We have got all sorts of targets, yearly, five-yearly, etc. But, what we are looking to do is first becoming a billion dollar company in the next three years and then grow strength to strength from there, says Mr. Vijay Karia.
Ravin Group, established in the year 1950, is one of India’s fastest growing business groups. The group comprises companies managing diverse business interests in the power and energy sector. It offers comprehensive solutions across 5 verticals such as Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, EHV & Accessories, Trading, EPC Services in the fields of renewables, cable laying, cable jointing and termination, sub – stations etc.
Ravin Cables Ltd., under Ravin Group, is a leading player in the domestic power cable segment. The company has been over the years, one of India’s leading power cable manufacturers with a 50-year old legacy of excellence.
Wire & Cable India magazine recently had a quick chat with Mr. Vijay Karia, CMD, Ravin Group to know his perspectives on the Indian cable sector and road ahead for Ravin Group.
Wire & Cable India: Share with us your perspective on the Indian power sector keeping a connect with consequent growth of the cable sector.
Vijay Karia: A few days ago, the power minster said that India will acquire USD 1 trillion investments for the power sector. Emphasizing, at the same time, he said that we need to connect to every common man and that India’s GDP growth is closely linked to adequacy of power. The prospects are of course bright for the Indian power sector, so are for the cable industry as whatever technology you adopt for generation viz. thermal, hydel, or renewable, there is only one way to transmit or distribute energy i.e. cables.
Moreover, cables connect across industries besides connecting every household. Cables go hand in hand with infrastructural and industrial growth of a nation. Therefore, there is no doubt that cable industry will grow. Only thing the Indian cable Indian industry needs to do is to adopt best technological practices and become more efficient.
WCI: As far as brand recognition is concerned, what according to you is the ultimate achievement of Ravin?
VK: On Ravin’s brand recognition, I would say that our Prime Minister recognizes the brand Ravin when we met few days ago – that’s sort of an achievement. The Finance Minister has also recognized us. Moreover the Power Minister Shri.Piyush Goyal has also referred to us on multiple forums related to the power sector. When such key people recognize your work or your brand, it’s nothing short of ultimate achievement, which not only provides you immense satisfaction, but inspires you to work more on those lines.
Besides that customers’ recognition of our brand as premium, reliable, safe, and secure product has constantly encouraged us to increase the quality quotient of our products and services. When people hear the word power , they are instantly reminded of the brand and the quality of products we manufacture. We have been slowly and steadily working on our brand and as a result we are now not only a cable brand, but well known for our presence in all our other 5 verticals, especially solar and EHV. Today we are one of the highly qualified companies for EHV projects and services. I would rather say that our brand has now become synonymous to the word POWER and we are referred as the most trusted brand by our well wishers in the industry.
WCI: What USP has helped Ravin reach at this level?
VK: I think Ravin’s USP is its people. We have a good, stable, and strong set of people who truly reflect the values that we have, who are proud of the brand that we have built, and who consider this as their own. The moment you have a sense of ownership for anything, you don’t need to look beyond that ownership; everything that you do, you do it as an owner, not as an employee. I think that’s the biggest advantage or USP we have.
WCI: Targets for Ravin for next five years?
VK: We have got all sorts of targets, yearly, five-yearly, etc. But, what we are looking to do is first becoming a billion dollar company in the next three years and then grow strength to strength from there. And, with the grace of all our customers and supporters, we are well on track of achieving those targets.
WCI: Finally, would you like to add something, some inputs for the industry?
VK: As I said, the industry needs technology upgradation and we need to move beyond products. One of the failings that the industry has is that it operates on very thin margins because of cut throat competition. Most of the people try to sell their products on the basis of pricing – they need to change that and try to develop technology to make more efficient products. They should do a little bit of R&D, train their people to market products, and not just sell products at the lowest price. If the industry is able to do this, we will soon see a new and vibrant industry. We are looking forward to seeing that.
WCI: Is this realistic? Do you see this happening in near future?
VK: Of course, this is realistic and it has to happen in next couple of years. If it is not happening industry-wise, it is happening company wise. If few companies get into this act, ultimately the entire industry has to follow the suit.
