Raghav Gupta, MD, Kanchan Metals: The market indication is positive and our order book is becoming healthier

Kanchan Metals is investing in augmenting its production capacity. Raghav Gupta, MD – Kanchan Metals tells Suchitra C of WOH News that the company is also undertaking bespoke conveyor projects in the frozen food and bakery industry.

The company has planned Rs 15 crore outlay for its upcoming project with the aim to double the revenues of machinery manufacturing in coming years. Tell us more about it.
We are planning to expand the production capacity of our machinery manufacturing division. The market indication is positive and our order book is becoming healthier. Therefore, we feel the need to start manufacturing machines quicker and the new unit will help us achieve our objectives.

You have planned a new manufacturing facility in NCR. How is this going to pave your future roadmap?
As explained above the new unit will help augment production capacity. Focus will be to build machinery for namkeen and snack processing. We have come up with some innovative products over the years that have helped us establish a certain position in the market. We want to continue doing that and develop products for specific applications in namkeen and snack food processing.

Kanchan Metals is well known in the food processing industry space. This allows you to cater to the HoReCa segment with ease. What are your plans in this segment and how will it complement the expansion of your equipment manufacturing division?
We are more inclined towards industrial and high volume production systems. Currently the focus will remain on namkeen and snack food. However, we are also undertaking bespoke conveyor projects in the frozen food and bakery industry. For example, we recently developed spiral conveyors and vertical tray lifting system that can help those producers who are looking for space saving solutions. We will continue to focus in these areas.

What are the latest technologies in equipment manufacturing that will hold Indian commercial equipment manufacturers on par with global manufacturers?
The use of digital cameras and software for efficiency mapping is something that is gaining momentum. We too are evaluating such technologies to help us plan and control the operations in a better manner.

What is your strategy for 2021 growth?
Consolidating our current strengths and coming up with new products for namkeen and snack food industry.