Surakhsha Transport Systems (India) P. Ltd., Coimbatore, started in 2000, manufactures different types of super structures on truck chassis with particular emphasis on transportation of products under controlled temperature. Mr. V.P. Varghese Managing Director talks to MOTORINDIA with his insights.
Excerpts:
Kindly elaborate on your reefer building/integration program.
We have been in the manufacture of Refrigerated containers since 2003 and initially we commenced the activities with manufacture of MS outer body Reefer containers and the interior with food grade stainless steel finish. The traditional method of building Reefer containers on chassis was a standalone project, which normally take 2 to 3 months for completion of fabrication and the chassis is required to start the activities. The technology for manufacture of Pre-built Reefer Containers was indigenously developed and perfected by us. In this method the Chassis is required towards the end of the manufacturing period, thus offering quick delivery of vehicles.
We have now successfully developed All Aluminium and Aluminium-GRP Composite Reefer Containers indigenously and these light weight Containers are well accepted in the market. Today we have designs for manufacture of MS, Aluminium & GRP Reefer containers on the smallest commercial vehicles like TATA ACE to the largest Multi axle rigid trucks, which can accommodate Reefer containers of size up to 34ft long (Maximum).
What are the USPs of Surakhsha reefer containers?
The main focus on the design, materials and manufacturing process for the Reefer Containers, since the inception, has been to achieve high thermal properties for Reefer containers. The Litmus test for a Reefer Containers is its ability to hold the temperature in the empty condition. In our Reefer Containers the temperature hold on time is in the range of 4.0 hrs to 4.5 hrs., the time required to gain the box temperature to 0 Deg C from the pull down temperature of -25 Deg C, when the ambient is around 35 Deg C. This is a critical parameter and it determines the thermal retention property of the containers. This parameter has a direct relation to the performance of refrigeration units and consequent its related economics like less diesel consumption, low maintenance, etc.
The second parameter, which is unique in our Reefer containers is its hygiene and cleanliness – which is an essential pre-requisite for transport of food products, pharmaceutical products and other perishable commodities. We have now successfully developed Reefer Containers with Single Joint less SS Sheet for the interior. Each Reefer container manufactured by us is water/steam washable. Jointless SS Interior entails easy and quick cleaning and less scope for bacterial growth, etc.
As stated above, We have now developed technology for manufacture of All Aluminium Reefer containers as well as Aluminium GRP Composite Reefer containers ( mostly for Small and Light Commercial Vehicles) which are corrosion and maintenance free. All Aluminium Reefer containers developed by us is almost 30% lighter in weight compared to the corresponding MS outer Reefer containers, which obviously has the advantage of more pay load, less tyre wear, better mileage, etc..
Product branding has become important USP of our All Aluminium Reefer Containers. The Container exterior is without any rivets being visible outside and offers an excellent transmit medium. The Reefer Container photographs attached herewith is self-explanatory. While the average life of the containers manufactured by us is over 10 years and we extend our product warranty for a period of 3 years, which is very well known and accepted in the market.
All Aluminium Containers manufactured by us also possess the advantage of very high Resale and Salvage value. The trouble-free performance of over 5000 reefer/insulated vehicles supplied by us and running on Indian roads stand testimony to our product quality and its performance.
Can you outline your working arrangement with vehicle OEMs?
We are the first company in the organised sector in India to commence manufacture of fully built Reefer vehicles for the vehicle OEMs. We started the activity in 2012 with M/s Ashok Leyland ltd and later on such activities are being planned with other OEMs as well. Thermo king and Carrier machines are mostly used for OEM built vehicles and the market acceptance is encouraging. While volumes are slowly picking up, we do an average production of 80 to 100 vehicles for the OEMs in a year. This trend is likely to grow upwards and arrangements are being made for post sales service support for the end customers through the dealers of both vehicle OEMs and Reefer unit suppliers.
What according to you are the key growth-drivers for the reefer segment?
There are many growth drivers for the growth of Refrigerated transport in India specially with growing awareness of processed food wastage due to lack of streamlined cold chain systems. Government initiatives and fillip given to establishment of cold chain projects in India.
+ Activities of cold chain promotional bodies such as NHB, NCCD, etc.
+ Subsidies given to cold chain projects and through various promotional agencies for establishment of cold chain projects and Refrigerated transport systems.
+ Growth of retail market in India and the entry of multi-national retail giants will be a major driving force.
+ Establishment of new and modern cold storage facility will necessarily push up demand for Refrigerated vehicles.
+ The trend of transfiguring many commodities, which have been hither to transported in normal trucks to Refrigerated vehicles is also driver.