India

If total quality is the driver, then "leaner, meaner management" is the kicker as ESAB India continues to exceed 40 percent growth rates despite stagnation in the fabrication sector and a slowdown in infrastructure projects in India.

Since taking the helm in 1993, managing director Sanat Bhattacharyya has struggled to bring his company and its reputation up to speed as a global provider of top quality welding and cutting tools and services.

Despite being part of the UK-based ESAB Group, and the only company in the Indian welding field to hold ISO 9002 and 14001 certification, ESAB India under Bhattacharyya has found it hard at times to shake the local stigma of poor quality. Before real acceptance as a global player could be achieved, Bhattacharyya had to first sell India as a country before selling his quality products and services.
Sanat Bhattacharyya, managing director of ESAB

Visits from potential Japanese clients to examine the state-of-the-art equipment and production processes, plus prototype deliveries to the US, resulted in impressed businesspeople and signed contracts. ESAB now exports regularly to North America, Europe and parts of Asia including Japan.

After 25 years of rivalry, the company leads the Indian market in welding consumables having overtaken their leading competitor.

More than just a product supplier, ESAB India provides domestic welding and cutting solutions to clients and even competitors who send their customers to ESAB's welding institutes located in Kolkata and Chennai.

"If you are to develop your competence, you've got to invest money on R&D, and I think we have the best facilities in the industry," states Bhattacharyya.

The company takes great pride in timely customer service as technicians are stationed throughout the country to provide on-the-spot assistance. Highly skilled, low cost labor directly relates to their success in providing the international market with total quality products at less-than-global prices.

With the closure of ESAB's plant in Thailand in early 2002, Bhattacharyya now heads the worldwide hub for welding machines. And he feels confident about the future: "The moment the economy starts to show a positive swing -- hopefully by early next year -- ESAB India is ready to take full advantage."