EPCOS eyes new prospects with ‘Make in Nashik’

We are sure that, with economic growth and our corresponding expansion, ancillary industries too would grow adding to the ‘Make in Nashik’ initiative.

Natarajan Balakrishnan, Managing Director, EPCOS India Pvt Ltd

Nashik is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and is a potential destination to invest. ‘Make in Nashik’ event that held in Mumbai recently has received investment commitments worth ` 2,260 crore. On the sidelines of this two-day event, Natarajan Balakrishnan, Managing Director, EPCOS India Pvt Ltd speaks to Kshitija Kolhapure and talks about his company’s commitment to ‘Make in Nashik’. Excerpts:

How do you see the increasing strategic importance of Nashik as a manufacturing hub?
Nashik is the 4th fastest growing city in the country and is very conducive to investment. The city was conceived over five decades back to be a satellite industrial city to Mumbai but now Nashik is really picking up as a prominent industrial city with many flagship companies having their operations. With the economy poised for a sustained growth, we should witness the growth in near future. Epcos has invested around ` 500 crore for the facilities in Nashik including an expansion plan which is currently underway.

Can you brief about the expansion plans you mentioned?
There are many things happening at the moment but we are primarily focusing on consolidating our operations. We have three destinations out of which two destinations namely Nashik and Bawal (in Haryana which is about 100-kms from Delhi Airport) make the same family of products. Now we are consolidating in a way that the products being made in Bawal can be moved to Nashik. We have also started producing products like mobile phone batteries which are in increasing demand in Indian market.

How EPCOS is supporting the ‘Make in Nashik’ initiative?
We are supporting ‘Make in Nashik’ initiative in a big way by the fact that we came in as a German company into Nashik about 20 years back and over these years we have developed many local vendors through our know-how and localisation initiatives. Today, there are several ancillary industries that are depending on us and practically through them we are supporting ‘Make in Nashik’ initiative. We are sure that, with economic growth and our corresponding expansion, ancillary industries too would grow adding to the ‘Make in Nashik’ initiative.

What are the solutions you are manufacturing for power sector?
In Nashik, we are manufacturing power factor correction capacitors for power quality solutions. The capacitors range from the smallest rating in the low voltage range to 33 kV medium voltage range. Along with that, there are certain key components involved namely the controllers, reactors, contactors and switches which are offered as complete solutions to the customers.

Are you introducing any new product for the power sector?
Yes we will be introducing new products and for that we are creating space in our Bawal factory. This is going to be the mobile phone battery to start with. With respect to Nashik unit, currently what we are producing is in itself an exhaustive basket of products which covers entire gamut – starting from small film capacitors used in electronics, to the largest product which is used in power networks namely medium voltage capacitors. In short we are making the entire band of capacitors in India. We would keep improving and building on this basket for the power sector.

What all products were on display during ‘Make in Nashik’ event?
In ‘Make in Nashik’ event we showcased capacitors which are produced in our Nashik factory. We offer right from the smallest capacitors that go in the electronic applications to the high power factor capacitors for medium voltage application.

Are your products entail for any subsidies from the government?
No. These products do not entail any subsidies from the government. What we are happy about is that our products improve the quality of power that our consumer gets. I see this as real benefit.