Ajay Balakrishna, Founder and CEO of Schon Doorways, is an engineer by training, a passionate designer at heart and an entrepreneur by choice. With a deep-rooted passion for design innovation and engineering excellence, Ajay brings over a decade of experience in the architectural and building materials industry. In a chat with AL Circle, the business persona divulges about his inspiration, innovation and beyond.

AL Circle: Let’s start by asking what inspired you to venture into the world of premium aluminium doors and windows and how the idea for Schon Doorways first came to life. Was there a particular gap in the market that caught your attention?

Ajay Balakrishna: We observed that there is a gap in the Indian market, and that is precisely what became our inspiration for Schon Doorways. While the global brands offered innovation and customisation in aluminium fenestrations, the local industry lacked aesthetically pleasing and technically advanced products. We witnessed a growing demand for minimalist, energy-efficient and durable solutions, especially amongst premium homeowners and architects. Schon Doorways was born out of an aspiration to bring global-grade designs and performance that align with Indian climatic and architectural needs.

AL Circle: India’s fenestration industry has seen quite a shift in recent years, especially with growing awareness around energy efficiency and architectural aesthetics. From your vantage point, how has the industry evolved, and what are the most defining changes?

Ajay Balakrishna: Over the past five years, there has been a notable shift in how doors and windows are looked at by space owners. They are no longer just functional necessities but are now considered key elements of architectural design and sustainability. Architects are now demanding systems that do more than just look good. They must contribute to thermal performance, provide effective sound insulation and support smart automation. At the same time, customers today have become more aware and thoughtful and seek transparency on metrics like U-values, SHGC ratings, energy efficiency, etc. This evolving mindset reflects a broader trend where design, sustainability and performance are emerging as the pillars of modern living spaces.

AL Circle: Bangalore is known for its tech prowess, but not often highlighted as a manufacturing hub. What made you choose Bangalore as the base for your 80,000 sq. ft. facility, and how has the city supported your vision for innovation and growth in this segment?

Ajay Balakrishna: Bangalore is known for technology, but it’s now rapidly emerging as a design-forward city with a vibrant and progressive architectural community. We saw an opportunity and decided to build ourselves in a city that values innovation and contributes as a gateway to South India’s growing design and construction market. The ecosystem offers access to highly skilled talent, developed infrastructure and a culture that accepts bold, future-ready ideas. All these factors made Bangalore the perfect choice for us when building our facility.

AL Circle: If we walked through the plant today, what would we see, and what aspects of your process or infrastructure are you most proud of?

Ajay Balakrishna: Anyone visiting our facility will see precision at every step, from CNC machining and powder coating to quality checks. Our facility is where skilled craftsmanship meets smart automation, and everything works in sync to create market-fit products. What sets us apart is our ability to offer custom solutions without compromising speed or consistency. Our facility isn’t just a typical factory floor — a clean, systematic and process-driven space designed to manufacture and deliver high-quality, premium output.