Today PEB technology has become one of the most preferred modes of construction for warehouses being setting up across India. This is giving rise to various innovative PEB solutions for warehousing as well as creating enough scope for the present players to prove themselves

In earlier days, warehouses were built with traditional brick and mortar construction and then structural steel with trusses and other types of sections made inroads in the warehousingconstruction. However, with the advent of sustainable construction, pre-engineered steel buildings (PEB) technology came into limelight in the warehousing segment.

This concept of PEB technology has now become a widely accepted solution with proven benefits for construction in the Indian environment. Also with eco-friendly construction and fast growth curve in the Indian market, PEB is the most viable construction solution as it is a green product with very little impact on the environment.

Current scenario
The trends in technology along with innovations are further giving impetus to the PEB technology in the warehousing segment. Presently more than 80 per cent of warehouses arebeing built with PEB which has taken over the conventional mode of construction.

“Most of the warehouses are standard box type buildings as the design and other infrastructure for any warehouse depends on the storage requirements. We have always taken care of all these requirements right before starting the design of the building,” says D Raju, MD, Kirby Building Systems India Ltd.

It is observed that in the recent past, there has been a significant increase in demand for PEB solutions for warehousing applications. According to Ernst and Young‘s ‘India’s

Warehousing Industry – An Overview’, demand for industrial warehousing space is estimated to have grown from around 420 million sq. ft. in FY11 to 475 million sq. ft. in FY13.

Why PEB for warehousing?
The surge in warehousing demand is driven by favourable changes to trade and commercial policies. There is an increase in domestic consumption, as well as export activity.

Manufacturing has increased and discerning customers are demanding greater efficiencies. As a result, organised retail has emerged strongly. Logistics hubs and multi-modal facilities are replacing the small and scattered warehouses of the past. There is a shift from owned to leased spaces. Flexibility to expand is an increasing requirement, as is environment control.

Rohit Ranjan, General Manager-Marketing, Tata BlueScope Building Solutions, explains, “The building requirements to support these changes are best met with engineered steel building solutions. Warehouses have to be built faster, so that they can generate revenues faster. Moreover, they have to be built without increasing cost. Since time and cost are their two universal advantages, PEB solutions are the best options for typical warehouse applications.”
Challenges do remain as modern warehousing and logistic parks are still at nascent stage of development in India with the growth potential of warehousing industry being very high due to existing demand-supply gap.

Further, for warehousing segment, PEB structures offer some of the natural advantages like factory controlled fabrication on CNC machines, most optimised design due to usage of standard design softwares, reduction in manpower costs and time because of supply of material without any delay, accident free installation with the highest safety and many such factors.

Warehousing segment is increasingly addressing specific requirements for its customers such as offering bare storage, storage with crane facilities, food storage, storage with multi-level stacking and open storage.

Kirby India provides a package solution for these types of requirements with its new concept of ‘Rack supported warehouses’ based on the end use of that warehouse.  “We are the only player to offer such packaged requirement and have already supplied such buildings to leading logistic companies,” says Mr D. Raju. Kirby is present in both PEB and storage solutions and it becomes strategic for the company to provide end to end solution for increasing demand for such type of requirements in the market.

New solutions offered by players
Understanding the whole picture, it is now interesting to check out what PEB solutions for warehousing are being offered by present players in the industry.

Tata BlueScope Building Solutions currently offers engineered steel building solutions under the premium quality BUTLER building systems, and contemporary ECOBUILD building systems brands. The FM approved MR-24 standing seam roof system, has a one of a kind 360 degree Pittsburg double lok seam.

“As the market evolves further, we will selectively bring in newer products and draw more from our overseas experiences,” assures Mr Ranjan.PEBS Pennar also has received FM approval, a US-based quality approval system, for its double lok standing
seam roofing system which comes with 360 degree seaming. The system ensures 100 per cent leak proof roofing system with 10 years leak proof warranty as well. The double-lok roofing system has built a track record of being the most reliable leak-proof roofing system globally.

Talking about the benefits of this system, I V Ramana Raju, Sr General Manager-Sales and Marketing, PEBS Pennar, explains, “It reduces risk of leakages from roof, facilitates thermal expansion and contraction of the panel without any damage. It is tested for wind uplift, fire and hail damage, offers simplicity, flexibility and durability, and comes with pre- punched panels and components. With its assured weather tight advantages, this system is better suited for India.”

There is now huge opportunity to logistic players to set up temperature controlled warehouses or cold storages as the industry is estimated to grow rapidly in coming years. This will give further boost to the PEB technology as the building part of these cold storages can be done by this technology.Commenting on the same, Mr D Raju says, “Kirby has already executed such type of warehouses and is in the process of creating a separate packaged solution citing the increasing demand for cold storages.”

As the demand for PEB is on the rise, PEBS Pennar is planning to expand its production capacity (currently 90,000 MT) by setting up another manufacturing facility in North region of India to meet the requirement of the Northern region.

“We believe that effective steel building solutions go a long way in helping building owners realise their business goals. This is why our solutions are carefully engineered and customised to meet the unique requirements of customers including on-time delivery,” adds Mr Ranjan. “Our leak-proof roof systems protect our customers’ investments, and our safety techniques assure peace of mind.”

End note
In all, PEB technology has become the centre of attraction across India especially in the agriculture and food and beverages industries due to series of measures announced by the government to provide proper warehousing and cold storage facilities for fruits and vegetables, food grains, etc. However, there is more need of temperature controlled warehouses close to farms and transportation of same in temperature controlled vehicles as they preserve
the quality, integrity and longevity of the product.

Most of the warehouses are standard box type buildings as the design and other infrastructure for any warehouse depends on the storage requirements
– D Raju, MD,
Kirby Building Systems India Ltd

As the market evolves further, we will selectively bring in newer products and draw more from our overseas experiences
– Rohit Ranjan, General Manager-Marketing,
Tata BlueScope Building Solutions

It (double-lok roofing system) reduces risk of leakages from roof, facilitates thermal expansion and contraction of the panel without any damage
– I V Ramana Raju, Sr General Manager – Sales, PEBS Pennar