MAINI Scaffolds & Formwork Systems Pvt Ltd (MFS) offers complete range of scaffolding and formwork systems that includes basic scaffolding equipment, access scaffolding for various maintenance or shutdown jobs of thermal power boilers, refineries, shipyards, cement plants and conservation work to advance formwork system i.e. aluminium formwork system.

Talking about the current trends in procurement of scaffolding and formwork, Rohitt Sharma, Director, MAINI Scaffolds and Formwork Systems Pvt Ltd says, “Current trends in procurement of scaffolding and formwork have shown a shift and reflect revolution in pre-set parameters. Unlike past, when pricing has been major factor, today, customer is interested to opt for formwork supplier offering end-to-end solutions combined with timely deliverables and technical capabilities that come as value added services.”

The scope of advance formwork solution has not been limited to single project only, workability of formwork is being counted on other projects also. Therefore, customer prefers solution provider who assists to adjust the major quantity of supplied formwork to the other projects as well, Sharma added.

Major buying factors
According to Rohitt Sharma, a buyer should evaluate usages of formwork system based on the following factors:
• Volume of units i.e. size of project
• Available time lines to complete the construction work
• Nature of structure i.e. type of structure.
Scaffolding is a conventional method of construction that gives ease of working on any type of structure from small project to large sized project with steady speed of construction and are influenced by outer factors i.e. manual activities carrying out at site. Not much activities are time framed which are defined by the system. Scaffolding is workable if project is of small size with various structure types having plenty of time for completion. “Advance formwork system like aluminium formwork system is viable in mid to big sized projects with typical structure type having targeted time lines,” said Sharma.

Procurement deciding factors
Timely deliverables and after sales technical support have been major deciding factors along with  pricing, productivity and durability in procurement of formwork systems, observed Sharma.

With growing demands of housing and infrastructure developments, construction industry is facing challenges for on time completion of project within budgeted resources. Prices of construction commodities have been increasing day by day resulting increase in project cost. Now customer is more interested to control it in best possible manner. Timely construction ensures reduction in overall project cost in terms of lesser overheads etc.

Aluminium formwork system enables hassle free systematic working environment at site as formwork manufactures like MFS provide technical assistance consisting site training programmes, supervision during erection etc. They also provide service of adjusting formwork components in further projects that ultimately helps in minimising the project cost as a result.

Rent for short-term usage
Selection between buy and rent is majorly influenced by factors i.e. size of project, time period for which material is required, percentage of non – standard and special material required etc. “Though in rental option high initial investment of user is avoided but if period of rent is more than this option is not viable,” opines Sharma. “Rental option has advantage of initial cost minimisation and ensures maximum utilisation of formwork and scaffolding system without provision of carrying forward the cost at the end of project. With modern trends where projects are launched in series, strategies and planning  should be made for long run and considering huge number of repetitions which any
formwork system can withstand, major consideration should be given to buy the formwork system which can be treated an asset.”

He also believes that one should buy or rent formwork or scaffolding system depends upon the choice of formwork system or technology. In conventional scaffolding system where each component is independent and is of standard size rental option is viable for short duration but in case of aluminium formwork system which is customised formwork system due to monolithic pouring of concrete and is specifically designed for particular structure option of buying is more viable.

“Though initial investment is higher in any aluminium formwork system but considering repetitiveness of formwork, quality end results, avoiding entire plastering, safety features and less dependency on skilled work force option to buy aluminium formwork system is a viable option,” Sharma adds.
Aluminium formwork from MFS
Highlighting the USPs of MFS, Sharma said, “We provide end-to-end solutions like designing, manufacturing and professional after-sales services consisting of training and education for proper usage of MFS aluminium formwork system ensuring more productivity at economic prices.”

Designing of MFS aluminium formwork system is done with in-built software. A rotating 3D model of entire unit along with individual panels is viewed for accuracy. Overlaps or clashes are identified and removed at design stage prior to the generation and release of shop drawings assuring flawless manufacturing drawings based on which entire system is manufactured.

“Our competent and experienced team of design engineers ensure maximum repetitions of formwork in particular project for better viability, which ensures economy along with quality and safety. MFS aluminium formwork system is designed with maximum standard size inventory so that 60 – 65 per cent of inventory can be reused in other projects. However, if floor-to-floor height is controlled, 70 to 75 per cent of inventory can be reused making our system versatile and more economic. We also provide technical design assistance for optimum usage of MFS aluminium formwork systems enabling the customers to re-use maximum number of components in their future projects,” concludes Rohitt Sharma.

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Timely deliverables and after-sales technical support have been major deciding factors along with pricing, productivity and durability in procurement of formwork systems.

Rohitt Sharma, Director, MAINI Scaffolds and Formwork Systems