Growth through technology INNOVATION in process Industry

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Q. Take us through the journey of HRS PROCESS in India and the company’s current achievements?

HRS PSL was incorporated in April 2003 in Pune, to take care of Indian and Asian markets. We began with a focus to bring innovative technology of “Corrugated Tube Heat Exchanger” under brand ECOFLUX* to our markets. Ecoflux* has revolutionised the Shell and Tube Heat exchanger segment for process industry with over 20,000 references in the past 16 years. Beginning with the modest turnover of Rs. 5 Crores our company today is over Rs.1.28 Billion !

We cater to process Industry and food sector with applications across the segments. Our heat exchangers are applicable in chemical, agrochemical, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, petrochemicals, fertilizers,steel, power, cement, HVAC, food and beverage, fruit pulp, fruit beverage, nutraceuticals, prepared food and a host of applications across other sectors for heating and cooling.

Our state of the art production facility is situated in Koregaon Bhima, was established in 2008, on a 4 acres plot, with over 55,000 sq ft of covered space for various manufacturing activities. Before that we were operating from a hired premise. We focused in the chemical and process industry segment from inception and from 2006 ventured into the food processing segment. Our turnover for FY 2018-19 is at 128 Crores, heat exchanger business contributing a major chunk and food system business maintaining its share. Over the next few years we plan to further build the export market with sustained growth in the domestic market.

In the recent years company has taken the initiative to reach out to customers in chemical process segment with exotic material for shell and tube heat exchanges, which have better corrosion resistance properties as compared to stainless steel. We have also enhanced out production capacity to take care of the growing needs of our customers. In the food segments we are currently working on process engineering for products with fruit chunks in the juice and different fruit preparations.

We are also keenly working on ready to eat food product processing solutions. In the environmental segment we are working on various food waste pasteurisation systems and also on municipal sewage thermal treatment. These are currently in proposal stage and we hope they will commence soon.

Q. Tell us about your focus on innovation and R&D activities through the facility?

HRS growth has always been focused on innovation and R&D. Our team is constantly evaluating various applications across the industry spectrum for energy efficient thermal processing solutions. Globally HRS works through its different offices in identifying unique process requirements and working on those requirements.

HRS has developed products like UNICUS® and R series, scrapped surface heat exchanger to take care of thermal processing requirement of heat sensitive and viscous products. Currently we are working on various thermal processing solutions for environmental segments which include pasteurisation of food waste, bio-digested thermal processing, effluent concentration, municipal sewage thermal treatment before biodigestion, etc. We are continuously aiming to enhance our product applications in areas where customer is currently facing limitations.

Q. Tell us about HRS PROCESS initiatives in line with latest trends? Are Indian companies showing readiness to adopt these advanced technologies and solutions?

Application engineering and innovative product development are key to our R&D efforts. HRS initiatives are based on customer feedback regarding requirement of solution for applications globally. Indian companies are very keen to adopt these technologies and solutions and we have been working with some of them in these areas. We are also advising customers on different aspects of thermal processing technology enabling them select the right solution for their application.

Q. What are the future growth prospects of process equipment products market in India?

Growth of Process equipment products are primarily driven by the growth in chemical process industry. This growth has three aspects – green field projects, brown field projects (expansion) and replacement requirements. We have observed that each of these have their own peak periods, however there is a balance, which enables a steady growth in the sector. In the past year we have seen that the trend of investment in each of these sectors is sometimes higher on brown field projects and sometimes in green field. The replacement market is having a steady growth based on various factors like old equipment’s to be replaced, enhance material of constructions or changeover to Ecoflux* corrugated tube heat exchanges design for enhanced efficiency.

Q. In your view, what are the market requirements that are driving the usage of technologically advance process systems? What opportunities is HRS is sensing in this segment?

Energy efficient and cost effective equipment requirement has been the primary driving force for the usage of technically advanced process system. Further processes today demand high level of quality (purity) and reliability and thus enhancing technology is the only solution. Productivity has always been a concern and companies look at equipments which can help enhance productivity at much lower energy cost.

HRS sensed these opportunities and have developed heat exchange’s for service across process industry spectrum in chemical, agrochemical, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, petrochemicals, fertilizers, steel, power, cement, HVAC, food and beverage, fruit pulp, fruit beverage, nutraceuticals, prepared food and a host of applications across other sectors for heating and cooling. The need for equipment’s with advance materials, which have higher corrosion resistance and better thermal properties, has led us to develop and offer heat exchange’s in range of stainless steel 304/316/L, 904L, Copper & CuproNickel alloys, Duplex, Super Duplex, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy C276, C22, C2000, AL6XN, Titanium and Tantalum.

Q. Please comment of the challenges in your segment with respect to India market?

One of the key challenges in our segment with respect to any market is “cost effective solution” or “low cost of ownership” for the customer. Customer today needs to be convinced on this very important aspect of the process equipment manufacturer solution and the technology been provided for their application. Customers not only want
customisation, but at the same time want flexibility in equipment usage for a set of variation in process and product processed. Thus, we have to understand this important aspect of customer requirement and propose effective solutions. Those make a winning combination.

Q. Comment on HRS PROCESS ’s growth strategy and vision in the coming years ?

HRS has always focused on providing robust and dependable thermal processing solutions to our customers. We believe “Once a customer, customer for life”. And hence, all our actions in addressing customer needs are based on this philosophy. We always have a long term perspective of customer needs in respect of the value or the segment. Each and every customer is important to us and we are proud to state that we have been able to retain our customers with proper designed solution, product performance and good service.

We look forward to building on the trust by providing solutions not only for the standard applications in heat transfer and food processing but also working on new challenges faced by our customers in bringing new products to the market. We believe this would help us grow in the coming years.

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