UCAL Fuel System Limited – Innovation in automotive components since 1959
UCAL Fuel System Limited offers a comprehensive range of Systems, Mechatronic components and Electronics for the Automotive sector. UCAL is committed to produce the best the industry needs.; With its expertise in automotive components, UCAL has been providing customers with end – to – end solutions from product designing to analysis, prototyping, testing and validation services to bolster its impressive manufacturing capabilities.
Best known for its carburetors, the company also manufactures pumps, emission control systems and various electronics components for the world’s best known Automotive and Aerospace giants. From high pressure die casting to surface mounting PCBs, UCAL is driven by technology.
“Advanced technology is at the forefront in our thought processes; our endeavor is to offer new and better solutions, every time we deliver.” adds, Dr V. Krishnamurthy- Chairman Emeritus of UCAL
The Inside Story
Started in Chennai in 1959, UCAL is a pillar of the Indian Automotive Components Industry. UCAL Fuel Systems is the largest part of the family group, started in 1985 as a joint venture with Mikuni of Japan, to manufacture high quality carburetors at Indian cost, catering to the booming 2w/4w market demand.
With leadership and senior managers having been with the company for decades, UCAL has a uniquely experienced team. Newcomers to the industry working at UCAL consider themselves very lucky as they get a chance to benefit from great mentors, from India’s first Superstar CEO – Dr V. Krishnamurthy, to Dr N. Ravichandran with over 50 years manufacturing and quality process experience, or ex-NASA Dr MK. Padmanabhan leading the Aerospace division, or even legendary racer Bullet Bose, to name just a few.
The Chairman Emeritus, Dr V. Krishnamurthy steers,
“UCAL is a perfect blend of People, Processes and Products. We always focus first on the people, and so our Processes and Products reap the rewards. We put an emphasis on knowledge and personal development, and we benefit from unparalleled expertise and employee retention, from our CTO and COO each serving over 25 years, to machine operators, where the average longevity is around 12 years. We were one of the very first Indian companies to train and employ women in manufacturing, and the first to send assembly line employees abroad for training.”
UCAL diversified into other fuel systems, pumps & valves, vehicle electronics, and recently into EV Drive systems, and now serving over 35 Automotive and Aerospace OEM customers worldwide. The company has one of the most advanced R & D centers in the industry. The R&D center, named, KRISHNAMURTHY CENTRE FOR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY (KCAT) located in Ambattur, Chennai is recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India.
UCAL builds deep ties with their customers, suppliers, vendors, technology start-ups and academic institutions to provide a symbiotic business ecosystem. However, the CEO, Syed Hadi, believes that the real satisfaction comes from providing and helping others in society, through education programs and cultural heritage preservation.
“Being an integral part of society, UCAL believes that its responsibility is to make a positive impact on the quality of people of the society. We undertake regular initiatives and outreach programmes, in support of various causes, such as women’ upliftment, visually challenged, poor children’s education and many more. UCAL’s corporate philosophy has always been that the interest of all the stakeholders is paramount. UCAL endeavors to be a force for good.”
Turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable form
The central government has mandated that vehicle makers must manufacture, sell and register only BS-VI (BS6) vehicles from April 1, 2020. The onset of BS-VI emission norms in April 2020 will witness a major transition by the Indian automotive industry. But this was a major challenge for the manufacturing industries. CTO B. Srinivasan offers:
“In response to the BSVI emissions norms, we realized that many smaller engines would need to be redesigned around electronic fuel injection – meaning huge development cost, increased component costs, and higher maintenance costs – all passed on to the end customer, in a very price sensitive market. Thinking differently, we worked closely in development with Bajaj on our unique e-Carb System ™ – implementing a closed-loop system including an electronic carburetor with an ECU. As a result, the vehicle beat out the competition and has sold over 2 million units in 2 years.”
UCAL has a brilliant staff of researchers. Their research and innovation allow them to stay ahead of new technologies in the market, while Joint Development and strategic partnership approach with their customers means that they begin work on customer’s new component needs at the earliest stage of vehicle design. Finally on the manufacturing side, the team has a high level of vertical process integration with most processes in house, ensuring an excellent quality and cost package for the customer.
UCAL has achieved several milestones right from its inception in 1985. UCAL has since become a preferred supplier for some of the top OEMs such as Maruti Udyog, Hyundai, Cummins, Bosch, General Motors, TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, Suzuki, Yamaha, Hero Honda Motors, etc.
Founder’s Note
“Many automotive suppliers face an existential danger from electrification. We responded quickly and intelligently by partnering with one of our electronics suppliers, which allowed us to integrate electronics design and manufacture into our abilities Since then, we’ve designed and tested our own electric vehicle drive system as well as EV-specific mechatronic components.
India’s journey toward carbon-free mobility is still in its infancy.
Companies will need to maintain a close watch on a quickly changing market and new technology, as well as remain adaptable in their business models, until the industry settles on the best solutions. We intend to keep working closely with our customers on a strategic level. Remember that mutual benefit always leads to success.”
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