Archive: June 23, 2022

Pioneer in Automation of Life Cycle Assessments: Vitesco Technologies rolls out Life Cycle Engineering

Regensburg, June 2022. With the aim of optimizing the ecological footprint of its products and, in the long term, designing them to be CO2-neutral throughout their entire life cycle, Vitesco Technologies, a leading supplier of advanced drive technologies and electrification solutions, is intensively looking into the so-called Life Cycle Engineering (LCE).

Life cycle engineering (LCE) means that when designing and developing a product, the ecological footprint of the entire value chain is taken into account – from the extraction of raw materials for supplied parts, through their production and transport, to the use of the finished product and its recycling at the end of its life – in order to optimize these aspects using scientific methods.

“As a provider of climate-friendly mobility solutions we are committed to meeting high standards in terms of sustainability,” explains Anja Rivera de la Cruz, head of Sustainability at Vitesco Technologies: “Our business model is based on the understanding that we are significantly reducing vehicle CO2 emissions with our products. Our goal is to make our production operations up to 100 percent neutral by 2030 and all our business processes along the value chain completely CO2 neutral by 2040 at the latest. To do this, we want to create a life cycle assessment (LCA) for all new product groups – as our customers, OEMs from all over the world, are increasingly asking for.” This will enable the company to analyze and make transparent how its products affect the climate over their entire life cycle.

Vitesco Technologies also contributes its expertise to the “Umwelt Produkt” working group of the Verband der Deutschen Automobilindustrie (association of the German automotive industry), and to several initiatives of the CLEPA regarding life cycle assessments. The company’s expertise is in high demand from automotive manufacturers and suppliers who also want to introduce life cycle assessments in their companies. “Only when you know the CO2 footprint of your own actions or a product, you can also implement suitable measures or select materials to reduce its environmental impact. We can take advantage from years of experience, extensive databases and highly specialized tools,” explains Khosrau Heidary, head of Life Cycle Engineering at Vitesco Technologies.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Martin from the University of Erlangen- Nuremberg and the Fraunhofer IIS, a proven expert in life cycle engineering, considers the company a pioneer when it comes to automating life cycle assessments: “Vitesco Technologies has developed very innovative, scientifically sound concepts in many areas that are unparalleled in the industry. Almost all major companies are working on this topic and are currently in the analysis phase. Vitesco Technologies has already completed that phase and is taking a pioneering role in the supplier industry by implementing life cycle engineering in its corporate processes.”

As long as a product consists of several components, countless possibilities arise for its development and assembly. These include different design methods, materials, suppliers, supply routes and manufacturing methods, as Heidary explains: “We use mathematical methods to determine which combination can optimize the environmental footprint of a product. On this basis, we in the Life Cycle Engineering team, develop an environmentally optimized product – with consistently high quality and the lowest possible costs.”

The pilot project for this initiative at Vitesco Technologies was the life cycle assessment of a high-voltage inverter – a particularly complex product with many components that are also used in other areas of electric vehicles. For this alone, around 400 individual components and all steps in the value chain were collected and analyzed. The method, with which life cycle assessments can be mathematically optimized in an automated manner, was developed in cooperation with the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Following the successful pilot phase, this method is now being introduced in development, production, and business processes as part of the life cycle engineering program.

How will Furniture Logistics Get Affected by Delhivery IPO

Mr. Lokendra Ranawat, Co-founder & CEO, WoodenStreet

The online shopping market has seen substantial growth in the last decade. The two significant factors reasoning the development are enhanced digital knowledge among the common mass and the improving logistics industry of India.

Companies are growing at a significant pace, majorly because of the logistics. The furniture industry is one such sector that has bloomed its wing online and offline because of the improving logistic efficiency of India. And one dynamic contributor to such profitable stats is Delhivery. It has recently garnered more attention since the announcement of its IPO.

Many logistic companies in India are still in a phase where they are safely expanding. Now, this is where Delhivery scores extra points. They offer vast logistic services all under one roof. It shows how much expertise they have in their services.

We can say that Delhivery has set an example for other dynamic logistic companies to raise the bar of logistic services in India.

How Would Logistics Companies Affect Furniture Industry? 

Competition in an industry is what leads to revolution. The same has been the case in the furniture and logistics sector, which the Delhivery IPO has further upped. Finding profitable and quality services under one roof will be the most valuable party, & the company has followed the same.

The market’s perspective has changed since the internet is freely available. E-commerce has evolved to a level where you can buy/sell anything and everything online.

Service quality would have been a mere factor in the past, but refined logistic service revises the entire cost of the product for a sector like a furniture industry. Therefore, improving logistics will also persuade sectors to pay attention to the quality of service.

Here is a list of factors that the furniture industry will face from powerhouse logistic companies like Delhivery: 

-> Drastic Hike in Logistic Prices 

Companies have drastically hiked service prices, bringing importance and more value to logistics. But that should be no reason to worry as the quality of service would also increase. This way, the furniture industry would improve its supply management and serve a more vast audience with ease.

-> More Demand in Quality of Service 

Dynamic logistic companies like Delhivery have raised service standards for the better. With increasing service rates of logistics, people would expect more quality and efficiency. And for the furniture industry, settling for poor logistic service would only risk production. Therefore, service refinement would be one rigid pointer that logistic companies will strive to achieve.

-> Bringing in Healthy Competition 

The value of logistic brands has a new face because of the unicorn brand Delhivery. The buzz and publicity Delhivery has created by bringing in IPO has made the competitors elevate their work and aim for better. Hence, the growth of Delhivery indeed has bought healthy competition in the market and would hopefully bring more top-class logistic companies into the game.

To build a brand, never settle for less. What makes your brand unique in the market is your quality and prices. Delhivery is one successful example of hard work that has upgraded logistics standards in India. Indeed, Delhivery IPO would affect the furniture industry, but those companies who cope up and elevate their quality of services would build an evolved market that demands perfection.

Colliers’ Capital Markets & Investment Services Pune closes two big transactions this quarter

Pune, June 2022 – In two of the large real estate transactions executed this quarter in the Pune market, a leading real estate developer raised INR130 crores for its premium residential project while “Aswani Promoters and Builders” and a leading developer of Pune, have come together for a mixed-use development in Balewadi, spread across ~2.2 million square feet.

The project is under approval stage which will have majorly mid-segment residential and some supporting commercials development. Both the deals are facilitated by Colliers’ Capital Markets & Investment Services (CMIS) team of West India. These transactions are a testament to the growth opportunity the Pune market offers, investor comfort and Colliers team’s ability to find land and capital solutions.

A pre-certified platinum-rated premium residential complex by IGBC with luxurious amenities spread across approx. half a million square feet, is one of the biggest premium residential complexes in the Pune city. This investment comes on the back of the Pune market posting healthy growth since last year with prices of residential properties increasing by about 3% year-on-year, according to CREDAI-Colliers-Liases Foras Housing Tracker Report 2022, adding that the unsold inventory dropped 11% on a year-on-year basis.

Piyush Gupta, Managing Director, Capital Markets and Investment Services, Colliers India, said, “Pune Real Estate market continues to be resilient, and has witnessed robust activities in terms of sales, launches, investments and portfolio growth. These two transactions reaffirm the faith of investors and the developers in the growth story of the Pune market and Colliers is proud to have been at the center of facilitating these developments. Having a nuanced understanding of the Pune market, land and capital structures, Colliers’ Capital Markets team endeavour to continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure customised win-win solutions.”

‘Why a calculated risk is paying off for women home buyers’

By Ms. Hiral Sheth Gandhi, Director – Marketing, Sheth Creators

A lookup of the Internet today reveals tons of information offering tips to women home buyers. These articles have been created to empower women in making wise investment decisions, in this case in housing or real estate, where they are increasingly making purchases. These articles stand as an acknowledgment of this growing segment of women home buyers and how it is paying off for them.

Women currently make up for 48% of the Indian population of 135 crore as derived in the last census. Unlike ever in the past, women in 2021 are increasingly empowered and have become decision-makers or deal closers, moving ahead from just being influencers. Owning a home today provides for a strong security cover to women, both married or single.

From Gold to Real Estate:

The yellow metal has forever been a woman’s favourite and it will be. But in the present day when buying a home has become a familiar territory among women, a transition too is come about. From assuming a position of being a source of reliable profit gain and creating a possible income flow, real estate offers the added benefits of long-term security in the form of tax rebates plus creating a wider portfolio that goes beyond the love of purchasing gold.

Lucrative Opportunity:

As an investment asset class, owning a home is what Indian women voted for the most in a 2020 consumer sentiment survey by ANAROCK and LIC Housing Finance. The property purchase was followed by women putting their money in stocks, fixed deposits, and gold purchases as a means of investment.

As the number of women making the move to become home buyers only increases, property developers, banks, and the Government are all coming up with schemes that make real estate an attractive market for a woman. Benefits exclusive to women are a huge driving force behind this crucial decision that women are easily taking today.

Adding to the list of reasons to own a home, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of lives and attitudes increasing the desire towards living in an owned space. This is a change which is visible in the cities and metropolitan clusters be it the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Delhi NCR, or Bengaluru. In urban India, women who are both well-educated and gainfully employed are taking advantage of the various schemes laid out by the Government of India.

These include increased loan availability, attractive interest rates for women, and the advantage of the lower stamp duty in some states. In some states, the ownership status – sole or joint ownership of the property – not withstanding a partial stamp duty waiver is given. Women are also entitled to a tax rebate on the interest paid on home loans, giving them that added advantage and encouragement.

Calculated Risk:

Home buying is a calculated risk, but women today are independent and making better decisions when it comes to purchasing their own. A combination of financial independence and the initiatives from lenders and financial institutions mentioned above have sealed their aspirational value of buying a dream home. Cheaper prices and credit means using less of savings are leaving home buyers with an additional buffer.

Comfortable Investment & Repayment:

Women have increasingly realised that the security and sense of owning property is a risk that is calculated, but worth taking. Housing finance generally have an ask of a down payment of about 20 percent of the home cost and the balance 80 percent is arranged through the lender. Women can today avail of high loan amounts along with a longer repayment window.

Some financial institutions have ensured conditions as simple as being an Indian national aged between 23 and 58 with 3 years of work experience. A loan of Rs. 1 to 2 Crore with a 20-25-year repayment window is now a reality. This allows women to indulge in a large ticket size of the investment and along with a long-term commitment of repayment, while also releasing pressure and allowing for other commitments to be met while the loan is being repaid. The options of an early foreclosure with additional charges etc. also come as a bonus.

Rental Income – Reaping Investment:

Investment in real estate for many women is also reaping value on their investment through renting of homes. Property gaining capital appreciation along with rental income is a return on investment that many are opting for. This investment in the long-term is seen as asset creation that guarantees regular fixed income in the present or during the retirement age or a settling age that can also be passed on to a child or heir if and when the time arises.

Home buying is an investment that pays off well for the meticulous and thoughtful woman. The availability of the choicest of homes, closer to where you want to be – workplace or parent’s home – also eliminates the problem of feeling intimidated and availability of simple loan options takes away the jitters of fulfilling the real estate dream. The time is just right with homes and avenues to get it both available.

Karan Sawhney joins Adidas family among its stellar athlete roster

Karan Sawhney, an ex-footballer, current fitness expert and the co-founder of The Tribe, has joined adidas amongst their distinguished roster of athletes. With his strong sporting DNA, Sawhney joins the adidas family in India as a training athlete with other eminent trainers namely Namrata Purohit and Anshuka Parwani.

Karan joins adidas in their quest to ‘End Plastic Waste’ and recently participated in the run for the oceans event held in Mumbai among many bollywood celebrities. This event was a first of many for Karan as part of the adidas family.

The Tribe started as a hobby where Sawhney and the co-founders donated their funds to help communities including animal shelters and daily wage workers. What started as boot camps on the beach and the turf, pushed off from online to virtual fitness classes when the pandemic hit in march 2020. Following a great response to these classes, The Tribe trio was formed and further opened a physical studio in Juhu, Mumbai.

Sawhney is a football expert as well as a sports commentator for various leagues across the globe. Having commentated on the Spanish league La Liga, UEFA Champions league, Indian Super League, the Carling Cup, among others, he adds, “I love doing this because it helps me to stay connected to the sport,” as the athlete was on his way to the AFC Asia Cup India vs Cambodia he stated, “I’m obviously really excited to be an adidas athlete. It is the biggest brand in sport and fitness gear.”

As the co-founder of The Tribe, which has recently been joined by actor Kriti Sanon as an investor, Karan remarks “Being an Adidas athlete aligns with the community vibe at The Tribe. I strongly believe that fitness helps you take on life’s challenges head on, and is a way to keep moving. ‘Impossible is Nothing’ is a phrase both the brand Adidas and we at The Tribe firmly believe in.”

Reflecting on the fitness professional’s journey so far from being a professional football player to being a commentator and an entrepreneur, and now adding this feather in his cap, he truly echoes the “Impossible is Nothing” spirit.

Saint-Gobain India Unveils their Exclusive ‘Myhome’ Store in Pune

Saint-Gobain is a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction focused on its Purpose “Making the World a Better Home.” India is home to 1.35 Bn people and with the current urbanization level at 32%, we will need to build hundreds and thousands of homes in the coming years. The pandemic has made homes central to our existence as we work and learn from our homes. To address the rapidly growing demand for the solutions for homes, Saint-Gobain has developed several end-to-end and innovative solutions – Shower Cubicles, Windows, Kitchen Shutters, Wardrobe Shutters, LED Mirrors, Glass Writing Boards, Gyproc Ceilings, Drywalls, Tiling & Grouting Solutions, Gypsum Plaster, CertainTeed Roofing Shingles, and Novelio Wall Coverings amongst many other solutions. Saint-Gobain has brought all these solutions under MyHome, a one-stop phygital business model offering customers solutions from design to installation.

Pune regarded as the second major IT hub of India has been growing at a robust scale. The residential and housing market of Pune especially, has seen a remarkable development in 2021. This market has been swelling at a colossal rate and it is predicted to only increase. Pune is one of the major markets of Maharashtra and with the increasing realty market, there is a jump in demand for home solutions that ensure comfort, hygiene, and wellbeing. To cater to the fast-growing needs for home solutions in this market, Saint-Gobain India has launched a their MyHome showrooms in two locations in the city.

Mr. Hemant Khurana, Executive Director Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd, said “I am delighted to announce the launch of the exclusive MyHome showroom in Pune today. Pune is a growing and promising market, and we are excited to provide our solutions for this market. The stores cement our commitment to a growing market like Pune and provides a unique opportunity for homeowners to experience our solutions under one roof. Homeowners will be benefitting from our capabilities to provide end-to-end customised offerings. We aim to offer our customers a Phygital (Physical + Digital) experience through a combination of the MyHome store and the popular MyHome website.”

Mr. Srihari K, Business Head, Saint-Gobain India, said “We are elated to reveal our exclusive MyHome store in the city of Pune. This inauguration is an important milestone in our expansion plan for India. Customers in Pune can now get an experience of our solutions through this physical MyHome showroom. We are inaugurating the showrooms in two separate locations to reach out to our consumers across the city. Our focus is on delivering wellbeing to the end consumers and make the process simpler and easier. We have had an incredible response from the customers and the industry to our solutions. Our new Windows range of solutions are completely customised for elegant home interiors and provide thermal and acoustic comfort. The fulfilment process is digitalized end-to-end from measurement to manufacturing to installation.’’

Mr. Natraja Kamath, Sunbath said “Mr. Akshay Patil and I are looking forward to being the MyHome channel partner for Saint-Gobain in Pune, Maharashtra. MyHome store is a great opportunity for us to reach out to a wider audience and help them build their dream home. The store is a model concept of a house, depicting the various home solutions that can make a home alive. We are excited to welcome and strengthen our relations with architects, homeowners, and our customers from Pune and Maharashtra.’’

Customers can now visit the store at J-521, MIDC Rd, near Gavali Mata Chowk, Khande Wasti, Pimpri Chinchwad New Twp Development Authority, MIDC, Bhosari, Pune, Maharashtra 411026