As India’s infrastructure, renewable energy, and industrial sectors undergo unprecedented expansion, the demand for high-quality steel tubes and pipes is set to rise dramatically. In an exclusive conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Rajkumar Agarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Mahalakshmi Profiles Pvt. Ltd. (MPL), outlines the company’s ambitious path to scale its production capacity from 200,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) to 1 million TPA by 2030. He shares key strategic initiatives surrounding sustainability, green steel, and AI-driven smart manufacturing, while offering expert perspectives on domestic growth drivers, import challenges, and MPL’s active engagement at the Tube & Pipe Fair Hyderabad.

Tube & Pipe India: Please briefly introduce your company’s tube and pipe product portfolio, key end-use sectors, and current manufacturing scale.

Rajkumar Agarwal: Mahalakshmi Profiles Pvt. Ltd. is a premier manufacturer of high-quality MS-ERW pipes and tubes. Our extensive product portfolio features over 450 SKUs, supporting more than 4,500 applications across diverse industrial landscapes. Our products are widely deployed in structural infrastructure, pre-engineered buildings (PEB), heavy industrial facilities, and high-precision engineering applications where strength, durability, and reliability are paramount.

Beyond manufacturing excellence, our focus remains firmly on product consistency, dependable delivery schedules, and nurturing long-term customer relationships through a robust nationwide distributor network. We currently operate at an installed capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum, supported by a strategic roadmap to achieve 1 million tonnes per annum by 2030. This rapid scaling directly supports the Government of India’s vision of achieving 300 million tonnes of annual domestic steel production.

TPI: Could you highlight the recent developments, sustainability initiatives, and strategic projects MPL has undertaken in the tube and pipe segment?

RA: Sustainability is no longer optional; it is central to the steel industry’s future, and at MPL, we are actively driving green steel initiatives. A cornerstone of our strategy is achieving complete energy self-sufficiency. We are committed to powering 100 percent of our operations through internal generation, which includes setting up a 25 MW captive power facility by 2029. These measures will significantly elevate operational efficiencies while drastically reducing our environmental footprint.

TPI: What is currently the primary headwind or challenge facing the domestic tube and pipe industry?

RA: The steel sector is inherently cyclical, with market volatility and price fluctuations serving as constant realities. Currently, one of the most pressing challenges is the influx of low-cost international imports, which places immense price pressure on domestic manufacturers. Fortunately, protective import duty measures implemented by the Government of India have provided vital relief, helping safeguard local industry competitiveness and stabilize domestic market dynamics.

TPI: In this era of digital transformation, how critical are AI and automation to your long-term growth? Where have you seen the most measurable gains?

RA: Automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization are vital catalysts powering our growth trajectory. We are embedding AI-driven production planning, advanced demand forecasting, and integrated digital quality management systems into our core manufacturing operations. This technology framework enables us to:

• Maximize Manufacturing Efficiency: Streamlining production throughput across facility lines.
• Reduce Plant Downtime: Leveraging predictive analytics for proactive machinery maintenance.
• Optimize Inventory: Balancing stock levels dynamically to eliminate waste and optimize working capital.
• Maintain Global Quality Standards: Ensuring every unit produced consistently passes stringent quality metrics.

Ultimately, these digital investments drive faster operational decision-making, exceptional product reliability, and enhanced customer service.

TPI: Looking ahead over the next 3 to 5 years, where do you anticipate the strongest growth drivers for the industry?

RA: India’s core steel and infrastructure ecosystems are positioned for accelerated, long-term expansion. National steel production, currently around 165–170 million tonnes, is firmly targeted to reach 300 million tonnes. This multi-year momentum will be fueled by sustained capital expenditure and investments across key infrastructure pillars:

• Logistics & Multimodal Infrastructure: Expanding transport hubs and freight corridors.
• Modern Warehousing Facilities: Supporting rapid e-commerce and industrial storage demand.
• Renewable Energy Infrastructure: Powering solar and wind power structural frameworks.

These sectors will generate structural, high-volume demand for premium tubes and pipes, opening tremendous growth opportunities for manufacturers ready to scale.

Also Read: Tube & Pipe India Emagazine Jul-Sep Issue 2026

TPI: Finally, what were your key takeaways from the Tube & Pipe Fair Hyderabad, and how do you view the future of industry platforms in India?

RA: The Tube & Pipe Fair Hyderabad served as an outstanding platform to connect directly with distributors, EPC contractors, project consultants, and key industry stakeholders. The event gave us a valuable venue to demonstrate our expanding capabilities, deepen long-standing relationships, and unlock new commercial partnerships.

Platforms like this are essential for building ecosystem cohesion and fostering growth. To further unify the sector, I strongly advocate for expanding the fair’s footprint across key industrial regions like Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai—establishing it as the premier platform for India’s tube and pipe industry.

Anchored by a strong foundation of 200,000 TPA, our roadmap to 1 million TPA by 2030 represents a transformative 5x expansion—actively accelerating India’s journey toward its landmark 300-million-tonne national steel vision.