Devaj Engineering, a leading manufacturer and supplier of pre-engineered buildings (PEB) in India, started operations in 2011 at Ahmedabad. <br /> 'We have developed more than 100,000 sq m of PEB sheds in sectors such as warehousing, grain industries, plastic industries, manufacturing units, among others,' says <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chintan Shah, Managing Director, Devaj Engineering. </span><br /> The company is currently working in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andra Pradesh, and is looking to work in the other parts of the country. Shah shares more on the PEB market in India and the company's plans.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the current market for PEB like?</span><br /> PEB is now a developing product. However, till date, only 15-20 per cent of the industry personals are aware of this construction technique. Having said that, in the last two to three years, the awareness for PEB in the market is growing. The industry is now trying to switch from conventional fabricated structures to PEB due its feasibility and ease of work. Moreover, such type of construction is time-saving as the production and civil work happens simultaneously.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the company's current market share?</span><br /> In the last fiscal, Devaj Engineering developed almost 20,000 sq m in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Also, our order book stands at 10,000 sq m for the current year until May 2018. We are now expanding our network all over India; and are continuously improving our design to make buildings cost-effective. Further, we are also trying to upgrade our manufacturing facilities to attain the maximum accuracy possible.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about type of projects in India where prefabricated structures will do well.</span><br /> Nowadays, warehouses and logistic parks, along with some other industries, are mainly using PEB technology. Until now, commercial buildings have not explored PEB construction, the reason being that people choose aesthetic looks for commercial buildings, which they are unaware that PEB too can provide. <br /> <br /> This will be a new breakthrough area in the near future. Also, schools, colleges, convention centers and airport hangars may provide good scope for PEB in the future. Labor quarters and houses could also be options, as PEB supports multi-storied building using mezzanine floors.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">How cost-effective are PEB structures as compared to the conventional types?</span><br /> The main drawback of conventional structures is that they are made from ready sections that are fixed in length and thickness; in that case, the tonnage is increased up to 20-30 per cent. Whereas in PEB, it is pre-designed and the materials required are custom-fit and the thickness can vary as per requirement. Also, conventional type of construction requires more time than PEB does. The quality of welding is also not as efficient as compared to the quality achieved by PEB technology.<br />