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.