India’s fenestration industry has undergone a lot of shifts over the decades in terms of materials, designs, and even engineering details. Wood has been a staple since building construction started. The later years of the twentieth century were marked by the introduction of aluminum and steel fenestration products. It was not until very recently that uPVC was introduced as another material option. However, it has rapidly grown in popularity, almost disrupting the industry. The growth in demand for uPVC windows can be attributed to its ability to offer better security and aesthetics, perfectly fitting in with the demands of the modern consumer.
Although, with the rise in demand for these products, there is also a growing concern regarding their quality. The huge scope that the Indian market presents for this industry, rests on the ability of manufacturers to ensure high quality of products. Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies, a German-founded brand has been fulfilling these demands in India since 2006. Identifying as industry trendsetters, the company leverages technology to develop futuristic products that not only keep you safe but also make heads turn.
Founding Journey
Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies was established by Karl Lingel Fensterbau in 1959 in Ellwangen, Germany. Over the years, the firm became one of the most renowned manufacturing brands for high-quality doors and windows across Europe. Entering the Indian markets in 2006 when the uPVC sector was only getting established, the company saw a wonderful opportunity to position itself as one of the initial players. This, however, also meant a lot of customer education.
Starting from scratch in Rajasthan, a strong team was assembled, eventually growing beyond the state to more parts of India. Today, Lingel ranks as one of the top 5 fenestration brands in India, and a few of the original team members are still associated with the firm at high positions.
“One must always have a very clear vision and goal in mind because the road to success is never easy. My journey at Lingel has been wonderful and prosperous under Karl Lingel’s guidance. I would like to credit him as a great leader and mentor for my accomplishments. I have over 20 years of experience in the Fenestration Industry. I was the youngest General Manager (Factory Head) in the window and door field within my German state. I became the Managing Director at Lingel India in 2006 and Plant Head Director Lingel Germany from 2018 all due to his mentorship”, shares Dr. Mario Schmidt, Managing Director.
Tech-Driven Innovation
As an industry trendsetter, the company also boasts extensive technology integration which enables it to stay ahead of the curve. Automation at the plant machinery has been a central feature for Lingel because the German workforce is quite expensive. The extent of tech integration this pushed the firm to aim for has benefited it in many ways, most prominently by giving it the capability to quickly create new product designs, and accelerate fabrication speeds since many processes are completely computerized.
Lingel is able to speed up, and even eliminate time-consuming processes such as model creation and sample testing as a lot of work is completed through software simulations. Innovating products with a futuristic mindset, the company boasts an extensive product design catalog to cater to the varied consumer needs.
“Back in 2008/2009, we were the first company in India to adopt the traditional wooden design while manufacturing double-shutter windows in uPVC. Double-shutter windows are characterized by glass shutters that open outside, with mesh shutters that open inside. Moreover, we were pioneers in introducing integrated grills, not just grill provisions, offering options to supply windows with security grills and various designs for both casement and sliding windows”, further adds Dr. Mario Schmidt.
Starting off its journey as innovators, the company continued on this path, crafting the first glass houses or glass conservatories in uPVC in 2010 which was later created out of aluminium as well. Some newer innovations experimented with during the post-pandemic period include Lingel’s LPG glazing and Lingel Safe Box (LSB). Some other new innovations unfolded by Lingel include its snow-white color windows, aluminum system 6.0, and thermal broken high-end aluminum solutions. Lingel also holds prominence for creating India’s largest aluminum window and door systems and has worked with some very big names including Le Meridien, Hyatt, and Oberoi.
Quality Focus
Across all of its offerings, Lingel focuses on designing products that meet the highest performance, safety, and aesthetic standards. This is ensured by understanding the client’s requirements and challenges and striving to address those challenges as best possible. Moreover, as the company is committed to providing innovative solutions and exceptional service to its clients, its R&D teams are connected with the German headquarters, exchanging information on the latest technology that can be implemented to address clients’ challenges perfectly. For certain products that are only present in the European markets, the firm also strives to recreate them in a manner that allows them to fit the Indian consumers’ budget.
Focused on innovation, it is a matter to watch what more Lingel has to introduce within the Indian Fenestration industry
“It’s crucial for us to deeply understand the demands and design challenges our customers face. Only by gaining a thorough understanding of these challenges can we collaborate effectively to create and provide unique customized design solutions. Another aspect of the value we offer is our unique warranty terms. With 18 years of presence in India, we have successfully fulfilled warranty terms for thousands of projects. Additionally, we maintain detailed tracking records of all windows produced by us. This allows us to trace and track them, knowing exactly which components are required, even for windows installed 17 years ago”, further shares Dr. Mario Schmidt.
Beyond innovation, Lingel also offers a spectrum of free services such as professional consultation, project planning, and site inspections and supervision to ensure an overall positive experience. The company stands out for delivering high-quality solutions at competitive prices. Furthermore, Lingel’s new Giga manufacturing unit spread across 125,000 sq. ft., which promises a production capacity of 14,000 units per month put it on the map for on-time deliveries as well. Leveraging state-of-the-art machines, the team is able to develop flawless products, saving resources as well as time.
Future Roadmap
Lingel’s journey over 65 years has been marked with several accomplishments and accolades. Reputed across Europe and Germany as one of the top fenestration specialists, the company ventured into India 18 years ago, a move that proved remarkably strategic and favorable. As the company penetrated India, it was not just focused on increasing the consumer base, but more so on improving innovation, which ultimately led it to become an industry pioneer. A true reflection of this can be understood from the fact that a large percentage of customers for the brand, today, are reference consumers.
“Over the years, we have contributed to various landmark projects, earning recognition through industry awards. Being an environmentally conscious brand, we are committed to minimizing our carbon footprint. Initiatives such as skill development campaigns for the youth and environmental awareness programs are part of our agenda for the future”, signs off Dr. Mario Schmidt.
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