Product is improved but prices has affected warranty: Jawed Naseem

on 06/06/2018

Pakistani  Manufacturers surrender before their low quality, cheaper Chinese products

For over 35 years I am in this field and have worked with multi nationals most of the time of my career. So, I follow the same business ethics in my company too. Also the practices which I have been part of being working with them are in use in my company. We attach top priority to customers’ satisfaction. It is a must as it is important to maintain the business cycle with them. We usually receive good remarks for our product and for our high quality after-sales and service.

I launched Aircon Solutions in 2015. Prior to it, I did some experiences in joint ventures and partnerships but I did not find myself satisfied. Since I had a setting of corporate office in my mind because of my experience in multinational companies, I did it no matter it does not match that level. The best thing is that our suppliers’ response time is very good. They also extend full support in after sales also. We have organized at least three to four successful seminars of Sodeca in Pakistan.

ER: Who are your major principals and what is their product line?

At preset it is Sodeca. It deals in ventilation and parking fans. It has high quality products and has good response time. Product prices are reasonable and also negotiable. We try our best to satisfy the customer.

ER: Having 40 years of experience on your account, what major transformations and changes have you witnessed in this field in terms of business ethics, technology and products?

Ethics wise we have improved all selections and approvals are on merit. If you supply a good product, it does not cause any problem. Foreign suppliers usually like Pakistan’s market where I find genuine products in contrast to many fake products like about one and a half decade ago. Technology wise, product quality is improved. However, the product warranty has come down like in the past we used to use something for 25 years. Now it serves you 10 to 12 years. It is connected with the prices basically.

ER: You talked about many products which are introduced in Pakistani market but our local manufacturing has gone down. Why is that so?

There are two reasons. One, our manufacturers did not maintain the quality of the product. We have a certain standard for everything in the world. For instance, we need certifications required everywhere but we did not attempt to meet them. Two, China has made a mess as its products are cheaper and we can’t produce things in same cost. Thus, we surrender too soon.

ER: Are government policies responsible for that?

Yes, they are only banning import but that does not solve the problem. In China, manufacturers have been given a lot of rebates like cheaper electricity and raw material, duty taxes are lowest. Thus, their manufacturing cost is lower. Here only labour is cheaper but taxes are higher. All these factors make a locally manufactured product expensive.

ER: Are you satisfied with the role of HVACR society in Pakistan?

Both the society and Ashare are working well. Since the HVACR society does not have sufficient approach in the government, it is unable to get results. The situation can improve if they convince the government for rationalization of duties.

ER: Some people say the society has not been successful in implementing HVAC requirements in our buildings. What would you say about it?

It is beyond our reach. They have been making efforts but without results. I think the Sindh government should have done better especially for Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar which are much improved cities. If Multan can have Metro service why can’t Karachi do it.

ER: Do you think HVACR Expos are useful and should be organized every year?

This is the event which has continuously been progressing and the participation been on rise. It’s a journey from tents to exhibition centers. Quality and participation have increased whereas the participation in technical sessions has been dis-satisfactory.

It may be for either our decreasing trend of reading-writing habit or for the quality of technical papers. It remains disappointing.

CPEC: I think the people are yet to understand what it is exactly and what are its benefits? Neither the government has explained properly nor has the public understood it. The general impression is that Pakistan has been sold to China. The government needs to explain how it would benefit business and the people.

Manufacturing of electrical components requires buyers’ confidence: Syed Rehan ullah

on 06/06/2018

SILK Engineering plans to launch renewable energy products in Pakistan next year.

Silk Engineering (SE) has planned to launch renewable energy products in Pakistan next year, revealed Mr. Syed Rehan ullah, who heads the company as its Director.But before that the company is encouraging its sister concern ‘Ferhan Mechanical Works’ to produce pole and high-masts through automotive plants with an objective to introduce a credible product in the market, he said.

Mr. Rehan who talked to Engineering Review in detail on variety of issues related to engineering in Pakistan and CPEC. He believes local manufacturing of electrical components in Pakistan is very much possible but it requires buyers’ confidence.

SE is among the companies which acquired credibility in the market within short span of time and emerged as a successful electrical trading company in Pakistan having many prestigious projects across the country.

Launched in 2011 as channel partner of Siemens Pakistan, the company was soon to begin with selling independently as the former had started packing up. “We could not go back. We had everything at hand what a smart company was supposed to possess like infrastructure and engineers”, he recalled.

We aligned with Siemens a new product namely ‘Noark’ which was just to give a replacement to the parent company. Later on we launched SILK Engineering—a solutions provider company.When Siemens begun shrinking, we acquired our own brand namely ‘Noark’ for LV Components and “Electronicon” for LV and MV Power Factor Improvement Capacitors which was not able to make its market for its expensive price structure. Again we introduced another brand ‘SY’ for LV and MV Capacitors which had a matching quality. By the grace of Allah, it is well-housed in the market.

SILK Engineering has “Power Bar” (a compact sandwich type busway system) as its core product which made its way when the company did its project in the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur through Eleken Associates. Then in the list are many other successful projects that the company did with Bakht Tower, YTM, Nadeem Textiles, Premium Textiles etc.This product is being manufactured at three destinations such as Dubai, Ireland with leading head office in UK. The fourth plant has also been set up in the USA by the manufacturers, Rehan said.

SILK Engineering provided customized solutions with “Coreshine” (Linear Lighting System with built in cable trunking) to many departmental stores including Imtiaz. Now this solution is available for commercial as well as residential projects.The company has now four brands. They include: Noark, Power Bar, Core Shine and SY. It has recently opened a business office in Lahore in collaboration with GS Engineering.

Do you have any Chinese made product also, he was asked. “We believe in quality of the product no matter where it is originated”, he responded. We monitor the quality through a credible process and the RD and market only if we are satisfied with the product for which we can offer a warranty of three to five years.

Why don’t you manufacture electrical products in P akistan? It is possible, he says. But there are issues in this respect. One that such a venture requires huge investment which can recover capital instantly. Two, our market prefers foreign made products. Then our industry finds it risky to replace a whole system with new set of local products, he observes.

We are planning to take pole and high-masts on automotive plants to produce a quality product in the market. For products like MCBs, MCCBs, Contactors and other etc. and LV Capacitor, I don’t see any local manufacturing in next half a decade. Compact Busway is possible.  Investment is not the issue; it’s marketing that matters. We need comprehensive assistance of consultants and designers who can vet the product.

Plan for next 5 years: We came with 5-year plan in 2011 which yielded results that were, of course, embedded with hardships too. After 2015, we faced problems on internal front and thus lost some clients but still we recovered within one and one and half years and succeeded to open an office in Lahore. We did hire engineers.Now we have executed a new 3-year plan and are reviving yet again and are sure SILK Engineering will be doing well.

At present, we are focusing on the projects that we have already launched. Besides, we are working out on some new renewable energy products which we intend to launch in 2019. These projects include street lighting, hybrid solution etc. We have done quite a few windmill projects in Karachi.

CPECIt is politicized in the country. Have a look at history. We know about the East India Company in Subcontinent which claimed to bring business and development. But we know what actually happened. It seems history is repeating itself again after a century. We expect benefit from Gwadar. But do we get it? Are companies supplying material? This prosperity is restricted to 4-5 years.

In my opinion the objective of China is to develop its underdeveloped areas. Xinjiang is not developed; China wants to export goods which will be produced there.We can be benefited only if we develop industry around the highway that China will use for its exports. We need to rationalize our plans and make agreements binding with local development and Pakistani industry.

Standard of engineering universities in Pakistan: Newton did not study books, he rather became a scientist through observing universe, of which rules he followed and authored books. We are not producing the ones who would write books. We are just producing those who read them. Fresh engineers stand far from practical thus get no jobs although they are good. They prefer to go abroad. We produced them; spent money on them. Since there are no jobs here, they leave Pakistan. Engineering is connected with sense, without it there is no engineering. We hire trainee engineers who prove themselves. Generally I am satisfied with the quality.

MIA Associates chief Irfan states

on 06/06/2018

Professionals like us must pass on to young engineers’ knowledge, experience‘ HVACR events are useful but fall short of the need of the time’

 by Muhammad Salahuddin

I started my professional career in 1980 and then some 20 years later launched my own company, MIA associates, which is very much in the business of mechanical systems and HVAC since 2000. In all, I am in this field for over 36 years now and find nothing but to serve this profession for the rest of my life.

ER: What changes and transformations have you witnessed in this field in terms of technology improvements, product and business ethics throughout your long career?

HVAC business has improved at pretty good levels and the HVACR Society has also promoted many people but still I see a lacking. A bit more improvement is required like new entrants should have opportunity to progress which is denied. Then, the HVACR Society needs to do more like Ashre is doing at the international level leading its followers through its set of guidelines.

Our senior engineers should not take the society as a advertising tool for themselves but instead facilitate new engineers to progress in the field. On the technology side, there are many innovations and transformations worldwide. In Pakistan, use of energy efficient equipment and maintaining such design is a challenge. Therefore, how the world is meeting energy crisis in its HVAC is to be learnt and such methods are to be applied here.

ER: Environment has become one of the most important issues now. Do you observe any sensitization in your clients for opting environment-friendly design in HVACR?

Definitely! As I know the maintenance engineers hired by HVCAR employers and industrialists lately are aware on this subject. Let’s suppose we did not use wastage heat earlier but now it is being used for air-conditioning through absorption process mostly in textile industrial units. Also, our engineers have to set our own standards keeping in view the local environment through taking guidelines from global standards. Yet, I think we are pretty successful in making a local setting.

ER: What would you say about Pakistan HVACR Society’s role in implementation of building codes and designing of emergency efficiency in the country?

In the modern world, cities are planned properly keeping in view the requirement of its inhabitants whose number determine the needs that you require. Like, how much water is needed; power, roads, sewer and drainage system etc have to be determined.

In Karachi, nothing is planned. For example, a residential plot would turn into a commercial plaza and occupied by hundreds of people rather than original smaller number. Eventually, it affects everything. Resultantly, roads start to be inundated by sewerage water and in many areas drinking water is not found.

In sum, whatever was built in 40 years failed to be implemented and now the population has exceeded the limit. Thus, the provincial government should work on it more although it has started working and it is evident in the city which is appreciable.

ER: 25th HVACR Expo is being held in April and you have been attending these events, do you think it’s useful?

Yes, it is useful. However, its level is not up to the mark. It’s been many years that this event is being organized. Organizing an event once a year does not meet the objective. They host quite a few seminars also but they are nor affordable for young engineers. I suggest they should be invited free of cost so that they are prepared for this field.

CPEC It is just a road. I can’t understand if it can meet your industrial requirements. Nothing important is being set up here. This road passes through Pakistan connecting many countries in South Asia. At least now I am unable to understand. Our rulers however should know what is best for Pakistan. Unfortunately, the people who understand the situation are not in the government at present. Thus, the Pakistan Engineering Council should play its due role which it is not doing at the moment. It has to move ahead for promotion and progress of engineering industry in Pakistan so that we export our products.

I think we should invest in our young engineers in terms of passing on to them the knowledge and experience which we gained in many decades of our professional work in this field. This is imperative so that they move forward.

25th HVACR Expo is the biggest one ever: Ch. Nadeem Afzal

on 06/06/2018

‘CPEC is a double-edged sword’

Chairman ISB chapter & org CMTE says Islamabad must have an expo center

The 25th HVACR Expo which will bless Islamabad’s Convention Centre from April 4 to 7, 2018 is claimed to be the biggest ever among the HVACR annual expos which its organizers have organized so far. This time there are many companies from abroad scheduled to participate in the event that have never been here before.

They are visiting Pakistan for the first time, said Chaudhry Nadeem A. Rauf, the Chairman of Organizing Committee told Engineering Review. He claimed never ever before this exhibition, has an event been organized on such a wide space such as over 121,000 square feet. It also makes this expo a distinctive event in HVACR exhibitions’ history.

Despite all distinction that this expo is bringing with it, a lacking is very much evident. This exhibition is out of the expo centre which Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital does not have. Pakistan’s other cities like Karachi and Lahore have big expo centres which host a number of exhibitions around the year. This facility is not available in Islamabad, Chaudhry Nadeem said. The government must decide to provide such facility in the capital. It should be done on war footing, he stressed.

HVACR Society Chaudhry Nadeem is satisfied with the role the HVACR Society is playing in Pakistan. In a country where brain drain is a big issue, and good technical hands dream of going abroad in search of lucrative jobs, training young engineers is a big task. “The skilled people in Pakistan opt for jobs in developed countries”, he said. The rest who remain here require technical trainings and all three centres of the society here in Pakistan organize technical seminars to give them knowledge, he added. They are being trained keeping in view the modern technologies which are entering in the HVACR market.

Also the society is trying to create a linkage between academia and industry so that the potential on both sides is streamlined and used at its maximum level, he says.

Chaudhry Afzal believes we require more and more people as Pakistan’s HVACR market is wide and it is a requirement now rather than luxury. Each and every place needs air-conditioning and the more businesses in Pakistan more is the HVACR activity.

CPEC“It is a double-edged sword”, he observed. Pakistan would be benefitted as the route would be used and thus the people would work and new zones would be set up. But, he said the interests of local people and industry must be protected.The government should think about how the local industry and manufacturing should be safeguarded, he said adding China wanted this route to export its products all around the world and it needed to transfer its industrial units which would benefit it. But would it benefit our local industry, he asked.

The question is if the policy makers in Pakistan are seriously considering the concerns of Pakistan’s business community? It does not seem the government is taking it seriously, Chaudhry Nadeem says. I don’t think it is happening, he observed.

In current situation, he said manufacturing in Pakistan was not less than a ‘jihad’. In order to boost local industry, joint ventures would have been made under CPEC but unfortunately it did not happen and now no one knows about the future.

NESPAK wins Raising Waleh Dam Project in Jordan

on 05/06/2018

NESPAK has won the Raising Waleh Dam Project in the Kingdom of Jordan in a joint venture with an international consultancy firm after a tough competition. NESPAK scope of services includes design review and construction supervision for the project costing Rs. 36,223 million (US$ 348 million).

The project has been awarded by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan and it will be completed in three years. NESPAK Managing Director Dr. Tahir M. Hayat has congratulated the concerned staff on this outstanding achievement and asked them to work diligently for completing the assignment in time.

As per details, the project is located in the Madaba Governorate and aimed restoring the original environmental state of the Waleh Valley. The project aims at raising the walls of the dam by 15 metres to prevent it from overflowing as it reaches its full capacity almost every winter. Besides, the project carries significant environmental and tourist dimensions. Under the project, the storage capacity of the dam will increase from the current 9.6 million cubic metres (mcm) to 26.3mcm, allowing it to collect more rainwater, which implies better recharging of aquifers.

Currently, millions of cubic metres of water are wasted in uncollected runoff almost every winter. The additional water will be used to provide Madaba Governorate, 30km southwest of Amman, with more drinking water. In addition, the project seeks to increase the flow of the stream in the Waleh Valley and therefore support tourism development in the area.It is also an honour for NESPAK that the Company has been rendering engineering consultancy services for various projects in Pakistan and abroad.

At the national level, it is providing services for Orange Line Metro Train Project in Lahore, Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Power Project and RLNG-based Combined Cycle Power Projects in Punjab. On the overseas front, NESPAK has been engaged in providing engineering consultancy services for projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Afghanistan. – PR