ASB Tubes Private Limited is only 10 years old in the tubes and pipes segment. Yet, continuous learning, upskilling, technology upgrading, and capacity expansion, have helped the company to increase its manufacturing capacities drastically to 15,000 TPA. In a recent conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Aniket Bhansali, Director of ASB Tubes, shares how the company’s journey has been, its current capacities, and future plans. He also shared that ASB Tubes is working on developing duplex stainless steel pipes, a rare grade of stainless steel pipes.
Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with its crucial milestones?
Aniket Bhansali: Although ASB Tubes Private Limited was established in 2013 with its manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad, Gujarat; we have been a part of the stainless steel industry for 30 years, and we have an experience of 10 years in the tubes and pipes segment.
When we first established ASB Tubes, we had only 2 machines and we manufactured 30 tonnes of output. Over the years we continuously expanded our knowledge and upskilled ourselves, and kept investing in new and faster machines and technology. As a result, we have successfully raised our production capacity to 15,000 TPA, and offer a far more diverse and higher quality of stainless steel tubes and pipes solutions.
TPI: Can you give details about the machines installed at your facility and your manufacturing capabilities?
AB: Currently, we employ 34 tig mills, and manufacture an average of over 1200 TPM. This production capacity places us among the top 10 ERW welded pipe manufacturers in India. We have procured our machines from India and from other countries, like China and Taiwan, but they are all based on European design.
We manufacture varying grades of 200, 300, and 400 series stainless steel ERW tubes and pipes.
TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio along with its key strengths and applications.
AB: We offer stainless steel tubes, pipes, strips and coils, and rods, in various grades and dimensions. Our portfolio includes ERW pipes and tubes segment which is like welded pipes and tubes. We are producing very small sizes of pipes and tubes, which only a few manufacturers in India have capacities for.
Our products are actively employed in fabrication plants, sugar mills, the oil and gas industry, the chemical industry, dairy, food and beverage processing plants, water treatment plants, furniture market for decorations, hospitals, railways, etc.
TPI: What is your technology and business roadmap?
AB: Technology is a crucial part of our plant, and we have our own testing facility. We test our own products for quality, application, perseverance, and other factors that determine the longevity of our products. We focus on consistent R&D and in-house development of better grades of products.
As for the business aspect, we focus on big industry players, who deal in huge quantities. We supply directly to OEMs, big companies, and industries. We have a vast network of traders and distributors, who help us communicate our offers and product portfolio to the best companies in India, as well as abroad. We also have a dedicated export team, which ensures our products are according to applicable regulations. We are slowly upgrading our capacities to cater to our international customers as well.
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TPI: What is your opinion on the current state of the industry? How do you see the market evolving?
AB: Stainless steel is enjoying a preference over carbon steel and aluminum products. It is because it offers higher strength and quality, and caters to the concerns of the modern generation. The end product is much better and has a longer life as stainless steel does not rust owing to its high nickel content alloys. The emerging market and new projects are favorable for the metal, and hence us.
Automation is another aspect that has eventually integrated itself into the industry. However, manpower is irreplaceable, especially in India due to easy availability at cheaper prices. Moreover, in our industry, a manual overview is necessary to ensure desired results and quality maintenance. As a result, we see that our industry is semi-automated, and is making the most out of both technology and human resource.
Going forward we see various new trends, grades, and products emerge which would provide more sustainable solutions, like Green Steel. I think in the future, solar is a good option for us because solar power is the upcoming technology, saving your costs too.
TPI: What are the recent developments at your end and what will be the future plans?
AB: We are working on a new grade of pipes called duplex stainless steel pipes, however, it is still in the R&D stage. Duplex stainless steel is a better and rare grade of metal and is superior to presently available solutions. Once successful, the one-of-a-kind grade will definitely help us widen our client base and market footprint.
Presently, we have a mind to keep focusing on stainless steel products in our tubes and pipes segment.
