Our aim is to sell international-grade products at a very economical price: BPE

Best Power Equipments (India) Pvt Ltd, popularly known as BPE, is a longstanding supplier of power management solutions including UPS, customized smart rack solutions and solar inverters. With manufacturing experience of two decades, its products have gained acceptance in both the domestic and international markets. In this exchange, we have Amitanshu Satpathy, Managing Director, BPE, telling us more about his company’s current operations and its medium-term goals.

BPE recently introduced the grid-tied inverter for solar applications. Tell us the rationale behind this product launch, and about the product itself.

This launch has coincided with the government’s determination to make India more self-reliant: In 2020, India is moving towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, where solar power has been given prominence by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. In line with this, BPE is planning to focus on solar inverters and products in the next 3-4 years and aims to gain a decent market share.

This grid-tied inverter will be targeted for rooftop applications across India. These solar inverters would help the households to reduce the high cost of electricity bills and provides higher efficiency in the long run. It has a 1-60 kW power rating and offer a reported efficiency of up to 98 per cent.

Given that the Indian solar industry is growing rapidly, how do you see the prospects for these solar inverters?

The India solar inverter market is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace on account of several policies such as National Solar Mission by Government of India targeting 100 GW solar capacity by the year 2022. Rising consumer awareness, the growing participation of residential and commercial segments towards solar system installations, supportive government policies & solar schemes as well as and private sector involvement are further contributing towards the growth of this market.

Though the Indian government has introduced several incentives and specific policies but still there are many challenges. The pandemic has been a wakeup call for solar industry but it has also given opportunity or companies – big or small. Government and companies should come together to take a re-look at the import strategies for solar module sourcing. It also has paved a way for an opportunity for Make in India for the solar sector to build a strong and competitive domestic solar manufacturing industry which was stressed by Industry chambers as well.

 

Solar power systems are never complete without energy storage. Since BPE is in the business of power continuity, how do you intend to capitalize on the rapidly-growing solar power industry?

It is very early for us to say anything at the moment. Moreover it is in line with the government’s vision that BPE aims to focus on solar inverters and products in the next 3-4 years and gain decent market share

 

BPE has been a longstanding supplier of UPS systems. Tell us in brief about the various types of UPS supplied, and the industries to whom you cater.

BPE has more than two decades of manufacturing experience and the one of the leading Indian power manufacturing brand provides end-to-end strategic power solutions for most critical applications. As the largest supplier of high-quality UPS to various OEMs widely distributed through corporate partners and system integrators. Every month, the company is selling huge quantities of UPS in India and other countries. Our specially designed UPS includes isolation transformer at output, input power factor correction, fully digital monitoring & control, plus international certifications.

BPE’s revenue exceeded Rs.200 crore in FY20. In its 20 years, BPE has served over 2 million customers from several industries including industrial & plant automation, IT/ITES BPO services, banking, insurance & finance, government sector, corporate sector and small-scale businesses, all over the world.

 

We understand that BPE has a significant international market. Please discuss.

Today, we have expanded to international markets including Philippines, Germany, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, and Taiwan. We also plan to enter African countries and UAE. Our aim is to sell international-grade products at a very economical price, and we have moved forward on this promise.

 

We learn that India is dependent on imports (including China) for “power electronics” associated with UPS systems. What is your view?

We have been manufacturing products in our Noida facility and not been dependent on other countries. We are a well-known brand name in power manufacturing in India.

IT, education, healthcare, banking & financial services are generally said to be huge demand drivers for UPS systems. What is your reading?

Yes, BPE has also installed power back-up solutions in these sectors. These sectors have shown a positive impact. During the pandemic, we have seen a huge demand in healthcare sector and government testing labs. Additionally, we have installed power back-up solutions in industries like QSR, manufacturing, education, banking & financial services, telecom, IT & ITes industry etc.

We have installed solutions in DRDO, Indian Oil, HDFC, SBI, Siemens Healthcare, Columbia Asia, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (Delhi), RBL Bank, etc

 

BPE, as we understand, has completed two decades of service to the industry. How has the journey been? What would you regard as your main business growth drivers in the coming five years, or so?

We have been growing 20 per cent year-on-year and aim to reach Rs.500  crore by next year. We are also one of the leading Indian manufacturing brand in power sector. With more than 100 channel partners, we have a pan-India presence and seen a huge demand of BPE products across the industries. Moreover, we have pan-India service network with 100 engineers & associates who are available 24×7.

In the next five years, our focus will be on three-phase UPS business, expansion in manufacturing capabilities and solar inverters.