post detail page top

“Online Marketplaces are Expected to Continue to Grow and Dominate Traditional Brick-and-Mortar Stores”

By: Avanish Singh Visen, ENCRAFT India Pvt. Ltd. (Part of DCJ Group)

The architectural hardware market in India has experienced significant growth, particularly in the post-Covid era. As people have spent more time at home, they have turned their attention to home improvement and interior designing, which has led to increased demand for architectural hardware products. This trend has been evident across all segments of the market, including residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

The demand for modern and stylish architectural hardware has also been on the rise, as consumers are more interested in enhancing the aesthetics of their living spaces. This has driven the introduction of innovative products in the market, such as smart locks, digital access control systems, eco-friendly uPVC & aluminium profiles, etc.

The Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Hardware Industry

The architectural hardware industry is experiencing growth due to a multitude of factors. These key drivers include the increasing demand for aesthetically pleasing and functional hardware solutions, the rise in construction and renovation activities, and the growing awareness of the importance of safety and security measures. Additionally, advancements in technology and the emergence of smart homes have also contributed to the industry’s growth by inspiring innovative and cutting-edge hardware products. Overall, these factors are propelling the architectural hardware industry forward, making it an exciting and dynamic field to watch.

Challenges Faced by the Hardware Industry

As the hardware industry in India continues to grow, manufacturers of façade, door & window hardware face several challenges hindering their growth.

These challenges include:

1. Lack of Skilled Labour: The shortage of skilled labour in the country is one of the primary hurdles faced by manufacturers. The installation and maintenance of hardware require specialised knowledge and expertise, which is often hard to find.

2. Quality Control: Many manufacturers struggle to maintain the quality of their products due to inadequate testing facilities and quality control measures.

3. Competition: The hardware industry in India is highly competitive, and manufacturers must continuously innovate to stay ahead of their competitors

Latest Products in the Market

In response to market trends and increasing consumer demand, both the aluminium and uPVC industries are introducing new materials & products. In the aluminium industry, there has been a growing interest in thermally broken aluminium windows and doors, which offer improved energy efficiency and thermal insulation. Additionally, there has been a rise in demand for powder-coated aluminium finishes, which provide greater durability and customizability.

In the uPVC industry, there has been a focus on developing more sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as bio-based uPVC. This material uses renewable resources instead of non-renewable fossil fuels in its production and has a lower carbon footprint. There has also been an increase in demand for uPVC windows and doors with improved sound insulation and security features.

Need for Standardization and Certification

Standardisation and certification play a crucial role in helping the industry by ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of products and services. They help businesses to comply with mandatory regulations, remain competitive, and build trust with customers. The steps taken towards standardisation and certification include developing industry-specific standards, establishing certification bodies, and promoting the adoption of standards and certification through training and awareness-building programs.

Standardisation organisations such as ISO, ASTM International, EN & BIS develop and publish internationally recognised standards that cover a wide range of industries and products. Certification bodies such as UL, TUV, and NSF offer third-party certification services that verify compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.

In addition to these steps, the importance of standardisation and certification is also recognised by governments, trade associations, and consumer groups. They collaborate with industry and standardisation organisations to keep standards up to date, promote compliance, and ensure effective enforcement. Ultimately, standardisation & certification help to improve the quality of products and services, promote innovation, and contribute to the growth of the industry.

Hardware Market- Vision 2030

Based on the current trends and projections, it is likely that the market will continue to move towards increased sustainability and technological advancements by 2030. This means that businesses that prioritise renewable energy, eco-friendly practices, and innovative technologies will likely see the most success. Additionally, with the rise of e-commerce and digitalisation, online marketplaces are expected to continue to grow and dominate traditional brick-and-mortar stores. However, it is important to note that unexpected events and advancements can greatly impact the market, so it is difficult to predict with complete certainty where the market will be headed in 2030.