- Aneel Parekh, Managing Director, Godavri PaintsEstablished in 1972, Godavri Paints has its manufacturing arm in Vadodara, Gujarat. Every product goes through stringent quality supervision and is tested in all aspects to provide the end-user with a high range of quality products. As COVID-19 has impacted the paints and coatings sector, consumers have become more conscious of hygiene and immunity, resulting in interesting demand trends. Aneel Parekh, Managing Director, Godavri Paints, shares more on the company’s offerings and future plans.How has COVID-19 impacted the Indian paint market and what is the current state of demand?MSME paint manufacturers have been adversely hit. These are unprecedented, challenging times and those MSMEs who survive them will sail through the future. Currently, they have to hold the fort. Only a few organised and large players have benefited in the current situation. Overall, demand for paints has seen a slowdown effect as consumers have gone into saving mode.Tell us about the different types of paints being preferred by users after the pandemic and how these are reflected in your offerings.After the pandemic, consumer preference has shifted more towards services with high safety procedures. In terms of products, they prefer low-VOC, eco-friendly, anti-bacteria and anti-algae offerings. We have these in our product range. We have a wide variety of offerings in different price brackets.Any new launches this year?We have launched a variety of waterproofing materials and clear lacquers that will keep the surface clean and attract less dust. This increases hygiene and reduces bacteria growth on the painted surface.What are the company’s plans going forward?We are serving a niche market for many years now and our quality products are specified and consumed by industry leaders in the construction field. Now, we intend to expand our market pan India with our time-tested products, add new products to our offerings, and be a trusted partner providing total paint solutions to the architectural, construction and infrastructure industry.Please highlight a recent project where your products have been used.After the opening up of the lockdown, we have bagged substantial orders from affordable mass housing projects as well as a few premium projects of the Prestige and Hiranandani Groups. To share your views, write in at feedback@ConstructionWorld.in