Braithwaite & Co Ltd aims at overseas orders

After witnessing significant growth following the railway take over last year, wagon manufacturing unit Braithwaite & Co Ltd (BCL) is now aiming at overseas orders from countries South Africa, Bangaldesh and Srilanka.

“We are looking ahead for overseas order from countries like South Africa, Bangladesh and Srilanka. We are focusing on South Africa as a priority market and expecting order soon,” said Sunil Kumar Rishi, managing director of the company.

Braithwaite, which was established in 1913 as the Indian subsidiary of Braithwaite & Co. Engineers Limited (UK) for undertaking fabrication of structural steel works, was incorporated as a fully owned Govt. of India undertaking in 1976. The company turned sick in 1992 but things began changing for the better from 2004. The Ministry of Railway took over the PSU on August last year.

 

“We are getting consistent support from Railways. Apart from reciving orders from on nomination basis we it has given a moral support to us. We have produced 1059 wagons in 2010-11. We can produce 1400 wagons in current fiscal,” Rishi said. Net profit of the company increased to Rs 6.18 crore during 2010-11 from Rs 1.75 crore in the previous fiscal.

Apart from wagon manufacturing, BCL is also constructing two river bridges over Ganges – one at Patna and another between Bandel and Naihat in west Bengal.

The company has set a goal for itself to produce around 3000 wagons about 2016-17. “We are a schedule B company now, We aim to become a schedule A company by 2014-15 and in another two years from then we hope to achieve mini ratna status,” Rishi said.Speaking on working cpaital which initially seemede to be a hindrance to the company's growth, he added, “Even a years back banks were not ready to give loan to us. But, things have changed now. Moreover, railways advance payments time to time for their orders.”