GMM Pfaudler set to meet post-patent needs

GMM Pfaudler Ltd has chalked out plans to tap the growing market of pharmaceutical equipment in the post-patent regime by introducing products that are compliant with international standards.

GMM Pfaudler has recently launched the Pfaudler pharma glass (PPG) product and also thermal control units in the current quarter. GMM Pfaudler produces glassified corrosion resistant reactors and storage tanks.

It already has a number of national and multinational pharmaceutical companies as its clients.

"We will introduce the powder transfer systems for the pharmaceutical industry in the present quarter. These systems pick up active ingredients and actually help in various processes being completed much faster. We hope pharmaceutical companies will adopt the new technology," said Ashok Patel, chairman and managing director, GMM Pfaudler.

Having registered sales of about Rs 59 crore in the last fiscal, GMM Pfaudler targets a growth of between 20-22 per cent this year.

It has already posted sales of Rs 33 crore in the first half of the year.

"Most importantly we have orders on hand worth Rs 42 crore already and the company should be able to post a healthy growth this year," Patel said.

The PPG has been developed free of heavy metals, with a smoother surface finish compared to the conventional glass and improved alkali resistance.

"The surface finish has anti-adhesive properties, to provide for faster cleaning and the surface quality is three times higher than of conventional glass types," said Ashok Pillai, vice-president, marketing, GMM Pfaudler.

When the requirements of the bulk drug industry were studied recently in context of the stringent requirements of GMP and FDA, two of the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry - increased purity and alternating alkali and acid operation have been addressed in the equipment.

The company will invest an additional Rs 5-6 crore at its Vallabh Vidyanagar plant in Gujarat over the next two years. The amount will primarily be spent in balancing equipment, company officials said.

GMM Pfaudler will keep its focus on meeting requirements of the domestic industry with about 10 per cent of sales coming from exports.

In 1987 Gujarat Machinery Manufacturers entered into a technical knowhow agreement with Pfaudler Inc of the US, the leader in glassilined equipment. In 1999, Pfaudler increased its stake in GMM to 51 per cent and the company was renamed GMM PFaudler.