Very shortly we will be coming out with the aluminium formwork solutions which our couple of competitors are not doing though they are really big.

Paras Kumar, Director, Sharp Ply India

Sharp Ply’s tagline says, ‘formwork to finish’. What exactly it states?

Sharp Ply is a company that provides end-to-end solutions to its customers. From supplying timber, plywood, wood and all relevant materials during excavation phase of a construction activity to providing formworks for retaining walls and then offering doors, door shutters and frames to complete a building – we support our customers with all wood-related end-to-end solutions.

In a domain which is largely dominated by MNCs, what are the challenges you face being an Indian player?

In the conventional method of construction, we are very much ahead of any MNC. However, when we talk about scaffolding and formwork system, there are couple of competitors who are multinationals and they are much ahead of us because formwork system has taken very late entry in Indian market. Initially all big companies were only targeting for this system formwork. Now, with the help of our partners Variant Factory Ltd from Ukraine and myWood from Germany, we have introduced formwork and scaffolding systems for monolithic building. These solutions give good finish, uniformed surfaces and faster deliveries. We made these products so affordable that even a small contractor can use them and get optimum benefits.

Don’t you think that aluminium formwork can give better cost advantages?

We already made a site visit with our principles from Ukraine and Germany and have shown them the Indian site conditions. Based on that, very shortly we will be coming out with the aluminium formwork solutions which our couple of competitors are not doing though they are really big. Aluminium formworks will have greater acceptance in affordable housing segment.

We also have plastic formwork; but we are not satisfied with the finish for what a customer is paying.

What’s your position in the market?

As far as the plywood is concerned we are holding a very good position having presence across the country. As we are just a beginner in the formwork system, it is going to take a longer time to be a significant player in this domain.

What is your outlook for the year 2018?

Right now, in the formwork systems, we are participating in couple of large projects of Shapoorji Pallonji and L&T Construction. We are confident of getting a very good break in the new market. In the plywood business, we are doing exceedingly well and planning to open new offices in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Odhisa.