1.How has this year been for HPL? What are the differences that you see in the market in pre & post lockdown period?

 

It has been very challenging year for the entire economy, despite this, we managed to show considerable resilience and have bagged many new orders and fulfilled our existing orders. We recently we bagged an order of Rs 372 Cr for its switchgear, wires and other related accessories for low-cost housing projects in Andhra Pradesh. Our business has picked up considerably in the recent months and the company hopes for improved growth in the coming months. If we look at the overall industry scenario, the demand of electricity has been reduced undoubtedly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments were constrained to reduce the business activity in response to minimize the danger of coronavirus. This on-going situation due to COVID-19 has changed the lifestyle globally as people are mostly staying home and working from home if possible. Hence, there is a significant increase in residential load demand while there is a substantial decrease in commercial and industrial loads. This calamitous situation creates new challenges in the technical and financial activities of the power sector and hence most of the utilities around the world proposed a disaster management plan to tackle these ongoing challenges/threats. As of now many states are doing some relaxations in the guidelines in the lockdown period. This can somehow increase the commercial and industrial loads in power sector.

 

2. How is HPL playing a major role in ensuring safety of the consumers from electrical hazards? Can you share about HPLs’ products to address the situation?

 

HPL has been promoting and creating awareness on electrical safety through its vendor network and keeps customers and distributors aware on key safety features and aspects of all our products. All our products are certified with Indian and International standards conforming to highest safety standards. We educate our customers to buy only certified products and on good operation and maintenance practices that enhance safety and durability of electrical systems and products.  All our products have the highest safety standards and best in terms of technology, quality and design. An enhanced fire retardant property in insulation plays a major role in fire safety. Cables are insulated/jacketed by such blend of insulation which are more resistant to fire. We are offering cables with fire retardant PVC, fire retardant low smoke PVC, extremely low smoke and halogen free compound. We are developing FR-LSH (Flame Retardant Low Smoke Halogen) cables which is made up of Bare-annealed copper and unicolour FR-LSH PVC.

 

3.Is there any new addition in your products’ list for the wire & cable segment?

 

As one of the leading manufacturer of wires and cables in the country, our product portfolio already caters to all major segments in the wire and cable industry. At the same time, we are continuously exploring and innovating with new technology and materials to come out with new products in the wire and cable segment.

 

4.How are you exactly contributing to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission?

 

We are an Indian brand committed to ‘Make In India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat. With over 50 years experience in the Indian market, we understand the mood of the nation is to have a robust industrial and technological capacity, to be a resilient economy in view of the global uncertainties. We are not only designing and manufacturing electrical components and products at our manufacturing facilities, we also have elaborate R&D and testing facilities. We have recently set up R&D centre to conduct advanced research in developing solutions smart IOT technology and communication technology.

 

5.How is your export business shaping up?

 

In the recent years we have done exceptionally well in the export market and HPL has established itself in more than 35 countries in regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, UK and Indian Sub-continent. Our exports have substantially grown year on year and in the near future we are looking to further expand our footprints in the African, Middle East and Asian markets.