Special Feature
with warranties of up to 50-years , which is significant . This is another compelling reason for the end user to adopt our system - confidence that their choice will last them a lifetime .
B & I : What about rainwater ingress / leaks , how does Decra ® perform ?
RA : Again , because it is an interlocking system with a unique installation method / treatment , we are leakproof when installed correctly ( to the manufacturer ’ s specification ). Another key consideration for homeowners is noise transmission , especially with the intensity of rain in the region . We have commissioned formal field tests on in situ homes by independent third party testing agency and have achieved a reading in their “ comfortable ” zone category ( the categories are “ silent ”, “ comfortable ” and “ other ”). Our stone chip coating acts as a natural noise transmission dampener and allows us to achieve levels within the required tolerance of the testing standard .
B & I : You qualified your comment with “ if properly installed ”. Does AHI have a team of trained installers ?
RA : Part of the important service that we provide is being affiliated with competent roofers and installers trained by our own technical department . Homeowners can call on these trained installers or opt to approach our distributors directly , many of whom can offer a supply and install service . When feasible , we will support projects with installation inspection service as well .
B & I : What are some of the landmark projects in Malaysia , and the region , for that matter , where Decra ® Roofing Systems are installed ?
RA : We have supplied some landmark projects , for example , Shangri La ’ s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa , Penang , Awana Kijal , the Seremban Syariah High Court and Government / JKR projects ( e . g ., Cultural Palace extension and Mahkamah Alor Gajah ) and recent private residential projects ( for example S P Setia Eco Glades , Cyberjaya ). We are seeing increased interest for our products / system among architects and developers because of the benefits it offers in design , durable performance and product lifespan as demonstrated through our 50-year warranty .
In the region , we have established strong relationships with national homebuilders in both Japan and increasingly in the growing market of the Philippines . In the Japanese construction sector , lightweight construction methods are favoured , so we believe we have an exciting potential for growth in that market . As construction methods continue to evolve across other markets in Asia , we also believe growth prospects are strong . Lightweight materials contribute to more effective and efficient construction , providing opportunities to improve areas such as construction speed , on site management ( 7 times lighter also translates to significantly less pallets of products for equivalent roof coverage optimising site storage requirements ) and supply chain and logistics management ( transport , distribution and handling opportunities ). These offer real efficiencies for developers and general contractors .
B & I : Projects in Philippines and Japan , are these new or renovation projects ?
RA : We operate in both segments of the market although in Japan , new-build construction is actually on the decline as the population there contracts . In the renovation segment , we offer the Japanese market a lightweight solution which can be installed over an existing roof , which in the case of Japan , is supported by a sub-deck ( platform ). This is more cost and time effective , not to mention less disruptive for a family living in the home during a roof renovation . Here in Malaysia , you must either place battens on top of the existing roof or replace it entirely - in either scenario , re-roofing is an attractive market for us and an interesting option for homeowners .
B & I : Where do you stand with GBI as a sustainable green product ?
Dayang Bay Resort Langkawi .
RA : We are committed to manufacturing a sustainable product and being made of steel , Decra ® products are durable , long-lasting and recyclable at the end of their useful life . We are listed in Green Pages Malaysia by MGBC ( Malaysia Green Building Confederation ) as a sustainable green product .
B & I : Going with what the construction industry has to offer , how do you see the market potential in Malaysia for Decra ® Roofing Systems ?
RA : I think there is a huge potential in the roofing sector in Malaysia where , for now , we have a small market share . Generally speaking , metal roofing or metal roof tiles are not as commonly accepted as clay and concrete but we are now getting feedback during product presentations to architects and developers , that the benefits we talk about resonate with them - the advantages of lightweight construction , the durability of our product , the design flexibility etc . These characteristics are catching people ’ s attention .
We believe we provide a unique product and system whose attributes differentiate it from other offers . This makes us excited about the future for us here in Malaysia , the Asia region and globally . We have backed this confidence in growth with a recent expansion at our Nilai facility , investing in a new warehouse and container loading yard - a sizable investment that will also allow us the flexibility to expand production capacity in the future as our growth ambitions are met . In the interim , we have the benefit of a RTG network of manufacturing facilities from which we can service our markets as required . �
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