The Hindu Business Line : Forbes eyeing 10% share of energy conservation biz

FORBES Marshall, the Rs 175-crore steam engineering firm, is eyeing a 10 per cent share of the Rs 4,000-crore energy conservation business as part of its efforts to increase its turnover to Rs 400 crore in three years.

"There is tremendous savings potential in most industries we work with. According to a study that we conducted with the Confederation of Indian Industry, the savings potential ranges from 22 per cent in tyre units to 64 per cent in hotels. We identified a potential of Rs 40 crore savings in the 87 units we surveyed and we feel that the total potential could be in excess of Rs 4,000 crore. We are now trying to tap this market," the Forbes Marshall Director, Mr Deepak Edwankar, told Business Line on Friday.

Citing the case of Reliance's Jamnagar refinery, Mr Edwankar said that although it was among the best-run units in the country, the company saved Rs 10 crore in one year, primarily by replacing faulty steam taps.

Another case, he said, was that of a leading garment exporter, which could save Rs 60 lakh per day only by replacing its inefficient boilers and revamping the entire steam system.

The entire investment in the replacement of boilers was recovered in six months, he said.