SCRIPTING SUCCESS STORY

By establishing new corporate benchmarks, Haridwar's very own Navratna BHEL is on its way to gain Maharatna status....

P.S. Chauhan

The BHEL plant of Haridwar, one of the leading units of the Navratna company among the public sector undertakings, has changed the skyline of Haridwar from a small religious town into a modern industrial centre. Since its inception 35 years ago, it has been scripting success story, by establishing new benchmarks in its turnover, profits, exports, work culture and social commitments.

Enumerating the achievements of the Heavy Electricals Equipments Plant (HEEP), the major unit of the BHEL, Haridwar, during the financial year 2009-10, the executive director of the unit, D.K. Mody, said that the unit achieved the highest ever turnover of Rs. 3218 crores during this year, which marked an increase of 12% over that of the preceding year. The unit's profit before tax rose to Rs. 535 crores, which registered an impressive increase of 18% over that of the previous year. "The Central Foundary Forge Plant (CFFP), the second unit of the BHEL, Haridwar, which caters to the requirements of castings and forgings, crossed Rs. 303 crores mark in turnover during this fiscal," said Arun Singhal, the general manager in-charge of the CFFP. The BHEL is now targeting to increase its annual manufacturing capacity to 13,020 MW by 2012 by an estimated investment of Rs1,000 crores on expansion and upgradation of its technology. On account of the quality of its equipments and of its after sales service, the BHEL has consolidated its position in the international market, pushing back even China.

The Pollution Control Research Institute (PCRI) of the BHEL is contributing in the area of pollution control and environmental studies in the country in a big way. Currently, the PCRI is engaged in assessing the pollution levels in the Ganga during the on-going Kumbh at Haridwar.

Fulfilling its responsibility as corporate citizen, the BHEL, Haridwar is rendering yeoman's services in providing education and health care in the adjoining villages and the Ladies Club of the plant has substantially contributed to women empowerment in the locality. A great feather in the cap of this world class company is the accolades winning spree of its employees, which testifies to the excellent work culture in the plant. Last year four of its employees won the coveted Prime Minister's Shram Awards. So far, 25 employees of the plant have won Prime Minister's Shram Awards, while 158 have been honoured with the prestigious Vishwakarma Awards, the highest number among all the public sector undertakings in the country. With this excellent track record, the plant is now eyeing the Maharatna status among the public sector undertakings and is also targeting the Demming Award, the world's highest award for quality excellence.