An Insightful Conversation with Ashish Kulkarni, Founder Partner, and CEO Garud Allied Technologies
Could you provide insights into the journey of Garud Allied Technologies, detailing its inception and growth trajectory over the years?
Founded in 1996, we entered the electroplating sector with a primary focus on functional electroplating, aiming to pioneer advanced metal finishing solutions for engineering applications. Our commitment to delivering unparalleled quality, swift deliveries, and tailored metal finishing solutions has positioned us as a premier player in the plating industry. Trusted and favored by a vast customer base, we excel in providing optimal technological solutions for critical areas, leveraging our comprehensive capabilities. With a steadfast mission to contribute to engineering excellence, we continue to strive for innovation and customer satisfaction.
What range of products and services does the company offer?
At our electroplating facility, we offer a comprehensive range of metal finishing solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of engineering applications. Our Micro Porous Hardchrome is specifically designed for components such as hydraulic rams and piston rods, boasting a radial thickness of 50 microns and a remarkable hardness of 1100 Hv. This coating provides exceptional wear resistance and low friction, ensuring optimal performance even in demanding conditions. For applications requiring moderate corrosion resistance and wear resistance, our Medium Density Hardchrome with a thickness of 10 microns and hardness ranging from 850 to 900 Hv is the ideal choice. Whether it’s cylinder bores or similar components, this coating strikes the perfect balance between functionality and durability.
In addition to our hard chrome offerings, we provide specialized solutions like Ultra High Deposit Hardchrome, renowned for its uniform coating over rotor surfaces and exceptional corrosion and wear resistance. Elevator pulleys and similar components benefit from our High Density Closed Structure Hard Chrome, offering ultra-high corrosion resistance and minimal friction with a thickness of 10 microns. For marine applications demanding superior corrosion resistance, our Duplex and Triplex Chrome coatings deliver unmatched performance with dual and triple layers respectively. Furthermore, our Electroless Nickel Plating, with a radial thickness of 80 microns and a micro hardness of 900-1000 Hv, serves the chemical and pharmaceutical industries with high corrosion resistance and extraordinary wear resistance, ensuring longevity and reliability in harsh environments.
How does the company maintain its quality standards?
At Garud Allied Technologies, we have embarked on a transformation journey aimed at enhancing customer experiences by delivering innovative solutions with passion. Our commitment to quality and customer-centricity is ingrained in our culture, involving all employees and business partners as a unified team. We strive for excellence in development, processes, and services, continually seeking to elevate our standards through the adoption of global best practices and sustainable technologies. Initiatives such as implementing a ‘first-time-right capability’ and establishing a robust quality management system are instrumental in driving meaningful impact throughout our organization. Moreover, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for our stakeholders, both within and outside our plant, through enhanced work practices and social welfare schemes.
At Garud Allied Technologies, we uphold stringent quality control measures to ensure the reliability and performance of our products. Our systematic program of process control, aligned with ISO 9002 standards, encompasses various aspects of quality management. We maintain comprehensive records for process control plans, FMEA documents, raw material analyses, bath analyses, hardness tests, test reports, and salt spray test records. Furthermore, our quality control protocols extend to monitoring the thickness of zinc, electroless nickel plating, and hard chrome layers, as well as ensuring the quality and dimensional tolerances of plated parts. Plating baths undergo rigorous testing for performance in our well-equipped in-house laboratory, ensuring that our products meet the highest quality standards.
What sustainability measures has Garud Allied Technologies implemented?
At our facility, we prioritize environmental sustainability as an integral part of our operations. Committed to the conservation of natural resources, preservation of biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change impact, we aspire to set the benchmark for environmental performance in the chemical industry. With a fully equipped Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) in place, we ensure the proper treatment of all hazardous waste generated within our premises. Additionally, we have installed scrubbers to filter out gases, fumes, vapors, and dust, minimizing environmental pollutants. Our initiatives extend to zero effluent discharge, biodiversity management, reforestation, and enhancing green cover. We actively contribute to addressing climate change by reducing groundwater damage and air pollution, aligning our environmental management systems with ISO 14001 standards. Through these concerted efforts, we strive to minimize our ecological footprint and promote a sustainable future for generations to come.
Could you provide further insights into Belgavi and its ecosystem, as well as the role played by Laghu Udyog Bharti over the years?
Belagavi, located in the state of Karnataka, India, has emerged as a prominent industrial hub, boasting a conducive ecosystem for business growth and development. The city’s strategic location, with proximity to major markets and transportation routes, has positioned it as an attractive destination for industries across various sectors. Additionally, Belagavi benefits from a skilled workforce, supported by educational institutions and vocational training centers in the region, ensuring a steady supply of talent for industries.
One significant contributor to the growth of small-scale industries in Belagavi is Laghu Udyog Bharti (LUB). LUB is a national organization dedicated to the promotion and development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Over the years, LUB has played a vital role in advocating for the interests of MSMEs, providing them with essential support, guidance, and representation at various levels. LUB has been instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by MSMEs, including policy advocacy, access to finance, technology adoption, skill development, and market access.
Through its initiatives and interventions, LUB has facilitated the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in Belagavi and beyond. By organizing workshops, seminars, and training programs, LUB has enhanced the capacity and competitiveness of MSMEs, enabling them to thrive in a dynamic business environment. Moreover, LUB’s efforts in promoting entrepreneurship and fostering collaboration among MSMEs have contributed to the overall economic development of Belagavi and the empowerment of local communities. As a result, MSMEs in Belagavi have been able to harness their potential, create employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to the region’s industrial landscape.