The role of Kirloskar pumps and valves in India’s agricultural revolution is immense. Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar, considered the pioneer of India’s engineering industry, who set up Pune-based Kirloskar Group in 1888, introduced India’s first iron plough in 1903. The plough not only became an instrument of wealth for the entire society, but also kick-started an industrial revolution. Over the next few years, the privately run company continued to enhance its core engineering strength, besides expanding its business operations, which spawned across a gamut of industrial equipment, ranging from pumps and valves, eco-friendly diesel engines and silent generating sets, air and gas compressors. It now has 14 entities and exports to over 70 countries.
Taking over from Shantanurao, his son Chandrakant ensured development and under his leadership, the company filed several patents at a time when the concept of intellectual property was unheard of. It has also set up an all-women operated and managed manufacturing plant in Coimbatore.
The $2.1 billion Kirloskar Group is currently headed by Sanjay Kirloskar, son of Chandrakant. Sanjay, a graduate from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, has steered the company since 1983 and is instrumental in expanding the group’s business multi-fold, including its Indian joint venture with Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan. The group successfully set up overseas subsidiaries and acquiring global assets—in the UK, the Netherlands, Thailand and South Africa.
