Kansas Architect Ddy Inc Forays Into India

Devine deflon Yaeger Inc (DdY), an American design company providing architectural, engineering and surveying services, has identified India as a potential market for malls, entertainment facilities, recreational parks and sports complexes as well as master planning and infrastructural projects.

And based on its recent study of the Indian market, this Kansas-based architectural and planning company has decided to foray into India and has selected Ahmedabad to set up its full-fledged office.

Emphasising that this new office in Ahmedabad would function as the company's hub for the Asia Pacific region, DdY director (international operations) Charles Anthony Chapman said, "We will pursue operations in China, Singapore, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia and other countries in the Asia Pacific region from this office."

Elaborating further, Chapman, who would be based in Ahmedabad as the company's managing director for the Asia Pacific region, said, "In addition to new construction, we will also be providing design services for re-modelling, renovation and restoration. We will also offer pre-design services, which include master planning, site planning facilities and industry reports."

Claiming that his company has the credit of working on projects involving a total of more than 500 screens in US and the Caribbean region, Chapman said, "We have acquired specialisation in multiplexes as well. Moreover, we have provided services for the Sydney Olympic Superdome and are currently pursuing development of sports facilities in Doha, Qatar for the forthcoming Asian Games."

Owing to his company's growing interest in the Indian market, top directors of DdY have already made four trips to India over the last one year, he maintained.

Revealing that DdY has already bagged two contracts in Surat, Chapman said, "While one is for the upcoming Rs 20-crore Raj Multiplex with six screens, the other one is for the head office building of Rivaa Fabrics, which would also house its corporate-cum-marketing & exports office as well as showroom."

Emphasising that his company is on the verge of bagging a contract in Pune, he said, "That one is for a shopping mall-cum-multiplex complex. Final negotiations are going on and the deal is likely to be signed on January 30."

Lately, DdY is also eyeing another entertainment complex-cum-shopping mall proposed to be built on a 7-acre plot in Noida. "We have just initiated the negotiations for this project," Chapman added.