Engr. Mairaj Asghar, : A rise in temperatures means a rise in the use of HVACR equipment and it thus accelerates the maintenance requirement of the systems. We all know the installation of BMS is meant to provide a comfort zone and simultaneously save energy. The maintenance of the systems is a must to synchronize the input with the output. We put our fullest effort into the maintenance of the system for achieving maximum output.
ER: In the current economic profile, the clients are forced to go for savings and many opt to hire cheaper services. What special services do you offer that they are forced to attract to you?
MA: There are two categories. One, who doesn’t think this way as they are informed ones who know very well about the benefits. They don’t opt for cheaper systems as they know they cannot get what they do with the smarter systems that we offer. However, we offer some relaxation to those who contemplate cheaper services or think of acquiring services from unauthorized companies. Of the latter, most of them give serious thought to our offer and agree to acquire better services. Since we are a 25-year experienced company with highly trained staff, the people find it harder to evade our services. Those who still turn hard nuts, also ultimately turn to us realizing they failed to get the maximum output required for their systems.
ER: In today’s supply chain issues how are you ensuring that the systems should function properly and services continue unhindered?
MA: This is a big challenge and we are enduring it for the last seven to eight months. Thanks to God, we were maintaining quite a stock that we used for the maintenance services. We maintain our inventory as well as request our clients to do it to some extent too, so that we keep our downtime at a minimum possible as keeping the system down affects the cost of production. Now the supply side has improved and we are receiving the materials but still, we maintain inventory.
ER: Temperatures continue to rise for Climate Change. How it is affecting HVACR and what challenges do you think are to come in the future?
MA: Since we offer control, we do not supply HVACR equipment but still, we are informed of these issues in the backdrop of climate change. We ask our clients to remain updated in the context of maintenance and updating of equipment. We suggest they maintain the systems for keeping up the schedule. This way we can continue with the system and avoid ill impacts.
ER: Tell us about the expansion of IMS and in which areas is it working
MA: IMS started with building management systems which also include controls, lighting controls, fire alarms, etc. We have now moved to the power sector and after taking over Schneider’s manufacturing division in Pakistan we are in the electric panels business and switchgears.
We now offer services in the textile sector, and pharma where we are very much in, then in the banking sector, the industrial sector in Port Qasim, where we are providing services in security and fire alarm systems.
ER: There is much talk about Make in Pakistan after our economy faced issues. What do you think as an engineer if we possess the capability to make all systems in Pakistan that we import?
MA: Surely we are capable to do it. People from here go abroad and serve these companies that export this equipment and systems to Pakistan. The issue is that the government should take it seriously as there is an industry that is serious to do it but the government has to take the initiative.
Either our own industry can start local manufacturing or foreign investors can be invited to do it in Pakistan but what we need is some serious steps on the part of the governments.