KCI Bearings’ planned expansion on track

KCI Bearings (India) Pvt. Ltd., is one of the most diversified, specialized bearing manufacturers and solution providers for Automotive and Textile bearings, located at Surendranagar, Gujarat. To understand the current developments in the company in particular and the industry in general, we caught up with Mr. Hasmukh Gadani, Managing Director, KCI.

Mr. Hasmukh Gadani, Managing Director, KCI

Based on various positive indicators like stable government at state and centre, increase in exports, increase in manufacturing sector, decrease in inflation rate as well as falling prices of crude oil, which will benefit Automotive & Textile Sector, Mr. Gadani expressed a strong hope to achieve a higher growth for the industries in this region. He said: “With the support of the Central Government and initiatives of implementing various policy changes in the transportation industry will help create sustainable demands from Passenger and Commercial Vehicles. It will help the overall bearing industry as well as the economy.”

Product distribution

“We are a preferred OEM supplier to growing list of customers like Tata Motors Ltd., TML Drivelines Ltd., Force Motors, Man Trucks, Avtec Ltd., Mahindra, Volvo Eicher, Escorts, Tafe, ITL, ZF Steering, Rane TRW, Lucas TVS and many more due to our innovative bearing solutions that are unmatched in quality and performance,” revealed the MD.

The company’s product range includes Needle Roller Bearings, Cylindrical Roller Bearings, Thrust Needle Cages, Rollers, Idlers, Tensioners, and Precision Machined components primarily for Automotive Transmission application and Textile Machinery manufacturers. Mr. Gadani added: “Our products are available in aftermarket through a dedicated network of 110 distributors which cover a retailer base of about 6,000 nos. all over India. We also export to various countries as a part of business expansion.”

At present KCI is expanding its capacity by over 50 per cent by shifting its base to a brand-new facility in Surendranagar and by adding new production and assembly lines. This development will help KCI invest more into new product development, as well as design and testing facility through its R&D activities which is paramount in offering innovative products to OEM customers.

Mr. Gadani opined: “Our success is dedicated to the strong and technically skilled work force available in this region. Though the adequate power supply is available, a systematic approach is required for the development of infrastructure, planned industrial parks and a strong representation of the facilities and services available in this region to attract Indian as well as foreign OEM customers. Focusing in the development of skilled labor through internal & external training is essential to meet the growing demand of skilled workers in this region.”