Scaffold manufacturers see potential in the bc India exhibition

The CIDC (Construction Industry Development Council) predicts that investment in construction in India will rise by 10% over the current year of 2010/11. Interest is said to be particularly high in efficient formwork and scaffolding systems, especially self-climbing formwork systems and slab tableform system formwork.

Jim Goldsmith, sales director at Doka India said, "We are benefiting not only from increasing government expenditures on infrastructure projects but also from a higher level of private investment in high-rises and residential and commercial development, such as IT parks."

The Doka Group is one of the leading international suppliers of integrated formwork solutions and is taking the biggest indoor stand at bC India in Mumbai. The new trade fair bC India is a Bauma Conexpo Show and will take place from 8 to 11 February 2011 at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Another exhibitor Peri, a leading supplier of formwork and scaffolding systems, sees tremendous potential for growth on the subcontinent. Anibrata Routh, technical head at Peri's Indian subsidiary said, "Our present assessment is that only around 2% of the Indian formwork and scaffolding market is covered by contemporary integrated solutions. Against a background of globalisation, companies from outside of India will increasingly have an opportunity to get a stake in this up-and-coming market, because the ones who make the investment decisions in India's construction industry are discovering more and more the advantages of the processes and materials used in other countries."

According to Mr Routh, modern formwork and scaffolding systems are attractive in particular for their speed of erection, safety, cost-efficiency and flexibility qualities, which are increasingly in demand among Indian construction firms and developers.

"You have to remember that every project is unique," said Mr Goldsmith of Doka. "Whether it's building construction or civil engineering - high-rises or tunnels and bridges - every customer requires an individually tailored formwork solution." Systems that can be hoisted by crane or moved easily either hydraulically or manually have especially good chances in the market. These include climbing formwork or wall and panel formwork that can be quickly repositioned.

Together with Peri and Doka, other formwork and scaffolding manufacturers will be presenting their innovations and technologies at bC India, including Noe, Sewak Forging and Harsco.