Development of new products and upgradation of existing product for critical application are the other major activities undertaken by the plant. "Our manufacturing focus includes large variety and low quantity production. To suit this production requirement, we have started working on implementation of TPM," Sant informs.
Products from the Kondhapuri plant are currently sold both the domestic market as well as the exports markets with exports contributing about ten percent in volumes. "Our key international markets include US, Some of the Gulf countries, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Vietnam as well as some of African countries. And we are constantly looking at widening our global horizons," Sant shares.
While entering the administrative building of the Kondhapuri plant, one notices a board at the entrance which says ‘Centre of Excellence' in association with R M Dhariwal Sinhgad Management School.
"This Centre of Excellence was set up for mutual benefits of KBL employees and management school students for sharing industry knowledge/experiences and get updates on the modern management topics," shares Sant adding that training and development is an important aspect of the Kondhapuri plant as it is of every KBL facility. The Kondhapuri plant conducts various training programmes for its workmen and staff, which includes product training for new joiners.
"We also provide various behavioural training programmes like communication skill, leadership development besides functional training programmes like finance for non-finance staff, problem solving, 7 QC tools as well as quality systems," he adds.
While focusing on operational efficiency, productivity, people development, robust infrastructure and sustainability, the Kondhapuri plant prides itself in product innovation. "While our existing products are well appreciated in the market across industry sectors, our team is constantly working at improving the performance and features of these products for the benefit of our customers," Sant says sharing some interesting cases.
For example, the KBL team developed the Tamper proof Kinetic Air Valve, which can save 43,200 litres of water per valve per month for a 150mm size valve. Another example is that of the Butterfly Valve with Flow through Disc.
"This valve achieved material saving of 1,200 kg in case of this 3600 mm valve through design resulting in minimum head loss, stream lined flow and weight reduction," Sant says, adding that there are many such examples.
"Product innovation is an ongoing activity for us and we believe it will be key in our objective of increasing market share in this competitive industry," he adds. Of course, Sant is confident that with an excellent system in place, the Plant is all set for registering an impressive growth.
"While Kondhapuri clocked an annual turnover of Rs120 crore in the last financial year, Sant is positive about achieving Rs 150 crore for the current financial year. "Of course, we are looking Rs200 in the next two years," he says with a smile as he signs off.
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