The sub-continent – an exciting growth prospect
In early February, the Indian Plumbing Association held its latest symposium included the Plumbex India exhibition in Mumbai, which attracted record numbers of both attendees and significantly more exhibitors than in the previous two years.
As the formalized plumbing industry of India continues to evolve and develop, suppliers from around the world are keen to position their brands, given the huge potential of this rapidly expanding middle-class market, which is thirsting for the latest technology and European design.
India’s middle class segment, believed to be between 200 and 300 million people is embracing Western culture and has significant purchasing power, though not directly comparable to European/North American standards. Many suppliers are investing in joint ventures, business alignments or setting up local production.
PlumbexIndia’10 concluded in Mumbai on 7 February, 2010, achieving some great results.
Organized jointly by Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) and AIM Expositions Pvt. Ltd. (AIMEX) at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, on 5-7 February 2010, this show broke records for almost all the parameters.
Net exhibition space was 2603sq mts, which was up 45% from the previous year. The number of exhibitors rose to 101 from 69, registering a growth of 46% and the number of trade visitors jumped from 5,445 to 8,248, showing quantum growth of 51% over last year’s show.
The overall ambience, quality of participation, innovative booth designs and birdseye view of the Show was at par with other international shows. In a nutshell, PlumbexIndia’10 was an Indian Show, with an international touch of class.
However, it was not merely a big and better exhibition, but had great ‘utility value’ for the visiting professionals. Being a B2B Show, the visitors representing the building services industry, were obviously looking to enhance their knowledge as regards to new products, innovative technologies, water management techniques and much more. This Show could successfully meet the information-needs of its enlightened and professional visitors! There was the right type of products on display for the right type of audience.
At the same time, the Show was not only about display or demonstrations, but it was also all set for deliberations and knowledge-enhancement as well. The concurrent event, Plumbing Symposium was organized with a central theme of Green Plumbing. This two-day Symposium had an array of elite and enlightened speakers, but the ‘star-attraction’ of the symposium, was Ar Karan Grover who provided the excellent presentation: ‘Heart of Water – Honoring the Elixir of Life and its Protectors’. This 90 minute presentation was spellbinding for the close to 600 delegates who attended the Symposium. The other speakers who shared their experience, expertise and exposure with the delegates were equally as good.
The latest edition of Plumbing Directory of India (PDI 2010) and Green Plumbing Code Supplement-India (GPCS-I) were launched during this Symposium. The Green Plumbers Training & Accreditation Program was also launched by IPA President Mr. Sudhakaran Nair; IAPMO-India Sr. Director, Mr. Allen Inlow and GreenPlumbers India President, Ms Megan Lehtonen.
IPA also honored eight living legends of Indian plumbing industry by conferring upon them the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Plumbing Profession.: Mr. S G Deolalikar from New Delhi; Mr. Nariman Nallaseth from Mumbai; Dr. P C Jain from New Delhi; Mr. Sudhakaran Nair from Bangalore; Mr. B S A Narayan from Bangalore; Mr. D S Gupta from New Delhi; Mr. M N Raghavendra Rao from Bangalore and Mr. D K Roy Choudhury from Kolkata.
The third PlumbexIndia’10, proved the relevance and strength of the Indian market. When you consider that some markets and manufacturers have suffered financially during the past 15 months, India has done an enormous service to the industry at large.