Basic HTML Version
MOTORINDIA
l
January 2012
126
KCI Bearings increasing capacities
to meet growing demand
KCI Bearings a leading manufacturer of
specialty bearings and precision machined
components is investing Rs.10 crore to ex-
pand its production capacity to meet, grow-
ing demand of OEM and aftermarket. This
new project is scheduled to commence
production during the last quarter of 2012
at a new location near the existing plant, at
Surendranagar, Gujarat. This new initiative
will help KCI increase its present manufac-
turing capacity of bearings from 5 million to
about 8 million bearings per annum.
Established in 1970, the company started
shifting gears into the fast lane only after
starting its own marketing since March,
2010. It has been aggressively expanding
its team strength, customer base and prod-
uct offerings. The top line growth of 40
% during the year 2010-11 is expected to
continue its run during next couple of years,
by combination of various factors like in-
creased share of OEM business, thrust on
exports, expansion of aftermarket division
and new product introductions.
KCI Bearings (India) Pvt Ltd, is one of
the most diversified, specialized bearing
manufacturer and solution provider of au-
tomotive and textile bearings, located at
Surendranagar, Gujarat. KCI is known to
provide technologically advanced futuristic
products & systems to meet highest global
standards of safety, reliability, cost and ex-
tended product life cycle. It is also a single
source supplier of Needle Roller bearings to
many reputed customers in India.
Over the period, KCI has evolved into a
reliable organization and a preferred choice
for its customers. This has been achieved by
continuous development of products, proc-
ess, and people, through qualitative custom-
er participation and strong R & D activi-
ties. KCI bearings are designed, developed,
manufactured, and tested in house to ensure
extended life in the most adverse operating
conditions to make it one of the most reli-
able brand in the automotive industry.
There is continuous innovation in
all spheres of activities to promote
the objective of Value Engineering
to benefit our customers. KCI has
been pioneer in introducing Steel
and Polyamide cage assembly used
in transmission of heavy commercial
vehicles of Tata Motors Ltd. KCI has
also achieved the distinction of in-
troducing needle cages from advance
engineering plastic like STANYL spe-
cially developed for Tata Motors, 207
platform. These initiatives have led to
successful development of perform-
ance roller bearings with extended
life with substantial cost savings. Dur-
ing the year 2009-10 KCI received
“Supplier of Excellence” award from
HVTL in Value Engineering category.
In automotive segment , the ma-
jor OEM customers are Tata Motors
Ltd, TML Drivelines Ltd, Man Force
Trucks Pvt.Ltd, Mahindra Navistar
Automotives Ltd, Tractors & Farm
Equipments Ltd, Escorts Limited, Lu-
cas TVS Ltd, ZF Steering Gear India
Ltd, Rane TRW Steering Systems Ltd,
Munjal Showa Ltd, Force Motors Ltd,
Avtec Ltd, to name a few. Recently
KCI has been approved by VE com-
mercial Vehicles Ltd to supply needle
Roller bearings for their transmission
and Madras Engineering Industries for
Needle Thrust Bearings. KCI is also
in talks with various other tractor and
passenger car manufacturers to devel-
op bearings and engine components.
After Market & Exports
Automotive aftermarket has become
very important business division for
KCI. Launched only in July 2010 KCI
bearings have been widely accepted
by its end-users, for its quality, service
and competitive price. At present KCI
supplies over 450 verities of bearings
which include, Needle Roller bear-
Bearings
ings, Taper & Hub Bearings, King Pin
Bearings , Clutch release bearings, Cy-
lindrical roller bearings, Ball Bearings,
Centre joint bearings, Water pump bear-
ings, Idlers and Tensioners, etc.
Considering the wide acceptance
from the market and the overall poten-
tial of growth, this business division is
being looked as one of the most impor-
tant growth drivers for the company.
At present KCI have about 120 channel
partners on all India bases, which reach
out to about 5000 strong base of retailers.
In addition to its network of channel part-
ners, KCI is also supported by a network
of 25 branches of George Oakes Ltd only
in south India. The revenue growth for
aftermarket during the year 2011-12 is
expected to be about 120 %.on YOY ba-
sis.
Being an OEM supplier KCI bearings
are preferred choice in light, medium,
heavy commercial vehicles, buses, trac-
tors and passenger car segments. The
automotive industry has been growing
since last few years, and it has led to a
significant demand supply gap in the
market for specialized bearings. KCI has
swiftly carved a niche during just few
months from its progressive launch, in
the aftermarket. KCI has also already
started exporting number of bearings to
south Asian countries and efforts are on
to tap the European markets very soon.
In order to create more awareness
about its products and achieve deeper
penetration levels in the market KCI is
actively participating in Trade Fairs,
Auto expo’s, organizing mechanic meet-
ings , road shows, to showcase its prod-
ucts and services. A dedicated Sales and
service support through its teammembers
and offices spread across India, which is
proving very vital in making KCI a popu-
lar choice for its high performance auto-
motive bearings.
w