MFE, a specialist in aluminium formwork system, is all set to introduce hydraulically operated 3-level scaffolding system. Ketan Shah, Managing Director, MFE Formwork Technology India explains the advantages of the upcoming product.

Could you discuss on the latest trends in the market of formwork?
Slowly and steadily system formwork is replacing traditional formwork except for standalone small buildings. Proportion of mid- to large-scale project has increased tremendously in last few years mainly because of growing demand for township projects. For repetitive usages, aluminium formwork is most preferred option. Table type formwork is widely used in commercial projects.  

Brief us on your product offering in this segment.
MFE Formwork is one of the market leaders in ‘Make to Order’ aluminium formwork and our focus is to maintain that status. Besides, we are now ready with hydraulically operated 3-level scaffolding system on perimeter of building. 

How do you ensure quality of the raw materials used in production of your formwork?
We have stringent quality procedure in place for testing raw materials. We have our own laboratory in the factory. Each bundle is tested for hardness and adequate numbers of samples are tested for chemical and tensile strength. We have our own laboratory in the factory. Material is released only if it passes desired results.

How unique is your “Make to Order” aluminium formwork?
Our system is designed keeping in mind that formwork can be easily reused for future projects. For example, slab panel sizes are designed to take the load up to 175 mm even if current project is only 125 mm thick. 175 mm thickness though rare, is not uncommon in residential building. This maximises use of existing stock. Some of the ‘Make to Order’ system design panels on current requirement. It could fail if it is used on future project which is heavier.  You were supposed to launch a hydraulically operated safety system in 2015.

What is the status?
It is ready now. We have tested it in one of our projects in Malaysia and the product is performing quite well. It has been delayed simply because we did not want to enter market without satisfying ourselves.  

How different it is going to be from the existing products available in the market?
Though there are similar products available in the market, one major difference is going to be anchoring system. In this product, the rods run through the wall which gives increased bearing area and reduces cost of consumables.

MFE Formwork is one of the market leaders in ‘Make to Order’ aluminium formwork and our focus is to maintain that status.
Ketan Shah, Managing Director, MFE Formwork Technology India