BHEL's valves plant update nearing completion

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUCHI, NOV. 13. The second phase of modernisation of the valves plant of BHEL Tiruchi at a cost of Rs. 18 crores is nearing completion. Mr. V. K. Gopinath, executive director, BHEL, said the valves unit, though originally meant for its own purpose, now catered to the growing needs of chemical, petrochemical and fertilizer, refineries, oil exploration, and nuclear power plants.

BHEL Tiruchi manufactures valves ranging from 3 mm to 900 mm in diameter, from carbon steel, low alloy steel and stainless steel to meet the wide variety of applications, said Mr. K. Parameswaran, general manager (valves). The first phase of the modernisation scheme with an investment of Rs. 20 crores was completed in 1998.

To intensify export marketing efforts, BHEL has opened exclusive offices in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi and appointed marketing agents to enable business promotion and expand its base in West Asia.

Referring to the success that the BHEL valves had in catering to the installations in Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Libya, Cyprus, Malta, the Philippines, Bangaladesh and Egypt, Mr. Parameswaran said the erstwhile collaborator of BHEL, TOA Valve company of Japan, was regularly buying valves. Other international companies such as Yarway Corporation of the U.S., P. T. Sarana of Indonesia, Ushawan Bersma, Malaysia, were also procuring valves from BHEL regularly.

Specialised tools have also been developed by BHEL for 'in-situ', repair, refurbishing activities such as seat cutting in safety valves, replacement of worn out damaged seat-rings, in utility boilers, said Mr. G. Venkataramani, additional general manager (valves).

A web site has also been hosted to create wider awareness of BHEL valves across various countries. It was proposed to create a portal to enable B2B transactions through Internet, along with other products of BHEL.

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