WE AIM TO DOUBLE OUR REVENUE TO RS 6,500 CRORE BY 2025

Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. KOEL), a dominant player in diesel engines and generator sets, is setting its sights on doubling its revenue from Rs 3,200 crore to Rs 6,500 crore by 2025. As the company marks 75 years in the industry, in an exclusive interaction, Rahul Sahai, CEO, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd KOEL), reflects on its legacy and ambitious plans. With a strong market share of 30 per cent in the diesel generator market, KOEL’s success is rooted in continued investments in technology and infrastructure. Edited excerpts:

- Rahul Kamat

Rahul, despite being in the industry (KOEL) for almost 75 years, how has Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd managed to maintain its dominance in manufacturing diesel engines and generator sets?

The company has certainly reached a number of milestones. While we celebrate 75 years of Kirloskar Oil Engines, the Kirloskar Group itself has been around for much longer. They pioneered several innovations, such as introducing India's first diesel engine and iron plough. That legacy remains strong, and we have built upon it over the past 75 years. Now, regarding our current dominance in the diesel generator market, we hold around one-third of the market share—approximately 30 per cent, making us the largest player in this sector. Our continued investments in technology and infrastructure have played pivotal roles in maintaining this leading position.

You mentioned infrastructure and technology. Are these the key factors that differentiate KOEL from competitors? Or are there additional factors contributing to the company’s success?

Absolutely, there are always additional factors. But let us focus on infrastructure and technology for now. Kirloskar Oil Engines made significant investments in setting up a mega-site and cuttingedge manufacturing facilities when many others in the industry weren’t prioritising discrete manufacturing. This foresight allowed us to stay ahead. On the technology side, we have developed platforms for our engine systems in-house. It’s a massive achievement for an Indian company to independently develop such advanced technology. Often, you will see competitors relying on global parent companies in Europe or the US for technological support. In our case, our technology is homegrown, specifically designed for India’s needs. This proximity to the market gives us a distinct advantage.