— Rajesh Kumar Jhonsa, Director,
Arihant Industries
Delhi-based Arihant Industries has been in the electrical products
business for over 35 years. Under its "Alto" brand, it makes a
wide range of switchgear and LV power distribution products.
Rajesh Kumar Jhonsa, in conversation with
Mrinalini Prasad,
speaks about his company and matters relating to the switchgear.
Jhonsa feels that though Chinese products pose competition to
India, prima facie, they cannot compete in terms of quality. Indian
switchgear products are of global standing, he asserts.
To start with, tell us about your company's products and the
"Alto" brand.
Alto is the umbrella brand under which Arihant Industries sells
its electrical products. We, under this brand, manufacture
superior quality electrical switchgear, distribution boards,
sheet metal deep drawn boxes, LT R/F switches, plugs &
sockets, distribution boxes and circuit breakers. We have been
into this industry for around 35 years and over the years have
developed an expertise in our product range.
What have been major innovations in the Indian switchgear
industry over the recent past?
Innovations in the electrical industry have been happening
constantly. Earlier, there were mechanical switchgears. Now,
almost all switchgears are automated. We keep updating our
product range to be at pace with these innovations and keep
adding new products to our existing product range.
Does Alto cater to the global market?
Our major focus is on the domestic market. Exports contribute
to around 25 per cent of our total business. In exports, we are
present in the Middle-East region of the World.
How do you assess the exports performance of Indian
switchgear, in general?
Indian companies are doing well in the international
market. In fact, India is one of the major switchgear
producers of the world.
Which industries are major demand drivers with respect to
Alto switchgear?
There is no particular industry from which we have our demand.
Demand from all the industries is almost equal and stable.
Business is coming from all the major industries requiring
these electrical applications.
What are your views on large body of Indian electrical equipment
manufacturing industry present in the unorganized sector?
The electrical industry players of the SME and unorganized
sector have a major contribution in the industry. In fact, it will not be wrong to say that it is because of them that the organized
sector players are functioning!
What is your view on competition from Chinese suppliers,
especially in the LV and MV switchgear industry?
Chinese electrical equipment suppliers pose a tough
competition. However, in terms of quality they do not fare very
well. Chinese electrical products are not reliable. Indian
companies are seen as more reliable manufacturers and
hence, even the price edge that the Chinese manufacturers
have does not prove to be a big challenge.
Tell us about your manufacturing facilities.
We have state-of-the-art facilities at Shahdara and Bawana in
Delhi. The facilities are replete with technologically advanced
machinery and equipment. We are planning to augment the
capacity in both the plants. Growth is a continuous process at
Alto India as we keep adding new machines to meet the
growing market demand.
What are your views about the quality of India's testing
infrastructure (CPRI, ERDA, etc) with respect to medium and
high-voltage switchgear?
Testing is must for electrical products. The testing
institutions may not be at par with the international
standards but they still play an important role in checking
the quality of the equipment manufactured in the country
and maintaining an overall standard. However, the process
to get your products tested at these institutions can
sometimes be very complicated.
What are your views about the government policies in
the sector?
From the duties point of view, the policies by the government
are sector-friendly. However, the system by which the
government functions hampers the industry in general. The
rules laid down by the government in certain areas are
complicated as a result of which the manufacturers are at
times harassed by the government officials.