Mr. VK Bajaj, Sr President-Business Strategy and Innovation, APAR Industries Ltd., dives in about the recent developments in the manufacturing unit, industry 4.0 initiatives, and innovative products manufactured by the company.
“We already had 2 Ebeam machines commissioned in 2012. Recently, we commissioned a new 2.5 MeV machine and another 2.5 MeV Ebeam machine is under installation. We are also planning for additional Ebeam machines rating 5 MeV and 10 MeV in the coming years.”
Wire & Cable India: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place.
VK Bajaj: Apar Industries has always promoted innovation in product development & manufacturing technology thereby always upgrading its quality standards to remain ahead of the competition.
This has been well acknowledged by the customers and Apar products have been getting accepted by most of the customers.
We are commissioning 2 additional CCV lines that will produce up to 72 KV cables, besides commissioning a new HV Lab to meet testing requirements.
We already had 2 Ebeam machines commissioned in 2012. Recently, we commissioned a new 2.5 MeV machine and another 2.5 MeV Ebeam machine is under installation.
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WCI: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace?
VKB: APAR Industries motivates its employees at all levels and across all divisions to adopt innovation as part of their work and conducts frequent innovation workshops engaging most of the middle level and senior team members. Innovation is being inculcated as part of the work culture and behaviour and it cannot be achieved overnight. The senior management team takes responsibility to mentor the innovation and R&D among mid-level employees. All necessary facilities, test equipment, input materials, and engagement with external laboratories and academic institutions are made available to achieve the objectives. The marketing team remains in contact with the customers and coordinates with the works team to develop the products that provide technology solutions for solving customer needs.
WCI: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times?
VKB: Apar cable division has been upgrading its manufacturing technology by replacing the latest models of equipment, upgrading testing equipment, and experimenting with raw materials, and alternate raw materials. Apar has been taking various international approvals like UL certifications, EN/TUV/IEC certifications besides several BIS certifications in an effort to get its products accepted in the global market. Apar cable division currently exports about USD 200 million, nearly 50 percent of its cable products to various customers in the USA, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and North Africa. Apar cables expect to continue with its efforts to go global to more geographies as our product demand is increasing. Besides the 4 Ebeam machines mentioned above, we are also planning for additional Ebeam machines rating 5 MeV and 10 MeV in the coming years.
WCI: Kindly elaborate on some of the Industry 4.0 initiatives taken by your company.
VKB: APAR Industries has generally completed the assessment part of the industry 4.0 initiatives by conducting several workshops with prospective vendors besides external seminars and workshops. Apar cable division is currently in the advanced stage of implementation of Industry 4.0 Initiatives. Initially, we are focussing on productivity improvement and power consumption management tools before expanding the scope further.
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WCI: Please take us through some of the technology-driven products manufactured by APAR Industries.
VKB: Few examples of Innovative products that Apar has developed include:
- DRY Cure Low Voltage XLPE Cables using Ebeam Cross-Linking Technology;
- Ebeam Cross-Linked PVC or LSZH Insulated Wires & Cables;
- 35 KV Rubber Insulated Cables;
- High Tensile Strength Torpedo Fibre Optic Cables; and
- UL certifications for 18 categories of cables for export to the USA.
