Rotex Automation is poised for significant growth. If last year it grew by 20 per cent, this year it is targeting 25 per cent growth rate. Even though its entry into the automotive sector is mere five years old, it has strong command over a substantial market share.
Rotex Automation is mainly an export-oriented business house, but currently the Indian market is attracting the company, and in a fitting reaction, the company has started introducing many a new product for India which till date it was supplying to its European or US customers.
A manufacturer and exporter of fluid control systems, pneumatic actuators, valve automation systems and control components since its inception in 1967, Rotex Automation has its presence in more than 30 countries around the world, of these, Europe and North America are its major markets.
Today, Rotex Automation has diversified business interests, of which automotive commands 35 per cent of the total revenue. Mr. Nirav Shah, Director and Head – Automotive Business, commented on the company plans for India: “We have 20 offices, including in India, the Netherlands and the US with over 80 distributors across the globe. Our aim is that by 2020-21 most of our global automotive products will get utilized in India. As for the upcoming challenge of the industry’s readiness regarding emission norms, Rotex Automation has complete readiness with regards to BS-VI norms with products for which we have developed advanced technology.”
Global standard products
Rotex Automation has developed a range of global standard products starting from solenoid valves for various applications like auto-drain valves for fuel water separation, fuel injection, modules for electronic air suspension, pneumatic valves for transmission, solenoid valves for tipping systems and cabin control valves, among others. Most of these products which were being exported till now, now find demand in the Indian market too for their offering of new technology.
Mr. Shah explained how the market is evolving: “We had launched auto drain valves in the global market in 2012. Now in India demand is increasing, but here the filters are on the suction side. So we have developed a new cost-effective technology which makes them light in weight and consume low power, offering higher drain rate and better life when compared with the options available in the market. And this is again for the suction side of the application. Our auto drain valves are unique in design because they have features like optional redundancy for sensing and valve.”
The product will be formally launched in India soon.
Electronic air suspension
Traditionally, in India air suspensions have mechanical systems whereas Rotex is offering an electronic control version of it.
Mr. Shah shared: “With mechanical air suspension, the leaks are higher rendering the system less effective. The unique solenoid control system of Rotex when coupled with electronic control, it effectively detects road conditions and compensates the vehicle load by offering minimal leaks while presenting integration of additional features like kneeling, tilting, height control and superior comfort from a single module. In turn, lower air leaks translate into improved fuel efficiency.”
Solenoid valves
Rotex Automation has successfully designed and manufactured solutions in solenoid valves for various applications like active DPF regeneration exhaust brakes, fuel shut off, HVAC, and differential locking, besides seating systems among others.
Mr. Shah further said: “We have DPF or diesel particulate filter regeneration systems which will be required when we kick into the BS-VI norms by 2020 because unburned hydro carbons need to be controlled efficiently by using these systems. We have been supplying these parts to the US and European markets since 2012, but now we are partnering to develop them for the Indian market.”
He further quoted an example of how Rotex Automation is supporting the localisation efforts of major global OEMs: “The advantage with our product is that we have reduced the weight of the solenoid valves to almost 50 per cent with 10 times higher cyclic life giving improved ability to perform in severe vibration and dusty environments. The internal construction features are distinct and performance is superior.”
Rotex Automation has started supplying their unique solutions to major global CV OEMs in India.
Cabin control valve
The cabin control valve which boasts of a unique design by Rotex Automation is used to control the tipper lifting movement. It offers better cyclic life and higher degree of ingress protection that is much needed in the dusty environments for the tippers to operate in. It is again their unique design which is enabling their cabin control valves to gain rapid momentum in the Indian automotive market.
Success formula
One way to succeed for Rotex Automation despite being relative newbies in the automotive segment is to test its new products in the aftermarket where the products are operating in varied environments and road conditions. This allows them to prove the road worthiness, improve and modify the products to be launched in enhanced versions in the markets.
The global technology leader has come home with a successful bang.