Story by: Anusha B
Anticipating demand on the back of emission regulations tightening up, GS Auto International is working towards manufacturing Adblue additive.
Ludhiana-based GS Auto International is working towards launching Adblue additive, which is used in the aftertreatment of an Euro 5 and Euro 6 emission compliant engine. Specialising in the manufacture of automotive suspension and fastening components, GS Auto International is anticipating the need for Adblue as automobiles move up the emission compliance ladder. According to the company sources, the new additive is an aqueous urea solution, which will find use in vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology. This liquid converts harmful NOx emissions from diesel vehicles to harmless nitrogen and reduces the intensity of the toxic emissions. A manfacturer of suspension and fastening products like U-bolts, centre bolts, pins, hub bolts, nuts, bushes, trailer-axle, trailer assembly and sub-assemblies, earthmoving and construction equipment parts, propeller shaft components and casting products, the move to manufacture Adblue is expected to present a significant diversification opportunity to the company.
Following international standards with the use of 5S and 3M concepts, GS Auto International has also ventured into the manufacture of clutch and brake lining. In fact, its been two years almost that the company has been manufacturing these products. While the Adblue business is likely to be timed with the move to Euro 5 emission regulation enforcement in India, the fastest growing business of the company as of current is castings. The company specialises in various kinds of suspension castings that weigh in the range of 500 gm to 28 kg. Wheel hub castings weigh upto 36 kgs. To keep up with the changing requirements of the clients, the company has invested in an R&D centre. The centre focuses on product development. It is with the support of the R&D centre, that the company is taking new strides. According to the company official, the amount of automation in the company is 30 per cent. The plants at Ludhiana and Jamshedpur have state of the art machines. The tools, jigs and fixtures are produced at Ludhiana, and the casting operations are carried out at Ludhiana as well as at Jamshedpur. Over 10 to 15 per cent of the products the company makes are exported. Clients include Arvin-Meritor, Ashok Leyland, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, Hindustan Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, SML Isuzu, Tata Motors, Taco Hendrickson Suspensions, and VE Commercial Vehicles. The relation GS Auto International shares with most commercial vehicle manufacturers in India is expected to make it easier for it to promote the Adblue additive.
