core sector communique

Electrosteel continues to expand the horizons, unfurls its flag of achievements in Europe

Kolkata ___ June, 2011. The Kolkata head quartered manufacturer of ductile pipes, Electrosteel Castings has achieved another commendable milestone by introducing a patented special coating with 400 gr/m2 of Zinc Aluminum Pseudo Alloy with a ratio of 85:15 to customers in Europe.

“This has been made possible by our continuous R&D efforts which puts us in the forefront of technological excellence” said Mr.M.K.Jalan,Director. “It will not be out of place to mention here that since we first set up our plant in Khardah, West Bengal, in 1994, we have always maintained our premier status. Today it is a matter of pride that we export 40 % of our products to the technology intensive markets of Europe, Middle East, United States and South Eastern Asia. In Europe incidentally, we were the first manufacturer supplier of DI pipes and fittings with the coveted ISO 14001 certification.”

This is another example of Electrosteel’s pioneering vision. As an environment conscious, socially responsible corporate citizen, Electroseteel set the standard in environment friendly manufacturing by getting its factory certified way back in 2003 – a move that was followed by other European manufacturers only in 2009.

It is a matter of pride for all of us that our  technical excellence has been acknowledged in Europe where we have been co-opted as an active member of the European Technical Committees for drafting and publication of the European Standards. Electrosteel is an acknowledged leader in the designing of new coatings, linings and restraining systems that eliminate bulky and time consuming concrete thrust blocks. Its complete mustering of the manufacturing process of pipes and fittings has enabled it to contribute to the prestigious French AFNOR, Spanish EANOR and the English BSI committees as well as to new European Standards at the European CEN Technical Committee.   

Currently, Electrosteel is contributing to the publication of a new European Environment Standard measuring the high performance of Ductile Iron Pipes which are made of a material that is recyclable perpetually with a very low carbon footprint.  

On the supply side too Electrosteel – the largest manufacturers of DI pipes in Southern Asia - is taking giant strides. This year, it has been successful in obtaining the annual tender for the supply of pipes to Canal de Isabel in Spain – the first time ever a company other than Saint-Gobain Pam obtaining it. In Algeria it has been the only Indian Company to have secured and successfully completed the supply of DI pipes for an approximate value of US$ 34 million in the sizes of 300 mm to 1000 mm to the biggest project of Algeria called Koudiat Accerdouane. The success of this project has secured for the company many follow up orders.

In France, Electrosteel laid out the DN 300 firefighting pipeline in the world tire industry leader Mechelin’s  Combadue factory, while in UK it has secured the frame work contract from Thames Water, the largest Water Plc in  UK for supply of DI pipes & fittings. It is a matter of pride that Electrosteel is the only non-European company holding major water plc contracts like Yorkshire Water, Wessex Water, Sutton and East Surry. Electrosteel also has a presence in the United States, apart from a long presence in the quality conscious Arabian Gulf countries.

“Global acceptance” says a visibly proud Mr.Jalan, “is not about the contracts you secure, or the turnovers you chalk. It is more a tribute to ones belief in the self. It is a tribute to the fact that we in West Bengal can produce products that find acceptance by the most discerning in the face of the toughest competition from the best of the world. It is about always being one step ahead. A step, that our dedicated workers and technologists have always helped us retain. I guess, we are the best billboard of West Bengal’s productive Excellence.”

So what is the one reason behind the Electrosteel success story? In fact there is not one, but two reasons. One off course the fact that Electrosteel’s plant and technology is of German origin which ensures solid-state production which competitors with armed with Chinese knowhow just can’t match up to, especially in markets where quality is the primary concern.

The second reason is the quality of craftsmanship and the ability of absorbing and executing technical enhancements of the labour force of Electrosteel. “Our greatest strength is the quality of our people – especially the smithies on the shop floor. As a matter of fact, we would not have been as successful as we are had we operated from any other location than West Bengal for, we would have accessed everything form capital to technology, but would not have had the skilled work force that we have in our fold here. And this is what sets us apart. This, in the ultimate analysis is our key strength.”