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Measuring Tapes (Steel)

IntroduCTION

Steel measuring tapes are used for measuring length or distances. There are number of measuring devices available for different purposes for instance steel measuring tape, tailors measuring tape, measuring scale wooden and steel rulers and soon steel measuring tapes are used for measuring length or distances. These are hand items being encased in rolled form. As this is a small compact item, it can be easily carried from place to place in a pocket or small bags. For sturdiness and easy handling in outdoor activities such as on construction sites or sports fields or factories executives prefer to have this item in their pockets. These measuring tapes are available in various lengths from 1 metre to 30 meters.

Since the dawn of civilization, metals and materials have played a keyrole in the life of man without effective utilisation of metals and materials the spectacular engineering achievements of the present age would not have been possible. Tremendous developments have of late, taken place in the production of ferrous and non ferrous metals and their innumerable alloys and this ‘materials explosion has now reached astonishing levels compared with the 19th century, when only 20 odd materials were in industrial use and many which were unheard of or were mere scientific curiosities then, have now made important contributions to the advancement of technology.

Measuring tapes are frequently used in land measurement, wall and floor measurements. In construction of buildings, it has its unique importance keeping in point of view as easy handling due to it is in form of rolls compacted in a circular case. It also has wide scope in engineering applications.

Market Potential

Due to the rapid growth of activities for measuring various areas particularly in the field of survey work, the demand is coming up rapidly. Besides its extensive uses by surveyors, it is also used by laboratories for determining areas and different institutions. In view of increasing activities in construction, sports and games, new industries etc. the demand for measuring tapes will go on increasing. There are very few units manufacturing this item. An increased demand with development of more engineering nature of work of linear measurement in schools, science colleges, architects and engineering workshops and drawing offices have marvellous inclination towards these measuring tapes.

‘Freeman’s’ is the largest selling brand in India for Measuring Tapes.

In view of increasing activities in construction, sports and games, new industries etc., the demand for measuring tapes will go on increasing. There are few units manufacturing this item. Therefore, there is good scope for new units to come up in this activity in various parts of the country.

Carbon Potentiometers

Introduction

Carbon Potentiometer is an electronic component classified as variable resistor. Carbon Potentiometer is used as voltage divider to provide variable output voltage. Carbon Potentiometers uses carbon as resistive element. There are different types of Potentiometers like Wire Wound and ceramic type using different materials as resistive element. Carbon Potentiometer can be classified into logarithmic type and linear type depending on the mode of operations. Carbon Potentiometers are manufactured in many shapes and sizes depending on resistance value, power rating and type of mounting.

Panel mounted type Carbon Potentiometer are widely used for volume and tone control in consumer and entertainment electronics. Printed Circuit Board mount type is used as function controller, measuring and testing equipment, medical electronics, industrial electronics etc. Carbon Potentiometers are available with and without switches. There are many varieties of spindles used for carbon potentiometer depending on the materials and sizes.

Carbon Potentiometer range includes double potentiometer at the same shaft, high voltage potentiometer, multi turn potentiometer, miniature potentiometer etc.

Market Potential

Carbon Potentiometers are used for volume control, tone control and other applications in Consumer Electronics, Entertainment Electronics, Industrial Electronics, Medical Electronics, Telecommunication etc.

The consumer electronics is composed of a wide variety of products (some separately covered in the present exercise). The segments cover:

A. Entertainment Electronics

1. Television sets

Black & White and Colour

2. Audio Systems

Tape Recorders, ACD Players and Music Systems

3. VCRs/VCPs, VCD and DVD Players

B. Non-entertainment Consumer Electronics

1. Watches and Clocks

2. Toys and Games

3. Public Address Systems

4. Projectors

The Indian consumer electronics industry attained a compound growth rate of about 18% per year between 1992-93 and 1995-96. Although an impressive rate, it had fallen short of the target of 22%. The industry produced goods worth Rs 54 bn in 1995-96. The consumer electronics sector was expected to record a production level of Rs 117 bn during 2000-01, a growth rate of only 4.5% over Rs 112 bn in 1999-2000.

Export of electronic hardware from India had recorded an impressive 22% growth to $605 mn during 1999-00 after two years of continuous downturn. During 1998-99, India exported electronic hardware worth $494 mn. In the year 1999-00, the exports of video films and software increased $102 mn and $169mn, respectively.

The Indian entertainment industry is expected to almost treble in size to 280 bn by 2005 from Rs 95 bn at present according to a study done by Arthur Andersen. In India, the ratio of advertising expenditure (on which depends TV entertainment) to GDP is about 0.4%. TV broadcasting segment is expected to grow to Rs 85 bn by 2005 and Rs 290 bn by 2010. The current status of the sector is estimated to be around Rs 30 bn. The cable television segment, the report states, is expected to grow to about Rs 70 bn by 2005 from the current Rs 25 bn. The film industry is expected to touch Rs 40 bn turnover by 2005, up from Rs 13 bn at present.

Total Electronics

Production in the country is estimated to be valued at Rs. 627 billion in 2000-01, out of which component sector will be about Rs. 55 billion, which will be growing at a faster rate and therefore more nos. of Potentiometers will be required. The cost of Carbon Potentiometer depends on the value, power rating and size. Simple type carbon potentiometer costs from Rs. 10 to Rs. 25. Special type costs from Rs. 45 to Rs. 80. Raw material like resistive material, silicon grease are imported. However, other raw materials & machinery are indigenously available.

There are few units in the country manufacturing Carbon Potentiometer. With high quality and competitive price and marketing tie-up, there is scope for the industry.

Auto Pistons

Introduction

Gravity casting in Aluminium alloy is popularly used for casting of Piston. These engineering piston are used in automobile industries. The technique has advantages when a component is required in large quantities. However in automotive applications, properties and durability are of primary importance. Therefore, it is essential that the best design should be used and optimum casting techniques with minimum cost should be adopted. Gravity Die Casting products are used in domestic as well as international automobile industries.

Piston is a solid or hollow disc like plunger fitting closely in a bore of a cylinder into which it reciprocates from Top Dead Centre (TDC) to Bottom Dead Centre (BDC) and in the process imparts motion to the vehicle.

Piston ring is a metallic ring of C.I., wrought iron, steel or gun metal etc. Cast iron piston rings are preferred for IC engines. Piston rings are used as the peripheral part of the piston. Rings offer a steam-tight or gas-tight joint between cylinder wall and piston. This arrangement saves leakage of burnt/half burnt fuel mixture and increases piston’s efficiency to impart motion.

Depending on piston size, engine capacity etc, the size of piston rings use in automobile engines is wide and varied. Every auto-engine uses these essentially in varying numbers and as compression ring, oil-control ring or spare ring.

The use of piston rings reduces the piston weight, improves engine performance, restricts road-pollution and saves the other parts of the engine from damaging.

Market Potential

Improvement in the quality of components provides the basic parameter for the marketing of products. Following the same, the automobile industry in India has been able to meet the demand for piston for the new generation vehicles. No doubt, the tremendous demand for world class vehicles will generate scintillating prospects of auto-component industry, particularly the auto-piston.

The automobile industry in India is at present undergoing considerable expansion and modernisation with technology and know-how imported from Japan, U.S.A. and Europe. Following the new economic policy effecting decontrol and incentives, a number of fuel-efficient vehicles are already in the market and many more are being added every year. The manufacturers have been updating the technology by way of import of technologies and modernisation of the existing manufacturing units. The prospects of auto-piston industry are highly correlated with the development of automobile industry.

The technique of gravity die cast aluminium alloy components has the following advantages compared to other methods of castings:

1. High Productivity

2. Good cast surface finish and appearance.

3. Casted within close dimensional tolerance.

4. Do not require further machining.

5. Very thin section can be cast with ease.

6. Metal wastage in the casting process is less.

Auto piston is a part of automobile which reciprocates in the engine cylinder to transmit power to the wheels. It is generally made of Aluminium.

Pistons are used in automobile industries. The primary market is expected to continue as the leading market with the trend of demand growth in order to cater to the requirement of more and more new auto industries. The demand is expected to expand at an average growth rate of 15% to 20%. The replacement market is also likely to expand.

Wafer Biscuits (New)

Introduction

The Indian bakery industry is dominated by the small scale sector with an estimated 50,000 small and medium-size producers, besides the 15 units in the organised sector. Apart from the nature of the industry which gravitates to the markets and caters to the local tastes, the industry is widely dispersed also due to the reservation policies of the government.

The two major bakery products, biscuits and bread, account for 82% of all bakery production. The unorganised sector accounts for about two-thirds of the total biscuit production estimated at 1.3 mn tonnes. It also accounts for 80% of the total bread production, which is estimated at 1.5 mn tonnes and around 90% of the other bakery products estimated at 0.6 mn tonnes. The last includes pasteries, cakes, buns, rusks and others.

Biscuit is estimated to enjoy around 37% share by volume and 75% by value of the bakery industry. The organised sector caters to the medium and premium segments, which are relatively less price-sensitive. The organised sector is unable to compete at the lower price range due to the excise advantage enjoyed by the informal sector.

The organised segment in biscuits has witnessed a steady growth of about 6%, conforming broadly to the growth rate of GDP. The production crossed the one-million tonne mark in 1995-96 which has now grown by estimated 30%.

Bakery industry in India is the largest of the food industries with an annual turnover of about Rs. 3200 crores. India is the second largest producer of biscuits after USA.

The quantities of bread and biscuits produced are more or less the same. However, value of biscuits is more than bread. The industry largely continues to be in the unorganized sector contributing over 70% of the total production. Bakery products earlier considered as sick man’s diet, have now become an essential food items of the vast majority of population. Though bakery industry in India has been in existence since long, real fillip came only in the later part of 20th century. The contributing factors were urbanization, resulting in increased demand for ready to eat products at reasonable costs.

Market Potential

The bakery units are unevenly spread and are mainly concentrated in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Industrially advanced States like Maharashtra and West Bengal have very large number of bakery units. The per capita consumption is very high in industrialized States like Maharashtra and West Bengal. The Biscuits are becoming quite popular in rural areas as well. Nearly 56-57% of the biscuits are consumed by rural sector. The higher consumption of biscuits in rural area could be attributed to its position as a snack.

Britannia, has rationalised its product portfolio pruning the number of brands from 35 to 25. The company moved into the mass market for biscuits introducing low-priced varieties under the umbrella brand, Tiger. The success of this brand has enabled Britannia to expand its market share in the glucose biscuit market. Its other major brands are 50:50, Marigold, Bourbon, Pure Magic, Nice, Snax Coconut Crunchies, Glucose-D, Pure Magic, Good-day. Its bread portfolio consists of Britannia, Britannia Premium Bake, Tiger and Chekkers. The company is now planning to take on Parle’s premium-end product, Hide & Seek and Milk Bikis.

Britannia has a tie-up with Danone of France. Danone is one of the largest processed food producers of Europe-ranking seventh globally. It has a 22% equity stake in Britannia. Britannia has the option to draw from the product portfolio of Group Danone.

Over the past couple of years, it has launched a number of dairy products (processed cheese, flavoured milk, butter, ghee and dairy whitener) and ethnic snack foods such as ‘alloo bhujiya’ and chana choor.

Although MNCs like Nabisco, Arnotts and United Biscuits ventured into the market, Britannia enjoys a premium position. It has dispersed plants geared to the four metros which account for a major part of sales (65%). It also has 20 dedicated small units around the metros to help produce about 50% of biscuit production.

Britannia Industries, is planning to launch chocolate-based products and exploring several variants in cheese, cakes and biscuits. The company has decided to enter into areas where it will have the potential of becoming number one operator. Britannia’s latest venture has been in milk in tetrapak, in the form of lassi and cold coffee.

Britannia is exploring the possibility of extending its successful biscuit brand, Tiger, into categories like milk or milk powder. Britannia’s French partner, Danone, may consider taking the mass biscuit brand to its other Asian markets like Malaysia and China as well as Russia.

Britannia Industries has acquired 49% stake in Kwality Biscuits. It has also acquired Kwality Chef and several other trademarks along with copyrights, designs in labels and packing material. The four group companies to be merged with Kwality Biscuits are Vajram Traders, Camilla Investments, Malakala Traders, Mytrayasa Traders. The domain of Kwality Biscuits include baking, manufacture of biscuits, cakes, breads, buns, cornflakes and other breakfast foods, popcorn, wheat shreds, pastries and flour. Britannia is looking for more acquisitions in food business.

Parle is the second largest producer of biscuits in the organised sector with a market share exceeding 30%. In the popular brands segment, its Parle G which remains a popular brand in glucose biscuit segment. In the premium segment, its hide and seek is attracting competition due to the sway it holds in the market place. In the saltish biscuits, Monaco has been quite popular, especially in the cocktail circuit.

Parle’s however, derives a major part of its revenues from the low-priced products. The company has, nevertheless, outpaced the industry growth in step with the market leader Britannia.

Sara Lee—with world-wide interests in foods and beverages, personal and domestic products apart from intimate wear–has exited from its bakery business in India. Sara Lee Bakery India, which made a big bang entry into the country in 1998 by acquiring the biscuit business of confectionery major Nutrine has pulled out. Despite the excellent distribution network inherited from Nutrine, Sara Lee’s bakery business suffered mainly due to the onslaught from aggressive players like Britannia, Parle and Kwality.

Kellogg’s known worldwide for breakfast cereals, has entered a new product segment–biscuits. It has launched Kellogg’s chocos biscuits, an extension of its chocos cereal. Kellogg’s found that there was an opportunity to carve a niche for itself in the market by leveraging the core equity of some of its large cereal brands.

Smithkline has succeeded with the launch of Horlicks (a healthfood brand) biscuits. Nestle has recently taken over the biscuits manufacturing 1 joint venture with Dabur, Excelsia and converted it into a wholly-owned subsidiary. Dabur India has divested its entire 40% stake in the controversial joint venture. Excelcia Food with Swiss major, Nestle SA, thus existing the biscuit business altogether.

Cigarette major ITC is planning to enter the processed foods business with a range that would include flour, confectionery and biscuits. ITC’s expansion into Tprocessed and staple foods also fits in well with efforts by its international trading arm to extend operations from farm to factory.

Lancer Foods is launching cookies, biscuits and namkeens. Vita Gold is positioned against Parle’s Glucose brand. Lancer Food Products, a recent entrant in the biscuit market, has planned to set up two additional manufacturing plants at Noida, UP, in 2001-01. The new plants of Lancer will have a biscuit manufacturing capacity of 150 tonnes per day as compared to its existing unit which has the capacity to manufacture 20 tonnes of biscuits, 2 tonnes of cookies and 5 tonnes of namkeens per day. Some 85% of the company’s total production is exported to countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Priya Food Products was set up with an investment of Rs. 26.1 mn has a capacity to produce 5 tonnes of biscuits per day. In the past near two decades, it has come a long way and today commands a significant share of the biscuit market.

A study has shown that Bakeman’s market share has remained stagnant. In contrast, older players like Britannia, Parle and Smithkline Beecham and a host of new players like Kellogg’s and Sara Lee have seen their shares expand. Bakeman is planning a major expansion which is expected to make it the largest biscuit plant under one roof in Asia and the third largest in the world. It is also revealed that the equation between unorganised and organised sectors has shifted from 66:34 in 1997 to 60:40.

The size of the bread market is estimated at Rs. 13 bn. There are a number of producers in both sectors organised and unorganised.

Bakery products still remain the cheapest of the processed ready to eat products in the country. The production of Bakery products has increased from 5.19 lakh tonnes in 1975 to 18.95 lakh tonnes in 1990 recording four-fold increase in 15 years. Among the bakery products, biscuits occupy an important place as they contribute over 33% of total products processed. Over 79% of the biscuits are produced by small scale sector consisting of both factory and non-factory units. The growth rate for bakery products is estimated at an average of 9.8% per annum. The demand for bakery products will continue to increase in future. The estimated growth rate of 9.8% is on the lower side considering the present potentiality of bakery products, particularly in rural areas, where about 70% of the population lives. Encouraging trends in consumption of bakery products by population of lower and middle income groups indicate vast scope for consideration of nutritional enrichment of bakery products.

Cement Concrete Tiles and Paving Blocks

Introduction

Cement Concrete tiles are products made out of Cement Concrete. These are available in many designs, colours and surface effects and their usage has also increased tremendously.

Cement concrete tiles and paving blocks are precast solid products made out of cement concrete. The product is made in various sizes and shapes viz. rectangular, square and round blocks of different dimensions with designs for interlocking of adjacent tiles blocks. The raw materials required for manufacture of the product are portland cement and aggregates such as sand & stones ships which are available in local market.

Market Potential

Cement concrete tiles and paving blocks find various applications as in pavements, gardens, footpaths, passenger waiting sheds, bus-stops, industry and other public places. The product is commonly used in urban areas. Hence it is advisable to set up the unit in urban and semi-urban areas as well as near the market.

A lot of face-lift is being given to roads, footpaths along the roadside. Concrete paving blocks are ideal materials on the footpaths for easy laying, better look and finish. Whereas the tiles find extensive use outside the large building and houses, lots of these materials are also used in flooring in the open areas of public offices and commercial buildings and residential apartments.

In India, Europe & China, the per capita consumption of ceramic tiles in India is 1.01 sqm.p.a. and that that of China is 1.22 sq.m. p.a., other European Countries are 5-6 sq.m. per person p.a.

Tomato Products

Introduction

Tomato, though botanically a fruit is generally considered a vegetable because of the way in which it is consumed. Tomatoes are widely grown in all parts of the world. However, the yield per hectare is the highest (245 tonnes/hect.) in Netherlands. The world average yield of tomato is 23 tonnes per hectare. Indian average yield of tomato is 9.6 tonnes per hectare. Tomato products such as puree, juice, ketchup are commonly used commodities in households, hotels and restaurants. By use of these items, the taste of different food products is enhanced. Tomato puree is used as a substitute of fresh tomato in cooking. Ketchup is a sweeter and diluted version of puree (Pulp). Tomato sauce tastes sweet and sour. Both sauce and ketchup are consumed with food and snacks. Tomato is a valuable raw material used for processed products such as juice, puree, and paste, ketchup/sauce, and canned whole. The recent scientific advances have revolutionised tomato processing industries.

Market Potential

Due to increasing standards of living in the cities and the rapid urbanization taking place in the rural areas, consumption of tomato based products is going up steadily. At present, the market of ketchup/puree, specially in the urban areas, is dominated by brands likes MEGGI and KISSAN. Some Medium and Small Companies are also engaged in its production. Estimated production of Sauce/Ketchup etc. in North India was around 4000 MT in 1995. The estimated demand for the products for the same period was 10000 MT which is expected to grow upto 12000 MT by 2005 AD. Thus, presence of a demand supply gap of 6000 MT can be observed which may reach a figure of 8000 MT in 2005 AD. Thus, there is ample scope for a unit to come up in this product sector to cater especially to the semi urban and rural sectors of north India. Tomato processing in India is still not very significant. Recently, there was a steady rise in production due to the entry of multinationals with better market infrastructure and sales promotion campaigns.

With high fluctuation in market prices of fresh tomatoes in the urban market, there are good prospects for tomato juice, and tomato puree in place of fresh tomatoes in household sector. Besides the boom in the food service sector including fast food chain, has widened the demand potential for tomato ketchup and soups.

Experiments have shown that advertisement and publicity have influenced the pattern of consumption of tomato products. Besides, tomato products have good export potential especially in the Middle East.

Distribution Board

Introduction

The Distribution Board, refers to an equipment which consists of bus bars, and possible switches, fuse links and Automatic protective equipment, bypass equipment, for connecting, controlling and protecting a number of branch circuits fed from one main circuit of a wiring installation in a building or premises for easy and safe handling of incoming power supply. These are, also used to protect the electrical distribution system in turn, connected electrical equipment from being damaged due to various faults like short circuit, over load, earth leakage, etc.

The Conductor system by means of which electrical energy is conveyed from bulk power source or sources to the consumers is known as distribution system, which may be divided into two systems known as high voltage (primary) distribution and low voltage (secondary distribution). From generating stations the Electrical Power is usually transmitted to various Sub-stations, through extra high tension transmission lines at voltages from 33 to 220 kv and at these Sub-stations this voltage is stepped down to 11 or 6.6 or 3.3 kV and power at this voltage is conveyed to different sub-stations for distribution and to the bulk supply consumer.

Similarly at distribution Sub-stations the voltage is stepped down to 400 volts. From these Sub-stations various low voltage (400 volts between phases and 230 volt between phase and neutral) distributed and radiated out to feed the consumer. This system of distribution of power is known as low voltage or secondary distribution system.

The distribution system is classified in many ways i.e. according to current A.C. or D.C. distribution, or according to the character of service i.e. it may be: (i) General light and power, (ii) Industrial Power, (iii) Railway (iv) Street lights etc. and according to number of wire, i.e.: (i) two wire, (ii) three wire and (iii) four wire etc. But now a days AC distribution system almost universally employed.

The choice of the system of power distribution is determined by the type of power that is available and by the nature of the load required for particular user i.e.:

(1) Distribution Board 2-Way 15A, 250 V

(2) Distribution Board 2-Way 15A, 250 V

(3) Distribution Board 4-Way 50A, 440 V etc.

Market Potential

The Distribution Boards, by virtue of being a functionally integral part of any distribution system have vast opportunities of demand. India is a developing country with a fast growing population and the economic growth of the country and the demand for any essential item grows as a function of population. Electrical power demand also grows as a function of population and commensurately the infrastructural requirement in the power sector grows. Our present generation capacity is about 1,05,000 MW but projected demand by 2012 is 2,05,000 MW that means an extra 1,00,000 MW has to be produced to meet the demand. This phased increase in the power generation and transmission and distribution has by itself, necessitated increased production of electrical equipment, thereby creating a good scope for the electrical equipment and distribution boards.

V. Belts and Fan Belts

Introduction

As the name implies, these power transmission belts have the V-belt cross section. They have various advantages over flat belts e.g. compactners, quite operation, non slipping grip between belts and sleeve, absorption of shocks grip between belts and sleeve, absorption of shocks, smooth starting cleanliness, long service life, low cost and light bearing loads. The internal structure of standard V-belts varies. Cords are the “back bone” of V-belts. They are located in the upper wide portion. These cords in the best belts are impregnated and embedded in a rubber compound which reduces friction between individual strands or fibres and retards heat build up. This is known as cushion rubber. This is embedded in a mass of solid rubber; it is known as core. Core is the belt that improves flexibility and increase shock absorption.

In starting, monetary stresses greater than those encountered in running must be withstand, and this core rubber acts as an absorber for the sudden pull, thus protecting the cords and cover. When the belt travels around a sleeve. The narrower a portion is compressed, and the solid rubber must withstand such distortion without accumulating excessive heat. Special cool running compounds have been developed. The whole thing is enclosed in rubber fabric jacket or cover which acts as an envelope to resist wear and protects the inner structure.

V-belts are specially useful for silent drive between short centre distances and are used for fractional horsepower drives for domestic appliances and for automatic fan belts. They come in five standard sizes A, B, C, D, E. The top width of A is 12.7 mm (1/2 in) and that of E is mm (1) and the thickness varies between the different sizes. When power transmitted is heavy multiple belts are used in pullies having a number of grooves as required. More recently, premium industrial belts known as 3V, 5V and 8V belts or wedge type belts have been introduced. In these the ratio of depth to the top width is greater than in the standard sections, giving a more compact drive. These constructions are made possible by the use of high tenacity materials such as polyester cord.

Market Potential

The demand for fan & V-belts has been estimated by the development penal at around 47.61 million number. It will thus be seen that there is adequate scope for the development of this item both in the small scale as well as in the organised sector.

However, as per the recent trends there is a change over for the use of more sophisticated type of drives such as narrow width belts, raw egged belts, raw egged cogged belts, space saver belts, timing belts etc.

Some of the organised units are taking effective steps to undertake the manufacture of these types of sophisticated belt in the country.

By and large, plant & Machines for the manufacture of fan & V-belts are available indigenously for undertaking new types of belts are required to be imported. Similarly technical know-how for the conventional fan & V-belts is also available. However, foreign collaboration for new types of belts are considered on merits. Major raw materials are also available indigenously.

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