China-based Hangzhou Nanfang Special Pump Industry Company, popularly known 'CNP', specialises in manufacturing stainless steel multistage pumps, integrating scientific research, production and marketing. Besides advanced means used in design such as three-dimensional CAD and CFD software, the company boasts a complete set of precision manufacturing and inspection equipment. Mr Sunil Joshi, Managing Director, CNP Pumps India Pvt Ltd, elaborates on the company's success in India and its future plans.

Nanfang Pumps has made a mark in the Indian market in a relatively short period. What is the origin and history of the company and its India operation?

Nanfang pump industry is a 20-year-old company based in Hangzhou (near Shanghai), China. This is one of the largest sheet metal stainless steel pump manufacturing companies in Asia. Recently, it has gone public and is now listed on Shenzhen stock exchange.

CNP Pumps India Pvt Ltd, formerly known as Nanfang Pumps India Pvt Ltd, is an associate company and was incorporated in 2005. CNP Pumps has been appreciated in India for its quality and considered as the most "Value for Money" products. In India, the company has 7 branches located in all metro cities. CNP offers on-site warranty for all its products and has efficient service network throughout India.

What is the speciality of the Nanfang pumps?

Nanfang pumps are known as world class fabricated sheet metal stainless steel pumps. The company is the second largest supplier of these pumps in India. CNP has installed capacity to manufacture 20,000 pumps every month in its totally integrated plant at Hangzhou.

The company seems to have a wide product range. What are the applications?

CNP Nanfang pumps cover most of the industrial applications which includes: water treatment, waste water treatment, sewage treatment, boilers feed, high pressure washing, filtration, desalination, pressure boilers, HVAC/air conditioning, chillers, machine tool coolant transfer, industrial liquid transfer, chemicals/pharmaceuticals, fire fighting applications, etc. The scope for CNP pumps is wide and very growing.

In general, how is the market response to these pumps in India?

CNP pumps are preferred by OEMs, end users, project consultant for their world class quality, quick delivery and reasonable pricing. The company has managed to sell more than 75,000 units in last 6 years in India. The reach of the company has been steadily increasing and brand "CNP" is getting preference over other brands due to our techno -commercial feasibility.

Why should the customers prefer Nanfang Pumps?

Energy efficiency, durability and reliability of CNP products are main three reasons why customers prefer CNP pumps to other products. All users in India are now very conscious about quality, energy saving and long term service reliability; CNP strives to be leader in all three. Of course, our product pricing is like cherry on the cake.

What is the nature of operations in India? Is it purely marketing or involves some assembly or local fabrication/integration?

Presently, CNP Pumps India Pvt Ltd has sales & service network all over India. It has its own branches and dealer network. The company plans to expand this operation as well as start assembly line very soon.

How strong/effective is the after sales service?

The company has seven offices in India and employs service persons in all branches; also basic spares are stocked in branches. Apart from this, there are 12 dealers across the country for to the company provides service training programmes. This set up ensures that all complaint received are addressed to in next 24 hours. Also the company has a policy of "customer first", which ensures that service technicians solve the pump problems on priority basis.

How does the cost of ownership over the life cycle compare with competition?

Cost of ownership of the product is all about the capital cost, energy cost and service cost. CNP pumps are energy efficient and comparing with European products offer equivalent performances across the range.

Also, products are durable (many pumps are running in field for past 6 years without any problem) with long life term. Compared to European products, our spares are priced very economically, this converts in low service cost. When you combine these points with economical capital cost you have very low cost of ownership. This is what we call "Value For Money".

What are the company's landmark achievements?

CNP is a very young company, and every day we are creating new landmarks. It is not only growing in volume and installations but everyday we look for new applications for our pumps.

On its part, the company is keen to introduce new products and offer bigger and better performance range as per application demand. We have invested heavily in R&D to develop new products. Also, every month many new customers are added and prestigious orders are executed.

Any breakthrough product launch that made a difference?

This year, we have launched high pressure pumps with maximum pressure up to 70 bar. The CDH, HP and VMHP series pumps are designed to cater to sea water desalination requirements. These products have received excellent response and we are getting several enquiries for the same.

How is the present business environment?

The present business environment is quite healthy and we are confident that we can achieve our growth target in short term as well as long term.

What are the future plans?

In two years time, the company plans to start an assembly plant in India. This will ensure faster deliveries to Indian customers; also we will be able to pass duty benefits to all our customers. We also plan to expand our dealer network, and open new branches in India.

(CNP Pumps India Pvt. Ltd, Thane. Tel: 022-25818400. Mobile: 091672-26980. Email: sales@cnpindia.com)