A launch by National Heaters Industries Company (NHI) of glass-lined electric water heaters earlier this year constitutes a strong factor for higher growth with the company’s existing product range already doing well in local and export markets.

“The initial response has been encouraging and sales of the new glass-lined heaters is picking up in both local and export markets,” said Rajiv Gupta, general manager of the company.  Interest in the UAE market has been particularly good and the product is being marketed under NHI’s flagship brand “Hotex,” he said.

Gupta stressed that one of the standard features of Hotex glass-lined heaters was a thick steel boiler with an extra-thick inert glass coating for protection against corrosion.
 “This ensures clean and hygienic water for use,” he said.  The new product has a magnesium anode of extra-large size to provide cathodic protection against corrosion. 

The glass-lined heaters’ advantages include a flange-type element that the company says ensures superior cleaning, better and uniform enamel coating and ease of maintenance. “The rubber gasket of the flange is made from special rubber, which can withstand high temperature and pressure for a longer time, thereby ensuring years of trouble-free service. The automatic thermostat can be adjusted to the desired temperature,” it said.
Giving other details, the company said: “A manually resettable thermal cut-out provided in the product is a safeguard against thermostat failure. Insulative polyurethane heat foam in the annular space between the boiler and outer body prevents heat loss and hence lowers electricity bills.  A factory-fitted dual action safety valve protects against dangerous explosions and ensures the boiler is always full of water thereby preventing expensive element burnout.

“An anti-splash mechanism reduces mixing of hot and cold water thereby providing hot water for a longer time.  The inlet-outlet pipes are of stainless steel.  The outer body is made from CRCA and is electrostatically coated and oven-baked to ensure superior finish.  Other standard features include an earthing device, a temperature indicator and a neon light.  All this makes Hotex glass-lined heaters an outstanding product at a very competitive price.”

Gupta commented that professionals and skilled technicians worked alongside the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities at the Rusayl Industrial Estate, near Muscat. NHI is part of the Omar Zawawi Establishment (Omzest), which has manufacturing and trading companies.

“Every heater is checked for leakage and electrical defects,” he said.  “Quality Control of all incoming raw materials and at every stage of process ensures reliability and quality.  The company offers five years’ warranty against leakage for their glass-lined range of water heaters.”
 Among other models that the company makes, Hotex copper heaters are made from 99.5 per cent pure copper and have all the standard features listed above, it says. 

The galvanised iron water heater is made from hot dip galvanised steel.  In this, the premium range boasts of a magnesium anode that provides cathodic protection inside the boiler.  It is attacked by the dissolved salts in the water and ‘sacrificed’ in preference to the boiler body.  This arrests corrosion and enhances the life of the body, according to the company.

To cater to all the segments of the market, the company manufactures Sunex economy water heaters.
The company’s heaters are manufactured in capacities ranging from 10 to 500 litres with a host of features including different mounting options, range of colours and optional accessories.  They conform to Omani, Saudi, Singaporean, Chinese and IEC standards and have been approved by various independent agencies and ministries.

From a modest beginning in 1983, NHI has become one of the leading manufacturers in the Gulf of a range of domestic and large-capacity storage type electric water heaters.
“Today Hotex is considered the standard for the design and manufacture of water heaters.  An uncompromising approach to quality control and continuous upgrading of technology through research and development has been the key to success,” says Gupta. To keep up with the anticipated big growth in business, NHI has modernised its work process by adopting ACCPAC’s Advantage Series’ Internet-based solution.

“We have pro-actively approached this project by choosing a back-end system that streamlines our workflow as well as ensures a seamless and painless migration of our business to the Internet.  In this sense, we regard technology as a strategic tool to continue extending superior customer support to our clients in Oman and around the world,” said Gupta.  Zawawi Business Machines in Oman, an ACCPAC business partner and a technology solutions provider, managed the project.

SD Naik, general manager, Zawawi Business Machines (ZBM), commented: “Companies like NHI have a major focus on export business and have a requirement to deploy a back office technology that scales up to their web migration needs.  The ACCPAC Advantage Series solution at NHI is a very good example of a step-by-step, efficient approach to e-commerce.”