The humble beginnings of Climax Overseas way back in 1968 have given way to the company becoming one of the most successful and globally known rubber components manufacturers catering to the automotive industry today. As a trading company in the initial years, Climax Overseas actively sold India-made products in the Kenyan market. By the end of the following decade, it made a name for itself as the qualitative manufacturer of air filters. Further changes and modifications in the company brought forth the business aspect of venturing into production of rubber products primarily filter components. In August 2009, Climax Overseas became the first rubber manufacturer in India to be awarded the ISO/TS 16949 certification.
Mr. Anuj Ahuja, Chief Marketing Officer, shared: “Our promoter acquired the technical know-how in manufacturing of rubber & rubber to metal components for the automotive industry and that was when we made rubber products as a tier-1 and 2 supplier, our core business area rather than the final equipment manufacturer. Since we became a component manufacturer, we built our presence very strongly into exports.”
With four fully integrated manufacturing facilities which include the production and rubber compounding; the plants are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery.
As a family-owned business, Climax Overseas has built four plants in IMT Manesar, Haryana. Mr. Ahuja described the USP of the company: “We process our own rubber by buying natural product and compounding it ourselves.”
“Our rubber mixing plant has an installed capacity of over 5,000 tons rubber compounding per annum. And that is what sets us apart from our competitors.” he added.
The company has resident representations in six countries and has built four warehouses across North America and Europe.
Talking about the product range, Mr. Ahuja disclosed: “Our flagship products are rubber & rubber to metal bonded bushings, bushing kits, oil seals, filter rubber components and engine mountings. We are one of the largest manufacturers of filter rubber components & bushings, along with the manufacturing of air springs, centre bearings, torque rods and suspension bushings for trucks and trailers.”
While Europe and North America are where Climax Overseas finds its biggest markets, it is looking at expanding its market share in India. He added: “We are tier-2 suppliers to a major passenger car manufacturer and a tier-1 for some of the biggest OEMs. We have aggressive plans to expand our market share in India. We are also now looking at the African markets. There is much competition in terms of pricing in African markets which is not the case in European and North American market. Besides, we have started operating in new markets like Iran, Russia and the SAARC region in the last couple of years.”
With the EVs gearing up to make their presence felt on the Indian soil sooner rather than later, the challenge is looming large for Climax Overseas though Mr. Ahuja is confident: “As of now, we are studying the EV market and understanding its implications. When it comes to the filter parts that we manufacture in the context of EVs, we are already diversifying our move towards aftermarket across the globe to counter damage to business, if any.”
Today, Climax Overseas has a command of 70 per cent of OE business at the global level while the 30 per cent is centered around the aftermarket. Mr. Ahuja is clear that the aftermarket is where the fillip will come from for the company and will act as a buttress. Even for its international operations, the company has started recruiting representatives to make aggressive forays into the aftermarket business.