Plan to offer quality OHTC, BTS & YCP
Madras Radiators & Pressings Ltd. (MRP) is an established name in the automotive industry. The company, which is part of the APM United Group, is a leading manufacturer of sheet metal components, machined castings, radiators, oil coolers and brake cylinders used by leading automotive companies in India. As part of its diversification plan, the company is now making a foray into the textile industry.
In an exclusive chat with The Textile Magazine, Mr. Nikhil Sunil, Managing Director, MRP, gave an overview of the company’s foray into the textile industry, its products and their USP, and future plans.
Edited excerpts:
Mr. Nikhil Sunil started off the interaction going into details about the history of Madras Radiators & Pressings Ltd. Going into the details, he said: “We are a 53-year-old company. Based in Coimbatore, we have five plants – one in Chennai, three in Coimbatore and one in Madurai. We have been primarily catering to the automotive, agriculture and off highway sector till now. A couple of years ago, we decided to diversify. Since we are headquartered in Coimbatore, textiles was a natural choice. We already have rich experience in the automobile field. So we thought we could leverage that experience and technical expertise to make quality products for the textile industry. Moreover, we had excellent infrastructure already in place. We were easily able to bring out products for the textile industry”.
Listing down the products that the company is focusing on, Mr. Sunil said: “We have OHTCs and bobbin transport systems (BTS), semi-automatic as well as manual. We are developing a yarn conditioning plant (YCP) and fire alarm systems. We expect the products to be out by the fourth quarter of this fiscal year. All these products are being developed in-house by the company, with some processes being outsourced, wherever necessary”.
The product segments that the company has entered are witnessing intense competition. Asked how in such a scenario a company with limited experience in textiles is going to compete with established players in the field, he said: “We already have rich and varied experience in the automotive sector. We are very well known for our outright commitment to quality. That is our USP. We are bringing the same kind of commitment to the textile industry. We are here for the long haul. We have been in the automotive space for over fifty years now. The companies that we have been supplying to from day one we are still supplying 50 years later. We are looking at long-term relationships. Whatever the issues that may arise we discuss and sort them out. Basically, ‘we make it work’”.
Going into details as to how the company’s products would add value, Mr. Sunil stated: “We did a market survey and found out that after-sales technical support services is an area where can score over others. Plus, of course, we can assure clients of top-notch quality”.
The company has already started supplying products to the textile industry. Mr. Sunil disclosed: “We are very happy that we have been getting excellent feedback from the customers. We have been getting repeat orders from our customers. Our products have already become very popular in the Erode region as well as certain parts of North India.”
The company is manufacturing the products for the textile industry at its Coimbatore plant and has already successfully completed around 100 installations of OHTCs. “For BTS also, I’m very happy with our order book”, added Mr. Sunil.
Asked if the company is looking at export opportunities, Mr. Sunil said: “Down the line, yes. But right now, our focus is on the domestic market. We want to initially deal with the difficulties of being a new brand in the market, surmount the challenges, and firmly establish our presence in the domestic market before we venture out overseas”.
Referring to the company’s future plans, Mr. Sunil said: “We want to go ahead in a gradual and steady manner. Right now we are targeting sales primarily in the BTS product line. With all the advantages that we have got, we are sure that exciting times lie ahead for our textile machinery business”.