Building on Quality

Mitsubishi Elevator India MD K Suresh discusses company’s efforts to provide top-rate VT.

K Suresh (KS), deputy managing director (MD), Mitsubishi Elevator India Pvt. Ltd., shares insights with your author (YP) about the brand, important markets and other key aspects relating to the VT industry.

YP: What is the unique selling point (USP) that defines Mitsubishi Elevator India and its offerings for the vertical-transportation (VT) industry?

KS: Mitsubishi Elevator India adheres to very stringent quality norms as stipulated by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Japan. Today, Indian customers are well-traveled with adequate exposure to differentiate between good and bad VT offerings from various players in the industry.

 Mitsubishi Elevator’s USP includes ride quality, door operation, noise levels, vibration, starting jerk, stopping jerk and leveling accuracy as some of the vital parameters measured from time to time by our maintenance and quality engineering teams. We also continue to implement measures for protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable society for future generations. Ultimately, we strive to be green in all our business activities.

YP: Which key markets does Mitsubishi Elevator India cater to in terms of locations and product segments?

KS: Mitsubishi Elevator India has seven regional offices across India – North (Delhi), East (Kolkata), Ahmadabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru. We have area offices and satellite offices to cater to Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

In line with our group strategy, “Making Strong Businesses Stronger,” we continue to concentrate on all the metro cities with a close watch on the upcoming smart markets. Our product segments cater to residential, including high-rise and high-end condominiums, premium office and commercial spaces, IT offices, hospitality, the health care industry, malls and the entertainment segment.

We realize the potential of growing India, and the brand has created its new campaign, “Partnering India’s Dream To Be No. 1,” to clarify the contributions, products and offerings of Mitsubishi Electric in India. Mainly, Mitsubishi Elevator targets the opportunities emerging from premium building space, such as IT offices, luxury hotels and the residential segment, among others.

YP: What is the significance of Mitsubishi Elevator India in the overall operations of Mitsubishi Electric, within India and across the globe?

KS: India is the second-largest market for elevators and escalators in the world, with increasing urbanization and development contributing to increasing demand. We have identified eight businesses as growth drivers: power systems, transportation systems, building systems, factory automation systems, automotive equipment, space systems, power semiconductor devices and air conditioning and refrigerating systems. These are the engine of Mitsubishi Electric Group’s future development. With the VT industry in India being second-largest in the world, Mitsubishi Elevator is a key driver for Mitsubishi Electric Group.

YP: Which aspects distinguish India as a market for VT compared to other countries?

KS:The growth in terms of real estate developments, the Government of India’s initiative of “Home For Everyone” and support to develop the real estate segment boost the market for VT. Mitsubishi Electric is committed to helping India in its journey toward growth. A map of progress tracks this endeavor by the company to make a difference across the nation, with the help of its innovative technologies and advanced products. One of the most visible facilities of the construction industry is elevators and escalators in urban residential and commercial estates. The rise in demand for elevators and escalators in India has been exponential.

YP: How would you describe your management style and approach?

KS: Since fiscal 2002, the Group has adhered to the management policy of maintaining balanced corporate management based on four perspectives:

1. Growth

2. Profitability

3. Efficiency

4. Soundness

Through these perspectives, it has striven to secure greater corporate value.

The Group is also committed to continuously enhancing its corporate governance and compliance systems. The takeaways of Japanese management styles that can help companies counter business challenges, like the ones we are facing right now, are:

• Consent of all through “Nemawashi,” a Japanese process that brings together the opinions of people involved in a proposed change or project

• Enhancing working operations through Lean management

• Stability, on-the-job training, employment security

At Mitsubishi Electric India, employee attrition is very low because people are comfortable with the family culture. During the pandemic, we have managed to retain our workforce and add new manpower wherever required. We implemented successful onboarding through work from home. The company stands strong on work policy while addressing the need of the hour about maintaining social distancing.

YP: What are some of the additional challenges being faced by the VT industry over the past year due to the pandemic? What has been your strategy to deal with them?

KS:The safety of our employees and, at the same time, taking care of our customers, whether it is hospital or residential, have become our priorities and big challenges during this pandemic. We have also provided personal protective equipment for all our employees who are working at customer places to safeguard their health. 

The entire industry is going through tough challenges due to a smaller number of new launches. Due to the pandemic, there is a delay in building completions, which is one of the crucial stages in the VT industry, but we are prepared to handle this situation, and we have strategies in place to overcome this.

Adversity gives rise to innovation and, in a bid to offer people some form of ease as they stride into completely new lifestyles, Mitsubishi Elevators has come up with a world-class solution that promises smoother and safer elevator rides. Our new technology, the Elevator Touchless Call System, has been developed together with our channel partner. This technology involves a smartphone app that allows users to call and control elevators. This completely removes the need for you to touch any surfaces or buttons to get to where you want to go, which, in turn, can significantly reduce the spread of the virus through elevators.

YP: What are your expectations for the VT sector during 2021 and beyond? 

KS: Rapid economic growth and growing urbanization have led to a boom in the Indian construction industry, which is currently among the top 10 in the world. But, due to the current pandemic, the situation is at a temporary halt in this industry’s growth. We are confident we will bounce back.

Now, while the VT market is witnessing fast-paced growth, there are some challenges for service providers. The presence of both domestic and international players has led to intense competition, leading to price wars. Customers want service providers that can provide quality and affordable escalators and elevators backed by prompt, reliable and efficient 24/7 service. There is also pressure on service providers to minimize downtime and operational costs, adhere to regulations and install the smartest, greenest technological features.

Mitsubishi Electric elevators and escalators are always evolving, helping achieve our goal of being the No. 1 brand in quality. In order to fulfill customers’ needs in all aspects of comfort, efficiency and safety — while realizing a sustainable society — quality must be of the highest level in all products and business activities, while priority is placed on consideration for the environment. As time changes, Mitsubishi Electric promises to utilize the collective strengths of its advanced and environmental technologies to offer its customers safe and reliable products while contributing to society.

In view of promoting the Make in India concept, the company has established an elevator factory in Bangalore, a manufacturing facility with cutting-edge technologies. The factory is equipped with an elevator test tower and a dedicated field-training center. This ensures that the company can manufacture the most reliable elevators to comply with Indian standards of safety and quality. To minimize delivery time, strengthen product competitiveness and enhance technological capability, the company launched NEXIEZ-LITE (ELEVATOR WORLD India, 2nd Quarter 2019), an elevator model, a few years ago. This elevator model not only consumes less power, but also has minimal impact on the environment, thereby making it a greener alternative to other elevators on the market.

The refined design of the NEXIEZ-LITE series assures superior safety for passengers. Mitsubishi Electric’s long-term commitment to developing energy-efficient elevators has created systems and functions that make intelligent use of power.

The fact that Mitsubishi Electric Elevators follows strong and stringent internal quality systems has made its offerings a benchmark in the industry. The company will continue to deliver the best efficient and reliable products, customized for the needs of the Indian market.

YP:What are some recent or noteworthy projects?

KS:During this pandemic time, we have secured a major order to supply elevators to the Commerzone Madhapur and Altimus luxury complexes owned by K Raheja Corp., a leading developer in India. The order consists of 72 elevators, including 37 high-speed models. 

The elevators incorporate Mitsubishi Electric’s Destination Oriented Allocation System (DOAS) (EW India, 2nd Quarter 2015) to meet COVID-19 needs for touchless operation that provides safe, reliable VT backed by service contracts for the company’s Global Maintenance Integrated System. We have also received a premium commercial project for 26 elevators with a DOAS system for Gowra Palladium office development in Hyderabad. And, we received some notable projects in residential segments: Global Techies town, Bangalore, 21 elevators; and Ace Divino, Noida, 35 elevators, to name a few.

YP:How important is the traffic analysis aspect while planning VT for new projects? How does Mitsubishi Elevator India guide its clients in this and other aspects?

KS: Traffic analysis in VT is a very crucial element in the efficient operation of a building and for the experience and comfort of building occupants. Elevators/lifts are a key success factor for high-rise buildings.

While creating traffic analysis for a VT strategy, Mitsubishi Elevator experts consider a variety of factors, including client requirements, occupancy levels for different types of development, elevator cabin capacity, wait times and ways to maximize useable space in the building without compromising elevator efficiency, cost-effectiveness and energy consumption. We are also an expert in escalator designs and applications.

We provide solutions for new-building projects, as well as for existing buildings where we can help with an equipment assessment and their maintenance, and provide suggestions and advice on improvement and modernization. We are specialists in supertall buildings requiring different sets of design considerations.

Regarding buildings, whether standard or supertall, our VT experts always consider the needs and numbers of occupants. In a residential building, for example, in addition to the people, furniture movement, cargo delivery and security must be considered.

We are involved with both the client and design team early in the building design process, strictly adhering to traffic analysis guidelines for ensuring there will be no surprises later.

YP: Do you see modernization/refurbishment as a growing market going forward?

KS: Unlike maintaining current functionality and operation through maintenance, system modernization provides improved comfort and operation, utilizing the latest functions and control equipment. Even with proper maintenance and normal operation, elevator/escalator components progressively deteriorate over a long period of use. To ensure passenger comfort and overall safety, elevator/escalator system modernization is highly required.

Mitsubishi Electric has the desired experience and expertise to modernize traction elevators. Mitsubishi Electric modernization provides several benefits, including improved performance, reliability, safety, energy savings and up-to-date interior finishes. Whether you are looking to upgrade your entire system or upgrade individual items over time as your budget allows, we have plans that will best suit each customer’s individual needs.

YP: What is your future vision for Mitsubishi Elevator India?

KS:Mitsubishi Elevators and Escalators has been contributing to the realization of a vivacious, stress-free Indian society as part of vital social infrastructure by ensuring continuous safety and security throughout the lifecycle of buildings and products. We will continue providing reliable, comfortable transportation and living space across India.

Our future vision is to become a group company that responds to the demands of our era and achieves a higher level of growth through continuous innovation. While pre-empting global changes and moving forward in our pursuit of sustainable growth, we as a company will always pay particular attention to corporate social responsibilities, corporate ethics and compliance. We will always try to stay firmly dedicated to earning the trust of and ensuring the satisfaction of our society, our customers, our stockholders and our employees.

The concept “Changes for the Better” represents our attitude as a company: Our volition to bring about change, always aiming for something better. We have approximately 150,000 employees, and every employee of the Mitsubishi Electric Group around the world is resolved to carry on our mission to realize a better tomorrow through continuous innovation.

About K Suresh

K Suresh has experience and expertise gained in more than 25 years in multiple industries, such as engineering products, office automation, telecom and more than 13 years in the elevator industry. He is skilled at increasing efficiency, problem-solving, stimulating growth and improving competitive advantages. He notes that he has frequently dealt with complex issues, provided innovative turnkey solutions and established effective business practices for staffing, sales operation and client service satisfaction.

Suresh has been associated with Mitsubishi Elevator India Pvt. Ltd. since the year 2015, when he served as head of the Western Region. During his tenure in this position, he secured a number of signature projects, like EON Waterfront, Panchashil towers, Signature Island, Adani Corporate Office, TCS, Infosys, Taj Gateway Hotel and International Tech Park, to name a few. He also expanded sales in the Gujarat region, which resulted in opening a new branch office in Ahmedabad in the year 2017.

Based on his achievements, he was appointed deputy managing director in 2020, functioning from the corporate office and factory at Vemagal, near Bangalore. Even during the pandemic he traveled across all regions and expanded the sales volume of the company to support the company’s vision and goals.