Carborundum Universal Ltd. (CUMI) : History
Carborundum Universal Ltd. (CUMI) : History
Carborundum Universal Ltd. (CUMI) : History
(CUMI)
Carborundum Universal Ltd. (CUMI) is an industrial ceramic material-based product and service provider. The Company operates through three business segments: Abrasives, Ceramics and Electrominerals. Abrasive segment comprises of bonded, coated, processed cloth, polymers, power tools and coolants. Ceramics comprises of super refractories, industrial ceramics, anticorrosives and bioceramics. Electrominerals include the abrasive/refractory grains and the captive power generation from hydel power plant.
History
Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) was founded in 1954 as a tripartite collaboration between the Murugappa Group, Carborundum Inc, USA, and the Universal Grinding Wheel Co Ltd, UK. CUMI pioneered the manufacture of coated and bonded abrasives in India, besides super refractories, electro minerals, industrial ceramics and ceramic fibres. In sync with the global vision, CUMI is expanding its product spread. The Company makes over 20,000 varieties of products manufactured at 25 locations across India, Russia, South Africa, Australia, China, Thailand and Canada. CUMI exports its products to 43 countries spread across the globe. All the manufacturing facilities of CUMI are ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001: 2004 certified for quality standards and environment-friendly manufacturing practices.
The company started construction of the first phase of the new 10,000 tonnes silicon carbide microgrits plant, at Cochin SEZ, which would enable CUMI to cater to the burgeoning demand for speciality grains for the photovoltaic industry, and help leverage its position as the second largest producer of silicon carbide in the world.
3. Cost Control
For CUMI, controlling cost is necessary only in periods of recession but it is considered as a discipline and a work culture. CUMI's largest division, Abrasives, demonstrates a fiscal discipline and innovative cost management that has been the focal point of profit sustainability. Here small teams across the division work continuously to mitigate loss, reduce cost or control breakages, thereby increasing product and process efficiencies. These initiatives help to lessen the impact of the cost push in fuel and raw materials. This model of prudent fiscal management was institutionalized across the company as part of the best practices, aiming at elimination of non-value adding activities. CUMI also has manufacturing practices like Lean and Six Sigma in place to improve its cost competitiveness.
4. Capacity Expansion
CUMI has been following capacity augmentation strategy for a long time which has helped company to cater to the ever increasing market needs. Last year, a modern, 2,400 tonnes fired refractories plant at Katpadi Taluk, Tamilnadu was established.
Spread over an area of 22 acres, this automated plant with advanced process controls and batching systems, is designed to reduce cycle time, improve productivity and ensure zero defect products. Built to international quality standards, this world class facility is the first in India and among the very few worldwide, to have batch kilns, with firing capabilities at 18000C for refractory manufacture. The plant manufactures a wide range of highly specialised refractories such as High Alumina, Mullite, High Temperature Insulation products, for various industries such as Ceramics, Glass, Iron & Steel, Non Ferrous and Chemical Process industries. Over past 8 years, other expansion plans include Automated thin wheel facility at Hosur and Chennai, Modern silicon carbide micro grit plant in Koratty, Modern polymer manufacturing facility near Chennai and World Class facility for wear resistant liner tiles in Hosur. Capital investment of over Rs 4 billion has been made for modernization as well as expansion of existing manufacturing facilities.
5. Retaining Employees
CUMIs believes We retain our people because we believe they are our greatest assets. CUMI continues to invest in its people, imparting skills and training them for seamless integration into job roles that define a global work culture. Strategic workshops are being conducted to align and energize the top management and 'lead to grow' initiatives nurtured new incumbents, instilling institutional integration. Across the Company, mentoring programs engage senior management in transition skills and fast track programmes in leadership to create a talent pipeline. Companywide role specific programmes are held to train employees across locations, to face the challenges of a changing economic order and market dynamics. The Company won the 'Employer Branding Award' instituted by the World HR Congress in 5 categories: Training and Development, Managing Health in Work place, Innovation in Recruitment, HR Strategy in line with Business and Talent Management. CUMI reiterates its commitment to its workforce by its employee responsive policies. The focus is to build people capability and synergies in skills that are required for a Corporation aspiring to become global.