Ross Controls started its subsidiary in India in October 2000 in the name of Ross Controls India Private Ltd, at Mount Road, Chennai. Later, in July 2001, the company set up a complete manufacturing facility in Ambattur. The objectives of investing in India, according to Mr A K Banerjee, Managing Director, Ross Controls India Pvt Ltd, are to:

• Complete the Ross Operating Valve Company's global network of manufacturing facilities. The company profile demonstrates that Ross Operating Valve Company has facilities in USA, Germany, Japan and UK. Until recently, the sub-continent was considered to be a marginal market, which could be supported through exports. The situation is now changing rapidly with industrial growth
• Set up an engineering source and manufacturing base in India to service the Indian sub-continents and be a provider of product to the Ross Operating Valve Company global network of companies, and
• To enhance Ross Operating Valve Company global network of manufacturing facilities.

Ross Controls India is fully equipped to develop any pneumatic systems and accessories as per customers' specification. The company is the preferred supplier for industries like steel, aluminium, press, automobile, glass and has the approval of CE, CSA, OSHA and BG. Ross Controls India has a complete network in all the major cities and is operating through Residential Sales Managers in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. SAARC countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are under the coverage of Ross Controls India for business purpose. Ross is one of the major global OEM suppliers to the glass industry. Mr A K Banerjee responded to the IPF Questionnaire for the Special Section on Hydraulics & Pneumatics. Excerpts:

Pneumatic valves has been the company's forte right from the beginning. Over 9 decades, the company must have witnessed the change in the fluid power industry at close range?

With the advent of new technological processes and challenges, the fluid power industry has to now offer specialised, solution driven products against each application rather than generalised products. Apart from delivering precision products to customers need, the products should now also meet specific safety standards and be environment friendly.

You have a very comprehensive range of products. What are the main industries catered to?</p>

Our focus industries are: steel; metal forming/presses; automobiles; glass containers; primary aluminium (smelter); and the safety industry.

Automation is driving the industry today. How have Ross products evolved in this direction over the years? Are these compatible with major automation protocols? Over the years Ross has developed new generation pneumatic products to meet the growing requirements towards automation that include products with position and state feedback sensors, dynamic monitoring and memory, control-reliable valves, proportional technology, etc., with ROSS/FLEX process solutions.

What is the USP of your company? Why should the customer come to you? Are you a one-stop-solutions provider?

Our products speak for our company. We provide total pneumatic system solutions or individual products that are known for superior performance, reliability and repeatability, safety and user friendly.

What is the nature of the company's Indian operations? Any manufacturing or sourcing done locally?

Most of the components are sourced from our parent company in USA, which are then assembled and tested at our Indian operation before being sold to customers. However, some of the items including fabrication parts (for valve stands and panels) are indeed sourced locally. Moreover, Ross India has indigenously developed Stainless Steel LOX valve to cater to the food, safety and process industries and the same are being exported to the parent company in USA.

You cater to a pan India market. How strong/effective is the distribution network across the country?

We sell directly to our customers and have a dedicated sales team for that.

Any breakthrough product launch that made a difference?

Over nine decades, Ross has developed numerous innovations in air controls that have made huge impact across industries. Some of our recent significant launches include:

• DM² series double valve with dynamic monitoring and memory
• Energy saver RC80 crust breaking solution for aluminium smelter
• Proportional valve and regulator, and
• Energy isolation SS LOX valve.