India’s Top 500 Companies 2019

INDIA’S TOP 500 COMPANIES 2019 116 Experts’ View BEML Limited What are some of the key milestones achieved by BEML in recent years? BEML achieved its highest ever sales turnover and highest ever carry forward order book of ` 9200 crore The prestigious Mumbai Metro order of over ` 3000crs with an optional 126 Cars valued at over ` 800 crore was won against stiff competition from world’s leading metro manufacturers and has catapulted BEML to the top in the Metro market. It is noteworthy that 87% of our sales was achieved from orders obtained through competition mode, up from 83% in the previous year. Moreover, 69% of sales turnover was achieved from in-house R&D developed products, up from 56% in the previous year. BEML has designed and developed 850 HP Bull Dozer model BD475-1 for the first time in India, which will serve as import substitution product. We also launched ‘Made In India’ high-end products like 150T and 190T Dump Trucks that are operating successfully in the mines of Coal India Limited. In the defence segment, Arjun-Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (ARRV) was designed and developed in association with CVRDE, Chennai, which are currently undergoing trials. We have also filed 65 Patents during the year 2018-19, which is quite a laudable achievement. BEML is reputed for having a robust R&D function. What were some of the steps that were taken to strengthen the company’s in-house R&D? R&D is central to BEML’s operations wherein over 65 % of the turnover comes from R&D developed products. Expenditure on R&D has increased from 2.01% in 2015-16 to 3.08% in 2017-18. Our R&D team undertook many initiatives for design and development of high technology products, aggregates and upgradation of existing products in all the three business verticals as per customer requirements. Measures were taken to bring in renewed focus on innovation for new products and technology development, product up-gradation and indigenization. R&D infrastructure has been upgraded by investing in software and hardware apart from test facilities. We have hired reputed R&D professionals as consultants to advice on us on Industrial design and Engine emissions. An Innovation Cell has been created to scout for new technologies and potential partnerships with start–ups to develop new products and aggregates. We have instituted awards to identify and encourage R&D engineers. We are engaging with premier academic institutions and working closely with R&D establishments like DRDO and ARAI to develop new products, which yielded perceptible dividends. What is the outlook of the company for the next 5 years? We are quite bullish about the prospects in the coming years. We have plans in place to diversify into new products. M&C Business : High end Mining Equipment, Continuous Miner, design & development of Rope Shovels and 240 ton dumper through in-house R&D and partnerships. Defence Business : Recovery & Repair vehicles for Battle Tanks, Mounted Gun Systems, Mine Protected Vehicles, Futuristic Infantry Compact Vehicles, Mine Clearing Systems, Overhauling of High Mobility Vehicles, Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Battle Tanks & aggregates for Missile Systems and Fighting Vehicles. Rail & Metro Business : Medium / High Speed Coaches, Light Rail Metro Cars, IGBT based 3-Phase Mainline Electric Multiple Units, Maintenance equipment, Track cleaning machines, Rail Grinding machines. For the export markets, we have adopted region-wise strategies to improve our global presence through appointment of distributors in SAARC, ASEAN, AFRICA and MIDDLE EAST, LoC opportunities, collaboration with other DPSUs, participation in exhibitions etc. and increase exports of M&C and Defence equipments and rolling stocks. BEML are setting up a ‘Make in India Park’ by attracting potential collaborators with niche technology and consequently minimize import dependency while creating export opportunities. DEEPAK KUMAR HOTA Chairman & Managing Director Dun & Bradstreet