KBL’s all-women manufacturing facility honoured by ASSOCHAM for promoting diversity 

By OEM Update Editorial February 19, 2021 2:46 pm IST

KBL’s Kaniyur manufacturing plant has been recognised as the Best Employer for Women at 2nd ASSOCHAM ‘Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards & Conclave’. Also, KBL’s Devas manufacturing plant bagged Silver at 7th edition of national awards for manufacturing competitiveness.

Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), one of the global market leaders in providing fluid management solutions and services, recently received back to back honours from two prominent associations, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) and International Research Institute for Manufacturing (IRIM) for its contribution towards promoting an all-inclusive work-culture and manufacturing excellence, respectively.

KBL’s all-women manufacturing facility located at Kaniyur near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, was honoured for being the Best Employer for Women at the 2nd ASSOCHAM ‘Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards 2021. The ASSOCHAM ‘Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards, as the title suggests, recognises some of the most significant endeavours and persistent efforts of corporates and leaderships to promote diversity and inclusiveness at their workplace. KBL, which bagged the second-runner up position at the event, was recognised for promoting an all-inclusive work culture at its all-women manufacturing facility at Kaniyur. 

Meanwhile, another KBL manufacturing facility located at Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, was adjudged the Silver medal winner at the 7th edition of the prestigious National Awards for Manufacturing Competitiveness (NAMC) 2019-20. The facility won the prestigious NAMC award, which is a unique awards programme that recognises non-conventional approaches and tailor-made strategies of organisations, for its continued manufacturing excellence over the years.

Meanwhile, KBL’s Dewas plant was established in 1962 for the manufacturing of agricultural, domestic and industrial pumps up to 30 HP. The plant houses excellent design, development, manufacturing and testing facilities. 

Speaking on the achievement, Rama Kirloskar, Director, KBL, said, “This remains a moment of immense pride for all of us. I would like to thank ASSOCHAM and International Research Institute for Manufacturing (IRIM) for recognising our efforts. This award is dedicated to every member of the KBL family who has helped us reach where we are today.

At KBL, we have always believed in setting new trends, which become milestones for the industry at large. We have been setting benchmarks of engineering excellence and this recognition stands as testimony to our commitment. Similarly, diversity and inclusion are values that define KBL’s workplace culture, and the company has a legacy of being ahead of the curve in building an inclusive workforce.”

Overall, KBL has eight manufacturing facilities in India. Of these, the Kaniyur facility, established in July 2011, is dedicated towards the manufacturing of the company’s domestic range of pumps. It is the world’s first pump manufacturing plant to possess a 100 percent women workforce as part of its manufacturing set-up. Of the many achievements to its credit, the all-women team at the factory holds the astonishing record of assembling a pump in a record time of 17.25 seconds, a feat that has been acknowledged by the Limca Book of Records.