Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited (KFIL), a prominent manufacturer in the castings and pig iron manufacturing sector in India, announced the restart of its mini blast furnace at Hiriyur, effective April 15, 2024. This strategic decision comes after a brief suspension of operations due to challenging market conditions, including weakened demand and declining pig iron prices earlier this year.
Established in 1991, Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited stands as one of India’s foremost manufacturers in the castings and pig iron industry. The temporary halt, which began on February 22, 2024, was a strategic move by KFIL to align its production with market demands and ensure the efficiency and sustainability of its operations. The pause in operations was reflective of KFIL’s commitment to prudent operational management amid fluctuating market dynamics.
The decision to recommence operations was driven by the recent positive shift in market conditions, including an upturn in pig iron prices. “We are thrilled to restart operations at our Hiriyur facility,” said R V Gumaste, Managing Director of KFIL. “This move is aligned with our agile business strategy, allowing us to quickly adapt to market changes and continue delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders while maintaining our commitment to operational excellence.”
KFIL services a diverse range of sectors, including tractors, automobiles, and diesel engines. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in Koppal, Hiriyur, and Solapur, KFIL boasts a unique production capability spanning a variety of products from grey iron castings up to 300 kg to multiple grades of pig iron, such as SG iron grade, basic steel grade, and foundry grade. The company is currently expanding its capacities in both pig iron and castings and has enhanced its production capabilities with a 3D printing facility for rapid product development and a coke oven manufacturing plant equipped with waste-heat recovery power.