Established in 2007, Gibam India Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Gibam Shops SpA, an Italian global leader in the business of shop-fittings and shop design. The company is engaged in manufacturing & assembling of all types of retail stores furniture, shop fittings, office furniture and designs made in wood, metal, glass, and acrylic. The company also manufacturers and supplies MS powder-coated accessories, SS accessories, LED panels, checkouts and food processing equipment. To know more about Gibam’s Indian operations, we at Sign & POP World met Sudhir Balakrishnan, the company’s managing director. Here are the excerpts of what he shared:
What all Gibam India does?
Gibam India Pvt. Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of Gibam Shops SpA, the Italian giant in the design and manufacturing of shopfittings for the retail industry. The company has its manufacturing facilities in Italy, UAE and India. We take care of its Indian subsidiary, which is based in Mumbai. Manufacturing in India has started just five years back. Here, we manufacture one-of-its-kind cash counters that come equipped with conveyor belt. Based on Italian design and technology, the product is sought after by supermarkets and cash-n-carry stores. We also design, develop and manufacture customised stores in accordance with the clients’ specific needs. Apart from these, we offer an extensive range of office furniture for both workstations and cabins, based on the long Italian tradition in office furniture design.
Which all solution does Gibam has for its Indian clients?
We offer shop formats under which we develop interior look & feel, dedicated furniture and technical solutions, metal accessories that include browsers, racks, hooks, bars and arms, made with steel. For supermarkets, we offer checkouts – static or with conveyor belt – from the simplest small counter to several meters long models for cash & carry. We offer reception counters for all kinds of store, where design meets with durable and special materials like corian, stone and solid wood. Our fruit & vegetables furniture is developed with attention to practical needs; is anti-rust, strong but sleek, and flexible. We have also developed stylish and functional modular changing rooms. Apart from these, our portfolio also includes a complete range of office furniture, covering workstations, storage, manager’s office, reception and meeting rooms.
What new has been added to Gibam India’s portfolio recently?
We have recently added three solutions to our portfolio. We are offering adjustable shelves which can be shifted according to the need. Next is pillar cladding, where one can even fix shelves, corner covering, mirror fixing, branding, etc. The third is the multi-sector gondola that the market was waiting for! Available in two heights, Effy has a tube structure made of powder-coated MS, and is therefore, customisable in endless colours. The four sides can be easily equipped with shelves (in glass, metal, wood, other materials), with the help of racks, metal arms and wire hooks for any kind of product. Further, it is protected against friction on top with a stylish, thin layer of SS. Thus, gondolas are available in various colours like red, blue, black, yellow, etc., and can be customised as per the clients, who can change the accessories and display everyday.
Which all steps are involved in bringing the retail solution?
We follow three steps when it comes to retail concept development and execution. The first step involves drafting a clear image of client’s goals and expectations. For this, we do extensive market research, brand comparison, its positioning in the market, analysis of retailer’s ideas and information. In the second step, based on the information and guidelines agreed during the first step, our designers develop retail concept keeping in mind the aspects of store concept, its look & feel, shop-in-shop and pop-up design. Along with all these, we also consider interiors with proposed materials, in-store graphics, signage & way-finding and in-store digital integration.
In the third and final step, based on the client’s feedback on the store concept presented and amended during the development and creation phase, we go for implementation. Here, we transform visual ideas into products through technical drawings, 3D visualization, real prototyping, and covers. In all, this step includes ideal layout, layout applied to an existing store, listing of shop-fittings & furniture, digital view of a store, prototypes, mock-ups, etc. It ends up with quotations.
How is the company placed in the industry?
As I mentioned, Gibam India is the Indian arm of Gibam Shops SpA, the Italian designer and manufacturer of shop-fittings and commercial furniture for hotels and public spaces. Based in Maharashtra, Gibam India takes roots in the know-how and expertise of the mother company, but manufactures all its products in India with full commitment in order to provide Indian clients with quality furniture at Indian prices.
In a short span of just five years, we have become the point of reference for retailers and interior designers who need quality modular furniture for commercial areas. We also take charge for full project execution of complete store solution, particularly in west and south India.
What all constitute manufacturing infrastructure at Gibam India?
We have our factory at Bhiwandi near Mumbai having approximately 45 employees, including field people, enabling us to expand our reach to pan-India level. This perfectly fits the definition of the word manufacture, which comes from ancient Latin, and means ‘to do with the hands’. Well, there are a lot of hands involved in what we do in our factory, but nowadays a big part of the work done is through machines.
The production of modern wooden furniture and of metal counters made by Gibam India comes from a factory equipped with a set of advanced machinery including panel saws, boring machines, post-forming machines, hot press for lamination, CNC routers, edge-banding machines, laser router for acrylic sheets, PU coating plant, welding and polishing machines, and metal bending machine. Keeping production under one roof ensures control of time and quality, and gives the flexibility required by today’s market.
What is the USP of Gibam?
Other than being a solution provider with international experience, we follow advance planning and right execution methodologies. While executing a project, we usually keep our focus on design and material planning. Further, we have maintained being a reliable partner when it comes to adhering to and meeting delivery and installation deadlines. Adding more to it is our exceptionally dedicated execution team, the members of which are trained to deliver perfection in their art of installation.
In fact, we at Gibam India are instrumental in developing fixtures for Parx, a renowned clothing brand from Raymond. The successful project execution makes us their permanent vendor for a couple of more brands. Our association with brands like Raymond (Parx), Peter England, Titan, Park Avenue, Color Plus, DMART, TRENT, Lifestyle, Studio West, Lakeland, Landmark, Samsung, etc. is nothing but the testimony of our successful journey so far.
Why should one go with Gibam for retailing solutions?
Gibam India has the ability and the experience to develop a complete retail concept, be it work that defines the concept of a new brand, or reincarnation of an existing brand. We take up challenging tasks! We at Gibam India are a one-stop solution with competent retail designers, retail equipment technicians and a well-equipped advanced manufacturing facility, which together enable us to complete the job efficiently. Further, the direct involvement of Gibam Italy, if required, gives an added value to the work and can include the support of designers of international stature.