HRS PROCESS : Technology leadership in heat transfer & process system arena
Q. Being the key player in heat exchangers business, Please brief us about recent initiatives undertaken in process equipment industry?
Heat Exchangers are one of the key process equipment for any industry, especially the process industry. Heat exchangers utilize energy effectively to give the process required capability of conversion. Traditionally shell and tube heat exchangers (STHE) have been the main-stay of process industry for over many decades. Plate Heat Exchangers (PHE) have been in use for over 50 year. Other types of heat exchanger include special designs in enhanced tube designs and scraped surface heat exchanger. Corrugated Tube Heat Exchangers are the most recent development and HRS has been a pioneer in developing this technology for application across the process industry sector. We have innovated Corrugated Tube Heat exchanger technology to arrive at designs which are not only energy efficient but also very cost competitive. “ECOCLUX* Corrugated Tube Heat Exchanger from HRS has been used across the industry for various process applications and have been performed in every demanding situation.
Q. What are the market opportunities for process equipment industry in India?
Process equipment industry had modest growth in the past years. Predominantly investments happened in replacement and capacity enhancements segments. Green field plants have not been many. With the thrust on economic growth in the current and next five year plan, opportunities for process equipment industry in India will increase substantially. We anticipate investments in new plants with higher processing capacity and consolidation of existing plants to derive benefit from higher volume operations. Companies will have to invest in new technologies to not only reduce costs and enhance profitability, but also to be competitive and environment conscious.
Q. The incisive competition leads to work on lower profit margins, how do you tackle this position by implementing what kind of marketing strategy?
Competition is a necessity as it brings about agility in our operations. It helps us understand our strengths (& weaknesses) viz-a-viz competing product. We understand optimisation requirement for our products and are able to put forth right solutions to the customer. We are a “one stop shop” for key heat transfer products and thus are able to offer customers proper advice and solution in their application. We always believe educating the customer on the technology trends and giving them necessary input to take decision on type of heat transfer equipment which is most suitable for their application is essential. The profit margins are not lower if we are able to demonstrate “value for money” to the customer.
Q. According to your opinion, how does the synergy of R&D & technology developments is maintain to maintain the position in the market ?
R&D and technology development is necessary not only to maintain the position in the market but more importantly rising to the challenges of the process industry since heat transfer is an energy consuming/saving equipment. In our business, more effort is directed towards designing right solutions in heat transfer applications with proper equipment selection and cost benefit analysis. We have observed that many times customers have fallen for low cost solutions with higher operating costs over a period of time without realising. Our key initiative is to always bring forth this aspect of capital equipment purchase decision to the customer whereby they can make suitable selection. This value add is appreciated very much by our customers. We are also able to assess heat transfer performance for changing process conditions for some industrial segments whereby the customer can run the same equipments at best efficiency for changing process.
Q. What are the recent development in process equipment sector?
Process equipment sector has seen a big improvement in the processing and quality norms for manufacturing. Higher capacity process equipment has also enabled new technology induction in the process equipment sector which has helped in improving quality and productivity. We have machinery which are used globally. Process equipment sector has also invested in developing skilled manpower and enhanced infrastructure facility for key industry sectors. International quality certification for facility has also increased. All these lead to better Customer confidence and helps in making right buying decision.
Q. Could you brief us on Indian & Global perspective of process equipment industry?
Globally the process equipment industry is working on two lines – developed economies and developing economies. The challenge is to have the right technology and process equipments for the developing economy which can be sustained in that particular country. This helps in better technology absorption and development of local industry. Indian economy is a good example of how this is balanced to help grow the process equipment industry.
We have some of the latest process equipment and technology by global companies with adequate domestic processing capacity. And on the other hand, we have domestic companies who have grown over the years to manufacture equipments for global industry. This synergy is very important for the growth of process equipment industry in a globally competitive market.
Q. According you what are the factors affecting to process equipment business?
The process equipment business has always followed the process industry investments graph. Whenever there are investments in the process sector, the equipment industry also benefits. However, in the recent past the process equipment industry has also started looking into the global operations & thus is able to manage some of this negative swing. Local taxes & infrastructure are other area of concern to the process equipment business as it impacts the profitability. Skilled workmen are need of the hour. Over all the process equipment industry has to reinvest itself to deliver quality products at competitive price to be able to sustain globally.
Q. What are the key technological trends that are driving process equipment industry?
Process equipment industry has taken to automation in the past decade and continues to invest in new technology. Automation is used as a tool to enhance productivity, improve quality and develop new processes to make more complicated products. Skill development has been necessitated to ensure proper absorption of technology to derive the benefits.
Q. What is your vision for your company?
HRS globally has a vision of being innovative heat transfer and process system supplier. We are addressing key markets through our companies in India and abroad. Our Indian operations have been operating over a decade now and we are growing from strength to strength. We plan to be the preferred heat transfer process company with thrust on application engineering and product development. Our vision is to develop companies with core values, be customer centric and grow multi-fold by expanding our product and project business to take care of various thermal processing requirements of process industry and food processing sector. We plan to be a Rupee 1 Billion Company in the very near future !
Q. Please let us know the issues you need to address that are related process equipment industry.
Process equipment industry’s fortune depends on process sector investments, so right investment climate for the process industry is of prime importance. The industry needs to invest in new technology and skill enhancement. Automation in key processing area is very essential. Developing skilled manpower resource and imbibing new technology/machinery will help bridge the gap and enhance productivity and quality.
The industry needs to work on shifting delivery schedule and quality issues due to lack of monitoring and control on operations. “Delivering on commitment” has to be a non-negotiable value. We expect some better rationalisation on the tax structure and investment in infrastructure in industrial zones.
Q. What is your advise to the Indian process equipment manufacturers to achieve global competitiveness?
Indian process equipment manufacturers need to understand that timely delivery and quality are non-negotiable values. We must deliver on our commitments which will help us get right recognition and value on our products and services. Compliance to international codes and standards is necessary to achieve global competitiveness.
Utilisation and development of skilled manpower and improved manufacturing processes will help us achieve global competitiveness. We have the right combination in our country; we need to get committed to getting it to work for us.
ABOUT HRS :
HRS Process Systems Ltd (HRS PSL), India, is part of the UK based HRS International, a prestigious name in the field of innovative heat transfer solutions. HRS Group is globally recognized for providing sustainable, energy efficient range of heat exchangers and heat exchanger based systems. In India since year 2003, HRS PSL has built its reputation in value-added engineering, manufacturing excellence and impeccable customer service. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified and ASME U accredited with over a decade of experience in supplying state-of-the-art solutions for heating, cooling, chilling, condensation, reboiling, evaporation across a wide spectrum of industries like pharmaceuticals, chemical, fertilizer, agrochem, textile, edible oil & fats, paper & pulp, oil & gas, steel, power, effluent treatment, automotive, food processing and various other process industries. HRS also offers thermal treatment solutions for pasteurizing, sterilization, evaporation and aseptic processing of various fruit pulps/beverages for the food/fruit/beverage industry. HRS innovative product range includes ECOFLUX* Corrugated tube heat exchangers, HRS Funke plate heat exchangers, UNICUS® Scrapped surface heat exchangers and a range of customized heat exchanger based systems including HRS Hot water systems. HRS range of customized food processing equipment includes HRS Piston Pump, Aseptic Fillers, HRS ParaDice* dice pasteurizer, HRS Monobloc* sterilizer with filler, evaporators, centralize CIP (Cleaning in place) Systems and other integrated systems as per process requirement.
