Bengaluru-based Envisys Tech aims to be a one-stop solution for battery testing

Today, there is extensive talk around the feasibility of electric mobility in India. Besides high costs and lack of convenient charging infrastructure, a major challenge for electric vehicles in our country is the varying climates. Before adopting lithium ion batteries on a large scale in electric vehicles (EVs), India will have to take into consideration environmental testing and ensure the batteries can work effectively and safely in different climatic conditions.

While larger stakeholders in the ecosystem are coming together to solve the high cost and infrastructure challenges, Bengaluru-based Envisys Technologies is addressing the climate problem. The company was founded in 2014 by Anil Kumar Kottani, Patel MG and Basavaraju KM.

The trio noticed the environmental test chamber market in India was lacking an accessible manufacturer, which could fulfil typical requirements and produce different types of custom test chambers to perform a variety of tests. With a common vision to plug this gap, they came together and launched Envisys Technologies.

The founders, who are all Directors of the company, have invested Rs 3.2 crore in the venture so far, and are seeing an annual turnover of Rs 6.42 crore at present. The company says it seeks to become a one-stop solution for all battery testing requirements.

According to the founders, Envisys is one of the first Indian companies to design and manufacture battery testing chambers to conduct thermal tests on lithium ion batteries. This includes incorporating all safety features against potential hazards. Some of these features are fire suppression systems, automatic air exchange systems, pressure relief ports, fire detection and alarm systems and smoke detection systems.

Before this, the founders were working in their fields of expertise such as industrial sales and marketing, environmental test simulation and automation and instrumentation, respectively.

Current Scenario

Forty-one-year-old Patel says, “Even with a small team, we are developing our technology strengths to provide complete testing solutions to the upcoming battery testing and solar module testing requirements in India. We focus on people, processes and technology to build high quality, competitive systems in environmental testing simulations.”

According to him, the company isn’t just riding the electric vehicle wave. “We also focus on manufacturing products to meet critical requirements such as testing the components in the aerospace, defence and electronics sector,” he says.

“We are proud to have a diverse catalogue featuring thermal chambers, salt spray chambers, dust chambers, rain chambers, thermal shock chambers and many more,” says Kottani. “From small component testing to large-size end products testing, these products are helpful for various international standards,” he adds. 

“One of our key strategies is retaining our competitiveness on product pricing without unnecessary add-ons on the overhead costs. This way we can pass the benefit to our customers by supplying on-par quality products (an import substitute) at most competitive prices,” he says.

“We try to reduce labour overheads and other expenditure by outsourcing key processes such as fabrication, powder coating and painting and assembly.”

They say their key milestone was when their manufacturing facility was inaugurated at Peenya Industrial Estate in Bengaluru in 2018.

The youngest of the three, 33-year-old Basavaraju says, “We were able to demonstrate our manufacturing capacity in a variety of ways by supplying quality products to various eminent companies such TUV, TATA, GE, Akzo Nobel, Ingersoll Rand, Hyundai, JSW, Wipro, Titan, Mahindra, Crompton Greaves, NVidia, Commscope, Bajaj, L&T, and more.”

“What we need to remember is that we operate under some of the most demanding conditions in the industry. When it comes to manufacturing custom test chambers, there is no room for error,” he adds. “A faulty system may pose a risk to the success of client’s operations and even to their safety. Hence, an intense focus on quality is at the center of our business.” 

Recipe for Success

Speaking about the industry, Patel says, “Environmental test chamber manufacturers across the world constitute a niche market catering to the needs of testing various components by simulating conditions of weather such as temperature, humidity, altitude, rain, dust, vibration, solar radiation etc. Here in India, the environmental testing market has been significantly prosperous in the last ten years and is growing steadily compared to western markets.”

Patel maintains this is largely due to formidable growth in India registered by key industry segments such as automobiles, electronics, telecommunications and defence. He adds, “Cost advantages, availability of skilled professionals and low-cost living has transformed India into an R&D hub for various industries and many international players are coming here to set up testing facilities.”

He believes the demand for environmental testing equipment in India will continue to grow as long as there is development, awareness of best practices in preventive maintenance, and the need for a company which caters to the demand of customised products.

Patel explains, “The new players have to work on the business first before it works for them. It’s all about the confidence in the business concept, idea or experience.”

He envisions this spirit of entrepreneurship will remain strong.

“Envisys aims to grow at a rate of 30 to 40 percent by expanding our factory and facilities, hiring more staff and upgrading equipment,” says Patel.

The company also seeks to expand its business to other verticals such as environmental testing laboratories, representation for imported equipment and instruments and vibration and vacuum technology. It is trying to open a gateway to export its products to European and American countries.

(This story is published in partnership with the MSME Ministry to showcase success stories of SMEs)