Gandhi Automations : Success through innovation

Mr. Samir Gandhi – Director, Gandhi Automations Pvt. Ltd.

Q. Please brief us about company’s global reach & latest initiatives? Which are your focus areas?
We are a No. 1 Entrance Automations and Loading Bay EquipmentCompany in India. Some of our product designs have been patented as they are incredibly unique in their features and utility. 20 years from now we manufactured manual rolling shutters. However; I felt the need to import automations from overseas to manufacture automated rolling shutters. Along with Mr. Kartik Gandhi, Executive Director of Gandhi Automations, I visited to many European nations to study the Automation industry there. From then onwards, we gradually enlarged our portfolio – automated gates and barriers. In the year 2000, we introduced products which are primarily used in logistics and warehouse operations like Dock Levelers and Sectional Overhead Doors. One thing led to another and this is how we grew. There was no looking back thereafter.

Gandhi Automations has always been innovative. Innovation and Expansion go hand in hand. To support this ambition, we have already set up a new 1, 20,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility at Bhiwandi along with the already existing equally spacious warehouse.

We represent nearly 25 European and American renowned companies in India. Gandhi Automations has always had business associations with the best of the best players in the industry. One would be wrong in assuming that we do business only in India because we do have a global network too. Just for your record, we export our products overseas as well.

We at Gandhi Automations are clear on valuing the time and need of each and every customer that we do business with. Therefore, we have a dynamic base of personnel in our customer care department who willingly help our new and existing customers. We also have a 24X7 toll free number operating for assistance.

Dock Leveler

Q. What are the market opportunities for your company’s products in India? How do you plan to position these products?
The market opportunities are ample for our company’s products in India. Automation plays a vital role in today’s times. Products such as Dock Levelers, Dock Shelters, Scissor Lifts, Tail Lifts, Sectional Overhead Doors, Cold Storage Doors, and Motorized Rolling Shutters are used in warehouses. The Manufacturing companies would inevitably need automation products to suffice the gap and meet the requirements.

All our products rely on European and American technology that confirm to high safety standards. We are into the designing, manufacturing, supplying, installing and maintaining industrial doors and loading bay equipment.

We deal in various types of doors such as Aircraft Hangar Doors, Shipyard Doors, Heavy Industrial Doors, High Speed Flexible Doors, Hermetic Doors, Fire Doors, PVC Strip Doors, Flap Doors, and Automatic Sliding and Swing Doors, Garage Doors, Telescopic Doors and Automatic Gates. We cater to almost all sectors such as Pharma, Automobiles, Electronics, Engineering and Industrial. Gandhi Automations is certified for compliance to ISO 9001-2008 Quality Management System.

Q. What is your marketing strategy for India?
India is a huge market and we keep ourselves well informed about the market. Our fundamental policy is to provide technologically advanced products. We understand our client’s demands and then accordingly offer customized products. We offer unbiased consultancy to our customers. We have plans to become an export oriented company and our marketing goals are directed towards this plan. We aim for a 50 per cent turnover from exports by 2018.

Q. What is the role of R&D activity in your company?
A company’s lifeline is its product and service. We at Gandhi Automations constantly focus on improving the standards of our products. We design our products keeping in mind its safety and energy efficiency. Our team of R&D engineers work day in day out to maintain the product standards laid down by the company. They are trained overseas to produce the desired outcomes for the company in a desired time frame.

Q. Brief us about the quality policy for your business?
The Company takes its quality policy very seriously. We go all our way to ensure that our customers are satisfied with our products and services. All our products adhere to ISO standards. We never compromise on the quality of the materials that we deliver. We do the packaging of materials quite professionally and systematically in order to mitigate transit damage.

Q. Could you brief us on Indian & Global perspective of your industry?
Our Industry is still in its budding stage here in India. People in India have been using manual and primary methods of material handling equipment whereas the use of material handling equipment is very common overseas. However, India is the most likely destination for manufacturing and therefore, the demand for material handling equipment and entrance automation is likely to increase in the coming future. India is already heading towards the process of mechanization after witnessing a dramatic rise of multinational companies in India.

Gandhi Automations Staff

Q. According to you what are the factors affecting your business?
Setting up a manufacturing unit here in India is no walk in the park. We had to strive hard for relatively insignificant tasks when we were in the process of establishing our manufacturing unit at Bhiwandi. Bureaucracy is one such issue that we and our fellow industry members have to face on a regular basis. It is a subject which requires immediate attention otherwise we are likely to suffer at our own peril.

Since the inflation rates are booming in the country, it is unlikely to see the cut in the interest rate which would affect our exports. The RBI and government need to work together to revive confidence in the economy by working on the interest rates.

Q. What are the key technological trends that the industry?
The technological trends are ever changing in this industry. With the objective of keeping up with the latest technological trends of our industry, our products are researched and developed to suit the current needs of our customers. There were times when the supply chain solutions were not up to the mark in many companies unlike now. Many companies have started rolling in ERP systems to manage their logistics.

Q. What is your vision for your company?
When Gandhi Automations began its initial operations, we had the vision to be a known company all over India. We have already achieved that vision. Through dedication and hard work; we are now expanding and introducing native line of products which will be beneficial to the Indian market along with global markets. In a nutshell, we carry a vision to become a leader in innovation by providing and maintaining safe, secure and environmentally- friendly products in India and overseas.