Upgrading Technology and Reducing Costs

Upgrading Technology and Reducing Costs Kumaran Pola SANDVIK ASIA reported impressive improvement in operations and profitability for the year ended December 1990. The production of tungsten carbide products increased to 54.96 lakh, equivalent to 1062 legs, from 49.58 lakh, equivalent to 1012 kgs, in the preceding year. The main raw materials and bought-out components consumed during the year were 104 tonnes of tungsten ore as against 136 tonnes in the preceding year, 11 tonnes of cobalt including cathodes as against 10 tonnes in 1989 and 18 tonnes of carbide powders as against 15 tonnes in 1989. These figures reflected the results of the measures taken by the company to improve the cost effectiveness in the manufacturing and process rationalisation areas. The imported raw materials and components formed 76 per cent of the cost of raw materials and components consumed during the year as The Week's Companies compared to 77 per cent in 1989. The company manufactures and markets cemented carbide cutting tools, wear parts and rock tools and mineral tools. The tungsten carbide products manufactured by the company include integral rock drill steels, bits, detachable bits, extension drill steel equipment, inserts, tips, dies, nibs, studs and other applications. Sandvik Asia is today the largest supplier of cemented carbide cutting tools which are marketed under the brand name 'Coro- manf. It offers the most comprehensive range of sophisticated rock drilling and coal mining tools.