With various sectors looking to adopt Industry 4.0, IoT-enabled products and services are gaining demand. By leveraging on its vast experience, Electronic Automation Pvt Ltd (EAPL) is accelerating this transition by offering smart solutions to its expanding base of end-users. In this interview, Shreedhar Kamat, Co-Founder & Chairman, Electronic Automation Pvt Ltd, explains the emerging changes in the industry and how the company is gearing up to tap new opportunities with innovative solutions. 

How is Electronic Automation Pvt Ltd contributing to the growth of the Indian manufacturing sector? 

Electronic Automation Private Limited, headquartered in Bangalore, was founded in 1985 by Late Shri Madhav Kamat. Partnering with Kruger + Co Ltd, Switzerland, EAPL embodies Swiss perfection in its products. Beginning with timers nearly four decades ago, EAPL has established itself as a prominent player in the Indian electronic industry, specialising in manufacturing high-quality products at affordable prices. With approvals from product safety regulators CSA, CE, and UL, EAPL ensures compliance with safety norms.

EAPL's diverse product portfolio includes electronic timers, sequence timer, programmable annunciators, energy meters, temperature controllers, protection relays, power supplies pump controllers and digital time switches, catering to various electrical applications across industries. With a wide consumer base spanning over 50 cities in India and several GCC countries, EAPL prides itself on its commitment to quality and affordability.

Spread across 50,000 sq ft, EAPL's manufacturing infrastructure is capable of producing over 500,000 units annually. Certified under ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 14001:2015, EAPL prioritises quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. Equipped with the latest SMT technology and supported by a dedicated Quality Control (QC) department, EAPL ensures rigorous quality checks at every stage of production, from raw materials to the final product.

With its own tool room and plastic injection molding facility adhering to UL graded materials and safety protocols, EAPL further strengthens its manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, the in-house EMI/EMC lab enhances product validation, ensuring excellence in quality.

How is your company serving the customers? What is the USP of your company?

EAPL has a network of over 100 sales channel partners spanning across India and internationally, dedicated to delivering essential service and support to customers in their respective regions.

One of EAPL's standout qualities lies in the exceptional quality of its products, boasting a rejection ratio of less than 100 ppm, aligning with global standards. Furthermore, EAPL products feature high-quality, UL graded plastics, ensuring safety compliance. They are also engineered for effortless installation.

In our marketing policy, we stand by our promise: "Any manufacturing defects confirmed within the warranty period will result in product updates, refunds, or replacements."

Many of our products carry CE and UL certifications, demonstrating our commitment to quality and performance. Additionally, EAPL is a key contributor to the ESDM project "LAHARI" by the Government of India, housing an advanced NABL-accredited testing facility in Mysore. These factors underscore EAPL's dedication to delivering quality and performance at competitive prices.

How was the performance of your company in 2023? 

As for our performance in 2023, EAPL has witnessed consistent growth, of 15-20 per cent increase in revenue year-overyear. Looking ahead, we plan to further accelerate this growth trajectory offering a diverse portfolio of over 500 instruments for various applications.

In addition to expanding our facilities, we've invested in new machinery, including injection molding facilities, to offer comprehensive solutions for industrial needs. Recently, we introduced IoT-enabled production monitoring meters tailored for the plastic industry, with plans to extend this technology to other sectors, aligning with Industry 4.0 standards.

What are your plans to increase exports?

While EAPL has traditionally focused on the Indian market, we have begun to establish distributor channels in the Gulf region, with some products gaining traction. Participation in international expos like Hannover Fair and the upcoming Middle East Expo in Dubai in April '24 signifies our commitment to expanding our global presence. Although export sales are currently modest, we are confident that EAPL's excellent track record in quality, cost-effectiveness, and customer service will pave the way for success in the global market.

The market for electric vehicles (EV infrastructure) and renewable energy is showing strong growth. Is this opening up new growth opportunities for EAPL?

Recognising India's advancements in EV infrastructure and renewable energy, EAPL has developed specific products for energy measurement within EV monitoring systems, which have been well-received in the market. Additionally, we have designed products such as DC energy meters and reverse relays for solar panel applications. We are progressively expanding our offerings in these areas to align with market demands, with ongoing development efforts in this direction.

Companies (including your customers) across industries are emphasising on sustainability. How is your company helping them meet their sustainability goals?

EAPL's products adhere to DIN standards and IEC guidelines, utilising high-quality materials such as UL V.0-rated fireretardant plastics to ensure product safety. Moreover, many of our products hold certifications such as CE and UL, aligning with global standards. Furthermore, as an ISO 9001 certified company with an integrated management system, we maintain compliance with Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental standards, underscoring our commitment to sustainability.

What kinds of emerging trends are you observing in the electrical & electronics industry today?

We're witnessing a gradual adoption of Industry 4.0 across various sectors, with a notable emphasis on IoT-enabled products and services. At EAPL, we're poised to accelerate this transition, leveraging our current portfolio of 500+ products to offer smart solutions to our expanding base of end-users.

The growth of the electronic industry in India is intricately tied to specific segments, influenced by factors such as the existing ecosystem, the presence of organised players, import levels, and governmental focus on respective sectors.

The industrial electronics segment, for instance, is experiencing growth driven by the automation of manufacturing facilities and a rising emphasis on renewable energy utilisation.

How do you plan to scale up your business in FY2024 & FY2025? 

EAPL's performance in 2023 was notably positive, setting the stage for ambitious growth plans. We aim to double our capacity over the next two years from the current 500,000 units/year level. This expansion will be accompanied by efforts to penetrate untapped markets and boost exports to regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where we intend to showcase our innovative, high-quality products and services.

Our recent product launches reflect our commitment to innovation and meeting market demands. Examples include the "M3" series of annunciators, the sleek ETR Series timers, the APD Series relays, Sleek counters, Digital timers, sequence timers and the SPP-T auto switch designed for the irrigation and agriculture sector.

Looking ahead, we're gearing up to integrate IoT features into products like energy meters and annunciators, time switches aligning with the market's shift towards connectivity technologies like WiFi, LORA, and GSM. Additionally, we're venturing into the electric vehicle (EV) segment and expanding into building automation, emphasizing powersaving solutions.

Future product developments include IoT-enabled controllers, electric vehicle charging solutions, and simplified PLCs. We are also focused on obtaining certifications like 'CE' to expand our global footprint and exploring new markets in Europe, Africa, Gulf and Southeast Asia.

Participation in trade fairs like the upcoming Middle East Expo in Dubai underscores our commitment to showcasing our advancements and expanding our reach globally.

While EAPL has enjoyed steady growth in recent years, we're now poised for exponential expansion, driven by our diverse product portfolio and growing acceptance in the market.