Hind Rectifiers known as Hirect is a leading manufacturer of rectifier equipment and semi-conductor devices. It also manufacturers a wide range of products used for railways AC electric locomotives and AC electrical multiple units.The company has signed a technical collaboration agreement with Friem Italy to manufacture water-cooling rectifiers for electrochemical applications. Based on this technology it has received orders from Sterlite Industries Chemfab Chlorates and Sree Rayalaseema Alkalies and Chemicals. It has a technical collaboration agreement with Electric Research & Development Centre Kerala to manufacture transistorised PWM AC drives and with Powersem Germany for isopack bridges. Future plans include signing a new technical collaboration agreement with Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for transfer of technology for auxiliary converters which the railways will acquire from ABB after importing 30 locomotives from them.Hirect has its own R&D department recognised by the Department of Science & Technology Government of India. Based on in-house R&D efforts are being made to develop traction rectifiers for diesel locomotives and 5400-kVA loco transformers for railways. In its pursuit of the ISO-9002 certificate the National Productivity Council has been appointed to suggest improvements in procedures. During 1995-96 the company has successfully manufactured and suppliedHigh Current Water Cooled Rectifiers based on teechnology recieved from FRIEM S.P.A Italy. Isopack Bridges have also successfully been manufactured. During 1996-97 the company merged with Supreme Powertronics Private Ltd. The company received an order for a new 180 KVA converter for Rs.3 crores from Indian Railways during 1999-2000 which is being developed with the technical collaboration of Transtechnik of Germany.