PULLEYS AND COUPLINGS

Pulleys and Couplings are a pre-requisite for most mechanical operations. There are varieties of pulleys like the Taper Lock Pulley, Timing Pulley and Network Pulley. Paper Lock Pulley, which has the maximum demand, ranges from 80 metres to 2 metres, having different sections like A, B, C, D, E (Classical sections), SPZ, SPV and SPE (Space Saver Bed sections).

Couplings on the other hand, are mainly used for pump applications. The size of the couplings depends on the application. In the case of cement plants and stone crushing plants, gear couplings are preferred.

B. Joseph Clement, one of the four partners of Best Pulleys and Couplings (P) Ltd., dealers in Pulleys and Couplings in Chennai, spoke to www.chennaibest.com on this industry in Chennai.

Pulleys are used mostly in manufacturing industries. The major application of pulleys is for manufacturing blowers. Whereas, couplings are used for pump applications, like those in fertilizer, cement and stone crushing plants.

Growth is very poor. This is because no new industry has come up in Chennai recently, except for Ford and Hyundai. The main reason is that the whole country is undergoing a recession period and added to it, Government policies are disappointing. The situation has been dismal for the last three or four years. For instance, in Ambattur Industrial Estate, many companies have closed their operations because there are no orders. Moreover, the market has become a buyers market. Companies don't maintain inventory. They make only telephonic enquiries and take the required products only when there is a dire need. They also frequently change their suppliers, depending on their requirements. This is not a healthy trend.

There will be growth only if new companies are set up. This will not happen unless the Government changes its policies.

There is no specific break-up of demand. If adequate stocks are available orders are immediately processed. Otherwise, we request some time from the customers; say one week to 10 days, for manufacturing the products according to their specifications.

Yes. Due to the hike, the price of raw materials increased. We cannot increase the price of finished products all of us sudden. As a result we are getting a very low margin of profit. The only option we have is to reduce our profit margin.

We manufacture pulleys and couplings to international standards. We have some standard specifications as mentioned in UK catalogues for manufacturing the products. For instance, with regard to couplings we maintain a standard of Grade 20. If customers require cast iron Grade 25 couplings, we manufacture according to their requirements. It just requires some changes in the chemical composition.

My major customers are Madras Fertilizer, Indian Oil Corporation, Indian Organic, SPIC Organic, Manali Petrochemical and Tamil Nadu Petrochemical. We also regularly supply conveyor belts, timing belts, couplings and pulleys to Hyundai.

In the field of mechanical power transmission our major competitor is Fenner (Hyderabad-based company). Otherwise, we are a monopoly in Chennai. We are the only company in Chennai who manufacture Taper Lock Pulley of all ranges and sections, apart from Fenner. That is why we are the major player who cater to all the industries in the four Southern States. This is possible because of our strong tie-up with our principal company, based in Hyderabad.

Address: Best Pulleys and Couplings (P) Ltd., # 93, S.M.Plaza,
Armenian Street, Chennai 600 001.
Phone: 526 1540, Fax: 521 0598.

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