Pune-based Arm Welders, a welding equipment and automation supplier, is expanding its operations. Led by CEO Brijesh Khanderia, the company plans to move to a new, 2 lakh sq. ft. facility in Pune. This new facility will combine three existing plants into one.
Currently, Arm Welders operates in three separate facilities: a 20,000 sq. ft. site for welding gun production, a corporate office, design center, and R&D; a 50,000 sq. ft. plant for manufacturing machines and automation systems; and an 8,000 sq. ft. unit for critical parts machining. The new facility will streamline operations and allow for dedicated development areas. This move will also help Arm Welders explore new product lines and sectors.
Arm Welders wants to expand beyond its core business of sheet metal welding for automotive companies like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Indian Railways. The company aims to enter specialized welding solutions, such as laser welding and special material welding technologies, to cater to diverse industries and the global market. “This extra space will help us expand with joint ventures in different segments,” Khanderia said.
The company has grown rapidly, averaging a CAGR of 35-40% over the past three years. It aims for 30% growth this year and a sustained minimum CAGR of 20-25% over the next five years. Arm Welders currently employs around 180 people.
Global Expansion: Focus on Vietnam
While Arm Welders’ current exports are small, the company plans to increase them to 20-25% of revenue in the next few years. This international push starts with a strategic move into Vietnam, boosted by an order from Skoda. The Vietnam project has given Arm Welders an entry into a growing market and an advantage over Japanese and Chinese competitors.
Encouraged by this success, Arm Welders plans to establish a fully-owned office in Vietnam to capture the entire market. This will serve as a base for broader expansion into Southeast Asia, targeting countries like Thailand and Indonesia next. “Our vision in the next five years is to make Arm Welders a global supermarket with products that clients want, ensuring efficiency, quality, lower costs, and faster delivery,” Khanderia stated.
Addressing e-Mobility Challenges
With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels, Arm Welders is focusing on the unique welding challenges posed by new-age materials. Lightweight alloys, high-sensitivity materials, and the use of aluminum in lightweight vehicles require precise welding techniques. Arm Welders’ R&D department is developing products tailored for these next-generation materials. Their in-house control systems optimize the welding process, ensuring high performance.
A Welding Powerhouse with a Vision
Founded in 1977 by Atul Khanderia, Arm Welders began by making control transformers. A pivotal moment came in the early 1990s when Tata Motors needed self-made welding equipment. This led to the development of water-cooled transformers for spot welding, securing Tata Motors as the company’s first and biggest client.
Brijesh Khanderia joined the firm in the late 1990s and recognized the potential of transformer expertise. By 2001-2002, he led the move into new welding products, all designed and manufactured in-house. The company was renamed Arm Welders to reflect its core offerings. As the company grew, it expanded its customer base to include major automotive OEMs.
In 2011-12, Arm Welders began developing automation systems, leading to a third factory dedicated to automation systems and turnkey projects in 2015. Today, Arm Welders operates three distinct verticals: welding equipment, automation projects, and after-sales support.
Originally relying heavily on the automotive industry, Arm Welders has diversified into other sectors like railways, furniture, construction, and general fabrication. This strategic move has positioned Arm Welders as a solution provider offering complete turnkey projects to non-automotive industries as well.
