Performance, value and aesthetics combined: Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS)

Glass has been fascinating humankind since it was first made. Believed to be a magical material during its discovery, it has found its way into architecture and the construction industry as an extraordinarily useful component. In today’s times, it has reached new heights and has evolved into a critical factor in modern day architecture blending functionality and aesthetics. Asahi India Glass Ltd. realizes this and provides end to end solutions right from manufacturing of glass, processing, fabrication and installation services.

Established in 1984, AIS is India’s leading integrated glass manufacturer of all types of glass and a dominant player in the automotive and architectural glass value chains.

Inception of the company

The Company’s origin can be traced to the JV agreement executed among promoters – the Labroo family, Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Japan, Indo-Asahi Glass Company Ltd. (its equity stake subsequently transferred to Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Japan) and Maruti Udyog Ltd. in 1984. Later AIS was incorporated as a public limited company.

Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS) today is India’s largest integrated glass manufacturing company. As one of the leading glass manufacturing company in the country, AIS enjoys 77% market share in the passenger car glass segment and caters to all major automotive brands and 20% of the total market share of Indian Float glass industry.

Strategic Business Units

AIS: The leader in Auto glass manufacturing

AIS dominates the automotive sector with a client portfolio that includes most of the leading automotive OEMs in India.  It has been the preferred choice of automotive OEMs for over 30 years. From passenger cars to heavy commercial vehicles to railways, AIS Auto Glass is seen in India’s best vehicles, commanding a market share of over 77% in the passenger car glass segment. The widest range of glass products available in automotive sector in India today is from AIS and includes not just laminated windshields & tempered Glass for sidelites and backlites but also a host of sub-assembly and value added products like defogger glass, acoustic glass, encapsulated glass, etc. and innovative products like plug-in windows, water-repellant glass and rain-sensor windscreen, to name a few.

AIS: A leading player in Architectural Glass

AIS is driven by market-leading innovations that provide the right blend of energy saving and daylight, technology and sensitivity, visual and thermal comfort, along with the state-of-art-glass manufacturing facilities. AIS products support sustainable living future and also facilitate the age of green buildings. Befitting its status as one of the leading glass manufacturing companies in India, AIS due to its technology, manufacturing scale, people, and skill is synonymous with best in service and high quality in the Indian glass industry. Some of its significant completed projects are -

• ITC Green Centre, Bangalore Product: AIS Ecosense Exceed – Clear Radiance Plus
• Reliance Jio, Mumbai Product: AIS Ecosense Clear Essence, Enhance Nectar & Snow
• Google Headquarters, Gurgaon Product AIS Ecosense Exceed – Green Radiance
• Raheja, Hyderabad Product: AIS Ecosense Enhance – Cove
• HCL Office, Noida Product: AIS Ecosense Exceed – Green vision

AIS Manufacturing Locations

The Company indigenously manufactures and processes world class products through 13 plants / sub-assembly units.

AIS has manufacturing plants at Bawal, Taloja, Chennai, Roorkee & a UPVC doors and windows plant in Faridabad. It has its sub assembly units in Halol, Pune, Bidadi and offices in Gurgaon (HO), Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru & Kolkata. As an environmentally conscious organisation seeking to deliver sustainable growth, AIS is constantly introducing new and more energy efficient products.

Wide range of products to suit every need

AIS has a range of offerings in the architectural segment right from AIS Clear glass & AIS Tinted glass to value added glasses which provide acoustic, energy efficiency, privacy & security solutions. AIS has pioneered innovations in glass processing technology to develop both single-glazed and double-glazed products with the best ‘green’ parameters. This is giving developers and their architects greater choice and the ability to explore possibilities. These solutions enhance the aesthetics, efficiency and economics of commercial and residential spaces, compared to traditional building materials.

Automotive Glass

AIS has crafted product innovations and offerings as per the transforming needs of the automobile manufacturers globally. The product quality is at par with the internationally-accepted standards. This is the reason the Company is a preferred choice of major automotive companies including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar, Honda Cars India, Volkswagen India, Ford India, Skoda Auto and Fiat India.

Key Offerings include:

• Laminated Windshields
• Tempered Glass for Sidelites & Backlites
• Defogger Glass
• Glass Antenna
• Encapsulated Glass
• Plug-in Window
• Solar Control Glass
• IR Cut Glass
• UV Cut Glass
• Flush Fitting Glass
• Rain Sensor Windshield
• Heated Windshield
• Glass with Assembly
• Privacy Glass
• Sunveil Green Glass
• Acoustic Windshield
• Sliding window assembly
• Light-weight Glazing

Architectural Glass

The architectural glass SBU at AIS, was formed through a management merger of Float & Glass Solutions (Processed Glass) SBUs. The division provides end-to-end glass solutions catering the external and internal needs of a building. AIS has built a technical and quality edge across the range of clear and tinted glass to value-added solar control, heat-reflective glass, frosted and lacquered glass, tempered glass, laminated glass and insulated glass units. This makes AIS one of the dependable architectural glass manufacturers.

Key Offerings include:

• AIS Clear™ - Clear Float Glass
• AIS Tinted™ - Heat Absorbing Glass
• AIS Opal^® - Value for money Solar Control Glass
• AIS Sunshield™
• AIS Ecosense™ - High Performance Energy Efficient Reflective Glass
• AIS Opal Trendz - Patterned Reflective Glass
• AIS Mirror^® - Distortion-Free Mirrors
• AIS Decor^® - Lacquered Glass in Vibrant Colours for Interiors
• AIS Krystal^® - Only Branded Frosted Glass
• AIS Stronglas^® - Impact Resistance Glass
• AIS Securityglas™ - Burglar Resistant Glass
• AIS Acousticglas™ - Sound Resistant Glass
• AIS Valuglas
• AIS Securityplus™
• AIS Disegno™
• AIS Swytchglas
• AIS Ceramic Printed Glass™
• AIS Renew™
• AIS Pyrobel
• AIS Windows

Consumer Glass

Consumer Glass SBU has businesses which connect with the end consumers offering solutions across the Automotive and Architectural Glass SBUs. With AIS’s increasing presence in the entire glass value chain and with downstream integration, this SBU acts as an interface with the end-users of both the segments and provides customized and consumer-centric solutions.

AIS Windshield Experts

Windshield Experts is a service brand owned by Shield Autoglass Ltd. (a group company of AIS), which offers specialized auto glass repair and replacement services to customers.

It ensures speed, efficiency and highest standard of service delivery in the areas of windshield glass repair, glass replacement, door-step facility and other value added services. With a presence in 40+ cities and 80+ conveniently located service centers and a number of mobile vans, Windshield Experts, an ISO 9001:2008 certified company, holds the distinction of being India’s largest automotive glass repair and replacement company.

AIS Glasxperts

AIS GlasXperts is a retail venture of the architectural segment, an end-to-end glass solution brand aiming at design and delivery of eco-friendly and lifestyle glass solutions.

It follows an integrated approach towards delivery solutions and selection of glass and windows to installation across homes, offices and commercial spaces, and has introduced service-based solutions for interior designers and retail customers, ensuring transfer of knowledge, expertise and market understanding.

AIS Windows

AIS has grown and transformed to become an integrated solutions provider in the automotive and architectural glass industry. It now aims to provide integrated solutions in the fenestration market as well with AIS Windows. AIS Windows is being set up as a distinct strategic unit which will offer a multitude of choices within uPVC, wooden, and aluminium profiles. With the Windows business, AIS will be able to provide the right combination of window frames along with the glass, thus providing functional benefits like aesthetic value, safety, security, acoustic insulation, and energy efficiency. Window solutions from AIS will enhance the aesthetics of the interiors, and at the same time transform the way you live.

SEE MORE with AIS

Scale and value addition has enabled absorption of global technologies as well as investments in local R&D and innovation. In this fast-transforming global era, product, technology and service innovation have the greatest potential to add value for the consumers. AIS is committed to offer its customers, an experience of a lifetime by constantly introducing new and unique products and services in the market.

AIS Glass Villa: A one-of-its-kind living space in Goa   

Asahi India Glass Ltd. is proud to announce its association with designer, Tarun Tahiliani for a first-of-its-kind project – AIS Glass Villa. A fusion of contemporary and local architecture, AIS Villa is being built in the village of Nachinolain Goa. The villa will be developed by Ahilia Homes, a boutique interior and architectural team led by the Tarun Tahiliani design house with support from AIS Glassxperts, the architectural division of AIS that specializes in applied glass. In keeping with the spirit of India Modern, this glass and laterite villa is a befitting tribute to the marriage of tradition and technology.

A classic Goan courtyard structure has been reinterpreted with steel columns, giant glazing fold out glass doors, and glass chambers in the bedrooms through which old trees retain their beauty, keeping the light and form, unique by any structural standards. The villa has been designed architecturally by SameepPadora in concert with the vision of Tarun Tahiliani and BinduVadera of Ahilia homes. The project is the orchestration of JahanTahiliani of Ahilia Homes with the support from AIS Glasxperts.

Tools for information and experience of AIS products and solutions

AIS World of Glass – It is a mobile app showcasing various AIS products and experience zone. It provides the details of all AIS products and solutions with technical parameters at fingertips.

AIS Virtual World – A virtual reality app which offers an immersive tour of a virtual villa showcasing AIS innovative glass solutions.

AIS Glass Simulator – It is an energy simulation app. Users can get the ‘Optimum’ glazing solution offering energy savings based on inputs like building size, orientation of building, etc. The app helps to choose the right glazing solutions with optimum energy savings, thereby helping in the decision making process.

AIS World of Shades – A virtual reality app which lets one visualize the different shades of AIS products on exterior facades and interiors. Users can then choose the right shade of their designs and architectural creations.

A Strong Pillar of AIS

Mr. Vikram Khanna, COO – Consumer Glass, COO – Architectural Institutional Business, CMO, CIO, Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS), is a man of many facets. And in his time at AIS, he has made admirable use of his considerable acumen to enhance and further embellish the company’s profile and standing in the market.

At AIS, Mr. Khanna has integrated several functions within the organization that used to operate in silos. The robust processes that exist today in the Materials Division were initiated under his leadership and are a testament to his vision and commitment to sustained progress. Mr. Vikram Khanna has enhanced the value of every department he has been a part of, contributing to the overall growth of the company. And he is committed to carrying on in the same vein in the foreseeable future.

“AIS enables an age of Green Buildings, supporting a truly sustainable future.”