For over 50 years, Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. has joined hands with the pulp and paper industry worldwide, answering its need for high-performance, futuristic machinery.
“We are in the final stages of finalising the technology transfer for the coating section for the paper mills. Apart from that, we are also in the process of developing some specialised presses.”
Today, Servall Engineering has earned itself the unique position of the complete manufacturer. The export division has earned the company a coveted niche in the international paper industry with its envious track record and impressive portfolio that includes all the major paper-producing nations of the world. The company is now all set to increase its global reach with an aggressive approach. In a joint interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Shreeman Ram, Executive Director, and Mr. David Stone, International Sales & Marketing Director, Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. present their views on the key strengths of the company and its future roadmap.
Paper Mart: Could you please give us an overview of Servall Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. and its business journey?
Shreeman Ram: Servall Engineering was started in the year 1971 by Mr. Ramaswamy, who was the founder and the chairman of the group. We started off as a complete paper machine manufacturer with the first production line established in 1974.
The quest for excellence in quality, design & technology has spurred our company’s electrifying growth over the years. In 1982, we had bought over the technology from Germany for manufacturing drying cylinders, press rolls, etc. for all cast requirements. Since then, we have been collaborating with a lot of companies on various projects. Some of the renowned names include Beloit, Simon Holder, Black Clawson Limited, and Jagenberg among others. In 2016, we joined hands with Valmet, a global leader in the pulp and paper industry. For over 50 years, we have partnered with the pulp and paper Industry worldwide, answering its need for high-performance, futuristic machinery. Today, we export 2500 drying cylinders/food dryers to Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. Further, we have established all grades of paper and paperboard machines of various deckles, the maximum being 6 metres and the speed being 1000 metres /min.
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PM: Please shed some light on the market footprint of Servall Engineering Works along with the expansion plans.
SR: As far as the market footprint is concerned, we are renowned all over the Indian market. In Europe and the US, we are regarded as the leading supplier of drying cylinders, press rolls, and sole plates as of now. Internationally, we have a footprint in Turkey (complete Kraft line), Egypt (rebuilds of complete machines), Indonesia, Canada, the USA, South America, Taiwan and Germany, wherein we have our own agents/distributors for the respective markets.
The expansion for Servall happened in 2022 when the company set up and started its own R&D, sales, and marketing office and workshop in the UK headed by Mr. David Stone, who is the director there and heading the international market for the company.
PM: What do you think are the key strengths of the company which enable you to make your mark in the paper industry?
SR: Much of Servall Engineering’s success can be attributed to our expertise in technology and bringing top-notch quality solutions and services to the paper industry. With its large manufacturing facility — from the state-of-the-art foundry to final assembly, Servall’s manufacturing processes are under stringent quality controls to cater to the requirements of the customers. We have our manufacturing processes approved by TUV and ASME. All of our products go through rigorous quality inspection before shipping to the customers.
PM: Please tell us about the recent developments at your end along with the future plans and growth strategies for the coming years.
SR: We are in the final stages of finalising the technology transfer for the coating section for the paper mills. Apart from that, we are also in the process of developing some specialised presses which I would like to talk about once we are through with it.
In the coming years, we are planning on developing and bringing certain consumable products for the machines as well. This proposition is under consideration and discussion for the collaboration with our European partners.
“The expansion for Servall happened in 2022 when the company set up and started its own R&D, sales, and marketing office and workshop in the UK headed by Mr. David Stone, who is the director there and heading the international market for the company.”
PM: Kindly talk about your experience of working at Servall Engineering Works.
David Stone: I joined Servall Engineering three months ago. Previously, I was working for a USA-based paper machinery developer. This has been my first visit to the factory and I was impressed with how organised, well-equipped, and prepared the company is. From concept and design to engineering, erection, execution and commissioning, Servall offers total project management and turnkey solutions, and technology-wise, it can compete with most of the companies worldwide. We have devised some very achievable and huge expansion plans for the company. Five years down the line, we will be talking on an even more elaborate scale and level.
PM: Share your outlook on the Indian pulp and paper industry.
DS: I think the pulp and paper industry has been growing in India like never before, however, there is a lot of competition from the Chinese paper industry which has been making huge inroads into this space with startup paper mills. While this is not a good sign for the indigenous paper machine line providers and suppliers, the future is seemingly bright for the Indian pulp and paper industry as the demand is increasing and the quality is enhancing with time. At this point, we believe and anticipate that the domestic paper industry can become a major exporter of paper and paper products.
Also Read: Servall Engineering Works: Aiming to Increase Global Reach with an Aggressive Approach in 2022
PM: What are the key trends driving the growth of the industry in India?
DS: I would say that the increase in e-commerce is a huge growth driver of the packaging segment of the Indian paper industry. Moreover, the growth in the hygiene sector is also growing very fast, particularly, in the tissue paper segment. As the world has been becoming a lot smaller with the surge in digital and social media, the trends are now catching up much faster.
