Could you kindly shed some light on the MAINI Aluminium Formwork System and its advantages?

The MAINI ALUMINIUM FORMWORK SYSTEM is an outcome of our vision and passion to provide innovative solutions in the formwork and scaffolding segment. We have been in the formwork and scaffolding manufacturing industry since 1986. The changing market trend of the realty segment in the early 2000’s gave rise to developing new Formwork for fast, safe and quality construction of high-rise buildings and mass housing residential projects in India. With rising demands by customers for new technology in construction, the Groups’ R&D team initiated intensive research, and after two years of working on prototyping models, a new aluminium formwork system was developed for domestic customers. This is when the group set-up a new venture, M/s. Maini Scaffold System, the first company in India to manufacture aluminium formwork in 2007. There are a few major advantages to aluminium formwork, the biggest being its light weight.

• The speed of construction, i.e. the slab cycle, was brought down from 15 days to 7 days.
• As our Aluminium Formwork is manufactured to precise tolerances using high quality Aluminium Alloy, there is no skilled labour required like carpenters, etc., thus saving labour input costs and dependency, as semi-skilled labour can also work on the system.
• The handling of aluminium formwork is easy as it is light weight, hence there is no capital investment in tower cranes at the site.
• As aluminium formwork gives a super form finish to concrete, no plastering is required, hence huge savings.
• Around 65 percent of the aluminium formwork can be re-used for another project, dependingon the design of the building. These are a few advantages, though the list is long.

What are the most recent technological trends in the scaffolding and formwork industry?

Formwork and scaffolding are essential in any concrete construction and have been used for decades; however, as time passes, so does technology, and the same is true for construction. Bamboos were used as scaffolding in the early days of concrete construction, in the form of tubular steel ‘H’ Frames. With the development of forged components in combination with tubular steel, Cuplock Scaffolding was introduced, which was faster to assemble and dismantle than the “H” frame. Further development of Quick Stage scaffolding, which was a combination of springs integrated with quick lock systems and tubular steel, eased the erection and dismantling further. 

As for Formwork, the same has transformed from timber during the earlier days of concrete construction to steel Formwork which was very popular up to the early 2000’s. Now, with new technology plastic and Aluminium Modular Formwork has become more popular replacing steel. But the Aluminium Formwork is more popular comparing plastic Formwork, as it gives more repetitions, can be modified to certain extent and most important has a resale value.

What is your take on cost-efficiency and safety practices while using Scaffolding & Formwork for the construction of a project? 

Yes, the initial cost of aluminium formwork is higher when compared to timber and ply or even steel centering used in the construction previously, but when the cost to life cycle ratio of aluminium formwork is considered, the aluminium formwork works out more economical in the long run. The same goes for tubular mild steel scaffolding. The initial cost compared to the bamboo scaffolding being used earlier is higher, but in the long run it works out economical and safer considering the coupling/locking system incorporated into the scaffolding.

Being a pioneer and industry leader in aluminium formwork and scaffolding, quality and safety are our prime focus. The primary safety concern in scaffolding is the raw material, i.e., the pipes. We use ISI mark pipes for manufacturing Cuplock Scaffolding, Props and ‘H’ – Frames. For aluminium, we use high-grade Aluminium Alloy 6061 T6. Our system is provided with proper work platforms and safety handrails for edge protection in the lift shaft and on the external facade of the building for the safety of workers and engineers during construction. 

How are you managing your sales and after-sales services in the current market situation? 

Well, the last year has taught all of us to find new ways to work. With the experience of working in difficult situations during and after the lockdown in 2020, new ideas and skills have been developed and people have experience working and coordinating in the lockdown. As far as sales and after sales are concerned, in the current lockdown, the team is well connected with design, production, and back-office teams for support. Before the lockdown was announced this year, we had taken precaution by attending only important meetings and site visits. We adopted virtual meetings via Google Meet, Zoom, etc. The world will come out of this situation soon, but till then we all have to take mandatory precautions to stay safe. I will sign off by saying, “Stay Safe and Take Care.”