Supreme has grown multifold over the last decade (Business interview with Harish Agarwal)

    [Supreme & co. made a modest beginning in 1970 as a metal fabrication company. Over the     past four decades, the company has grown phenomenally and has diversified its products and services portfolio to cover virtually every segment in the power T&D industry. Harish Kumar Agarwal(CEO, Supreme & Co.) in an exclusive interaction with Electrical Monitor, discusses the company’s recent diversifications – Smart Grid business and 1,200 kv transmission infrastructure. and also outlines the company growth drivers in the coming years.]

 

 

To begin with, please tell us about the rationale of your recent diversification in the “Smart Grid” business and what type of services would you be offering?

Ans.  A smart grid is a form of electricity network utilizing digital technology. It overlays the ordinary electrical grid with an information and net metering system, that includes smart meters. To address the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) or Smart Metering market, which constitutes majority of SmartGrid deployment currently, Supreme Smart Tech Solution has developed AMR modules using PowerLine Communication (PLCC) that can be retro-fitted into existing Digital Meters and provide end-to-end monitoring capability. The data gathered from AMR will be integrated with GIS/GPS To provide the navigational tool and also pictorial representation of locations. An estimated $200 billion in global spending is required over the next 5-10 years in the power sector in order to address rising demand and issues around quality, reliability and efficiency of the current power system.

We also understand that Supreme has formed a separate joint venture for “intelligent solutions”. Please elaborate?

Ans. Supreme started off with the Supreme Intelligent and Secure Solutions (SISS) which provides following services

 The range of services covers automation Solution are:

• Intelligent Automation Solutions for Plant
• Integrated Security Solutions
• SCADA Solutions for utility sector
• Customer Centric Solutions

Supreme uses the six sigma approach for providing the vendor neutral solutions. The main aim of these solution is to improve the efficiency, productivity and quality based on DMAIC approach which means Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve & Control. We do lifecycle management through this approach.

Apart from above we also provide the

• Distribution automation and Sub-Station SCADA
• GIS Solutions and Services
• Network Services
• Power, Telecom and Construction Services

Supreme understands the turnkey aspect of the solution and has the experts who could guide you in terms of following:

 

•  Project Feasibility Study
• Engineering and Plant Design
• Installation and Commissioning
• Operation Management
• Maintenance and Continuous Operation

Please highlight Supreme’s involvement in the 1,200kV test station that is being developed by Power Grid Corporation of India at Bina in Madhya Pradesh?

Ans. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) took a visionary step of adopting 1200kV Power Transmission System as next higher system voltage after 765kV system for bulk power transmission keeping in view to the projected growth of capacity addition in Power Generation. Need for 1200kV transmission line arose so that large power can be transferred from the generating station which instead of being located at load center, are being set-up at proximity to the source of energy.PGCIL signed an MOU on 12th November, 2008 and allowing Supreme to work in the following Working Groups:

• WG for Transmission Line Insulator Hardware Fittings and Conductor Accessories.
• WG for Sub-station Hardware Fittings, Clamps & Connectors
• WG for Pre-fabricated Jumpers

Supreme has attended all the working group meetings so far…

With an impressive range of over 2,000 products, how is Supreme gearing up to meet the growing demand for India’s upcoming power transmission infrastructure?

Ans. Supreme was established in 1970 as a steel based engineering unit having annual capacity of 3600 Metric Tons. It has since diversified and grown into a leading multi-product Engineering unit having combined annual capacity of 25000 Metric Tons of comprised Galvanized Steel fabrications and a very large range of Aluminum, Copper, Plastic & Rubber accessories to cater global requirement of Towers, Hardware & Accessories for Power Transmission & Distribution Lines. Throughout its growth, the company has diligently pursed policies of technical up-gradation, product development, In-house tooling, continuous in-house research and development to meet customized requirements of customer.

Supreme has grown multi fold over last decade in terms and has increased production in the last few years to gear up the upbeat investment plans of Indian power transmission infrastructure. Supreme has grown by about 20% over last five years and has also invested more than 20% year-on-year in terms asset build-up and getting additional resources.

How has Supreme been faring on the exports front in recent years? Which countries are likely to drive your international business in the coming years?

Ans. Supreme’s products are sold and accepted in more than 40 countries covering all the six continents.

Supreme’s products are well accepted in emerging as well as matured markets and its pursuits of global acceptability are reflected in its motto – Indian Roots Global Pursuits.

Supreme by and large covers up for the entire globe, however current market of concentration is Far East, Africa, and Middle East countries, which are showing more growth in the utility and infrastructure industry. During this year Supreme will be entering into Latin and Central American countries as well.

With a highly diversified portfolio comprising products, technology services and turnkey contracting, how do you see Supreme’s growth in the medium term? What will be key business drivers in the coming years?

Ans. Supreme has been front runner in transmission and distribution sector, and is concentrating in growing business in the areas covering the core industries of expertise such as Power (Transmission & Distribution) and also in the metal industry. Supreme understands the intricacies of the Power and Metal industry as we are metal fabricators.

As security is seen as major concern in any establishment hence Supreme has stepped into provide solutions with one of Global Majors Global Defense Solution.

The key business drivers for next few years are many however few are listed below:

• Infrastructure Industry Energy and Utility will be on upswing during next five years.
• Industries such as Oil & Gas, Refining, Chemical, Petrochemical and others wherein the energy usage is high will be spending on the Performance and Productivity Enhancement.
• As each industry is working on reducing the cost of production, the industry will be spending on R&D as well as on Automation
• There is more than $ 70 Billion legacy installation hence there will be major investment in the modernizing and refurbishment of existing control system
• Accelerated Power Development (R-APDRP) for fulfilling India’s power demand
• As Crude Oil prices are still fluctuating there will good investment in the area of performance and productivity
• As the per capita power usage is on high there will be greater thrust given towards:

1.  Increase Power Delivery using less Equipment at Reduced Cost
2. Improve Safety and Environmental Reliability Performance
3. Improve Reliability Indices
4. Extend Asset Life and Manage Equipment Condition
5. Improve O&M Business Processes Efficiency and Security
6. Manage Cost; Decrease Time
7. Reducing the theft by the users