Innovation

u-fra sanitizer units ‘Made in Goa’ Sanitizer Units to combat coronavirus Amidst the ongoing COVID crisis, Hemant Usgaonkar and Frank Fernandes, two highly experienced and skilled engineers bring to Goa and Goans, ‘U-Fra’ sanitizer units

(L-R): U-fra Sanitizer Box Model, Hemant Usgaonkar, Frank Fernandes. Below: U-Fra Tower Light Model By Ameya nayak use of germicidal sources for sanitization wherein it i.e. the ‘Box’ model and the ‘Tower’ model. While the

Owing to the fact that the employs UVC (ultraviolet) Box model is of significance globe is presently battling power to break down the to sanitize face masks, face the deadly Coronavirus structure of viruses and shields, groceries, etc the pandemic; hygiene, safety and pathogens such as the Tower model could be of sanitization related norms novel Corona virus at a immense use to sanitize have begun to take shape of typical wavelength of 254 larger spaces. the new normal. While people, nano meters. The radiation emitting especially in a tiny state like The UVC power dosage from the units does not Goa are taking every possible in the U-Fra sanitizer units affect any properties of the precaution to keep themselves can be extended to areas material that is sanitized safe, what we needed is an where the risk of getting within; thus, making it user innovative manufacturing infected seems high, such friendly with a one-button process during this time that as waiting rooms, hospital operation inculcating is of utmost significance to beds, etc where the UVC features programmed to its one and all in their battle rays radiated by the unit requirements. Moreover, the against COVID; and that is attacks pathogens and has Box model has a capacity what U-Fra sanitizer units are been designed keeping the of 40 litre – quite a sizeable all about. safety of people in mind number of articles of varied

Created, designed and with provisions to control shapes and sizes can be marketed by two experienced the level of the UVC accommodated within the Goan engineers, Hemant dosage within the units. unit. In other words, U-Fra Usgaonkar, former general Unlike other sanitizers, sanitizer units are products, manager and location the U-Fra sanitizer is a that when used on masks in-charge, Siemens Goa, one-time cost product and shields, make them as presently an entrepreneur that avoids recurring costs good as new, thus saving one and consultant with a of consumables wherein the cost of purchasing new rich experience in power performance and usage is ones at regular intervals. distribution and healthcare not personified as a result Similarly when used upon sector in Goa, alongside of which voids arising due groceries, one is assured that Frank Fernandes, owner of to person dependency is they are free from the virus FM Instrumentation, an ISO eliminated. upon coming on contact approved organization for Explaining the working with the UVC rays emitted manufacturing processes – mechanism of the sanitizer from the unit. bring together their devotion unit, Hemant and Frank U-Fra is an entirely Goan for innovative manufacturing mention that they have creation that has been in the form of U-Fra (meaning two models thought of, ‘the one who spreads joy’) under the designed and sanitizer units that make U-Fra brand manufactured

in Ponda, within the premises of Frank’s organization FM Instrumentation, by local talent and has been created with an objective to benefits Goans at the grass root level. Hemant says, “Since U-Fra is a Goan product, we would wholly cater to customisations to the extent possible as per customer requirements and would also ensure that quick service and upgrades would be made available.”

Commenting on the response that this unique product has received, Hemant and Frank say that the demand for this product has been quite high so far; that too, just by means of wordof-mouth where they have been flooded with enquiries from various stakeholders across Goa and few bookings for the units have also been registered.

Finally, commenting on their plan for the future of the product Hemant mentions that some dealers across the state have already come forward and shown interest in stocking the unit. In addition, since both Hemant and Frank have rich experience in handling local industries and multinational companies where quality, price and regulatory requirements are of paramount importance, customers have nothing less but to gain from U-Fra! “It is about time we begin to groom Goa as a manufacturing hub for quality products with the potential to address the Indian market.

Endeavours such as U-Fra would eventually help in developing the Goan ecosystem and attract Goans who are away from the state to come back to conceive state-of-the art products and become increasingly competitive”, says Hemant