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Greaves Engineering is steadily increasing exports: Dr Arup Basu
Interviews- Dec 16,24
In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Dr Arup Basu, MD, Greaves Cotton Ltd, highlights emerging trends in the Indian manufacturing sector and the company's plans for robust growth with minimum carbon footprint.
Greaves Cotton Ltd (GCL), with a rich engineering legacy of over 165 years, offers end-to-end energy solutions redefining the sustainable and green mobility ecosystem through transformative technology. Looking after the development and execution of the company's long term strategies is Dr Arup Basu, GCL’s Managing Director, who has more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership roles in manufacturing intensive industries such as automotive, chemicals, packaging, etc. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Dr Arup Basu highlights emerging trends in the Indian manufacturing sector and the company's plans for robust growth with minimum carbon footprint.
How has Greaves Cotton Ltd, which has a rich engineering legacy of over 165 years, transitioned in the last five years? And where it is heading in the next five?
165 years is evidence that the ability to roll-with-the-punches is deeply embedded in Greaves’ DNA. Through the last few years, Greaves has successfully identified and used relevant intrinsic assumptions to pivot into the next phase of sustainable profitable growth. This meant, moving us from products to solutions, in keeping with the tailwinds present today. Building on an eco-system playbook, the springboards for growth comprise fuel-agnostic mobility, greener energy solutions, an expanded geographic footprint within India and beyond, supported on a foundation of by customer-centricity and a digital operating ecosystem. This transformative process has already been set in motion.
Given your experience, how do you view the changes in the Indian manufacturing sector in the last 5 years? What factors are triggering these changes?
The manufacturing sector has a pivotal role in driving national economic growth, and focusing on its development is essential for harnessing its full potential to boost India's overall economic performance. This conviction is driven by an interesting shift across three factors: confidence, competence, and comprehension. A study of M&A activity of Indian companies in recent years is a useful lead indicator of the future. Industries across sectors are investing heavily in human capital and all other types of capital to build an arsenal of differentiators and unique value propositions. Partnerships and collaborations between civil society, government and the business community are enabling and accelerating capability and competency building.
Finally, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship are receiving genuine and long overdue mainstream societal respectability for their role in value and job creation. Simultaneously, the Indian consumer is becoming as discerning and demanding. Government too is helping build the national soft and hard infrastructure, supporting collaboration and interdependence and reframing the rules of the game, all steps that are crucial to make manufacturing competitive and therefore successful. The heady dual themes of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ constitutes the apex ‘purpose’ driving this sector to accelerate the journey to achieving its full potential.
What are the opportunities in front of the Indian manufacturing industry in the coming years?
The Indian manufacturing industry is blessed with a huge domestic customer base and a geopolitical tailwind that supports a widespread global customer footprint. The share of global trade is modest, so headroom for growth is significant. The Indian factor cost structure is favourable and on the soft side, Indian talent has acquired a reputation globally for technical acumen and exceptional work habits. In addition, notwithstanding infrastructural gaps, federal and state governments are supportive of industry, willing to listen to their points-of-view and want industry to thrive.
How is Greaves Engineering (the engineering division of Greaves Cotton) gearing up for robust growth with minimum carbon footprint?
The ability to listen is a trait we actively nurture at Greaves. Combined with this our business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses help us build a wider view of the demand landscape. Accordingly, Greaves Engineering is expanding its product and solutions portfolio so that we maintain our dedication to environmental stewardship by focusing on innovation and sustainable energy solutions. For example, our CPCB IV+ compliant gensets lower NOx and particulate matter emissions, thus significantly cutting GHG emissions. Our gensets incorporate features such as electronic fuel injection systems and remote monitoring capabilities, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
To support cost-effective sustainability, we have introduced Retrofitted Emission Control Devices (RECD) kits, allowing older gensets comply with the latest emission standards. We are also developing hybrid gensets that integrate renewable energy sources like solar and biofuels, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions. By building capabilities in fuel-agnostic technologies, our engines can operate on fuels such as CNG, Biodiesel and Ethanol blends, enabling customers meet ever tightening environmental and emission norms and respond with agility.
Our commitment extends to sustainable manufacturing practices, including zero-liquid discharge systems, rainwater harvesting, and on-site solar power installations. Furthermore, use of eco-friendly materials in production minimises waste and supports a circular economy. By advancing hybrid technologies and renewable energy integration, Greaves Engineering is playing a pivotal role in achieving India’s net-zero vision.
How is the acquisition of Excel Controlinkage driving Greaves Engineering's growth?
The acquisition of Excel Controlinkage has helped Greaves Engineering expand its solutions portfolio to include a wider range of complementary products, long-standing customers, and geographies. Apart from these the bundle comprising industry leading profitability, diversified internal competencies, cross-selling, sourcing synergies, customer-centricity, and agile product innovation will act as differentiators and force multipliers in our growth trajectory.
How are you planning to expand your exports?
Greaves Engineering is steadily and systematically increasing export share of total revenues. Key elements of value proposition for our export customers include a culture of enduring relationships, reliable and robust products from our ever-widening portfolio, adherence to committed timelines, competitive techno-commercials, local partnerships offering after-sales service support and agile responsiveness. Indian emission and environmental regulations are increasingly identical and sometimes even stricter than those prevailing in developed economies. Hence our products are at once suitable for India and the world beyond. We tailor our offerings to local geographies – auto engines to Europe, small engines, engine components and motion control solutions to the USA, gensets to Africa and large engines to the Middle East are some examples of this approach.
What are your plans to take Greaves Engineering forward?
The continued focus on capital expenditure for infrastructure projects presents opportunities for market expansion and revenue growth for Greaves Engineering. GCL’s active participation in various government and private initiatives including projects in the power sector, inland waterways and shipbuilding OEMs positions us to capitalise on this momentum. Demand for gensets in infrastructure development continues to grow steadily, while applications requiring small engines have demonstrated consistent growth over the past few years.
On last mile mobility, we are expanding our customer base and portfolio across fuel options (diesel, CNG, biofuels, electric) and engine/motor sizes. Our relentless focus on product enhancements, new product development and innovation is built on a bedrock of a deep understanding of unit economics, manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement.
Greaves Cotton
Arup Basu
Greaves Engineering
Rakesh Rao
engineering company
sustainability
green mobility
Indian manufacturing sector
energy solutions
eco-friendly materials
circular economy
renewable energy
net-zero vision
Excel Controlinkage
gensets
electric vehicle
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