Formerly centralized in a single location, we have now transitioned to a decentralized model across three sites.

Nisha Sakaria
Group CHRO & Corporate Functions, Premium Transmission

Dhirendra Prasad
Head – Direct Sales & Marketing, Premium Transmission

India’s construction equipment industry stands as the third largest globally and we are gearing up to be the second largest. How do you see the growth for Indian market or globally for Premium Transmission?

We’ve witnessed an exceptional surge in our company, particularly under the guidance of our new management led by Mr. Neeraj Bisaria as MD. This leadership shift has catalyzed substantial growth for us. Recognizing the significance of gearboxes within the industry, especially with our forthcoming product launches, I foresee an impressive overall market growth of at least 15-20%. The gearbox market alone seems to be valued at no less than 5000 crores, and our positioning within this sector appears very promising. We’re experiencing an influx of inquiries from international OEMs spanning Russia, the US, and Europe. This traction from the international market has been robust, propelling our consistent year-on-year growth rate of 20-25%. Furthermore, a recent news highlighted underscores substantial capex commitments made in FY23. I firmly believe that in the upcoming year, we’ll start reaping the benefits of these commitments, reflecting positively on our organization’s growth trajectory.

Technology is playing a big role because we have to lead the way globally. We don’t have a shortfall of people, we have a shortfall of technology. How is Premium Transmission going to play a wide role in this technology part?

We’ve recently undergone significant growth within our design and R&D teams. Formerly centralized in a single location, we’ve now transitioned to a decentralized model across three sites. Each site, including Chennai, hosts a dedicated R&D team exclusively focused on addressing emerging needs. This restructuring has notably bolstered our R&D capabilities. Our expansion extends from our initial establishment in Calcutta to our pioneering step into Pune. This expansion stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to driving innovation in design and technology. Noteworthy among our achievements is our emphasis on enhancing the power-to-weight ratio in gearboxes, coupled with the imminent release of a diverse range of new products.

The forthcoming launch of our helical series and the introduction of fresh lineups in geared motors exemplify the strides we continue to make. These advancements are a direct result of our tireless pursuit of cutting-edge technology, harnessing the depth of our in-house expertise.

How do you ensure reliability and durability of your transmission products?

Our gearbox policy rigorously oversees every step, from raw material intake to the final product, ensuring stringent adherence to quality norms. This dedication results in the consistent delivery of high-quality products. Our organizational infrastructure boasts robust testing capabilities that we’ve heavily invested in. This investment significantly aids in validating our in-house processes. Expanding on the discussion of technology, our focus extends beyond adopting new gearbox technologies. We’re equally committed to enhancing our internal processes by integrating advanced technologies. This internal drive towards excellence involves a concentrated effort on automation and bolstering our IT infrastructure for a digital transformation. This dual approach involves both internal refinement and external technological advancements.

While acknowledging that gearbox technology remains predominantly mechanical with sustained demand, our proactive internal strategies concentrate on evolving engineering and product development processes. Leveraging IT infrastructure, we continuously refine our internal operations.

India is a very price-centric market. How do you balance between quality and cost of your products?

Our strategy revolves around numbers; a higher quantity helps maintain price equilibrium. Our participation in exhibitions aims to attract more customers, thereby increasing our outreach. Pricing is directly linked to volume – low production yields higher individual product costs. Our tagline, ‘Geared Up Solutions for Life,’ reflects our broader vision. We’re not solely focused on immediate gains but are invested in the long-term. Our goal is to ensure customer loyalty, offering tailored solutions, and delivering exceptional experiences in all interactions. 

What are the launches you have made at Excon this year?

Not at this exhibition. In November, we introduced a new line of products in Bangalore, including the XE Series geared motors under the brand name X-lerator product and PTXL fluid coupling. The XE series represents a smaller yet powerful range of geared motors, spanning from 0.5 to 150 HP kilowatt gearboxes. It’s a significant addition to our offerings. Additionally, we introduced the PTXL fluid couplings, designed to seamlessly integrate between motors and gearboxes. Notably, these couplings operate differently, employing advanced technology controlled by a pump instead of the conventional scoop method.

What are the initiatives in women empowerment in the company?

At our organization, our commitment to diversity and inclusivity goes beyond gender representation. We embrace a holistic approach, recognizing and valuing various forms of diversity, including geographical backgrounds. Our operational footprint extends to diverse regions, with one of our key facilities situated in Falta, near Kolkata, complemented by regional offices across India. This deliberate placement fosters a vibrant mix of talents from different cultural and regional backgrounds, enriching our organizational fabric.

While acknowledging our progress, we remain dedicated to furthering gender diversity. We recognize the journey we’ve traversed in this regard, yet understand the considerable distance yet to cover. Presently, our gender diversity within the manufacturing industry stands at 5-7%, and we continue to dedicate substantial efforts to enhance this representation.

A source of immense pride for us at Premium is our CSR initiative, ‘Swati’. This program empowers underprivileged females from remote areas by providing educational sponsorship. Collaborating with Symbiosis in Pune, a skill university, we support a comprehensive two-year diploma program. Beyond academic assistance, we focus on skill development, preparing these women for employment. Last year, we achieved a 100% success rate, ensuring these individuals are not only educated but also employable. This commitment to Swati remains unwavering as we persist in creating a diverse and skilled talent pool within the industry.

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