“In the steel sector we are the only company in India with the entire references in each type of transformers”
Transformer & Rectifiers, has achieved a milestone by manufacturing the highest arc furnace transformer in India (132 MVA) which is also the first by an Indian company. With the milestone as motivation, T&R is aiming at achieving many such.
As for Indian market, the company is targeting to enrich its portfolio, continue to put up good financial results, as well as increase its market share to 15% by 2020.
Mr. Stefano Talassi, COO, Transformers & Rectifiers India Pvt. Ltd. talks on his company achievements and growth plans.
Steel & Metallurgy: Firstly, congratulations on developing the highest arc furnace transformer in India (132 MVA) which is also the first by an Indian company. Please share with us details about the product and this achievement?
Stefano Talassi: The 132 MVA arc transformer is absolutely the first transformer of this size ever made in India by an Indian company. To achieve this goal, our team overcame many difficulties, starting from the new supply chain till the final layout testing of the unit for which we delivered a special cooling system tower in order to perform a complete heat run test according to IEC standards. All the departments of the company have been involved to the highest level in order to reach this performance, respecting delivery time of the project and the guaranteed contractual performances. After the manufacturing of the 70 MVA EAF transformer for the Middle East market in 2016, the 132 MVA EAF transformer will be delivered and put into service in South America at an important steel group company, allowing T&R to become one of the world’s most important players in furnace transformers.
SM: We understand T&R primarily offers transformers two categories i.e. Power Transformers and Industrial Transformers. Could you give us a glimpse of the entire industrial transformer range offered by T&R?
ST: The T&R portfolio is wide and covers the entire range of transformers in oil and reactors: we manufacture from 250 kVA – 72.5 kV up to 500 MVA – 1200 kV, shunt reactors up to 400 STEEL & METALLURGY JUNE 2017 30 kV, EAF up to 200 MVA, LF and SAF transformers. We are leader in India in supplying transformers for rectifier applications up to 100 kA DC and induction transformers for casting and melt shops.
SM: What is the current market share of the products offered by Transformers and Rectifiers in India? Do you have any benchmark target for your market share, let’s say by 2020?
ST: T&R is one of the three largest transformer manufacturers in India and our current market share is around at 12%: our target is to reach the 15% level by 2020. In the steel sector we are the only company in India with the entire references in each type of transformers, from the step down transformer to the auxiliaries, from the melt shop (arc or induction furnace) till the rolling mill.
SM: How was the last fiscal in terms of sales and order book?
ST: The last fiscal year was the best ever for the T&R group, reaching the turnover of around 800 crore INR with an order book of 900 crore INR.
SM: Please throw some light on the financial performance put up by T&R in Q4 and throughout the FY 17.
ST: The financial performance of T&R in Q4 grabbed a good order flow in the export jobs as well as the breakthrough orders with important customer as Vedanta, Danieli and Aditya Birla Group. We are expecting a further growth in the export market in the Q3 of the FY 17.
SM: What are your expectations from the current fiscal?
ST: The expectation for the current fiscal year is to consolidate our turnover and improving our margins. The transformer’s market is very competitive and it requires acting in each sector of our organization by decreasing the lead time and improving our efficiency, taking under control any single cost in each division.
SM: Power sector is a crucial factor for infrastructure development in a country. In light of this, how do you see the growth power sector in India? How is your company positioned to cater to the power sector in India?
ST: India has a huge need of infrastructure development and the power sector is the back bone of the country. For this reason we will expect the key role of the Central Government in terms of investments and projects, specially in the renewable energies. We were recently rewarded with an order of 250 units for a solar farm project that it keeps T&R in pole position for the renewable market.
SM: Energy efficiency and sustainability are major constituents of decision making by a customer prior to new equipment purchase. What kind of cost savings a customer can expect from right selection of energy efficient transformers? Does T&R offer any support to its customer in cost savings analysis?
ST: The customer will be able to get the ROI into three years together with an energy saving in the system with the recently introduction of BIS standards for distribution transformers. Of course our R&D department works close with our clients in order to study the best solutions that can suit the cost savings and the return of investment.
SM: What are the investment plans of T&R in transmission sector in India?
ST: T&R aims to expand in the sector of GIS equipments as well as HV bushings, CT and PT, becoming the landmark in the transmission sector with high value service for the customer: several investments have been done so far in these directions with new teams and assets.
SM: As the COO of Transformers & Rectifiers India Pvt. Ltd. what are your growth plan for your company?
ST: The growth plan for T&R is always focused on Human Resources: T&R is not only a manufacturing company but it’s also an engineering company, able to give full service solutions to our customers. T&R products are always tailored made for customer requirements avoiding unnecessary expenses, thanks to our team and engineers working every day for new solutions and improvements.
