Supermet gives super facelift for residential and commercial structures
The growing demand for sustainable construction is a major focus of the worldwide building industry today. Sustainable or ‘green’ construction focuses on the creation of healthier, energy-efficient, more environmentally-friendly homes and buildings (both commercial and industrial).
This move towards sustainability is transforming the way the industry designs, constructs and operates buildings, and zinc aluminum solutions have become the most preferred means of achieving these new goals.
Supermet Building Solutions Limited which forayed in to the Sri Lankan market in 2016 establishing as an independent arm , has to-date successfully supported a large number of local commercial and industrial projects, supplying an array of products under the ‘Supermet’ brand.
Chamika Jayasinghe, the National Sales Manager of Supermet Building Solutions Limited
in this interview touches on Supermet’s zinc aluminium product portfolio, its benefits, industry performance and several other important areas. Excerpts:
COULD YOU TELL ABOUT THE BEGINNINGS OF YOUR COMPANY?
We started in 1962 as Rhino Group,selling the fiber cement roofing sheets. And as a diversified new product, we introduced Supermet branded zinc aluminium products in 2004. Thereafter, in 2016, we decided to fully focus on this business, and we formed a separate arm called “Supermet Building Solutions Ltd”.
WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT ZINC ALUMINIUM?
When it comes to commercial and industrial constructions, alternative roofings are not used at present because they are very heavy. Instead, the light-weight zinc aluminium coated metal products are used.
In addition, zinc aluminium has the ability to give a better appearance for building structures, thermal conductivity, and power saving.
Supermet products include roofing, ceilings, walling, purlins, gates, gutters and accessories.
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS ONE HAS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING ROOFING PRODUCTS?
They should look at the supplier’s history and market performance. When it comes to zinc aluminium, they should check a few details on the backside of the sheets. There has to be information such as the AZ value, thickness, tensile strength, coating etc printed there. If there is no such printed information that means it is a substandard product.
FOR WHAT TYPE OF CONSTRUCTIONS ARE ZINC ALUMINIUM ROOFING AND ALLIED PRODUCTS USED?
They are used for houses, apartments, hotels, shopping malls, factories and offices.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING SUPERMET PRODUCTS?
They are manufactured using superior quality raw materials, conforms to international standards for coated products, maximum corrosion resistance, highly durable, cost-effective, efficient after-sales service and island wide availability.
HOW DO YOU VIEW THE GROWTH IN THE ZINC ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY?
We have witnessed a huge growth in the industry from 2004 to 2016. All players in the industry imported around 20000 metric tonnes per annum in 2004. At present it’s about 160000 metric tonnes per annum.
In 2004, our monthly sales were very low, and today that figure is more than 100 times bigger.
WHAT ARE THE MEASURES TAKEN BY YOUR COMPANY TO COPE WITH THIS INCREASING DEMAND?
We have expanded our production capacity by opening a new plant in Kurunegala. Earlier we produced only in the Ekala factory.
FROM WHICH COUNTRY ARE THE RAW MATERIALS IMPORTED?
We import raw materials only from South Korea’s Union Steel for the Supermet brand.
WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING, ARE THERE ANY MAJOR PROJECTS TO WHICH SUPERMET PRODUCTS WILL BE SUPPLIED IN THE FUTURE?
There are 60 000 houses to be constructed in the North and East and 10 000 in the plantation sector. All these houses will be using zinc aluminium for the roofing, and we look forward to supply our quality products.
ANY INDUSTRY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED?
Yes. Earlier, there was a 30% cess and duty imposed on imported zinc aluminium building structures. That was removed by the 2016 budget. Building structures are now imported to Sri Lanka directly from countries such as China, India and Vietnam. This is a huge threat for local producers. We urge the government to re-impose the cess and the duty to protect the local producers.
ARE THE LATEST ZINC ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS EMBRACED BY LOCAL ARCHITECTS WHEN DESIGNING BUILDINGS?
The high-end zinc aluminium products are still not considered by local architects when designing buildings. There are latest products available. We have a high-end product called ‘Lux Steel’that can be incorporated into modern, high-tech designs. Currently, we are promoting it via architects.
YOUR COMPANY HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THE ‘CONSTRUCT’ EXHIBITION FOR MANY YEARS. HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS EVENT FOR YOUR COMPANY?
We have been participating in this exhibition for over ten years. This is an ideal platform to introduce and promote our new products. Rhino and Supermet were the Gold sponsors of this year’s exhibition.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE PLANS OF YOUR COMPANY?
Our major future plan is to develop the turnkey segment. That means to undertake projects fully. We will also be introducing a new feature called ‘roofing.lk”, which is an online store.