Alkraft Thermotechnologies is a pioneer in aluminum engine cooling systems in the country. One of the largest manufacturers of brazed aluminum radiators, oil coolers, charge air coolers, and cooling system modules, the company has a strong presence in a number of verticals including OEM and aftermarket automotive, industrial equipment, tractors & agricultural equipment, and power generation equipment.
The company’s plans for 2020 touch aspects of revenue generation, market expansion, and development of new technologies for higher performance and environmental sustainability. Speaking about the 2020 goals, Mr. Basil Mohamed Siddeeqi, Director, Alkraft said: “We aim to generate Rs. 300 crores in revenue by 2020. We will continue building our business in a sustainable manner, leveraging our core strengths of technology expertise and human capital, with product innovation as the cornerstone of our growth.”
While retaining its leadership position as thermal management solutions partner for the commercial vehicle segment, Alkraft aims to be amongst the top two supply partners in tractors, defense, industrial equipment, off-highway, and railways segments. The company plans to set up a manufacturing facility outside India, and generate 30% of its revenue from exports.
Alkraft is working towards developing higher performance radiators and charge air coolers to comply with the soon-to-be-implemented BS-VI standards. Various products including single stack modules, water cooled charge air coolers, aluminum engine oil coolers, and thermal management products for hybrid powertrains are under development. Also under development are technologies for high performance and high strength fin and tube geometries and all aluminum single shot brazed heat exchangers.
Alkraft’s annual turnover clocked Rs. 123 crores in FY 2016, and it continues to maintain a healthy order book for FY17 due to the positive impetus created in the industry by the demand for replacements, stringent emission regulations, and restrictions on the usage of older vehicles.
Mr. Siddeeqi also stated that Alkraft has put in place a detailed roadmap to achieve their goals for 2020: “We are working on multiple fronts to equip our company for what we envisage to be the future of the industry. Throughout our history, we have been ahead of, and in many cases led paradigm shifts in the industry.”
Elaborating on capacity expansion plans to meet future demands, he said: “We plan to open a manufacturing facility outside India by 2018, and an innovation center of excellence by 2019. We intend to double our capacity to one million heat exchangers and invest in relevant production technologies by 2020. We want to increase satellite locations across the country, improve the efficiency of our supply chain and logistics and enhance value addition by being closer to our customers’ location.”
Responding to a query about the company’s key focus areas until 2020, the Director said: “Our primary focus is on building a brilliant brand and an innovation engine that consistently enhances customer experience and delivers value.”
He further stated that Alkraft wants to focus on establishing lean manufacturing and a supply chain center of excellence in line with their business goals while being flexible enough to adapt to market needs.
Another key focus area for Alkraft is HR as the company aims to equip its young leaders to carry the mantle into the future. It is building an activated, capable, and collaborative team based on values of higher character, excellence, smart leadership, and the courage to take on challenges.