Saint Gobain for peace on the office front
By Mohini Bhatnagar | 22 Feb 2002
Mumbai: Indian cities, we all know, are the noisiest in the world with decibel levels of above 65. Scientists say decibel levels of above 60 are actually harmful for the human brain.
An average office in India is also an extremely noisy place — combining the sound of 20 or more computers with those of typewriters, people conversing and walking around — all that cause mental and physical tiredness to office-goers. But what most of us dismiss as evils of the workplace actually makes people irritable and tired, resulting in a drop in their productivity levels.
Now there is a solution to this problem, claims Ecophon, the $100-million global major in acoustic ceilings and systems and part of the $20-billion Swedish glass-making giant Saint Gobain. Ecophone, which made its entry into the Indian market recently, claims to have solutions towards a noise-free working environment.
Says a senior company official: "Ecophone has been instrumental in introducing high-end acoustic ceilings across the globe and our years of research and experience in cutting-edge acoustic technologies has given us the understanding of various needs of acoustic ceilings. We now intend to offer our products in the Indian market. Currently we are in a distribution arrangement with the Bhayana group which may culminate into a joint venture later."
Ecophon has entered into a distribution arrangement with the Bhayana group and will introduce its products in the Indian market through Interiors Espania, the fastest-growing furniture brand. Interiors Espania currently has two mega showrooms in Gurgaon and Delhi.
Says Interiors Espania managing director Rohit Das: "We have been introducing Indians to the best in furniture and home accessories globally and since now we Ecophone’s channel partner, we will tap the vast opportunities in the office segment. Also, as India is fast becoming a backend hub for various multinationals, there would be a great demand for acoustic ceilings in the future."
Interiors Espania is a 50:50 joint venture between the $9-billion Mondragon Corporation Cooperative, Spain, and the Bhayana group. Ever since its inception in 1968, the Ecophon group’s sales have registered a sustained development and despite extensive investments in markets and production facilities, the group has maintained a healthy financial strength with an equity ratio of more than 50 per cent.
An average office in India is also an extremely noisy place — combining the sound of 20 or more computers with those of typewriters, people conversing and walking around — all that cause mental and physical tiredness to office-goers. But what most of us dismiss as evils of the workplace actually makes people irritable and tired, resulting in a drop in their productivity levels.Now there is a solution to this problem, claims Ecophon, the $100-million global major in acoustic ceilings and systems and part of the $20-billion Swedish glass-making giant Saint Gobain. Ecophone, which made its entry into the Indian market recently, claims to have solutions towards a noise-free working environment.
Says a senior company official: "Ecophone has been instrumental in introducing high-end acoustic ceilings across the globe and our years of research and experience in cutting-edge acoustic technologies has given us the understanding of various needs of acoustic ceilings. We now intend to offer our products in the Indian market. Currently we are in a distribution arrangement with the Bhayana group which may culminate into a joint venture later."
Ecophon has entered into a distribution arrangement with the Bhayana group and will introduce its products in the Indian market through Interiors Espania, the fastest-growing furniture brand. Interiors Espania currently has two mega showrooms in Gurgaon and Delhi.
Says Interiors Espania managing director Rohit Das: "We have been introducing Indians to the best in furniture and home accessories globally and since now we Ecophone’s channel partner, we will tap the vast opportunities in the office segment. Also, as India is fast becoming a backend hub for various multinationals, there would be a great demand for acoustic ceilings in the future."
Interiors Espania is a 50:50 joint venture between the $9-billion Mondragon Corporation Cooperative, Spain, and the Bhayana group. Ever since its inception in 1968, the Ecophon group’s sales have registered a sustained development and despite extensive investments in markets and production facilities, the group has maintained a healthy financial strength with an equity ratio of more than 50 per cent.