Building Trust, Ensuring Quality And Shaping Life – The Simta Astrix Way

What began four decades ago as a single step in manufacturing has today become a defining success story. At its heart is Mr Sampath Kumar, whose grit and innovation built a legacy of excellence. He founded Simta Manufacturing Company in 1991 and went on to establish Simta Astrix in 2013 as a leading uPVC windows and doors manufacturer. Turning industry gaps into opportunities, he has since expanded into ABS and steel doors, aluminium systems, and modular interiors, transforming Simta Astrix into a pioneer of integrated fenestration and interior solutions. Today, his vision is to make world-class fenestration accessible, guided by quality, trust, and consistency. He envisions Simta Astrix reaching every Indian city while opening doors to Asia and the Middle East. In this conversation with WFM Media, Mr Sampath reflects on his journey, shares insights into sustainability, technology-driven manufacturing, and overcoming industry challenges, and reveals his vision to position Simta Astrix as India’s most trusted fenestration brand. Sampath Kumar, Managing Director – Simta Astrix

Q. Simta Astrix Has Made A Name For Itself With Energy-Efficient And Eco-Friendly Solutions. Was Sustainability Always A Core Focus, Or Did It Evolve Over Time?

Ans: Having originated in the far south-west of India, specifically Sulur – a serene suburb of Coimbatore – we have been deeply influenced by the natural environment that surrounds us. Sulur is renowned for its clean air and consistently low Air Quality Index (AQI) throughout the year, making it a place where nature plays an integral role in daily life.

For the founder of Simta Astrix, sustainability has always been an inherent value rather than a mere business strategy. Right from inception, the company’s vision was shaped by a commitment to sustainable growth, not as an afterthought but as a guiding principle. This outlook was not born out of market pressure or evolving trends, but from a personal belief that environmental stewardship and business growth can and should go hand in hand.

This ethos continues to inform every decision we make, from selecting raw materials to developing manufacturing processes that reduce waste, conserve energy, and deliver long-lasting, environmentally responsible products.

Q. How Would You Describe The Current Landscape Of The Fenestration Industry In India? Are There Any Trends Or Shifts That Particularly Stand Out To You Right Now?

Ans: The fenestration industry in India has been undergoing a steady transformation. There is now a growing awareness of the window’s role not just as a building element but as an essential link between the indoor and outdoor environment. People are beginning to understand that windows influence energy efficiency, comfort, aesthetics, and overall building performance.

Historically, India moved from traditional steel windows to smaller aluminium sections, often sourced from roadside fabricators with limited precision and subpar workmanship. The industry has since evolved to adopt more advanced solutions that go beyond simply “fitting a window” – solutions that integrate engineering, aesthetics, and performance.

Today, uPVC and system aluminium windows play a pivotal role in shaping the fenestration market. However, the perception of uPVC has suffered to some extent in recent years due to certain strategic missteps by some players in the segment. As a result, there is currently a slight upward trend favouring system aluminium solutions. Nonetheless, both materials have their place, and the challenge for the industry is to address misconceptions while educating customers on the long-term benefits of quality installations.

Q. Simta Astrix Is Known For Its Strong Manufacturing Backbone. Can You Tell Us More About Your Production Setup And What Gives Your Products A Competitive Edge?

Ans: Extruding uPVC profiles is no simple task; it demands a combination of experience, precision, and a robust process. At Simta Astrix, we have built a highly skilled production team with over two decades of experience in the plastics industry.

Our competitive edge begins with meticulous selection, from the machines and moulds we invest in to the raw materials we source and the process automation we implement. Each stage is designed to maintain a healthy and reliable production cycle. The extrusion process itself requires careful calibration to ensure dimensional accuracy, surface quality and long-term durability.

We also believe that the strength of our manufacturing lies in the consistency of our output. This is why we maintain rigorous in-house testing and quality checks, ensuring that every batch of profiles meets our internal benchmarks as well as international standards.

Q. You’ve Launched Several New Products Into The Market Over The Years. What Do You Look For Before Deciding It’s The Right Time To Introduce Something New?

Ans: Our guiding principle can be summed up as “Ride the Tide.” We closely observe the prevailing market scenario and identify trends that are gaining momentum. If we see a direction that aligns with our expertise and the needs of the customer, we move towards it decisively.

Adding new product verticals is not simply about keeping pace with competition; it is a strategic decision to multiply growth potential and address untapped opportunities. We focus on introducing products that have the potential to become widely adopted in the market, aiming for solutions that not only meet existing demand but also help shape new consumer expectations.

Q. Every Industry Has Its Set Of Challenges. What Are Some Of The Key Hurdles You’ve Faced In Fenestration, And How Has Simta Astrix Responded To Them?

Ans: One of the most pressing challenges in our sector is ensuring that uPVC windows are fabricated using high-quality hardware and installed correctly.

The quality of the end product depends not only on the profile but also on the competence of the fabricator. To address this, we identify quality-oriented fabricators and conduct regular inspections of their manufacturing processes. We have also introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that ensures professional fabrication and installation standards for uPVC windows.

Another significant hurdle is the influx of inferior-quality profiles from overseas, particularly China. According to import data, approximately 55% of India’s uPVC profile consumption is met through Chinese imports. This poses a considerable threat to domestic manufacturers who invest heavily in quality and compliance.

In response, we have collaborated with other reputed profile manufacturers to lobby the government for stricter regulations, including making the BIS certification mandatory for all profiles sold in India. This not only helps protect the domestic industry but also safeguards customers from substandard products.

Q. Today’s Customers Are Not Just Looking For Durability – Design And Aesthetics Matter More Than Ever. How Does Simta Astrix Balance Form And Function In Its Offerings?

Ans: We believe that “seeing is believing.” Aesthetics are an integral part of our product development process because a window is not just a functional element; it is also a design statement.

For our uPVC profiles, we have developed surfaces that are smooth, pristine white, and visually appealing. The texture and finish are designed to be soothing to the eye while maintaining durability. For laminated finishes, we offer eight different options to cater to architects’ and clients’ specific preferences.

Technically, we avoid over-specifying our products, as this can create unnecessary confusion for customers. Instead, our engineering approach is tailored to the requirements of the Indian market, with careful consideration of factors such as wind load. At the same time, we remain open to designing products for specific markets abroad. For instance, we recently developed a customised product range for Europe and Gulf markets.

Q. As Someone Who’s Led Teams For Many Years, What’s Your Approach To Leadership And Building A Strong, Motivated Workforce At Simta Astrix?

Ans: Our leadership philosophy revolves around avoiding procrastination and fostering a culture of confidence and accountability. We aim to equip our team members with the skills, direction, and passion necessary to handle assignments independently.

At Simta Astrix, we actively encourage our employees to become leaders rather than just managers. Leadership, in our view, is about taking ownership, solving problems proactively, and inspiring others by example. This culture of empowerment has helped us build a motivated workforce that is committed to excellence.

Q. With Changing Customer Expectations, How Do You Ensure Your Products And Services Remain Aligned With What The Market Demands?

Ans: Feedback is the cornerstone of our market alignment strategy. We treat market feedback as an ongoing process rather than an occasional exercise. Our team is trained to gather insights from customers, dealers, fabricators and architects, and these insights are reviewed to identify both opportunities and pain points.

Once feedback is collected, we focus on implementing long-term solutions rather than quick fixes. This ensures that our products and services evolve in a way that keeps pace with customer expectations and changing market dynamics.

Q. How Has Technology Played A Role In Shaping Simta Astrix’s Manufacturing And Product Development Processes Over The Years?

Ans: Technology has been a critical enabler for us, right from the initial concept stage to the final product. With over a decade of experience in manufacturing, we have developed an automated production process that uses a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system to monitor and control operations.

Regular maintenance of our machines and moulds ensures consistent profile quality and optimal production efficiency. In addition, we conduct periodic in-house testing of our profiles in line with BIS 17953 and EN 12608 standards. This commitment to technology and quality control allows us to deliver products that are not only compliant but also reliable over the long term.

Q. What Is Your Vision For Simta Astrix Going Forward?

Ans: Our vision is to remain true to our core values while striving to become the most preferred and trusted brand in the eyes of our customers. We aspire to be a trendsetter in the industry, setting benchmarks in both quality and sustainability.

By living these values every day and by leading through example, we hope to inspire not just our peers but the entire fenestration industry to adopt practices that are both customer-centric and environmentally responsible.