Shahdara Engineers – Future of Diesel Service
Shahdara Engineers, a service outfit established in 1986, has managed to carve its niche in Delhi’s automotive aftermarket by providing the best services in the field of vehicle fuel injection system. The company has created a lot of goodwill in the market by servicing fuel injection system by utilizing factory-trained personnel and the most advanced technology offered in the industry. Over the years, the Delhi-based firm has expanded its range of services and continues to reinvest in the latest technology and services in order to meet the critical demand of its loyal customers. As a result, Shahdara Engineers has turned out to be the most equipped workshop in north India.
Under the supervision of its mentor-cum-founder Mr. Agha Khan, Shahdara Engineers has been successful in offering the finest series of products to customers. Talking to MOTORINDIA, he maintained: “Shahdara Engineers defines quality, excellence and experience. Our primary concern is the client satisfaction and we serve all our clients with the same passion and fervor, because we take pride in our work. We set up this test centre (in Delhi) in 1992 and started as an unorganised player. We later got the authorization from Bosch in 1994. While our business flourished, we started providing repair services for mechanical fuel injection systems in the mid-1990s and with continuous investment and growth we became the first Bosch authorized workshop in North India to test and repair modern fuel injection systems in 2005. We have been providing Common Rail and VP44 fuel injection component repair service since 2005 and follow Clean Room Concept to repair/calibrate diesel fuel injectors and diesel fuel pumps.”
Commenting on its target customers, Mr. Aman Agha, Business Manager, Shahdara Engineers, said: “Since 1994 we are the authorized dealer of MICO & BOSCH with workshops in Delhi and Jaipur. Despite recessionary trends, our business has grown by 20% year-on-year over the last few years. We have always embraced the latest of technologies and offer regular training for technicians, warranty personnel, etc. They are also trained by Bosch, Continental, etc. We cater to both PV and CV segments. However, the CV segment gives us a major chunk of the pie at 80%.”
He added: “Apart from being an expert in the repair of conventional diesel injection pumps and components, our workshop is well-equipped to repair all Bosch, Denso, Delphi, Motarpal, Zexel and Continental Fuel systems and components such as electronic diesel control pumps & Common Rail pumps both on and off the road vehicles. Furthermore, we are the certified and recommended workshop from all major vehicle manufacturers to repair all types of fuel injection components (supporting Common Rail System) during in-warranty and post warranty.”
It is to be mentioned here that Shahdara Engineers has been servicing fuel injection system by utilizing factory-trained personnel and the most advanced technology offered in the industry. Besides, it operates a RANE TRW Steering Systems Ltd. (RTSSL), an authorized workshop for steering systems in Delhi. Some of the key brands the company is associated with are Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, VW, Hyundai, Force Motors, Skoda, Tata Motors, Sonalika, Hindustan Motors, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, Renault, Chevrolet, AMW, MAN Trucks and Volvo Eicher. Besides the OEMs, it is also actively working along with numerous fleet operators in north India and Maharashtra, like Delhi Baroda Road Carriers, Ganesh Roadlines, etc.
Asked to shed some light on the USP of its business, he said: “We are the best firm in this market, highly praised owing to our customized series of goods. Some of the advantageous features are capability to meet bulk engrossment, durable and premium packaging, on-time shipping, ultra-modern build, stringent quality scales and a highly efficient workforce. We have vehicle diagnostic systems which can scan and detect the problems with the car.”
Even though the company is now working with umpteen suppliers, it has termed its association with Bosch to be its mainstay. As Mr. Aman Agha puts it: “We have been like Bosch’s channel partners. If they have grown, we have also grown simultaneously. We exchange ideas and suggestions with each other, and has been a win-win situation for both of us.”
Associating with Bosch for its fuel injection components and auto electricals since 1994, the company’s diesel workshop is equipped with nine calibration test benches ensuring calibration of all types of fuel injection components like In-line pumps with mechanical & EDC (electronic) governors, distributor pump (rotary pump) – mechanical & electronic (EDC) VP 29, 30, 44 pump – pumps equipped with electronic control units, Common Rail System – Common Rail Pump (HPP) and Injectors (CRI & CRIN). Its auto electrical Workshop is equipped with AE test bench capable of testing alternators and starter motors, spark plug tester and multifunctional tester.
“We have been primarily providing diesel fuel injection testing and repairing services which have been highly asked for in the aftermarket vertical industry. Our principle develops these items in compliance with the defined market norms with the help of premium quality basic material and current techniques. The products are widely praised in the industry owing to the fact that they are completely in line with OEM specifications. The services we offer are duly verified on diverse grounds of quality so as to deliver the ideal range at the customers’ end,” affirmed Mr. Agha Khan.
Sharing an anecdote of a harrowed customer, Mr. Khan stated: “One of our customers was getting hefty bills from an OEM-authorized workshop for his diesel car even though he was aware of the kind of service they provided. But the moment he availed of our services, he was overwhelmed as all his car’s glitches like black smoke and low acceleration were sorted out. We even suggested some better ways for maintaining his car. And, I am sure he will recommend our services to many of his folks who are beleaguered by similar problems.”
Talking about the changing demand patterns and how the company is geared up for that, Mr. Aman Agha stated: “People have embraced diesel as a technology. Common rail has changed the definition of diesel engines. It is not dirty (polluting the environment) anymore. It has the equivalent torque and pick-up (of a petrol car). Of late, introduction of aluminium engines has also seen widespread adoption. The holding period has also reduced three years. There has also been a technological leapfrog in CVs. We are well geared to cater to diesel fuel injection system services that are compliant up to Euro VI norms.”
He further said: “We are proactive in our approach when it comes to the latest technologies. We can service the fuel injection systems which were used in the 1950s and are also future ready for next-generation engines. We are also looking to diversify into CNG and LPG segments too. But our industry is not shorn of challenges. One of the burning issues is the availability of spare parts and awareness of genuine parts. Another biggest stumbling block is the widespread usage of adulterated fuel at various petrol pumps in the country. To complicate the matter further, there is a regular incidence of water entry into pumping machines which are fixed into the ground. And, of course, the awareness level of emission norms is very low in the country. The exorbitant tax is also quite worrisome. I hope GST (implementation) will allay some of our concerns.”
Future course of action
After gaining a strategic foothold in the automotive sector, Shahdara Engineers is drawing up plans to diversify into non-automotive domains like marine and locomotive segments. Plans are also afoot to venture into other markets like Noida, Gurgaon and Mumbai. The company has also tied up with Indian Army to service their vehicles. There were quite a few breakdowns in their vehicles due to faulty parts and poor services, and Shahdara was credited for bridging that gap. The company offers its services to well-known clients such as Mother Dairy, Municipal Corporation, SPG, Shyma Shyam, Shriram Piston and Rings, KMT and Tata Motors –Ghazipur among many others.
As Mr. Aman Agha put it: “Currently, we manage 350-400 fuel injection equipment, but we would like to manage 1,000 equipment. That is the reason why we would be doubling our test facilities and catering to other automotive hubs too.”
The company is anticipating a 20 per cent growth this year and is aiming to quadruple its earnings by 2020.
Spelling out the vision of his firm, Mr. Agha Khan observed: “We aim to offer the best services to as many people as possible. We want to set up ten such branches in the country. We would also like to assist customers who are waylaid. We are starting in-house training programs for the benefit of unskilled workshop personnel in various parts of the country. We already have a land bank available and will impart world class training by providing world class equipment. We will be offering certification programmes for them. Responsibility, honesty and loyalty are the three principles that we abide by religiously to fulfil our vision.”
“Currently, we manage 350-400 fuel injection equipment, but we would like to manage 1,000 equipment. That is the reason why we would be doubling our test facilities and catering to other automotive hubs too.”
– Mr. Aman Agha, Business Manager