US-headquartered PLP is a global hardware manufacturer and solutions provider, serving a host of industries including energy, communication and railways. PLP set up its formal operations in India in 2021, in close association with PLP Thailand. In this interaction we have Surapol Pichayajittipong, Managing Director – PLP Thailand , PLP India & PLP Vietnam, discussing PLP India’s current operations and future plans. Pichayajittipong is confident of ample business opportunities in India’s energy sector, and would like to see PLP as part of the India growth story.
PLP is NASDAQ publicly traded (ticker: PLPC), the global manufacturer of hardware fittings, accessories and infrastructure solutions for the energy, communication, railway and special industries. It has a US headquartered parent with group revenues of $637 million in 2022 and 3,000+ employees, located in 22 countries with 25 operations. We have recently celebrated 75th anniversary of the PLP headquarters.
When did PLP India come into being and what are its main business activities?
PLP India was registered in the year 2021, with the primary focus on sales and marketing into the energy segment.
We understand that PLP India works in close association with PLP Thailand, serving Indian customers with power transmission hardware. Tell us more.
PLP Thailand serves many power utilities and customers around the world and India is one the country under its territory responsibility. PLP Thailand has been delivering 400kV GAP conductor fitting and accessories to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) since 2011.
Going forward, are there any plans to start manufacturing activities in India?
India is a big country with huge growth potential. PLP wants to be part of the growing strategy in India. We understand that being a local manufacturer is an important step to enjoy more preferences under the government’s “Make in India” philosophy. We will look into it as our next step, when the timing is right.
Apart from hardware, we also learn that PLP India provides power transmission-related service in India. Please elaborate.
Power line inspection service is another area that PLP have been actively serving to its customers in USA and New Zealand for years. We have a number of experienced engineers who can manage the drone survey, analyze data and provide professional reports.
Please highlight the manufacturing capabilities of PLP Thailand with respect to unique products or products that are highly relevant to the Indian power transmission market.
This infrastructure capability empowers PLP Thailand for superior quality control, new product development and on-time delivery. Finally, the company can ensure effectiveness and quality in servicing the customers in power transmission, power distribution, substation, telecommunication and solar.
Can you tell us more about PLP India’s coordination with PLP Thailand to ensure smooth and efficient order fulfillment to Indian customers?
PLP Thailand has intensive experiences over 47 years in design, manufacturing, testing and supply chain management of conductor hardware and accessories. Together with the local knowledge of our Indian employees in PLP India, we are confident that we can deliver our commitment to our customers in India.
Speaking of specific hardware, how do you see the Indian market for bird diverters, especially in the wake of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) issue that had help up several interstate transmission projects in potential GIB areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat?
We foresee good demand for bird diverters and that will exist for another 5-7 years. There has already been lot of works done in India especially in Rajasthan State. PLP is leading manufacturer of wildlife products and supplying to many countries globally.
Power transmission is clearly a thrust area in overall infrastructure development in India’s electricity value chain. How do you therefore see the years ahead for PLP India?
India is targeting 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030, which will lead to the development of lot more power generation plants and transmission lines. We see ample business opportunities in energy sector. We, at PLP, would like to be part of the India’s growth story in the energy sector.
