholders and their changing needs.

The most essential skill to stay ahead in the game will be the ability to respond quickly by offering relevant solutions, leveraging the power of innovation, technology adoption and digital transformation.

To kick start the economy, large spending on infrastructure is essential. Government has already taken several steps and challenges are where the rubber hits the road. Adequate credit facility with relaxation in collaterals required, early disbursement of sanctioned loans and ‘ease of doing business’ are major areas requiring fastpaced and continuous improvements to change the ground reality, remove bottlenecks and promote entrepreneurship.

In the wake of the pandemic, what kind of additional features (safety or otherwise) will be desired in your existing and future products?
This pandemic has made everyone think about ‘touch-less’ and ‘less people around’ for safety and following social distancing norms. Suddenly, they have become prime movers for innovation, practices and solutions. Automation has gained significant attention and in India’s context, there is a need for frugal and cost-effective solutions. Roofing and steel building industry is also going through a transition and early adaptors will have a huge advantage. Up-skilling and re-skilling of the workforce is a challenge and hence an opportunity as to get your people up to the speed to stay ahead in the game. ‘Proflex Steel Buildings’ is an offering introduced from our end to meet with changing needs of today’s customers and they can be installed with minimum civil construction and less time.

This year paved the way for digitalisation like never before, how has it impacted the roofing industry as also the construction industry?
The current global pandemic has affected every area of our lives and our businesses. This, coupled with the advance of the internet and technologies, has driven a change in the way we market and carry out our businesses today. The importance of digital channels for B2B companies has grown significantly in the past few years and has radically increased since the Covid-19 crisis began.

The digital world has shown that technology transcends all physical boundaries and restrictions. We at Proflex recognize this new shift and are actively working towards reaching out to new customers and retaining our existing customers through digital medium. Digital has penetrated in our day-to-day work to a great extent. ‘Virtual’ which started as compulsion a few months ago, has now become an integral part of our routine and gained strategic prominence in our plans as well.