“Our prime focus is to excel at copper conductor manufacturing and to ensure an ever-growing clientele due to our product quality and commitment to 100 percent customer satisfaction.”
Abrol Engineering Co. Pvt. Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of railway electrical products. Founded in the year of 1958, the company started with the manufacturing of motor starters and gradually moved to the manufacturing of low tension switchgear, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), and distribution equipment. The products supplied by Abrol Engineering Co. Pvt. Ltd. to Indian Railways have become synonymous with top quality and performance under all stringent conditions. Wire & Cable India recently interviewed Mr. Vivek Abrol, Managing Director, Abrol Engineering Co. Pvt. Ltd. wherein he dives into the product range of the company and shares the sector’s expectations from the government.
Wire & Cable India: Abrol Engineering Co. Pvt. Ltd. (AECO) has been in business for more than 63 years which is an incredible feat in itself; to start with, could you please give us a glance at the key areas of focus for the company? Also, how would you describe the significant achievements for the company in its more than six decades of business?
Vivek Abrol: Yes, I agree, it’s an incredible feat! This has been accomplished with a great and persistent focus on our core values. We remained focused on engineering and stayed on the path by manufacturing electrical products during our entire journey. We started our journey with the manufacturing of motor starters and miniature circuit breakers. Our greatest achievement has been the fact that by the year 2000, we had become one of the preferred vendors for the Indian Railways. Today, we are Part 1 suppliers for many integral electrical & mechanical rolling stock items for the Indian Railways.
In addition, we have set up another vertical, in partnership, manufacturing high-end E-beam cables for specialized applications.
“Our product portfolio consists of conductors in two major variants — one is annealed bare copper (ABC) and the other is pure tin-plated annealed copper (ATC). In both variants; we offer stranded, bunched, unilay construction and concentric designs.”
Backward integration is another key area where we have invested our resources in achieving overall control on the product in terms of quality, price, delivery, and overall customer satisfaction.
WCI: Please take us through the product portfolio of the Company in the wire and cable segment. Also, divulge some details about the various applications of the product range offered?
VA: Our product portfolio consists of conductors in two major variants — one is annealed bare copper (ABC) and the other is pure tin-plated annealed copper (ATC). In both variants; we offer stranded, bunched, unilay construction and concentric designs.
We also work with the design teams of various customers for special constructions. The applications for our product portfolio are very broad. However, we want to primarily position our products for railways, defence applications, and aerospace applications, speciality cables, special purpose connecting leads segment, and industrial cable applications.
WCI: Since the company has recently ventured into the copper conductors segment, would you please touch upon this development and the plans in this regard?
VA: We have been in the electrical manufacturing segment for three generations since the year 1958. Hence, we considered it the most appropriate segment to venture into conductor manufacturing. Our objective is to remain focused on conductors for high-end engineering applications and special conductors used in industrial cable applications. We have the distinct advantage of a state-of-the-art plant with a large production capacity. Additionally, we have a large area available for capacity expansion as we grow.
WCI: Could you please give us a glimpse into the manufacturing capabilities of AECO and describe the infrastructure of your facility? How do you find ways to remove production bottlenecks, ensure efficient use of resources and save energy in production operations?
VA: Our entire manufacturing facility is equipped with machines and equipment with German and other European technologies. The plant is ergonomically laid out and the production flow is unidirectional and hence very efficient. We have an installed infrastructure capacity for manufacturing copper conductors beyond 6000 MTPA. We have in place a predetermined plan to remove production bottlenecks and ensure a seamless manufacturing capability.
Our entire plant is equipped with the highest efficiency motors and drives. We plan to harvest solar energy in the very near future and we will actively contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. All effluents are properly treated and/or delivered to government-approved contractors for proper disposal in line with environmental regulations.
WCI: How would you describe the major and critical design considerations, innovations, and trends impacting the wire and cable harness production? What is your perspective on the importance of integrating automation in production operations?
VA: We have an experienced design team that can design conductors for any application. We also have a very well-equipped laboratory with the very best test equipment and talent. Harness wires always demand better designs and we are always ready to work with customers who demand innovative products. Our present infrastructure already uses the best automation in the industry. As the need arises, we will opt for automation in material handling as well.
“Our objective is to remain focused on conductors for high-end engineering applications and special conductors used in industrial cable applications”
WCI: As a supplier of components such as power & control panels, cable harnesses to the Indian Railways, kindly describe the technical capabilities of the company which enables the company to produce and continually expand the range of components to supply to the railways. Also, kindly elaborate on the standards, certifications, and specifications of the components.
VA: The Company’s strengths that have enabled us to continually expand our range of products are enumerated below:
- Investment in state-of-the-art machinery and equipment
- A team of experienced and dedicated persons
- An innovative approach to manufacturing and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the customers
- A focused quality control regime
- High-end in-house testing facilities
- ISO certification and Type test certification meeting customers’ specifications
WCI: Could you please give us a glimpse into the market presence of the company — both domestic and international? Also, please outline the plans for expanding your market reach?
VA: In the wire harness business, we have a stronghold in India. We are yet to venture into international markets due to the present pandemic situation. Having recently started our copper conductor unit, we have a limited market reach at present. Our plan is to increase our market reach and market share by aggressively advertising through relevant industry magazines like yours. Also, we will participate in industry shows and product exhibitions in the coming months. We need your support in bringing us to the market.
WCI: Since the government has initiated new rail projects and is expanding the existing rail infrastructure, how do you relate these developments of the government’s investments to the overall growth of the cable harness market segment of the country? Also, what are the sector’s expectations from the government in the kind of ways they could help in bolstering up the future growth of the Indian cable harness market?
VA: Yes, we are actively participating in the new rail projects. The new opportunities in the railways always drive us towards new product development and capacity expansion.
We expect the government to support us in establishing the best infrastructure, create a platform for international and domestic manufacturers to meet and arrange symposiums and exhibitions in this segment. There must be at least one exhibition exclusively for railway products.
WCI: Are there any new developments at AECO that you wish to talk about? What are the future plans of the company going forward?
VA: We always align with market demands and needs. Our prime focus is to excel at copper conductor manufacturing and to ensure an ever-growing clientele due to our product quality and commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. We will strive to upgrade our plant and use cutting-edge technology to cater to the specialized needs of our customers in the copper conductor segment.
