Pune-based SME Essem Fabricators started as an absolutely tiny unit and then gained momentum after it found its niche in the space of material handling equipment, reports Huned Contractor

Gone are those days when storage and movement of materials from one point to another in any factory was done in gunny bags with the least of concern for how this would affect the finished products. Today, in a globalised industrial environment, what matters is professionalism in production, combined with aesthetics and that is what has led to the material handling equipment sector play such an important role. Back in the early nineties when this revolution was quietly taking place on the sidelines, a young diploma holder in electrical engineering from Belgaum, Mr Sunil Baloji, probably had an inkling of what was to come in the near future. As such, he shifted base to Pune and worked with the suppliers of companies like Bajaj Auto and Telco to gain first-hand knowledge about what took place on the production floors.

In 1996, Baloji decided he had had enough of working for others and therefore quit his job to set up a small fabrication unit called Essem Fabricators. "I would undertake minor fabrication works of all kinds but kept a sharp eye on material handling and storage equipment. I could see that this sector was growing and then there was a sudden transformation in how raw material and finished products were stored and moved after the MNCs started moving into India. The Indian companies took a cue from the foreign manufacturers and began to adapt technologies that not only facilitated the faster movement of materials but also brought down the cost of production. What also drove it further was the introduction of the ISO specifications. I then began to specialise in fabricating material handling equipment," Baloji states.

In 2005, moving from a rented shop floor to its present location in the heart of the MIDC area in Pune, Baloji began to provide customised material handling and storage solutions with three important factors in mind. "The solution has to be cost-effective, adhere to the highest quality benchmark, and the delivery must be on time," he says. These three essential elements, despite the congestion of competition, soon moved Essem Fabricators leagues ahead of the rest. It now has two operational units, both in the MIDC area, each of which registers a turnover of a minimum of Rs 1.5 crore per year. Back in 1996, the turnover for the first year was only Rs 16 lakh. It just goes to show how far the company has journeyed from those days of finding a footing.

Some of the products that Essem Fabricators specialises in include canopy trolley, pallet, cylinder trolley, CNC chip trolley, mesh bin, auto component trolley, tool box trolley, platform trolley, SS assembly table, gravity roller, movement trolley, component trolley, machine point trolley, roller conveyor, rack, and belt conveyor. "We have so far designed more than 1,000 different kinds of material handling and storage products, each of them tailor-made to suit the client's requirements. We also pay special attention to the aesthetic appeal of our products," Baloji informs. His clients include such blue chip companies as JCB Manufacturing, Tata Toyo Radiator, Tata Plastic Systems, Mahindra & Mahindra, Amphenol Interconnect India, Endurance Limited, Durabuild, Lumax Technology, Kirloskar Power Equipments, General Motors, Hyundai Construction Equipment India, L&T, RPG Recheme, and many others.

So what is it that makes Essem Fabricators a preferred partner for more than 80 clients? Reflecting on this query, Baloji states, "What has really brought us this far is our ability to innovate and match the needs of the customers. I pay special attention to designing the solution, keeping in mind the growth aspect of the client so that even the future needs are taken of. Moreover, my entire team is very well-versed technically and is able to handle all kinds of product configurations." What has also helped along the way is complete flexibility as also the spirit to meet challenges head-on. "There are times when the number of projects far exceeds our capacity. But we have developed an excellent network of vendors and other fabricators to whom we can outsource certain components. The final assembly though is always done by us," Baloji states.

With clients now extending out of Pune's borders, Baloji is planning to set up yet another unit to handle the increasing inflow of work. "Our recent efforts in terms of participating in engineering exhibitions and registering with online business portals have yielded a good response and we are now geared to cater to clients across the country," he says. There are many other elements that have contributed to the success of Baloji's company. "Located in the MIDC area has been a great boon. We have all the engineering facilities in our neighbourhood, whether it is machining, grinding, tooling or whatever. We also have skilled workers who are perfect at their jobs. Most importantly, we have been able to expand so rapidly because of word-of-mouth publicity. Our reputation and goodwill is what has brought us so far," Baloji states. And he intends to keep it that way.

(Contact: Essem Fabricators, Pune. Tel: 020-66307247. Email: essemfabricators@rediffmail.com)