Mr. Neeraj Kochhar, Chairman and Managing Director, Viraj Profiles Ltd., shares the investments and efforts for modernising, and the approach towards technological innovations.
“As part of our commitment to ensure a seamless experience for our customers across more than 96 countries, we have recently deployed new ERP software to improve our delivery system and efficient use of the resources. The system encompasses all the activities starting from sourcing of scrap up to the last mile delivery of the products.”
Wire & Cable India: Please highlight technology and quality development or up-gradation that recently took place at Viraj Profiles.
Neeraj Kochhar: Viraj Profiles has always been driven by innovation and timely adaptation to the changing market and demand. Our thrust upon innovation is driven by new technologies, changing consumer demands, and other forces like change in the global economic scenario.
The company has made sizable investments in creating a robust infrastructure while strengthening the existing one. As part of our commitment to ensure a seamless experience for our customers across more than 96 countries, we have recently deployed new ERP software to improve our delivery system and efficient use of the resources.
The system encompasses all the activities starting from sourcing of scrap up to the last mile delivery of the products.
On the manufacturing technology front, we recently started the HOT trial of our new straightening and shearing machine specifically for our profile range of products. The technology installed by Danieli Group (Italy) offers flawless performance at a much better speed and is equipped to handle up to 800 mm wide angles, channels and flats. The project just got kicked off but going forward, it will surely transform the way we manufacture products and will also help us in optimising our speed of manufacturing and delivery.
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WCI: What have you been doing to foster innovation and R&D at your workplace?
NK: At Viraj Profiles, we follow an open door policy vertically as well as laterally. We have created an atmosphere conducive to innovation and where employees feel free to express their thoughts, ideas and concerns with their teams, colleagues as well as seniors. Our approach has always been customer-centric and thus, our pursuit for innovation is always fuelled by our quest for customer excellence. Our R&D department is constantly exploring new ways of solving a problem. Over the years, this has helped us in customising our product offerings as per the customer demand and also maintaining our leadership position in the global market.
We, at Viraj Profiles, have also formed a special cell comprising engineers who are fresh out of college and a mix of middle management and senior management staff from various departments. The core function of this department is to focus on new product development, cost optimisation, innovative packaging solutions, data analytics, etc. This methodology has helped us in looking at the manufacturing process in a completely new light. Access to advanced data analytics has improved our data-driven decision-making capabilities.
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WCI: What is your technology and business roadmap for the coming times?
NK: Embracing new technology is inevitable for sustainable business operation and the stainless steel industry is no exception. The stainless steel industry is already lagging behind other industries when it comes to technological transformation. These challenges have only been exacerbated owing to the pandemic and the changes in the global market. On the brighter side, the pandemic has also taught us to focus on building a more agile work culture and be future-ready to tackle any challenge head-on.
Agility does not mean allowing people to do what they want to do, rather it has to be linked to the ability of the organisation to reconfigure people’s strategies, resources and structures to the most value-creating opportunities. Having said that, we also understand that achieving this can take a longer period of time and it’s a gradual process. Going forward, Viraj Profiles aims to earmark a significant portion of its expenditure on innovation and R&D. We already have a couple of projects in the pipeline and by the end of this calendar year, we should be able to share more updates on this.
