Tag: Danpal Korea

An Interview with Danpal Korea President – Mr. Han

Posted on by Danpal

We had the fortunate opportunity to sit-down, and talk with a very busy Mr. Han, about his work, as he guides Danpal Korea to a bright future.

Mr. Han is a multitalented individual, who is not only the president of Danpal Korea, but who is also the V.P of the Korea Institute of Architects, and amongst other titles, is an alternate member of the UNESCO-UIA Co-Committee of World Capital of Architecture.

1. Please tell us a little bit more about you and your background?

I am Young-keun Han, the president of Danpal Korea, a commissioner of Presidential Commission on Architecture Policy Republic of Korea, the vice president of Korea Institute of Architects, an alternative member of UNESCO-UIA Co-Committee of World Capital of Architecture and a commissioner of Architecture Commission of Seoul City. I am also an architect and university professor. I have experience in designing buildings and architecture ever since I finished my study of architect in France. During that time, I was able to experience architect and engineering industry for about 20 years and came across to know about Danpalon and its applications as aesthetically flexible building materials having great potential.

2. How did you originally get involved with DANPAL?

While I was in France, I had a chance to design a house for the Bayer France’s chairman and he was very satisfied with the design and outcome. As a result, I became his architectural consultant. From the Bayer’s raw material annual forum, I came to know of Danpalon which uses the Bayer’s Makrolon as the main ingredient. And after that, I have witnessed the design, application, and maintenance of the Bayer group’s Danpalon project. I was marveled at Danpalon as a building material and led me to start my business with Danpal in Korea.

3. Can you tell us more about how you have developed DANPAL Korea, into a successful supplier of architectural solutions (moving away from simple panels)?

As an architect, I have discussed a lot about building structures and materials with my fellow architects. In the early days in Korea, about 15 years ago, polycarbonate panels were not widely used as building envelopes. But I brought these fantastic materials at the moment when architects were seeking and desire of new materials. And I tried to apply Danpalon to well-designed building projects so that they could perform as my showcase.

Based on the high-quality product as Danpalon, I provided skilled engineering to support better applications. Most of all, I have tended to think that I am contributing to the new culture for architecture in Korea, rather than just selling panels for profits.

4. What challenges in supplying our systems for projects, do you continually face in Korea, and how have you overcome them?

Although Danpalon is known as high-end imported material, it is more expensive than four other competitors. In addition to that, products from China are not only cheaper but quicker to be delivered as they close to Korea.

The next issue is the Korean building regulations. Danpal products are globally used but that doesn’t mean they perfectly meet all Korean regulation. Especially, the standard for fire resistance and insulation is getting more and more intensified, and reducing the gap to meet the requirements is not fast enough.

To solve these issues, we approach each case differently and try to identify the client’s desire in early-stage whether he wants superior products or only cares of price so that we know where to put our efforts. We also try to secure more stock available in order to meet the desired delivery time. We understand well that this is not a perfect solution and Danpal products are order-made, therefore, the production requires more time. But we also hope more support from Danpal to find better and more effective ways to reduce delivery time.

For the regulations, we can hardly imagine how the regulations will be in the future. But now the best we can do is to suggest the applicable design of the products complying with the new regulation to our clients.

5. What sort of strategies have you used to overcome local competitors, especially those, who sell on price?

Danpal Korea offers solutions. With my employees’ knowledge and experience in engineering and architecture, and understanding of the Korean market, Danpal Korea provides not only products but Total Service. This means that from the design stage, Danpal Korea works with our clients until their projects end. And even after the projects we go on and check if our clients are satisfied with their results. I believe this could make clients favour our solution over the price.

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6. What do you feel are the key advantages that a DANPAL solution offers, over other more established options in the market?

I think Danpal products are genuinely made by the market-leading company Danpal whereas other similar building material companies imitate and follow the trend created by Danpal. This gives significant differences for product superiority when it comes to application. With the experience and knowledge, Danpal has, Danpal solutions are built for high functioning that actually works. This is because Danpal products are continuously being evolved and get perfected by Danpal’s R&D, which makes other competitors hard to follow.

7. How important is it to provide high-level specification for each project, in order to secure supply, and how do go about this process?

Suggesting on Danpal’s specification is the first step in the process to develop projects.
In that, we need to address our solution’s functionality, efficiency, and as well as economic value to people who design, inspect, and manage projects and people who work on sites. Normally they don’t work in a group all together, so even though we convince the designer or architect, that doesn’t mean that we secured the project. We have to go through and met each stakeholder to be satisfied.

Since Danpal Korea is not a big company that has enough manpower, we have difficulties reaching out to every single one and its satisfaction. But we try to use every available resource as possible. For example, in order to get more information and supports, I use my network in architectural associations that I’m affiliated to.

And more importantly, we let our clients correctly understand the traits of our products and performance, so that we can build mutual trust with our clients and be recognized as a credible and healthy partner.

8. What future do you see for DANPAL in Korea, and how are you gearing up for these changes?

Danpal solutions may not be a substitute for all kinds of building materials for sure. And they are not ordinary materials or ubiquitous applied to everywhere, at least, in Korea so that its market is not as big as other ordinary materials like glass. But I believe its uniqueness can find the niche, and when Danpal solutions are required, there can be hardly ever substituted due to strength and durability compared to lightness and variety of color options.

So far, 85% of our projects are Façade and we have only 15% of roofing projects but we are now expanding to roofing and interior projects. For our future, what I want to do is to combine Danpalon and solar panels for clients who want solar energy. This will increase more marketable area. I am sure that Danpal solutions’ original functionality and technology to enhance energy efficiency and environmentally friendly products can be the answer for not only Danpal Korea but also for Global Danpal.

9. Can you tell us about a project that you are most proud of, and which DANPAL system you ended up using?

The most memorable project to me is Soongeui Arena Park Stadium using Danpal Roofing System. The project required 34.4 meter long panels, the longest panels ever used for our projects. In order to install these long panels inclined, the structure became very complicated. With the help of Danpal, we were able to save structural costs from total expenses. This was because Danpal and Danpal Korea are not just panel sellers but we find and provide the solution and service together.

10. What advice can you provide to our other global partners, on the steps you have taken, to grow the DANPAL brand in, your market?

I often say this but because of its importance, I will repeat it. We are not selling just products and panels. Because our products are not consumer products that can be immediately used as they are, just selling cannot be done without putting extra effort to support clients. Therefore, it is very important to have the experts and qualified manpower to provide engineering services and great marketing as well. 

Our products are designed, tailored, and installed, and this process takes some time until projects finished. And the notion that I obtained in this business is to remind people that we are offering them solutions to solve their problems. With the high-quality Danpal’s solutions and the efforts to provide service, there will be a bright future and your success.

10 Years of Achievements Celebrated at Danpal Mexico

Posted on by Danpal

October 2019 saw the 10th anniversary of our subsidiary, Danpal Mexico, led by their General Manager Mr. Hector Avila, who was also in attendance. This momentous occasion was held on the 51st floor of La Torre Mayor, one of the most iconic buildings in Mexico City, and was well-supported by all the top Mexican architectural firms. The firms represented, were in attendance by invitation only and included; Sordo Madaleno Architects, VFO Architects, GROW Architects, Arditti + RDT Architects, Moyao Architects, DIN Interior Design, Eclipse architects and Oxigeno architects, among others.

The evening rolled forward, as our team headed by Mr. Avila, highlighted their efforts and direction. A number of initiatives implemented by Mr. Avila and his team, have shown great success in both promoting the Danpal brand, and in developing their local market. In truth, they have been able to successfully create a much larger market for our Danpalon based systems, partly by focusing on specifications unique to Danpal.

The ability to create unique specification, is an immensely powerful tool that our competitors cannot equally match, and which directly speaks to the needs of today’s architects. Today we speak the language of Green Building, sustainability, carbon emissions, and energy efficiency, because this is the language that today’s construction professionals understand. To do this effectively, we must understand the market, understand the possibilities of our systems and direct our efforts towards creating these new specifications for the market.

Also making an appearance, all the way from Colombia was the General Manager of Danpal Andina, Luis Fernando Rodriguez and his special guest the very recognized Colombian Architect Mr. Juan Felipe Cadavid. In addition, we welcomed the special participation of architect Mr. Han Young Keun. President of the Korean Institute of Architects and director of our official subsidiary, Danpal Korea.

Those in attendance at our closed event, were treated to a special talk, put together and delivered by Mr. Han. The talk focused on our concept of Light Architecture, its benefits and how this integrates with modern-day thinking on daylight, as an element in architecture. The evening then became a great opportunity to introduce the local architects, to these principals of daylighting, and how to possibly introduce this into their projects.

In an era where energy efficiency, carbon footprints, and Green Building Concepts is leading the global building trends, Mr. Han’s talk was most welcomed. The effect on those in the audience was pronounced, as a renewed sense of purpose, filled the air. It is at events such as this, where cultures and perspectives combine, to bring about leaps in creative thinking by our global Danpal family.

The 10-year marker also was not only an opportunity for Mr. Avila and his team to reflect back on their achievements, but also, to set a renewed focus on delivering on our company’s core objectives. Our Latin American counterparts, recommitted their efforts, to bring the principles of ‘Light Architecture’ to influencers in their region. To provide both technical and marketing support, directly to the professionals who need it most for their projects. Lastly, to always seek out the most effective Danpal solution for their customers, delivered with a smile, the Danpal way.

 

 

DANPAL Interview with Héctor Avila – General Manager Danpal Mexico

Hector Avila - Danpal Mexico
Hector Avila – Danpal Mexico
  1. 10 years and Danpal Mexico, has grown into a major contributor, to our global sales effort. Please introduce yourself, and tell us a little more about both you and your team?

 Hello, my name is Héctor Ávila Díaz, a Civil Engineer by trade, who after 9 years in the plastics and adhesives industry, took the initiative and started my own company – Tecnoimpacto. I ran Tecnoimpacto for 20 years, we specialized in dealing with various brands of polycarbonates, acrylics, sealants, and architectural panels – but always with a focus on quality over price.

In 2009 I chose to close Tecnoimpacto, and together in a joint venture with Danpal Israel, formed Danpal-TI. From then on, I have focused almost exclusively on Danpal Systems, and on instilling the values of responsibility, professionalism, and loyalty, within my team. I can also say with great satisfaction that during this time, most of my employees, have gone on to put down their very own roots in the company, often permanently. I mention this with pride, as I believe that this stability has allowed the company to move forward with both a sense of confidence and purpose.

  1. Looking back at the past 10 years, what can you tell us about your market in Mexico, and how has it changed/evolved?

 The construction industry in Mexico is an important indicator of the ‘state of health’ of our economy, and as such, reflects any instability within the country. Our politics, a major influencer of our economy, has unfortunately not created the conditions conducive, to attract the amounts of investment needed. However, despite this, we have enjoyed an influx of private investment into maquiladoras, shopping centers, educational institutions, corporate transnationals, and other real estate developments. This has created a niche market, which demands higher quality construction materials that are positioned above the “price war”, and this is where DANPALON features.

  1. What would you say have been the major challenges, which you have had to overcome, in your market? If possible, can you also elaborate on the strategy that you employed, to overcome them?

We positioned our Danpal systems against the backdrop of, a range of traditional polycarbonate sheeting, available in the Mexican market. These sheets, have been traditionally known for their low prices, but inferior quality, and so we developed a strategy to combat this. We focused instead on our product’s superior quality, leading performance and recommitted ourselves to provide the best service possible to our customers.

As a result, we can say with great satisfaction that today, the Danpal brand is recognized as such within our industry and is in high demand. Each and every country has its own unique market conditions, but we recognized that we had to target the top architects in Mexico and introduce them to the superior advantages of Danpal.

  1. Many a time, we hear from distributors, that their market is not advanced enough for our more sophisticated panels or systems. Mexico, is also considered to be a developing country, how is it that you have found such success? For example – with selling our more advanced 3DLITE panels?

 As mentioned already, we recognized that the traditional limitations in the Mexican market is the tendency for projects to prioritize price over quality. We realized, however, that our Danpal systems, are not direct competitors to these cheaper products. For this reason, our efforts have been to position our products above this segment, toward more profitable projects that demand higher performance. At this higher level, we do not see much competition and so we are able to obtain better results.

A good example is how we have focused on 3DLITE panels, as its unique design, visually sets itself apart from traditional polycarbonate panels. Of course, we find that the 3DLITE option, has excellent light transmission vs thermal efficiency properties, not to mention stand out aesthetics. Building on this, we have prioritized delivering complete solutions, which include all the engineering necessary for a successful end result. Lastly, on completion of the project, we guarantee all our work beyond that offered by other providers.

  1. Moving forward, what sort of changes do you expect in your local building industry, and how do you envision Danpal Mexico adapting to meet these new challenges?

We foresee, that the sector in which we are already positioned and recognized, will continue to demand solutions of higher quality. However, the market continuously seeks new and ever more efficient products, so the continuous development of new Danpal systems is very important. One area of opportunity we have is in facades, where we offer an economically viable alternative against traditional translucent solutions. Compared to traditional roofing solutions, we have a big advantage because of Danpalon’s balanced LT and thermal properties. So, we believe that this will continue to be a very attractive market for us.

  1. We understand that you have taken bold steps, to prioritize the use of specification, as a tool for securing projects. Can you tell us a little more about this, do you have specially trained employees who take responsibility for this?

 We find that in Mexico, construction companies often tend to manipulate or change specifications, in favor of cheaper but inferior alternatives. This is another reason, why we choose to focus on top architectural firms, as they often have the power to better retain original specification. As a part of our sales cycle, we place a heavy emphasis on specification, which is reflected by our company’s structure. We have a separate department that deals exclusively with the specification, our specifiers also operate at a high-level, which is reflected in their appearance and ability to liaise with top architects.

  1. We have seen the rise of Green building, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency, as global trends in the architectural field. In what way, has this affected both your marketing and your technical efforts? (how have you or are you adapting to the trend)

 The new trend is not only reflected in our segment of the market, but we also find that prospects looking at cheaper solutions are now also seeking ‘Greener’ solutions. The way in which our Danpal systems contribute toward satisfying the need for both natural lighting and thermal control, in a single specification, is definitely in our favor. Other issues such as savings in energy consumption, and the reduction of artificial temperature control, make a Danpal system an attractive alternative.

  1. Lastly, drawing from your experience over the past 10 years, what words of advice can you offer our other global partners who are also in developing countries? Sometimes unstable markets require a more ‘dynamic’ or flexible approach.

My main advice is to never abandon the essence of our Danpal systems, which is that they efficiently INTEGRATE several solutions for a project, into a single product. This presents a Danpal system, in total differentiation against our competition in the market. Which is why I say, that it is not valid to put to Danpal in the same basket, as traditional polycarbonate offerings. This has allowed DANPAL MEXICO, to not only survive but to maintain a strong growth trend.

I firmly believe that each country must develop its own strategy according to its culture, traditions and unique market conditions. The best specification, are those that at the end of the day, are implemented. This is to say that whether it is minimal, or vast and fully-developed if it does not find its way to the right professional in the project… the specification risks being changed.