Everest Industries' UAE plant to start production in Q1 of 2016.

Building solutions firm Everest Industries is set to kick-start production from its first overseas greenfield facility in the UAE in the first quarter of next year, the company said.

'The facility will be used to manufacture fibre cement boards and cater to our export markets in West Asia and Africa,' said Manish Sanghi, Managing Director. Set up at an investment of ₹100 crore, it will be able to produce up to 72,000 tonnes a year.

He told BusinessLine that prospects in the region look up as 'West Asia is investing a lot in infrastructure, education and health. Lots of projects are coming up such as colleges, universities and hospitals, rail network, besides the standard oil field network.'

Overseas orders currently contribute to 10 per cent of Everest’s revenue.

The company offers building solutions for roofing, ceiling, wall, flooring and cladding and steel buildings for industrial, commercial and residential applications.

Sanghi is also hopeful of fresh orders post the Government's announcement of 'Make in India' and 'Smart Cities Mission'.

On whether the company has received any orders for smart city projects, Sanghi said, 'We are in discussions; nothing on paper yet for smart city projects. The Ministry of Urban Development has listed a few technologies for working on such cities. One of the technologies listed is light gauge steel frame construction technology, which we employ.'

According to the company, this technology is an alternative for conventional construction for roof-top extension, as it does not use brick or sand, and only minimal water, resulting in three times faster construction.

The company operates in two distinct business segments - building products and steel buildings.

Building products accounts for three-fourth of its revenues and includes fibre cement roofing sheets, fibre cement boards and solid wall panels.

Steel building segment offers customised building solutions in steel such as pre-engineered steel buildings, smart steel buildings, metal roofing and cladding.

HBL