Mr.
Nandan Valia |
When there is a will there is a way.
Horizons are broadened and new vistas of successes are opened by
those who dare to think big. Through their hard work and
foresightedness, they make the impossible look possible. One such
person is Mr. Nandan Valia who is a distributor for Reliance
Industries Limited (RIL) and Indian Petrochemical Company Limited (IPCL).
In an interview with the polymerupdate team, he talks about his
journey in the polymer industry till now, the various products he
deals in and his vision for the future of the polymer industry. |
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In
Conversation |
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Polymerupdate : How did you start in this
business ?
Mr. Nandan Valia :
My father, Mr. Himmat Valia alongwith 3 of his brothers ventured
into business by starting a company called Fibroplast Corporation in
1975. We started a unit manufacturing PP ropes. After this, we went
into the business of importing polymers.
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Polymerupdate :
After the initial start up, how was the business expansion
planned ?
Mr. Nandan
Valia : After having succeeded in our initial
endeavours, we wanted to expand further. We then came into contact
with a Czech company which was into manufacture of PP and PE. From
1982 till 1990, we maintained a monopoly for the supply of the
company’s products in India. |
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Polymerupdate : Till that time, you were
functioning as an integrated family unit. How did you plan to
venture out on your own ?
Mr. Nandan Valia :
Somewhere around 1992, a need was felt by the family to start their
individual set ups. My father, Mr. Himmat Valia started his own
company by the name of Associated Brothers. Since then, we have been
active in various business ventures, increasing our brand awareness
and would say that we are doing fairly well for ourselves. We are
the representatives in India for a German Company named Baerlocher
India Additives which manufactures PVC additives. We also represent
a French Company Lamato manufacturing PA66 polymers which is used in
the textile, carpet and industrial fiber markets. Also, we are the
sole agents of a German Company called Caparol which manufactures
paints. |
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Polymerupdate :
Can you elaborate further on the various facets of your company ?
Mr. Nandan Valia :
We are also engaged in the import of acrylates, propylene glycol
used in antifreeze and deicing solutions,chlorinated solvents,
emulsifiers, pigments like titanium dioxide which are used in
paints, printing inks paper and plastic products. We represent RIL
and IPCL in the Western Indian region of Daman and Silvassa for PP,
PE and PVC. Besides this, we are also active in warehousing and
logistics. We also have a warehouse in Bhiwandi. |
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Polymerupdate :
What do you think are the problems facing the polymer industry?
Mr. Nandan Valia :
In the next two years, there will be overcapacities in various
polymer grades and polymer prices will come down. Poly Ethylene
Terepthalate will be having overcapacities everywhere. Although
turnovers are increasing, margins are being squeezed leading to
erosions in profitability.
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Polymerupdate :
What changes do you foresee in the polymer industry in the near
future?
Mr. Nandan Valia :
The future looks bright for the polymer industry. It is growing at a
current growth rate of 15 to 20%. As the customers are growing,
there is a corresponding increase in volumes. There will be moves to
make forays into specialty products. |
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Polymerupdate :
How do you perceive India on the emerging Polymer scene ?
Mr. Nandan Valia :
I think that the future in the polymer industry is bright for India.
Right now there is a retail boom in India and with the industry
growing at a rapid pace; there will be a heavy demand for packaging
materials. Also, we will see India progressing to barrier films and
high end products like modified plastics. There will also be a move
for moving from a trading model towards a distribution model. |