KKTC India continues to drive Fuwa’s global growth story

KKTC is an exclusive distributor for Fuwa trailer parts in India. The latter has one of the largest market shares in the world in the trailer eco-system. Given the top-quality products, KKTC commands a large business in the Indian market for Fuwa, approximately 18% of the total industry volumes of given the size of the market to be around 1 lakh axles in the year ending FY17-18. This has been possible on the back of a variety of high-end premium products under different segments and applications. “With Fuwa the first thing which comes to everyone’s mind is quality. It is an established fact that, quality has slowly taken over prices in Indian market. Customers and end users have started understanding and believing the quality of the product. Thus, the acceptance and reliability of Fuwa products is unmatched. Such is the credibility of Fuwa products that customers are willing to pay 15-20% higher than the competition products,” divulges Mr. Suresh Arora, Chairman, KKTC India Ltd.

From left, Mr. Ishawn Arora, Director, Mr. Shashikant Kumbhar, Co-Chairman, and Mr. K. Saravanan, CEO, KKTC India

One-stop solution provider

The principal focus of KKTC India since the beginning is to be a product specialist. This ensures that customers are able to select from a wide range of products, which provide maximum value, and the desired level of results that minimizes downtime and overall costs, during the life-cycle of the products. Undoubtedly the most important part of their business has been their ability to optimize their supply chain through a combination of one-stop solutions and tailored services.

For instance, the company has axles from 1840 mm to more than 2900 mm. Currently Fuwa’s 13T Square Outboard Axle, is really doing well. The other additions in the recent years have been the 16T Square Axle and 20T for very heavy-duty application like granite, marble, coal and sand movement. For chassis and car carriers, KKTC has axles suitable for different tyre size and wheel track with single / dual tyre fitment. KKTC India supplies special axles with 15 mm tube thickness and enhanced camshaft length which is best suitable for air suspensions. In mechanical suspensions, they offer regular 13T FW88 model as well as the latest FW 88E model, which is a lighter version with same capacity of 13T. Apart from this, they also offer 11T suspensions with 8/9/10 leaf spring options and various ride heights. Not to forget the availability of 16T with 90 x 16mm and 20T suspensions with 100 x 16mm spring leaves.

Mr. Ishawn Arora, Director, KKTC India, explains the unique selling points of Fuwa’s proven variants. He says: “The variants in axles range from 10T to 20T. It really makes a difference for the fleet operators and keeps us motivated to introduce newer products. In terms of leaf springs, we have the most competitive range with various thickness and leaf springs. We also are able to offer both European and American models in air suspensions. Fuwa Air Suspensions are designed by VDL Weweler and manufactured by Fuwa. It is light, stronger in strength and provides bushing warranty for 5 lakh km, with various ride height options. The spare parts are also competitive in price and best to use.”

KKTC India also has Argo Bogie, Cantilever Bogie, and many other heavy-duty suspensions to offer for heavier applications. “We are also supplying fifth wheel couplers to the Indian aftermarket and are soon planning to push FWC of Fuwa to OE customers. We are already in discussion with a few and our FWC is in process of ICAT approvals shortly. Our FWC is price competitive as well by around 10-12% from our nearest competitor. Additionally, we have grease steel wearable insert and grease less wearable insert for super macromolecule polyethylene. Our FWC complies with Australian Standards AS 2175-1995 and Australian Design Rule ADR 62/01. The overall electrophoresis treatment that meets European, Volvo Standard STD 121-0001 Y600-2. The corrosion resistance is stronger than conventional paint, which makes the FWC more durable”, Mr. Ishawn reveals.

Growing with the parent

Keeping in mind the Fuwa brand value and image, KKTC India will have a plant in India soon. Mr. Suresh Arora discloses: “In order to further enhance and leverage upon Fuwa’s brand image and vision for top quality product at affordable price, we are mulling over inaugurating a plant by the end of March 2020. People at Fuwa too are involved and we are discussing various options on how to go about it. We are also introducing the hydraulic axles for hydraulic trailers, which are developed by Fuwa lately only for the Indian market”.

“We shall also soon have agricultural axles of Fuwa with brakes for Indian market which is at very early stage of development”, reveals Mr. Shashikant Kumbhar, Co-Chairman.

Being 15 years in the industry has helped KKTC keep tap of the volatility of the market. Mr. Ishawn explains: “By understanding the law of averages and the need of the applications, we have started keeping that kind of inventory which can cater to the needs of the market upto the highest-level and different application levels. We can now co-relate with different months of the years and its highs and lows, in order to maintain the stocks.”

In order to efficiently manage the stocks KKTC keeps track of the forecast from the trailer manufacturers for at least 30-45 days. Based on this they do the planning from their end with Fuwa. “We have to factor in 10-15 per cent ups and down in the sales in our plan while placing an order from Fuwa. The time of manufacturing to shipping to India has to be calculated too. Hence, we have to plan a 30-45 days in advance in maintain the inventory,” shares Mr. Ishawn.

In order to ensure Just in Time delivery, KKTC India has stockyards across the country in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Jharkhand and West Bengal. “We have our stockyards at the main truck trailers hubs in these states. They also double up as service centers as well as enquiry office and are manned by skilled professionals to handle any deliverables and maintenance work. All our products come with barcode numbers. Any product facing service issue can be traced and repaired accordingly. By far Fuwa’s quality is unmatched and the service demand may arise only after 2 years of sales,” states Mr. Ishawn.

As per the market scenario and overall global situation, the first half of 2019 was much better and faster than the second half of 2019 for KKTC India. The company observed sluggish growth in the second half due to various reasons like the elections, global economic situation and liquidity crunch among others. “Overall our 2019 was almost the same as 2018 in terms of final volumes of axles and suspensions which was around 18,000 units. In fact, YOY we have gained volumes in suspensions, landing legs, king pin and other products. We now try to sell and market the complete Fuwa kit to end-users and manufacturers because it gives even better quality and edge over the other competitors,” signs off Mr. Suresh Arora.