We recently had an opportunity to interact with Mr. B. M. Ravi, Managing Director, Madhus Garage Equipments Pvt. Ltd. The garage industry veteran beams at us right at the outset, saying, “we should be closing this year with a 8-10 per cent increase.”
We dig further and he responds with confidence: “The vision of Madhus has always been simple – to bridge the technological gap between India and the rest of the world in the garage equipment segment, and we have been doing it successfully for the last 30 years. And we continue to work the same way.”
The new equipment and technology that has Mr. Ravi ecstatic is a range of welding machines from the Italian company Telwin including inverter spot welders, MIG or Metal Inert Gas welders that he has brought in. He shares: “This is the world class technology coming into welding equipment and the range is pegged at a reasonable cost. The focus in this segment has changed to make these machines more affordable to the Indian market. These machines are categorized under bodyshop equipment which are used in repairing and painting jobs.”
Talking about breakthroughs in technology, he adds: “In the two-wheeler segment, wheel balancing and tyre changing needs earlier were being taken care of by using levers, but now the new two-wheeler vehicles boast of bigger wheels, and then there are racing bikes that are making a show. So our new technology from Ravaglioli Italy, is catering to the new models and we have our equipment installed in strategic places like branded workshops across the country. Besides them, tyre companies too are keen to install these machines at their shops because of the alloy wheel on the new motor cycles. All these days we have had wheels with spokes which could not be either balanced or was difficult to do so. With alloy wheels and radial tyres coming in, wheel balancing has become mandatory. So we are now looking forward to this huge potential unfolding.”
With the garage equipment companies facing challenges like cost and a huge grey market with mostly unorganized and fly-by-night operators ruling the roost, how is Madhus not only managing but keeping ahead of the competition?
Mr. Ravi explains: “When you bring in quality equipment, the price is always a challenge because there are many who offer cheaper options that mainly come from places like China, among others, where quality may not be the focus. Customers, sadly, do not understand this in the initial stages, but when they do and come back, it’s almost always because they have suffered losses. What has happened in the last 4-5 years is that the people have used cheaper equipments and now are changing over to quality machines. This is the phenomenon that we were waiting for since then. And now, as expected, the trend is changing.”
Echoing the general vibrancy of the industry, Madhus is also optimistic on the upward mobility of the market. Mr. Ravi assures: “After the GST, business has been positive and there has been a price reduction. The customs duty is the only thing that we pay. Since there is no excise or any additional duties, and we have been able to cut down the prices post GST by 10-12 per cent.”
Looking ahead, Madhus is looking forward to new technology to be introduced by Hunter Engineering Company in balancing and wheel alignment this year. Riding high on the success wave, Mr. Ravi adds: “Today there is no competition for Madhus in terms of quality, productivity and features. Our competition is in fighting the price war. But we know that quality is always the winner.”
With 2018 starting positive for Madhus, Mr. Ravi, with his team, is proud of its veterans with experience who are now welcoming more youngsters into their fold.