In an introductory meeting with Sarada Vishnubhatla, Wipro Infrastructure Engineering’s Senior Vice President – Global Sales, Hydraulics Business, Isaac George V, reiterates the company’s ongoing success strategies and robust work processes that continue to drive the company in the top gear. A report on the company’s winning synergies and collaborations.
Isaac George V is a known face at Wipro. Since 1993, he has successfully executed multiple roles in the company – be it in technology and engineering businesses, quality, consulting, operations or human resources. He has been with Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) for the last 7 years and is a trustee with Wipro Cares. He has been instrumental in defining the company’s programme for persons with disabilities.
He says: “My various roles have helped me be in tune with our customers. They are marque customers in the segments they serve. We have partnered with them for long, even decades in some cases. This has helped us to forge a strong bond at various levels with them and to bring cutting-edge technologies to the market. This has helped pave our way to be the market leaders in hydraulics in construction equipment and tipping systems.”
With dedicated engineering technology centers in Sweden and India besides manufacturing plants in India, Europe and the Americas, WIN caters to global customers with access to global technology, quality, sourcing and delivery.
Positive Outlook Despite COVID
WIN has always striven to establish a wholesome connect with its customers, even before COVID pandemic and the trend continues even now with the new leadership encouraging the ‘new normal’ way of conducting business using digital platforms. Isaac is happy to note that the long-term growth trend is good as indicated by steady increase in demand, despite the cyclical nature of business.
He shares: “We are the leaders in hydraulics in construction equipment and tipping systems. In the last few years, growth has been good with the help of government policies that have focused on infrastructure development. Post the first wave of the pandemic, business opened up with real demand which continued through the year. The revival came with unpredictability in supply chain, logistics, commodity inflation and health challenges. Yet, we have delivered well to our customers as they hit record production levels.”
One major challenge in the wake of the pandemic has been the significant rise in the pricing of raw materials, especially of steel. But Isaac is confident that the market would settle and adjust and that business would surge ahead.
He elaborates: “Our capacity to manufacture and assemble is greatly aided by the expertise of our seasoned workforce who have managed such challenges in the past and helped our business scale even through these difficult times. The demand is real, and the ecosystem would find ways to address challenges and establish a balance.”
Strong Business Prospects
The anticipated demand is an indication towards robust business in the near future – notwithstanding the potential 3rd wave of the pandemic.
A case in point is the recent announcement by the central government about its decision to invest US $1.4 trillion to construct 60,000 km of national highways by the year 2024 at the rate of 40 km per day. This project translates into increased demand for WIN’s products by its customers catering to the construction equipment segment.
Isaac feels: “This means that the construction industry will be busy along with other projects such as the Bharatmala and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Most of these projects would use construction equipment with our cylinders. The projected demand is good and we are fully prepared to deliver on them.”
WIN’s advantage is that it operates plants in multiple locations giving them and their customers the flexibility to cater to the needs as they arise.
He agrees: “When it comes to planning, there is seamless integration with customers and partnering organizations and that helps us balance the supply chain and workforce availability requirements.”
Partnering with top-tier customers, who have their finger on the pulse of the market and who are in tune with the latest technological upgradations, translates into WIN keeping ahead of the competition and on the leading edge of technology.
He continues: “As an organisation, it is our ongoing initiative to keep delivering quality constantly. We have global and pan-India presence in terms of manufacturing, services and sales which allows us to be where the action is. Then it is all about bringing it to our customers.”
Make in India: Efficient and Sustainable
WIN’s heritage, its well-established partner ecosystem and strong market presence receive a boost in the arm by its focus on efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing. And this is exactly why WIN is in complete alignment with Make in India concept.
Isaac explains: “Improved reliability creates more sustainability. Reducing part weight enhances efficiency and we make continuous efforts to reduce our carbon footprint which means more reusability. Automation is part of efficient manufacturing and as India’s largest automation company, we have the capability in-house to help us manufacture better. Also, ensuring safe working is a crucial aspect for us.” Make in India as a concept is picking up more momentum as more customers are sensing greater opportunity and value in manufacturing at home. Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, as always, is positioned well to meet the requirement.