Can you give us an overview of your various product portfolios? Which products have been and are still particularly successful for Berger Hesse?
Berger Hesse offers lacquers and stains for wood, wood products, glass, plastic, and metal for interior design and the furniture industry. Our range of products ranges from solvent-based stains and polyurethane lacquers to environmentally friendly water-based stains and lacquers, modern UV systems, oils (coloured and clear oils) and products made from sustainable raw materials.
The traditional solvent-based lacquers and acrylic polyurethane lacquers are the foundation of our range and form the core of our success.
What are the industries/segments in which you work? Where do you believe the biggest demand exists?
Berger Hesse supplies lacquers & stains to industries manufacturing furniture for domestic and export markets; modular panel furniture; doors & door frames; lacquered glass; parquet flooring; and retail shop fitting.
With the rising ownership of residential apartments, we expect an increased output of quality doors and door frames, which will see an increased demand for lacquers. This will also bring in an increased demand for modular furniture (kitchens and wardrobes), thereby increasing the requirements for lacquers.
How can leveraging various technological advancements in paint and coating technologies aid the coating sector greatly? How do you see competition in the field of innovation?
We have always believed in bringing products with cutting-edge technology to the Indian market through our joint venture with Hesse Lignal, Germany.The focus on having the best technology helps in faster production, resulting in higher productivity and a lower cost of production with the best quality.
As for the second part of your question, every company has a different focus area, and thus innovation might mean different things for every company.
What areas have room for development, and what are the next steps toward expansion?
Bringing in high quality and sustainable products will ensure the industry’s higher productivity.
We wish to be present across all cities and towns in the coming future.
What are your business plans for the next five years in terms of the Indian market, the cities you aim to enter, and the markets you wish to penetrate?
Over the next five years, we aim to be present in all cities and towns across the country by having a presence of woodworking and furniture manufacturing units.
What sectors have important demand drivers for the coatings industry? How were they affected by COVID and what is their outlook?
As a wood coating company, we see demand across all the segments that we work in, and this keeps us focused on the entire woodworking industry.
During COVID, localised lockdowns slowed down ongoing projects and delayed work on new projects. With the business resuming, we expect the launch of new projects that were held over the last couple of years and also consolidation in favour of organised business, leading to good growth potential.
What opportunities and challenges do you foresee? How do you intend to maintain your position as the industry leader?
The biggest and best opportunity we see is bringing technically advanced products, processes, and application methods to the Indian woodworking industry, while the challenge is getting the industry to adapt to the same, which will result in improved overall product quality and increased productivity.
As an industry leader, our goal is to be the most reliable, competent, and inspiring partner for our customers.
Incorporating sustainability into coatings solutions is imperative. How does Berger Hesse fare in terms of sustainability?
At Hesse Lignal & Berger Hesse, we feel compelled to assume responsibility for subsequent generations. Hesse R&D has developed products that are more sustainable and that permanently reduce the consumption of fossil raw materials. In order to achieve a high degree of sustainability, product developers at Hesse Lignal have replaced fossil raw materials contained in conventionally produced paint to a large extent with bio-renewable carbon (BRC). These are renewable raw materials that reduce CO2 from the atmosphere and thus bind it. The product portfolio includes products with a BRC content of up to 30 percent.
With this, we take responsibility and act sustainably. In doing so, we are one thing above all: inspirational.
Interview Attributes
Venkatakrishna B K
Business Head at Berger Hesse Wood Coatings Pvt. Ltd