Spheros GmbH, headquartered at Gilching near Munich, has been a global trend-setter in the manufacture of cost-effective, eco-friendly and reliable bus heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for many years. As the world’s foremost developer and manufacturer, Spheros supplies perfectly co-ordinated systems for climate management in buses in the form of intelligent control electronics. Its portfolio extends from functionally-oriented concepts to CAN-networked systems. In the field of heating and air-conditioning the company has established itself as the global market leader.
The Spheros Group is represented by 17 development, production and sales facilities worldwide. In 2012 the company generated turnover of EUR 183 million with a total of 700 employees.
The company covers the Indian region through Spheros Motherson Thermal System Ltd. (SMTL), a 51:49 joint venture between Spheros GmbH and the Samvardhana Motherson Group. At the recently held Busworld India show in Mumbai, Spheros showcased a diverse range of HVAC solutions. From its range of roof hatches/fans, for the first time to the Indian market Spheros presented the CityVent, a new ventilation unit specially designed for city buses.
Also exhibited was the Aerosphere Tropical rooftop air-conditioner, a modular system with a cooling capacity of 35 to 50 kW developed for use in tour coaches, inter-city and city buses operating in regions that place exacting demands on the cooling capacity of an air-conditioning system. From the Compact Cooler series, the CC 225 was displayed. The powerful CC 225 rooftop unit for hot countries has been specially designed to ensure reliable climate comfort in midi buses, according to European standards.
For many years Spheros has been supplying effective and reliable heating systems for buses, including the successful Thermo series. With the new addition to the range, Thermo E, the new heater generation is now optimally tuned, with special emphasis on performance and robustness, accompanied by economic efficiency. The heater, available in 20 and 32 kW versions, fulfils performance requirements in all fields of application.
Growing Indian presence
SMTL, headquartered in Noida and having a workforce of 110, features the complete Spheros product portfolio and competent service. Its sales and service competence is guaranteed by more than 40 technicians at 17 local service points across India.
On a factory floor space of 1,800 m² in Noida, SMTL develops, tests and manufactures primarily CC-series and Aerosphere air-conditioners mainly for India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The current level of localization of the air-conditioning units is over 50 per cent, with the critical components being sourced from the company’s global supplier base. The Noida facility can manufacture close to 4,000 bus air-conditioning units annually in two shifts. For 2013, the Indian market demand for air-conditioned buses is expected to be around 3,000 units.
Since its founding in 2006, the joint venture has succeeded in making Spheros a leading brand of bus air-conditioning with all OEMs, STUs and carriers throughout India. Says Mr. Christian Müller, Chief Technical Officer, SMTL: “We are a leading developer and manufacturer of HVAC systems for buses and have the complete range of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions. In the bus air-conditioning segment, we have a broad range of products ranging from the smallest 4 KW unit to the 90 KW unit suitable for an articulated bus. We also offer customized solutions for double-deckers buses.”
Today, SMTL enjoys a 30 per cent share of the Indian bus air-conditioning market and over 50 per cent of the city bus segment.
India is one of the world’s biggest and fastest growing markets in the bus air-conditioning segment, though only around seven to eight per cent of the buses are air-conditioned at present. At summer temperatures of up to 50°C and an extremely disquieting environment, considerable demands are placed on bus air-conditioning products in terms of performance and reliability. Spheros has set itself the task of providing the right product for all standard bus types and climatic requirements worldwide.
Based on its competence centre at Gilching, Spheros guarantees consistently high application and product quality at all locations. Basic concepts for the product series are adapted to the vehicles close to the customer’s manufacturing facilities and delivered just in time, thereby exploiting the advantages of the local supply market for the Spheros Group.
The Indian market is growing rapidly with an increasing number of customers moving away from the focus on initial cost to the life cycle cost of the product, a shift which comes as a welcome move for Spheros. “There are still some customers who focus on the initial price but there are many who think about the life cycle cost of the product. We have highly reliable products but don’t just directly sell them to customers. We work with our customers in finding suitable solutions for their requirements”, adds Mr. Müller.
With a lot of companies, both Indian and global, eyeing a share of the Indian bus air-conditioning market, factors such as product quality, cost competitiveness, aggressive sales with good service back-up are key for driving numbers. SMTL, in line with Spheros’ global strategy, is focused on offering the best overall experience to its customers.
“Whether it is our product, our sales process or our service support, we focus intensely on quality. We believe that our solutions will be the best in the market only with a deep understanding of customer requirements, which is why we work closely with all our customers”, points out Mr. Cyril Xavier, Chief Operating Officer, SMTL.
In addition to the range of bus air-conditioners, the heating solutions offered by Spheros offers it an edge over competitors. “Bus manufacturers usually get the air-conditioning units and heaters from separate sources. We offer heating solutions as well to our customers for air-conditioners. In addition, we also provide roof hatches for ventilation, which makes us a complete HVAC solutions-provider”, adds Mr. Xavier.
SMTL is optimistic about its future in the Indian market. With aggressive expansion on cards, the company expects to grow by around 20 per cent in the next couple of years during which its focus will be on strengthening its service network and enhance its presence in south India.
SMTL offers an attractive complete package to its customers – German engineered products, new offerings to suit Indian conditions, an expanding service network and complete HVAC solutions. The company is all geared up to chase the volumes in the country, as it aims to establish itself as the preferred HVAC solutions provider in India.