Building for Millions: How Airports Shortlist the Right Toilet Cubicle Manufacturers

Airports are one of the most complex public infrastructure projects to plan, execute and maintain. Every element—from runways, terminals counters, waiting areas to restrooms are designed to operate under extreme footfall, tight security protocols with passenger comfort at the heart. For airports that are operational 24 x 7, the restrooms and toilet cubicles play a critical role in passenger comfort, hygiene, and overall airport rating.

For airport authorities- selecting the right airport toilet cubicle manufacturers in Mumbai is not a design decision alone—it is a rigorous procurement process driven by compliance, performance benchmarks, lifecycle cost, and execution capability. This article outlines how airports evaluate and shortlist toilet cubicle manufacturers, and what truly matters at each stage of the process.

Step 1: Approved Make list by Airport Authorities

The procurement journey begins long before tenders are issued. Airport authorities, including bodies such as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) make an Approved Make List for all critical building components—including washroom cubicle systems.

Manufacturers and brands are evaluated and selected based on a detailed review of:

• Company incorporation and statutory compliance
• Quality certifications
• Product standards, test reports, and material specifications
• Fire, safety, environmental, and hygiene certifications
• Manufacturing capability, infrastructure, and technical strength
• Past experience in large-scale infrastructure projects

Only manufacturers who successfully clear this vetting process are approved for future consideration. This step ensures that airports work exclusively with companies that meet baseline technical, legal, and quality expectations.

This umbrella list is prepared in advance and is applicable to all airports across India for both new developments and renovation projects, and is subsequently referred to by PMCs, construction agencies, and contractors for reaching out to and shortlisting eligible vendors in the next stage of selection.

Step 2: Vendor Shortlisting

From the approved vendor list, airport authorities along with project consultants and construction agencies further shortlist companies for specific projects. This evaluation goes beyond product quality and focuses on organizational reliability and delivery capabilities.

Key factors assessed at this stage include:

• Company’s stability and financial health
• Ongoing litigations or contractual disputes, if any        
• Scale of operations and proven track record in airport or similar high-security, high-footfall projects
• Availability of skilled staff, project managers, and installation teams
• In-house design, engineering, and technical teams

This step filters out vendors who may be technically approved but lack the operational strength or reliability required for airport environments.

Step 3: Tendering and Commercial Evaluation

Once shortlisted, these companies are invited to participate in the tendering process. At this stage, commercial bids are submitted based on:

• Approved cubicle models and configurations
• Panel materials, thickness, hardware, and finishes
• Cubicle sizes, layouts, and accessibility compliance
• Colour selections and aesthetic requirements
• Installation scope and project timelines
• Required certifications, compliances and documentation

Pricing is evaluated not just on upfront cost, but also on clarity of scope, adherence to specifications, and transparency in commercial terms. Airports typically look for value-based pricing, where durability, warranty, and long-term performance justify the investment along with a reliable and dependable vendor.

Step 4: Mock-Up Evaluation – The Real Test

One of the most critical stages in airport procurement is the mock-up phase. Shortlisted manufacturers are asked to execute a live mock-up, either on-site or at a designated location, under close supervision of the PMC and construction agencies.

This stage evaluates far more than the finished cubicle:

• Coordination with civil, MEP, and finishing contractors
• Procurement efficiency and material readiness
• Compliance with site safety and security protocols
• Documentation accuracy and approval responsiveness
• Quality of installation, alignment, and finishing
• Ability to accommodate last-minute design or site changes
• Overall cooperation and professionalism on site

Mock-ups often reveal a manufacturer’s true capability. Airports use this phase to assess how well a vendor performs under real project conditions—not just on paper.

Step 5: Final Evaluation and Project Award

After mock-up assessment, manufacturers are evaluated on all parameters:

• Project planning and execution methodology
• Delivery and installation timelines
• Labour deployment and site management discipline
• Consistency of quality across materials and hardware
• Warranty coverage and long-term maintenance support
• After-sales responsiveness and spare part availability
• Overall lifecycle cost rather than initial price alone
• Vendor confidence and dependability

At this stage, airports are looking for predictability and reliability. The selected manufacturer must demonstrate the ability to deliver repeatedly, across multiple zones and phases in extreme site conditions. They should peacefully cooperate with other agencies and navigate last minute challenges. They should properly and timely comply with all protocols, documentation and procedure and deliver quality work and in the stipulated time frame.

Why Lifecycle Cost Matters More Than Initial Price

Airports operate 24/7. Toilet cubicles must withstand continuous use, frequent cleaning, humidity, and mechanical stress. A lower initial cost often leads to:

• Higher maintenance frequency
• Premature replacements
• Operational disruptions and repairs

Airport procurement teams therefore prioritize manufacturers who offer durable systems, extended warranties, and stable long-term performance—even if the initial cost is marginally higher.

Choosing the Right Manufacturing Partner

For airports, selecting a toilet cubicle manufacturer is about risk mitigation and operational continuity. The right partner understands:

• Security clearances and restricted work zones
• Last minute change incorporation
• Night shifts and phased execution
• Coordination with multiple agencies
• Strict Quality compliance
• Zero-failure expectations during handovers

This is why experienced airport toilet cubicle manufacturers in Mumbai and other major hubs are evaluated not only on product quality, but on process maturity, responsiveness, and execution discipline and their ability to be an asset to the team and reduce the stress of PMCs and construction agencies.

Conclusion

Airport washrooms operate under some of the most demanding conditions, making the selection of airport toilet cubicle manufacturers in Mumbai a critical decision rather than a routine purchase. From pre-qualification and mock-ups to audits, execution capability, and long-term serviceability, every stage of the procurement process is designed to minimise risk and ensure consistent performance across terminals.

Manufacturers that succeed in airport projects are those who demonstrate not only product quality, but also operational maturity—clear documentation, disciplined site management, coordination with multiple stakeholders, and the ability to deliver reliably under tight timelines. In such high-stakes environments, experience, compliance, and execution capability ultimately define who earns repeat trust across India’s airport infrastructure ecosystem.