 Farid Khan is a transformative force in India’s fenestration industry, with over two decades of experience in international expansion, strategic market entry, and manufacturing across South Asia, the Middle East, and non-EU markets. He built the Koemmerling brand in India from the ground up, establishing a world-class uPVC manufacturing facility in Vadodara. He led profine group’s diversification into aluminium, making profine India the first uPVC manufacturer to enter the aluminium fenestration segment, and subsequently spearheaded the acquisition of Netherlands-based EFP International B.V. and its transition to Koemmerling. Today, he leads profineIndia, profine Middle East, and the Group’s global aluminium business across non-EU markets.
Farid Khan
|
Q. Koemmerling Has Built A Strong Global Reputation In Premium Window And Door Systems. How Do You See The Brand Evolving In India’s Rapidly Growing Façade And Fenestration Market?
With over 125 years of German engineering heritage and a firmly established position as India’s leading premium fenestration brand, Koemmerling’s evolution in the country is a story of expanding leadership – from a trusted uPVC systems brand to a comprehensive fenestration and façade solutions company. We entered the Indian market with a globally trusted uPVC window & door systems brand-Koemmerling. But what we are witnessing today is a significant expansion of our footprint – from a single material, single category brand to a truly holistic fenestration, façades, and polymer composite sheets solutions company.
The recent strategic transition of our aluminium brand from AluPure to Koemmerling Aluminium Systems, the acquisition of European Façade Products (EFP) – a Netherlands-based façade specialist in 2024, along with the launch of KomaBoard & KomaDoor, polymer composite sheets and door solutions, are the defining moments of this evolution. With these diversified product categories, Koemmerling today offers one of the most comprehensive and coherent product portfolios in India’s fenestration, façade, and panel industry.
India’s construction market is at an inflexion point. Urbanisation is accelerating, the premium housing segment is growing rapidly, and large commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments are demanding façade and fenestration systems of a quality and sophistication. Koemmerling is positioned precisely at this intersection — with the product depth, German engineering heritage, and global expertise to meet these demands comprehensively. Backed by a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Vadodara, Gujarat and a strong nationwide partner network, we see Koemmerling evolving as a complete fenestration and interior substrate solutions brand in India.
Q. With Increasing Awareness Around Energy-Efficiency And Sustainability, How Are Koemmerling uPVC And Aluminium Systems Contributing To Greener And Smarter Buildings?
Sustainability today is not a choice; it has become a responsibility. At Koemmerling, sustainability is deeply embedded in our product philosophy and manufacturing practices. Our tagline, “Today for Tomorrow,” is not just a marketing slogan; it is a genuine statement of the intent that guides every product decision we make.
Long before green buildings became a global movement, Koemmerling recognised the need to innovate responsibly. Our commitment to sustainability and a greener planet led us to replace harmful lead stabilisers with calcium-zinc-based eco-friendly alternatives in our uPVC systems – without compromising durability, functionality, or appearance. This makes our uPVC window & door systems environmentally responsible and safer for occupants. This lead-free compound formulation has been developed and refined by Koemmerling in the early 2000s, and Koemmerling, as a responsible brand, has globally eliminated lead from virgin material since 2004 as part of its commitment to sustainable innovation. The multi-chambered profiles of our uPVC window and door systems are designed to deliver exceptional thermal insulation – reducing heat transfer between inside and outside and directly reducing the energy consumption of the buildings they are installed in. That’s not all; even at the end of a Koemmerling uPVC system’s service life, which routinely extends to decades, the profiles can be recycled multiple times without meaningful degradation in the material quality.
On the aluminium side, Koemmerling Aluminium Systems brings a truly circular material philosophy to the Indian market — 100% recyclable aluminium profiles that deliver structural strength and design freedom, while dramatically reducing the building’s lifetime carbon footprint. Our façade systems, including curtain wall, unitised curtain wall, and ventilated façade solutions, are engineered to contribute to both the energy performance envelope and the long-term sustainability credentials of the entire building, far beyond just the window or door opening.
“Our vision is not simply to grow as a system supplier — it is to be the trusted engineering partner for better, more beautiful, and more sustainable buildings” |
With a rich heritage, unmatched quality, and a forward-thinking approach to design and sustainability, Koemmerling uPVC and aluminium systems have redefined the benchmark in the fenestration and façade industry. Both our material streams, uPVC and aluminium, are aligned with India’s growing adoption of green building certifications. Koemmerling is a member of the IGBC, reflecting our commitment to supporting India’s sustainable construction movement. By eliminating lead from its formulation early on, Koemmerling has set an example for responsible manufacturing – placing the occupants’ health and environmental impact at the centre of product development.
Q. Architects Today Seek A Balance Between Aesthetics, Performance, And Durability. How Does Koemmerling Address These Evolving Design Expectations Through Its Product Innovations?
The relationship between Koemmerling and India’s design community is one that we value deeply – and one that has shaped the direction of product innovation significantly. At Koemmerling, we understand that modern architecture today demands more than just windows and doors when it comes to fenestration; it demands design freedom combined with engineered performance. The architects and designers are no longer willing to accept trade-offs between how fenestration and façade systems look and how they perform. We understand that they want both, and they want it in a system that is reliable, consistent, and backed by a brand they can trust.
With our versatile product portfolio in both uPVC & Aluminium windows & doors, we are responding to the growing demand for larger glazed openings with slimmer profile sections. Our next-generation systems – Koemmerling Lift & Slide, Slide & Fold in uPVC, and Opulenze, Majestic, and Valour in Aluminium – are specifically designed to maximise the visible glass area within any given opening, delivering the expansive, light-filled interiors that define contemporary residential, commercial, and hospitality architecture in India. On the other hand, our façade systems, including regular curtain wall, unitised curtain wall, skylight systems, ventilated façade, and louvre & sunshade solutions, give architects the tools to execute ambitious building envelope concepts with confidence, knowing that every system is engineered to perform to the highest standards of aesthetics while ensuring structural stability. The design language across our entire product portfolio — uPVC/aluminium window & door, and façade systems — is clean, architectural, and uncompromisingly contemporary. Whether it is our slimline aluminium systems delivering an almost frameless aesthetic, uPVC systems with expansive sliding and folding configurations, ambitious curtain wall façade applications, or a rich palette of designer surface finishes and colour options, every Koemmerling product is developed with one goal in mind — to give architects and designers the creative freedom to realise their vision without material or system limitations holding them back.
And very importantly, this design freedom never comes at the expense of performance. Every Koemmerling system is engineered to deliver structural stability, weather resistance, thermal insulation, and acoustic performance under India’s diverse and demanding environmental conditions — from coastal humidity and monsoon rainfall to extreme heat and high-rise wind loads. This combination of design ambition and engineering rigour is what defines Koemmerling’s value proposition to India’s design community — systems that look as good as they perform, and perform as well as they look, for decades.
Q. Koemmerling Is Renowned Globally For Its German Engineering And Precision. What Are The Key Differentiators That Set Your Systems Apart In A Highly Competitive Market Like India?
German engineering is our heritage, and it is the differentiator that no competitor in the Indian market can replicate authentically. But it is worth being specific about what that engineering heritage actually means in practice — because it goes far beyond a country-of-origin claim.
The first differentiator is material science and a global R&D centre. Koemmerling’s uPVC compound has been developed and refined exclusively by our own R&D team. This is our proprietary formulation that delivers the longevity, dimensional stability, UV resistance, and environmental performance that our systems are known for. This level of material ownership and controls is extremely rare in the global uPVC industry, and virtually unique in the Indian market.
The second differentiator is the breadth and coherence of our product portfolio. Koemmerling today offers uPVC and aluminium windows, doors, sliding systems, slimline systems, and comprehensive façade systems — including curtain wall, unitised curtain wall, skylight, ventilated façade, louvre and sunshade solutions – as well as polymer composite boards and holistic door systems. Very few brands offer this depth of coverage across a single, coherent system architecture. For architects, developers, and contractors, this means the opportunity to work with a single trusted partner across multiple product categories on the same project.
The third differentiator is our certified channel partners’ network. Koemmerling systems are not sold off a shelf — they are fabricated and installed by a network of trained, certified partners who have been assessed against our quality standards. This ensures that the engineering precision of the product is matched by the precision of its installation, which is ultimately where system performance is either realised or lost.
Q. How Do You See The Role Of High-Performance Windows And Façade Systems Changing In The Future Of Urban Architecture And Luxury Residential Developments In India?
The role of windows and façade systems in Indian architecture is undergoing a fundamental transformation — and we are at the beginning of what will be a very significant shift. For decades, windows and doors were specified primarily on cost and basic functionality. That era is now coming to an end, driven by several powerful and converging forces.
The first is energy performance. As India moves toward more ambitious energy-efficiency standards in buildings — and as the cost of constant dependency on cooling and heating devices continues to be a significant concern for homeowners — the thermal performance of the building envelope is becoming a primary specification consideration rather than an afterthought. High-performance windows and façade systems are central to achieving the energy-efficiency targets that green building certifications and regulatory frameworks increasingly demand.
The second is design ambition. India’s premium residential and commercial architecture is evolving rapidly. Many customisations and installations like glazed façades, floor-to-ceiling windows, large sliding and folding door systems, and complex curtain wall being specified by developers and their design teams, driven by the desire to create spaces that feel expansive, light-filled, and contemporary. Systems that can deliver these design outcomes while maintaining structural stability, weather performance, and security are in growing demand.
The third is the smart building movement. As automation, building management systems, and smart home integration become standard in premium developments, fenestration and façade systems are increasingly expected to interact with these ecosystems — from motorised operation and automated ventilation to integration with building management and security platforms.
At Koemmerling, we see our role as a leading global brand in this future not just as a system supplier but as a building performance partner — providing the systems, expertise, and technical support that enable India’s architects, developers, and contractors to build the high-performance buildings that India’s future demands.
Q. Can You Share Some Recent Landmark Projects Or Collaborations That Reflect Koemmerling’s Expertise In Delivering Advanced Façade And Fenestration Solutions?
Our project portfolio is an honest reflection of the trust that India’s most discerning developers, architects, and project teams place in Koemmerling across segments and geographies.
Over the years, our solutions have been specified in numerous landmark developments, with the projects mentioned below representing a few notable examples from a much larger and growing portfolio.
In uPVC, our window and door systems have been specified across premium residential developments including Ambience Tiverton – Noida, Ansal Heights – Gurugram, Vasavi Lake City – Hyderabad, Tranquillity – Bengaluru, and Rosedale New Town – Kolkata, projects where performance, design integrity, and long-term reliability are non-negotiable for both developers and homeowners.
Our Aluminium windows & doors portfolio spans Neptune – Vadodara, Alcon Estella – Goa, Ascencio – Mumbai, Jones Blezia – Chennai, and the Orient Hotel – Nepal— reflecting our reach across diverse building typologies, geographies, and international markets.
Our Façade portfolio best demonstrates Koemmerling’s full engineering depth — with landmark installations at ONGC Headquarters – New Delhi, Trump Towers and World Trade Centre – Pune, and Chennai Airport. These are technically complex, high-visibility projects where structural integrity, façade performance, and architectural expression must all be delivered without compromise.
Collectively, these projects reflect not just our product breadth, but our commitment to being a dependable fenestration and façade partner across India’s most prestigious addresses.
Q. Digitalisation, Automation, And Smart Homes Are Redefining Modern Living. How Is Koemmerling Integrating Technology And Innovation Into Its Product Offerings?
Technology is reshaping the way people interact with buildings and living spaces. At Koemmerling, innovation goes beyond material science; it extends into functionality, automation, and user experience. Technology integration is an area where Koemmerling’s German engineering heritage gives us a meaningful advantage — because many of the smart home and building automation trends that are emerging in India have already been developed, tested, and refined in the European market, where our parent company, profine GmbH, operates at the leading edge of the industry.
Our uPVC & aluminium systems are designed to be compatible with motorised operation and automation hardware, allowing windows and doors to be integrated into smart home ecosystems for remote operation, automated ventilation scheduling, and integration with building security and access control platforms. This is particularly relevant in the context of large-format systems such as our uPVC Lift & Slide and Aluminium Slimline Systems — where motorised operation enhances the usability of very large, heavy panels and enables seamless integration with smart home controls. Our aluminium façade systems bring a further dimension of technology integration — with unitised curtain wall systems designed for precision off-site fabrication and on-site assembly, reducing installation time and improving quality consistency on large commercial projects. These systems can incorporate integrated shading solutions, including louvre and sunshade systems that respond to building automation controls, contributing to the dynamic energy management of the building envelope.
“Koemmerling is positioned precisely at this intersection — with the product depth, engineering heritage, and global expertise to meet these demands comprehensively” |
On the manufacturing side, we continue to invest in advanced extrusion technologies, precision engineering, and compounding innovations to ensure superior product consistency and performance. Our recently launched compounding centre in Vadodara, which is a one-of-a-kind in the country, is a significant step toward strengthening process automation, quality control, and sustainable production practices.
Digitally, Koemmerling has invested in tools that bring our product expertise closer to architects, designers, and homeowners — including our virtual 360° experience centre that allows professional and retail customers to explore our product range immersively without visiting a physical showroom. This digital capability is increasingly important in a market as geographically diverse as India, where our channel partner network spans virtually every state in the country.
Q. As A Market Leader, What Is Your Vision For Koemmerling And Profine India Over The Next Five Years, Especially In Terms Of Expansion, Sustainability, And Customer Engagement?
Our vision for Koemmerling in India over the next five years is ambitious — and grounded in a clear understanding of where the market is heading and where our strengths position us to lead.
On expansion, we will continue strengthening our manufacturing capabilities, channel partner ecosystem, and customer outreach across the country — with particular focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where construction activity is accelerating and quality consciousness is rising rapidly. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat — equipped with advanced extrusion capabilities, India’s first-of-its-kind compounding centre, and extensive warehouse capacity — positions us to serve this growing demand with greater speed, scale, and precision.
Sustainability will remain central to our growth strategy. Our ambition is to be the most credible voice for sustainable fenestration and façade solutions in India – expanding our lead-free recyclable uPVC range, advancing the circular economy narrative around our polymer composite materials, and bringing thermally superior aluminium systems to a broader market. Our IGBC membership reflects this commitment in action.
Ultimately, our vision is not simply to grow as a product supplier — it is to be the trusted engineering partner that India’s built environment professionals turn to when they want to build better, more beautiful, and more sustainable buildings.
