SLTL a pioneer in the field of lasers in India, catering to the need of various industries like cutting, marking, welding, micro machining, solar cell scribing/cutting aims to spend 10 per cent of its revenues on R&D.
Gujarat-based Sahajanand Laser Technology (SLTL), a pioneer in the field of lasers in India, catering to the need of various industries like cutting, marking, welding, micro machining, solar cell scribing/cutting aims to spend 10 per cent of its revenues on R&D, a top executive said.
Talking to Deccan Herald on the sidelines of IMTEX Forming 2016, Sahajanand Laser Technology Executive Director Maulik Patel said, “With over 21 patents in laser technology, SLTL is a very innovative company. One of the biggest innovations we did around was to manufacture fiber laser cutting machines.”
Patel explained, “The world was not aware of what fiber laser, the sheet metal can be processed or cut. We are the ones who were trying to make solutions for it. We developed it in India, and SLTL holds the patent right of fiber laser cutting application. We have wide range of solutions ranging from very low 500 watts to 6 kW.” The company saw a turnover of Rs 150 crore, last financial year, and aims to reach Rs 180-200 crore for the current financial year.
Patel said, “In terms of product development, we are carrying out a lot of fundamental R&D, for which, we are spending 10 per cent of our total revenues on R&D. The Indian government has supported and encouraged us to gain patent rights.”
SLTL also offers specialised solutions for diamond processing and scanning, jewellery marking, auto component, plastic, aerospace and defence, among others.
SLTL, which embarked on its journey in 1992, has six production units with an installed capacity of over 7,000 machines, globally. It employs over 500 staff.
The company aims to set up new unit in homebase, Gandhinagar related to laser products, with an investment of Rs 40 crore. The facility will be completed by 2017 and will hire 100 more staff.
On current capacity, Patel said, “We divide ouselves into two segments — less than 150 watts and greater than 150 watts. The low power range capacity of manufacturing machines is around 3,000 laser systems per year.”
Patel added, “About higher the capacity is 150 machines per year. With the new facility, we will enhance the production capacity of 150 machines to 160-250, and the low power, from 3,000 to 5,000 laser systems.”
Patel claimed that the SLTL has over 70 per cent market share in India in terms of the laser industry, while the Middle East is the biggest export market for SLTL, along with Thailand, China, the US and Canada among others.
Source – https://www.deccanherald.com/content/525337/sahajanand-laser-spend-10-revenues.html
