Garware-Wall Ropes eyes defence biz

Pune-based Garware-Wall Ropes (GWRL), a leading player in the technical textile segment supplying products to agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, geo-textiles and defence industry, is eyeing Rs 100 crore revenues from the defence vertical alone in the next four to five years, a top executive said on Thursday.

“We have entered the defence sector recently (2013-14). We produce aerostats (hot-air balloons) and radomes (a structure protecting radar equipment) at our Wai (near Pune) plant. We aim to push the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and do our bit to reduce imports in the defence sector,” Garware-Wall Ropes President and Chief Operating Officer Shujaul Rehman said.

The defence forces use aerostats for air surveillance. The company has two manufacturing units at Wai and Pune in Maharashtra.

“We are collaborating with ADRDE (Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment), a wing of DRDO. It is a joint development in order to make the product indigenous. We are in the process of commercialising the products soon,” Rehman said.

Products imported in the technical textile space used for defence applications are around Rs 1,200 crore. From this pie, the company is targeting Rs 100 crore in the next four to five years, Rehman added.

Salmon aquaculture

GWRL is a global market leader in salmon aquaculture with presence in all key markets. The company aims to establish its presence in the critical market of South America, mainly in Chile.

Salmon is farmed in the colder environments of Europe and America. It is farmed at sea and covered from all sides through cages to ensure the fishes don’t escape into the water. Another layer of predator cover nets provided by GRWL keep away predators like sea lions and seals. GWRL is the leader in marine fishing in India with a market share of 70 per cent.