HERALD: Tell us about your business.
ARMAN BANKLEY: Armines Group of companies has been a two and half decade old, circular economy manufacturing company with totally five plants in Goa, one each in Belgaum and Kolhapur. The group has diversified portfolio of mineral and alloy processing, cement products, fire prevention and bio-fuels.
HERALD: What products do you manufacture?
AB: In mineral processing we process and export of minerals like manganese and quartz ore at Kacoda IDC. In metal alloys we manufacture ferro manganese at Belgaum. In cement products we are the leading industrialised manufacturer of cement concrete blocks, fly ash bricks, light weight AAC blocks at Kacoda and Kundaim, dry mix mortar, innovative futuristic products like ready mix plaster, jointing mortar, tiles adhesive, masonry mortar at Kacoda and Eco sand-crushed slag sand an alternative to river sand at Cuncolim. In fire prevention we are into sole selling agency for unique fully automatic Fire one on one products like fire ball, ceiling mounted extinguishers etc. In the field of bio-fuels, biomass agro waste briquettes an alternative to low cost burning fuels in boilers at Kolhapur.
HERALD: How do you see the business ecosystem in Goa?
AB: By now almost all have recovered and back to normal, the labour has come back and construction industry is reviving and stabilising, thus demand for all our cement products have restarted to full capacity. We have been fortunate enough with pandemic our exports to Africa, Middle East, Vietnam and Nepal has increased as basically many of our companies who were dependent on Chinese products in minerals and chemicals have boycotted China. They are now buying all their requisites from India and we being an established reliable source have bagged good orders and have been able to increase our exports between 10 to 35 per cent. Looking at the trend and foundation laid through success of Vibrant Goa, we are expecting to do well even in this tough economic times. We are fortunate to continue to retain our over 102 employee families and not lay off anyone which was our prime target during the pandemic.
HERALD: How do you see the post-COVID era?
AB: We foresee a super bright future for India and Indian products. Post pandemic will be surely a great success for India as many companies from the Middle East and Africa have boycotted Chinese products and tested our India products and have realized better quality and service, thereby leading to a host of opportunities especially in field of chemicals and minerals. In fact, we have been able to capitalize on good opportunities through export and networking webinars of Dr Jagat Shah of Global Network and Vibrant Goa. We have during the pandemic added many export trades of new products with procurement from India and export to Africa and Middle East. We have been able to add six new products to our portfolio since the pandemic started.
HERALD: You worked hard on ‘Vocal for Local’. How has it helped?
AB: Being in Business Network International (BNI), Goa since last eight years as member has helped us immensely. We now have over 30 per cent of our sales through BNI referrals. If giving just two hours a week can lead us to over 30 per cent of sales and why not BNI? BNI also helped us to collaborate and upgrade, we have been fortunate to partner with our competitors and capture good Goa market in construction industry and also have been able to get good ethical partners as our dealers in all prominent towns in Goa.
HERALD: How does networking help?
AB: I personally believe network is equal to net worth and with BNI over 600 referral partners it has always been a positive association not only for the sales and marketing connects for our products but also by getting ethical vendors to my company and almost all the needs are well fulfilled at definitely better lesser price and quality and service. Our recent success story has been our link to the upcoming Mopa airport through one of such conclaves, and are now part of large supplies of our cement and sand products to same. Recently, I had the privilege of being appointed as director for Goa IDC board is also credit to long association with GSIA, BNI and Vibrant Goa.
HERALD: What are your future plans?
AB: Currently we are managing well with all our seven factories and are at plant construction work stage for our eighth new factory of manufacturing of light weight auto clave aerated blocks. We are also focusing on super growth through export sales of our manufactured products and soon will be expanding exports with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Post pandemic, we are also restarting contracts of Vietnam with technology transfer joint venture in cement products and fire products in Oman.
HERALD: There is murmur for resumption in mining in Goa. What are your views?
AB: Definitely, mining has been the back bone of Goan economy and we need to care for the livelihood of dependents. There is an urgent need for restart of mining which is sustainable and beneficial to all. We also need to protect the biodiversity and natural resources. Mining activities need to be well monitored and done in a phased manner.
HERALD: We have several infrastructure projects coming up now. What is your take on these?
AB: With ever-growing population and need to match the present generation lifestyle, infrastructure project are much needed. In past we have seen that, especially in Goa, many projects were opposed and when the infrastructure is developed, it is well utilised on daily basis by one and all. Similarly, based on the future requirements with tourism, mining and industry, we will be in need of faster services of air, rail and sea for passengers as well as goods.
