Super Forgings & Steels Ltd (SFSL) started its entrepreneurial journey by developing import substitute products in the tools steels field. The company specialises in production of high value and higher grades of tool and die steels in special sizes.

With nearly five decades in the industry, SFSL certainly has created a niche. What is the company’s USP?

The company has always believed in trying to venture into products, which are not easily available in India. We were one of the first companies in India to go into tool steels around 30 years back when these materials were mainly imported. Since Kolkata doesn’t have many industries, we had our customers based in other states where freight becomes a factor. So we had to develop products which are import substitutes and not easily available and are of high value so that freight doesn’t matter much. We manufacture all types of tool steels and supply them in small quantities as the requirement of tool steels is in small lot sizes. Very few companies can claim to that.

What are the types of forgings manufactured by SFSL? Who are the main clients?

We are into open die forgings generally making bars of rounds/flats and squares in long lengths or as per length requirement. Our main clients are BHEL, BEML, Tata Motors, Amtek Group, Fouress Engineering, Forbes Marshall, WPIL, Ordnance Factories, etc.

How big is the forgings industry in India? What are the main user industries?

Open die forgings is a big market. The products are either raw materials or tools/dies for auto, machine building, power sector, pump manufacturers, closed die forging industry etc.

The last few years have been sluggish. Is the worst over for the industry, or it is still waiting for a turnaround?

I feel the worst for the industry is over and now we can expect a turnaround. It is far from boom time but definitely things should start improving from this financial year.

The forging industry in India is fragmented in a number of clusters and a large number of unorganised units. Is there scope for consolidation?

The bigger companies like Bharat Forge, etc., have representations in various trade associations and chambers of commerce, etc. But there are so many small forging units throughout the country and the interests of these companies are not represented nor are their problems addressed in a systematic way. In view of this reality, I do not think it is possible to consolidate in any sense.

Is the Indian industry in tune with the latest technology trends?

Apart from the really big players, and these are just a handful, most players in this segment are small companies without the financial clout for any significant R&D activity. Even medium size companies are not in a position to really invest in new equipment and technologies. So I think the majority of forging companies are not in tune with the latest technology trends.

How does the company handle the quality aspect?

To build and sustain an organisation, which is customer oriented, innovative and forward looking, quality is the hallmark of every operation at SFSL. Quality at SFSL means continuous improvement to achieve customer satisfaction – be it internal or external. Every individual at SFSL contributes towards quality. Continuous enrichment of the knowledge and skill through training and re-training is the key to harness the best. Our suppliers are our partners in this endeavour.

Competition is a reality in any field of business. How is the current scenario in forgings?

Competition is fierce since the market is in a bad shape and the demand is low, so automatically the competition is very high. This leads to low margins and also delayed realisations.

The government is exhorting to Make in India. What would you like to say, as someone who is already engaged in this task?

As noted at the beginning, we have been into developing materials, which were mainly imported, since our inception 30 years ago. So this concept of Make in India is not new to us, as we started with this very idea, and we would certainly like to put all our efforts to make it a success, and add to our basket more such products.

What are the future plans?

Once the market stabilises we would like to invest in technology to make better products so that we could compete in the international market also.