Sanitaryware and bath fittings major HSIL Ltd has commenced production at its Greenfield faucet plant at Kaharani in the Bhiwadi region of Rajasthan. With this, the company aims to become the second largest player in the segment by 2016. HSIL, which markets its sanitaryware and faucet under 'hindware' brand, presently stands fourth in the faucet segment.
"The new plant, built with an investment of Rs.120 crore, has the capacity to manufacture 2.5 million pieces a year," informs Mr R B Kabra, President, HSIL Ltd, adding that it is the country's first bath fitting plant to introduce robotic grinding technology and fully automatic dust-free electroplating line, which ensures precision, uniformity and quality across its production line. "Only loading and unloading is done manually."
Use of technology at each stage of the manufacturing process is the hallmark of 'hindware' faucets' facility, starting with the core to long lasting shine on the surface. The entire production assembly boasts of best of machinery from around the world. Apart from this, HSIL also has a small faucet plant in Bhiwadi with production capacity of 0.5 million.
According to Mr Kabra, HSIL's brand 'hindware' has high brand equity in the market, which will reflect in the company's effort to optimise the opportunities lying in the growing faucet category. "On the back of this plant, we expect to be the number two in the segment by March 2016. Faucet market is growing at 14% annually. With this new plant, we have three million annual capacity, and are targeting Rs.400 crore as revenue from faucets by March 2016. It was Rs.180 crore in the last financial year." Last fiscal, the company reported total revenue of Rs.1,717 crore.
HSIL will also invest Rs.60 crore in expanding capacity in its two existing sanitaryware plants – in Bahadurgarh, Haryana and Bibinagar, Telangana; and Rs.70 crore towards expanding capacity at the new faucet plant at Kaharani, Bhiwadi. The company will fund all these investments through internal accruals. In total, the company now has eight manufacturing plants in India - two each for faucet and sanitaryware, and four for its packaging product division business. Furthering its expansion plan, HSIL is also eyeing the acquisition of a premium sanitaryware brand in Europe, however, Mr Kabra didn't disclose the potential targets or timeline.
Highlights of the plant: State-of-art technology at every step:
- Core Making Machine: The 'core' is the heart of the fitting body. The Kaharani plant is fitted with 'Automatic Core Shooter Machine' from Italy. Automation ensures uniformity in every piece, thereby consistent flow of water
- Casting Machine: Also from Italy. Virgin brass is used thereby avoiding impurities and providing a perfect body and long term durability
- CNC Machines: 20 Computerized Numerically Controlled Vertical Modeling Machining Centres' from United States. These machines guarantee exact dimensional specification of up to 10 micron for each item
- Grinding Machine: First plant in India and second, in Asia to introduce & install 'Robotic Grinding technology. This allows a flawless surface body
- Chrome Plating Machine: First to introduce fully 'Automatic Dust-Free Electroplating' line for a 'rust' free performance of hindware faucets.
