The flagship company of the $2.1-billion Kirloskar Group, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (KBL) is India´s largest manufacturer and exporter of pumps and Asia´s largest infrastructure pumping project contractor. It has been on the forefront in engineering innovation, from India´s first iron plough to India´s first concrete volute pump.
The company has used the period of slow growth to get its battle-ready. ¨Even during the toughest period, we invested a lot in IT infrastructure,¨ says Vikas Agarwal, Business Head, Building and Construction Sector, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. ¨We also opened five authorised refurbishment centres in industrial hubs and metros that offer competitive service advantages at the customer´s doorstep. This gave us an opportunity to get closer to the customer, and now it has started paying dividends.¨
KBL has shifted gears and moved from the earlier focus of year-on-year topline and bottomline growth to cash generation and return on capital employed. ¨Our focus has been on completion of pending projects and value-added products that are cost-effective in terms of energy, space and maintenance,¨ adds Agarwal. ¨Our growth mantra is to cater to increasing demand and adapt new techniques to address challenges in product development and enhance capabilities on the shop floor.