Text: Anusha B
Subros Auto Air conditioning Systems, manufacturer of thermal products for automotive applications claims that it is the only integrated manufacturing unit in India for auto air conditioning systems whose products could be designed, evaluated and tested on all grounds indigenously. This positions them unique amongst fellow combatants. Subros in collaboration with Japan based Denso corporation, a global leader in thermal products, manufactures air conditioning systems for auto vehicles inputting the machines with latest technological gadgets.
Condenser
Speaking to Auto Components India, on the innovation and technology revamping in the air conditioning system Pawan Sabharwal, Director, Marketing said that, “Technical adherence is mandate on each component as we do not have all the components lose its market value in one shot. We have now compressors sitting in the hood occupies less space. As a company we are now working on 2 principles like reducing the size of the machine and reducing the weight of the machine by means of which we would be able to place ourselves in the league of light weighting initiators in auto segment. In addition to compressors, we have achieved weight reduction and size shrink in evaporators which act on the cooling coil. By means of all these we would be able to reduce the noise level of the ac systems and in turn the vibration of the system goes down.”
HVAC
As light weight achievement is mentioned else where in the story, it is an obvious clue that the company has contributed its portion towards increasing fuel efficiency through the consumption of less power by the machine. Speaking on the eco friendliness Sabharwal pointed that, “Refrigerant is the major substance or mixture which contributes for eco friendly environment. Choice of refrigerant varies across countries and unfortunately we do not have control over that. In India last change in refrigerant has happened in 2002 and another replacement is likely to happen soon.”
Compressors
Subros manufactures compressors, condensers, heat exchangers and all other elements required to close the loop of AC. The company is catering to all vehicle segments like passenger cars, buses, trucks, refrigeration transports, off-road cruises and railway engines. The company caters only to railway engine cabins powered by diesel. The company is contemplating on air conditioning railway coaches and the truck markets and expecting those vehicles will soon be fitted with Subros air conditioning systems. To highlight, prototypes are in place for truck segments. “Indian auto industry starts to bounce back from its lean period. Though we would not be able to expect a double digit growth instantly, the growth curve will at least scale up to 6-7%. As the market experiences oasis now, we would definitely capitalise on the same,” underlines Sabharwal.
Subros has manufacturing plants in Noida, Manesar, Pune, Sanand and Chennai. The company has ventured out in Chennai very recently 3 years before and has commenced its operations in order to gear up in the south market. As of now the company is outputting 1.5 million AC kits per year and with the recent capacity in Chennai, it has plans of outputting 2 million AC kits per year 3 years down the line. All the tool and fixture needs are served in house with the use of special purpose CNC machines. The special purpose machines are imported from Japan, Korea and Thailand based on the requisites.
Bus AC roof unit
The company has its products carrying the best brand image in the world. To act on the promises and to safeguard the reliability as a partner who delivers efficient and effective range of thermal management systems, the company takes care of the complete operations. “Starting from simulation of heat load computations till the delivery of machines, we are taking care. The machines are tested and validated under simulated climatic conditions and the inputs are measured and checked for its accuracy against calibrations,” said Sabharwal. The company uses CAD, CATIA software for design generation and claim that the possible issues could very well be captured and fixed prior to investing in tools and equipments. Further more the company is constantly involved in VAVE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering) activities for product cost optimisation and design changes.
The company caters to clients like Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Mahindra, Renault Nissan and Daimler. It also has initiated prototyping for Ahsok Leyland and Tata Motors for their truck segments. Subros air conditioning machines carries with it, the warranty at par with the vehicle warranty. For a system to get delivered the process takes 1.5 years and all OEMs will address its requirement well in advance to them. The company is not getting involved in export business rather the same is handled by its technical partner Denso. With lots of recovery signs in the auto industry, it hopes to realise its 2 million AC kits per year soon.
