The Make in India initiative brings us competitiveness and excellent business opportunities, says Sandeep S Khadke – Director, Sharplex Filters (India) Pvt Ltd.

What are various types of process filters and filtration products manufactured at Sharplex?

Sharplex manufactures a wide range of process filtration equipment for variety of applications. This includes: vertical pressure leaf filter; horizontal pressure leaf filter; molten sulphur filter; pulse jet candle filters; polishing filter (single and multi bag); tubular centrifuge; rotary brush strainer (RBS); pneumatic disc filter (SFC); horizontal plate closed filter; circular vibro screens; auto backwash filter; dual cartridge filter; and filter elements.

What are the applications?

We at Sharplex are determined to make process filtration equipment to serve the needs of various industrial segments – food, pharmaceutical, chemical, edible oil, fertilizer, petroleum and mining industries.

What is the USP of Sharplex products?

Our USP can be summed up in a few words – in-depth expertise in process filtration – state-of-the-art, in-house R&D department that provides innovative solutions – custom design and manufacturing, and extended customer relationship

Any technology sources from abroad or is it indigenous, in-house R&D effort? What are the challenges?

It is the ingenuity and the uncompromising efforts of our in-house R&D that makes us who we are today.

We love challenges and these are a constant part of our learning curve at Sharplex. The biggest challenge is to always provide cost-effective and high-yielding end product solutions without ever compromising on the quality of our filters.

What is the ratio of exports vis-a-vis domestic sales?

The exports exports/domestic sales ratio is a healthy 50:50.

Global sales, local operations, what are the plans in view of the Make in India campaign?

Sharplex manufactures and exports its products to more than 60 countries. So far, we have successfully completed more than 1500 installations in India and the rest of the world. Sharplex has two manufacturing units dedicated to its domestic and international operations.

Make in India campaign is a brilliant initiative for the growth of this country. However, this initiative brings us competitiveness and excellent business opportunities. Now, this presents us with two challenges – one is to further advance Sharplex in terms of technology and stay updated, and the other is, to find innovative ways to provide our clients with efficient solutions.

What is the Company’s history?

Sharplex Filters (India) Pvt Ltd was established in the year of 1993, under the proprietorship of Mr Satish Khadke. Backed by a rich experience of 12 years, working with one of the largest engineering establishments in India – Larsen & Toubro Ltd – he turned an entrepreneur and launched process filtration equipment under the brand name of “Sharplex”.

Sharplex is an ISO 9001: 2008/14001/18001 certified company today, with the manufacturing facilities approved by Lloyds Registers for ‘PED’ inspection.

Any breakthrough product launch that made a difference?

We truly believe that every product we launch is a breakthrough product in its area of application. However going by the industry perception, we are proud to say our vertical and horizontal pressure leaf filters and candle filters have struck the chord with many around the world.

How is present business environment?

Like every other industry the process filtration industry also has its ups and downs. In the last quarter of 2015 the business was in bit of a slump. However, since the beginning of this year there is a slight positive shift in the business.

What are the future plans?

The company is planning to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities by investing in latest welding techniques, robot welding, etc. The company has constructed a full fledged R&D laboratory, where we will be able to carry out various bench scale filtration trials, find our particle size analysis, cake analysis, etc. Also I would like to say something about our CSR activities. Sharplex is committed to CSR activities undertaken for the benefit of the needy in the community. Recently the company has carried out free cataract surgery operations for 59 persons in the Mulund area. The company has also helped many needy patients financially from time to time, and it remains a regular activity.