The latest seats launched by Prakash Seating Private Ltd. (PSPL) are designed and manufactured, keeping in mind the new requirements of the customers. PSPL also manufactures limited reclining high back seats, fixed high back seats and plastic molded seats especially for mofussil and city buses, in addition to reclining seats for coaches and inter-city buses.
Mr. Rengarajan, Director – PSPL, said: “Now there is a visible shift taking place in the institution buses where one-step reclining seats for their staff are being sought after.”
Traditionally, PSPL has catered to SM Kannappa Automobiles, the luxury bus body builders and few State road transport corporations and is now opening up to further expand its customer base.
Seat Range – Fit for ‘Kings’
The star of the new seat range by PSPL is ‘Dhruv’ which is a new age design that is already capturing attention and increased patronage in the market. Then there is ‘Legend-UG’ which is a spacious seat. Both models have a three-point seat belt and are being installed in inter-city and long-distance coaches.
Then, PSPL’s plastic molded seats are the preferred seats by most OEMs for their fully-built buses.
Mr. Rengarajan shared: “We also offer high-back seats which are of 3×2 configuration and of which we have already supplied some 700-odd bus sets to one State run transport corporation. We are happy the way the business is going because our order book is full currently.”
PSPL has been steadily working to double the capacity as compared to their last year average, consistent evolution of new designs, cost-effective products and is also keenly working towards reducing the weight and also the cost further.
He said: “All along our focus was on the private coach segment and then the intercity segment through bus body builders. This year we have taken steps to enter into the STUs through the tender process. Already, we have supplied to a few STUs in the recent past and expect further business realisation. Our next step is to cater to the OEMs for their fully built buses.”
He explained further: “The market is continuously looking at cost reduction in every way possible. Hence, we keep on inventing methods to work on our cost reduction programs, value engineering, productivity and value addition for our customers. Our vision is to be the makers of world’s best seat in all aspects – be it in light weight, comfort, reliability and safety. Innovation is key and we are consistently working on it.”
PSPL is hoping to cash in on the booming road connectivity efforts in India especially at the district and rural levels.
Quality – the differentiator
Mr. Rengarajan maintains that the USP of PSPL products is their quality and reliability: “For us, quality of our seats is of top priority. And we are working towards enhancing the product warranty. Today the average warranty being offered in the market is about one year but PSPL is already offering two-year warranty in select cases. In the next program, we are looking at how we can give three-year warranty and, on the structure, we are working on how we can offer five-year warranty.”
Regarding the competition heating up with more local and international brands entering bus seating segment, Mr. Rengarajan said: “Overall the standard will go up and so will the value for money. Quality, and deliverability will also keep getting better. PSPL is highly focused on total quality management. It is not only about product quality, but also about the quality of business too.”
In 2017, PSPL recorded 45 per cent growth and in the first quarter of this year, it has documented more than 30 per cent. And the company expects to double its turnover by next year.
Expanding across India is also on the anvil for PSPL. More certifications are being planned already, while PSPL is already TS 16949 certified and in the process to obtain the IATF 16949.
PSPL has always believed in its people, stakeholders, work environment and quality systems which is why PSPL seats are fit for the king a.k.a the customer.