Skipper Limited comes up with new manufacturing facility of PVC pipes

For the first time, setting its foot outside Eastern India, Skipper Limited’s new satellite plant will address the requirement of customer proximity of offering complete solution through superior brand of PVC pipes of international standards, claimed Skipper Ltd.

The company which is one of the prominent PVC pipe manufacturers in India, has entered Gujarat as its first step in its ambitious plan in water resources business.

Skipper, which has activated a host of socially responsible initiatives will also develop 'Skipper Saathi '– a centre of excellence to impart free training to farmers and plumbing community by training 2,000 semi-skilled or unskilled plumbers and 10,000 farming community members in Gujarat in the current year.

Through this initiative, the Company aims to contribute to the growing requirement of the value chain of trained manpower in quantity and quality on a sustained and evolving basis for the entire spectrum of Plumbing and Farming sector.

The PVC business of the Company is experiencing a phenomenal 100% growth and having captured a significant share in the Eastern market has completely outperformed industry growth of 8%, said Skipper.

Skipper is noted for its offering in value for money products category and large diverse vendor base creating a benchmark in one of the industry’s most superior quality products PVC pipes at cost effective levels.

This new plant entailed a CAPEX of approximately INR 10 crores and a total investment of approximately INR 50 crores including working capital and marketing expenditures. The investment has been made by Skipper’s group company Prakriti Steels Pvt. Ltd.     
        
Devesh Bansal, Director, Skipper Ltd. stated, “The Indian PVC pipes and fittings market is pegged to be at INR 20,000 Crore by FY 19, growing by 7 to 8% per annum. As a growing Company chiefly driven by innovation and cutting edge technology products, it is imperative that our objective is to reach out to as many customers in the Country with our value driven competitive propositions. Our national market expansion program has started with our first facility in Gujarat, with further facilities coming up in various parts of the country. As a responsible corporate citizen the Company will soon start 'Skipper Saathi' programme to inculcate an educational and vocational upliftment in the relevant trade communities in the State of Gujarat.”

Siddharth Bansal, Director, Skipper Ltd. stated, “With the starting capacity of over 10,000 MT in Ahmedabad, Skipper would immediately become one of the leading capacities in Gujarat. We will look to achieve at least 10% market share of the Gujarat market within the next three years. The company plans to scale up the current capacity to about 40,000MT over the next few years. Our new plant in Gujarat will have the latest pipe extrusion machineries with world class infrastructure. We will have almost about 80% automation in the plant, one of the highest in the industry. Our large diverse vendor base leads to cost-effective procurement and value for money.”

India is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers across sectors and thus the Government of India is championing the cause of skilled development programs and associated schemes.

"The Skipper Saathi initiative aims to form an integral component to the overall skill enhancement for semi-skilled and unskilled workforce who will stand to benefit in the long run to build their entrepreneurial career. The vocational training skills programme duration can range from 3 days to 30 days. Classes will be held at the factory site aided by efficient trainers for the plumbing community and Skipper will also visit numerous locations within the State to identify and create awareness amongst the farming community", confirmed sources at Skipper Ltd.