Mr. Ajay Singhania, MD & CEO - EPACK Durable Limited (EDL)

12 Sep 2024 , 01:07 PM

1. EPACK Durable has established itself as a leader in the Room Air Conditioner ODM market in India. Please share the key strategies that have driven your success in this competitive industry.

At EPACK Durable, our focus on constant innovation, backward integration, and strategic partnerships helps us build long-term relationships with our marquee customers and drive customer loyalty. Another key strategy is diversifying our product lines and ensuring optimal utilization of our facilities, which puts us in a vantage point to advance in the highly competitive Room Air Conditioner (RAC) ODM market.

Our in-house R&D team, which customizes products to meet different client requirements; includes 70+ engineers, and is crucial in developing service-oriented products. Additionally, our highly backward integrated facilities enables us to manufacture key components like heat exchangers and PCBs. This approach also ensures a streamlined supply chain, improves cost efficiency, and minimizes import dependence.

Moreover, we have long-term associations with brands like Voltas, Havells, Haier, Bosch & Siemens, Phillips, and Godrej among others, backed by efficient manufacturing techniques, the use of automation, and artificial intelligence. These investments in technology are important to ensure consistency and to be quick to respond to market changes and demands, guaranteeing sustainable improvements. This has helped us to strategically position further to solidify our position in the ODM segment which we expect has the ability to capture the market.

2. What role do technology and automation play in your manufacturing process, and how do you see this evolving in the future?

Technology and automation are central to our manufacturing process at EPACK Durable. Our manufacturing operations involve a high degree of automation, which reduces the margin of error and manual inefficiencies. We’ve integrated artificial intelligence to monitor and improve product quality throughout production. Our digital infrastructure enables us to track products from their origin, which helps in swiftly addressing any issues that may arise. Looking ahead, we see technology and automation playing an even more significant role. We plan to further enhance our manufacturing capabilities with advanced AI tools and automation systems, allowing us to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and continue delivering high-quality products to our customers.

3. Please share your vision for EPACK Durable over the next five years, particularly in terms of innovation, market expansion, and sustainability.

Our vision for EPACK Durable over the next five years is both ambitious and dynamic. We aim to service our customers better by expanding our product portfolio to include a wider range of large appliances and small domestic products. Innovation will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy, as we invest in new technologies and enhance our existing capabilities. We are also focused on expanding into new international markets for exports and further developing our components business in line with the Make in India movement. Sustainability is a key priority; we are committed to implementing eco-friendly practices across our operations and developing products that contribute to a greener future. Ultimately, our goal is to grow from a ₹1,500 crore company to a ₹5,000 crore enterprise, driven by innovation, market expansion, and sustainable practices. We will also continue to leverage backward integration to maintain cost competitiveness and quality, while expanding its presence in both domestic and international markets.

4. You manufacture for multiple brands. How do you ensure quality and innovation across such a diverse portfolio?

Managing quality and innovation across a diverse portfolio requires a rigorous and systematic approach. We ensure this by maintaining stringent quality control measures and leveraging our design expertise to customize products for different brands. Our in-house production capabilities allow us to oversee and refine nearly 75-80% of the components we use, ensuring consistency and high standards. By maintaining a high degree of backward integration, the company can control the production of critical components in-house, ensuring consistent quality.

Additionally, we believe in staying ahead of the curve. We have four NABL-accredited labs, multiple patents and registered designs, and a strong team of engineers who work closely with our clients to incorporate their feedback and innovate continuously. By staying attuned to market trends and investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, we can deliver high-quality and innovative solutions for all our brand partners.

5. Can you provide insights into how your facilities manage the production of both Room ACs and Small Domestic Appliances simultaneously?

Our facilities manage the production of Room ACs and Small Domestic Appliances through a well-coordinated and flexible manufacturing setup. We have designed our facilities to handle multiple product lines simultaneously by implementing modular production systems and efficient workflow processes. This allows us to allocate resources effectively and adapt to varying production demands. Each facility is equipped with specialized machinery for different production lines and staffed by skilled teams trained to handle various product types. Areas are designated for the production of air conditioners and small domestic appliances, with separate business heads and teams dedicated to each product line to ensure smooth operations and specialized focus.

6. With manufacturing facilities in Dehradun, Bhiwadi, and Sricity, how does EPACK Durable ensure efficiency and sustainability across these locations?

EPACK Durable’s manufacturing facilities in Dehradun (North), Bhiwadi (Rajasthan), and Sri City (South) are strategically placed to optimize logistics, ensuring streamlined operations across India. Our centralized management systems maintain consistent quality across all locations, while backward integration helps reduce reliance on imports and improves resource efficiency. Sustainability is at the core of our processes, integrating energy-efficient practices, waste reduction, and eco-friendly materials. Each facility employs rainwater harvesting systems, and solar energy plants are installed at both Bhiwadi and Dehradun. All facilities implement energy-saving measures and are continuously monitored for improvements in operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. We also focus on minimizing our carbon footprint through sustainable sourcing and energy optimization, ensuring our practices align with global standards of eco-conscious manufacturing. This comprehensive approach enables us to maintain timely delivery, competitive pricing, and customer satisfaction across regions.