The learning curve is mandatory in any progressive journey and Viraj's experience has not been any different. "I've tried many small experiments of changing habits and processes and each experiment reveals what ticks with people and what doesn't. I've also made more effort in receiving feedback from various sources to validate my ideas and getting new ideas from others. It's been a humbling experience wherein I've learned the importance of empathy and involving multiple teams with a new initiative and not trying to steam-roll it single handedly."

The last year was quite good for Kalyani Forge in terms of building on its customer satisfaction and making major interventions in its working culture. "Many of our customers have given positive and encouraging feedback on this front. We developed a number of new products thus expanding our offerings of forged and machined products for various engineering and automotive applications. We grew our topline by over 20 percent while also making substantial upgrades at our facilities. We also started creating a positive cash reserve for upcoming investments," Viraj shares.

The Company's last FY turnover was around Rs240 crore. "For the current FY, we are expecting good growth along with increased value addition. Five years is a long period to plan with certainty, but we are aiming for a growth over current levels of 4 to 5 times up to 2020," he adds.

Thanks to the transformation drive undertaken by Viraj, Kalyani Forge's plants are going through some facility upgrades as well as technological upgrades which are visible on the shop-floor. "We have a new machining shed which is getting booked with lines for new customer orders. We are in the process of commissioning two additional press lines this year thus building capacity for higher weight products," says Viraj.

Viraj feels that the Indian auto component sector should aim higher and look around the world for opportunities. "Quality must come first without compromise or cutting corners. The world still comes to India for cost advantages. But we should attract the world on the value of our products not just the price tag," he emphasizes.

Viraj believes that Kalyani Forge is on its way to becoming a strong engineering and design company, making the best high strength products. "The company is getting a vote of confidence from many marquees and leading OEMs around the world. I would like Kalyani Forge to be a benchmark organisation on customer centricity, employee engagement and technological leadership," he states.

END