The Indian operations of Eberspaecher Suetrak Bus Climate Control Systems are set to become a global hub for mid-size bus air-conditioners.Eberspaecher Suetrak Bus Climate Control Systems (India) has launched the AC 505 air-conditioning unit for mid-size buses. The company is in fact, set to become a global hub for this air conditioning unit. Finding its way into the bus and coach air-conditioning business with the acquisition of Suetrak from Carrier, Eberspaecher until now was manufacturing air-conditioners for mid-size buses at its facility in Germany. The commencement of the manufacture of AC 505 in India marks a major milestone for the company. “India will be the global hub, for the production of AC 505 which commenced last (April 2015) month,” said K P Singh, Director – India. “Orders for the supply of this air-conditioner to Eberspaecher dealers in Australia and the Middle East have been already received,” he added. Until now Eberspaecher (India) was offering the AC 310 air-conditioner for mid-size buses in India. Over 400 units of the AC 310 model have been sold till date. The AC 505, over the AC 310, explained Singh, makes for a better fit, is easier to mount, service and has 70 to 85 per cent local content. Equipped with MCHX condenser technology, the AC 505 is more efficient, light weight and requires less amount of refrigerant. Singh would like the AC 310 to be replaced by the AC 505. However, AC 310 and AC 505 will co-exist for sometime to come. Supplying fully-built bus ACs to OEMs like Tata Motors, SML-Isuzu and Eicher, Eberspaecher acquired the Bangalore manufacturing facility as a part of its acquisition of the Carrier Corporation’s Suetrak business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The acquisition marked Eberspaecher’s entry into the bus and coach air conditioning business in 2010.

Sutrak Transportkalte GmbH with its headquarter at Renningen, Germany was earlier acquired by the Carrier Transicold division of US-based Carrier Corporation (a United Technologies Company) in 1996. Traditionally, Eberspaecher Group is known for its specialisation in the manufacture and supply of exhaust system components and technology. Sans a bus air-conditioning facility in China, the Indian operations have much to look forward to with the mandate for AC 505. Said Singh, “Operations in India are stabilising. We did 1,500 units last year. Of these exports amounted to 10 per cent.” The Indian company exported ACs to Australia and China last year. Exports to the Middle East will commence shortly. “We see a lot of opportunity in China since the local (Chinese) manufacturers are on the look out,” mentioned Singh. “Buying from India is cheaper than buying from Europe,” he added. Of strategic importance, the Bangalore facility has a planned capacity of between 2,500 to 3,000 units. It is a flexible set-up according to Singh and is running a single shift currently. It is also clear, that the Indian operations of Eberspaecher are set for the long run.

A Rs. 50 crore company according to Singh, the Indian operations have been catering to the needs of premium bus and coach makers like Volvo and Scania. The company supplied over 2,500 units of the AC 353 for large buses. Supplying Scania when they were making buses in Malaysia, Eberspaecher (India) has started supplying to Scania’ Bangalore plant after the CV major commenced its local production of buses. More than 100 Scania coaches have been fitted with Eberspaecher ACs until now, remarked Singh. If this is reason enough for Eberspeacher to expect a good year ahead, emphasis is on providing cutting edge technology in its products. All its air-conditioners come with micro channel heat exchangers. Use of micro channel heat exchangers result in improved heat transfer and thermal performance, higher coil and overall unit efficiency, higher maximum ambient cut-off, and reduction in refrigerant charge. Micro channel heat exchangers, according to Singh are compact and have a smaller coil size. They are lighter and are more robust. This results in enhanced reliability, and an ability to resist corrosion more effectively. While the AC 310 and AC 505 employ a Valeo compressor, the AC 353 is powered by a Bock compressor sourced from its Indian subsidiary.

 

Of the opinion that the Indian bus market is cyclic, Singh expressed that the CAGR growth has been between 8 and 10 per cent in the last five years. “It should have been 15 per cent,” he opined. He is hopeful that it will reach the 15 per cent growth rate soon. Singh said that he expects the next year to be better. “Construction of more roads will lead to a demand for more buses.” Singh underscored that his company would continue to focus on bus air-conditioners, with a firm expectation that the market should grow. Well aware that more players are entering the bus AC market, Singh remarked, “We will be looking at the off-road (off-highway) market in the future.”