Katlax : Excelling through product innovation

Mr. L. R. KATRAT – Managing Director & CEO, Katlax Enterprises

Q. Please brief us about recent new product launches undertaken in-terms of wireless & USB connectors? How are you positioning it in the industry?
Our wireless based solution in networking products (Junction Boxes) and control instrumentation is futuristic eco-friendly initiative to conserve scarce resources and provide work force with flexibility in commissioning and maintaining automation solutions with cost effective approach. We have developed number of wireless based products and initially launched at Hannover exhibition on pilot scale and now with a full scale at leading industrial domestic exhibition in India.

Wireless communication is the new-generation technology that allows machines to talk effortlessly and minimizes the requirement of scarcely available resources. It is reliable, speedy, and dependable for data acquisition and is eco-friendly.

USB to Wireless Converter

USB to Wireless Converter
USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus”. USB is the most common type of computer port used in today’s computer. USB is also faster than older ports, such as serial and parallel ports. The USB 1.1 specification supports data transfer rates of up to 12 Mb/sec and USB2.0 has a maximum transfer rate of 480mbps.

Now a days, a new communication technology called “Wireless” is highly preferable over wired communications due to its benefits. For long distance communication wireless is most beneficiaries.

USB 2.0 to ZigBee wireless converter converts USB2.0 signal into Zigbee Wireless Compatible. It accepts data string through USB2.0 & transfers it via ZigBee wireless or vice-versa.

RS232 to Wireless Converter

RS232 to Wireless Converter
In automation industries RS232 communication is widely used as RS232 is supported with many devices like PLCs, SCADA systems, Computers, HMIs. Now a days, a new communication technology called “Wireless” is highly preferable over wired communications due to its benefits. For long distance communication wireless is most beneficiaries.

RS232 to ZigBee wireless converter converts RS232 signal into Zigbee Wireless Compatible.

RS232 to Ethernet Converter
RS232 to Ethernet converter converts RS232 signal into Ethernet compatible. It accepts data string through RS232 communication link and transfers it via Ethernet or vice versa.

RS232 to Ethernet Converter

RS232 to Ethernet converter is sometimes referred to as a serial device server, a terminal server or a serial over TCP/IP server, however all these names are simply different names for the same type of device which basically converts serial RS232, RS485 or RS422 data to Ethernet packets and Ethernet packets to serial RS232, RS485 or RS422 data (it is bi-directional). The serial Ethernet converter has its own IP address which is why it sometimes is referred to as a server.

Q. Could you give us some idea of your design capabilities and manufacturing excellence?
To summaries our design capabilities and manufacturing excellence, we have :

• 2 decades old strong brand equity
• Substantial investment in infrastructure with focus on backward & forward integration.
• Committed R&D and manufacturing Team.
• Extensive use of IT & ERP for efficient MIS and transparency in operation.
• Investment in Training & HR practices.
• Effective Communication with B2B, Trade Fairs / Exhibitions, Advertisements, Road Show and personal contacts.
• More than 20 years manufacturing experience.
• Large product portfolio
• Large OEMS base of Whose who
• Products certified to National & International standards for Statutory and non statutory specs.
• Accreditations by National & International Bodies (ISO, UL, CE, IEC, CMFRI, PESO, BIS)
• National presence through Qualified Channel Partners.
• Export to major markets with Katlax & Private label.

Wireless Junction Box

Q. How do you instill quality and reliability in your products?
It is the mantra for all healthy companies to invest in R&D not because you insulate your companies from threat of product obsolesce but “future belongs to Innovators” so we are committed to spend sizeable portion of our revenue in R&D and innovative products. We hold few patents which endorse our untiring commitment.

Q. Which is the most outstanding achievement you would like to speak about?
In last 2 decades there are many achievements achieved by the company, but so far ESMS products gave us opportunity to build volumes and our Interface Products provided us with global reach out with private label. Our control instrumentation products are recognition of Katlax as automation one stop solution company.

Wireless IO with ProfiBus

Q. What are the challenges ahead for Katlax?
Since India is a emerging market and majority of big economies are facing slowdown, it’s tough and going to be tougher as the crisis in US, EU continues. It’s a challenging market as more and more competition from international players. There is rising cost of basic raw materials and labor cost and falling prices with cut throat completion, it is going to difficult times for all and no one has reason to celebrate of stable and profitable market conditions.

Q. What is your vision for KATLAX for near future?
We have developed our business model on market friendly product innovations, and now by creating SBU concept, we are trimming our portfolio and making effective profit centers. We are also aggressively pursuing wireless technology and GeNext products.

We are company with more than 2 decades PAN India presence and basket of who’s who of industrial and textile OEMs as our clients. While we concerned about strengthening our business with existing clients, we are strategically looking for adding new clients who are missing in our baskets of OEMs not only for their Indian operations but also other facilities globally as India is going to be manufacturing hub for these companies.

We are also looking for partnering with companies who are major vendors for automation components to industrial and textile industry at different levels of automation. Our focus area remains wireless and interface products which are future of automation, drivers to eco-friendly product design and conservation of both material and labor which is next level of mission and task for machine designers.