Building on the past, realizing the future
The use of coal is almost as old as civilization itself - as long ago as the 5th century BC, it fueled ancient Greek forges that worked metal. Commercial mining began in England a thousand years later, and in the 18th century Industrial Revolution coal provided the primary energy source for industry and transportation. Naturally, the first ever power plant, built in the late 19th century, was coal fired.
Toshiba entered the scene less than 50 years later, when it delivered its first steam turbine in 1928. Since then, the company had manufactured and delivered over 1,900 steam turbines around the world. In India, Toshiba supplied its first steam turbine and generator to the Anpara B Thermal Power Station in Uttar Pradesh, helping to realize a stable source of electricity for the local population.
In this issue of the newsletter, we want to look briefly at Toshiba’s work in India, and our future ambitions here.
Building a presence in India
Nearly 25 years ago, a Japanese businessman in his 30s sat at his desk in Delhi, waiting for the phone to ring. When it did, he listened intently, and then let out a sigh of relief. The news was good. Anpara B Thermal Power Station had started commercial operation without any problem. His concerns slipped away, transforming into excitement and a sense of accomplishment.
Back then, Toshiba was working to build its overseas operations, and the young businessman was a member of Toshiba’s Power Systems Division sales team covering India and Southeast Asia. With his colleagues, he was working to establish a presence in new markets, and had been given a crucial mission: successful installation and commissioning of steam turbines and generators at Anpara B. After witnessing the completed project with his own eyes, he returned to Japan to help build on that crucial success.
In the years that followed, more orders came: supply of combined-cycle power-generation systems to the AP-GAS Vijjeswaram CC Thermal Power Station in Andhra Pradesh, and for five 800MW supercritical steam turbine and generator units for the Mundra Power Plant in Gujarat, which started commercial operations Anpara B in 2012. Current operations include manufacturing seven 600MW, 800MW-class turbines and generators to meet new orders. And that’s not all. As Toshiba reinforced its reputation in the Indian power equipment market, it also expanded its capabilities to include turnkey plant supply. That move bore fruit in 2015, with the award of an EPC contract for the Harduaganj Ultra-Supercritical Thermal Power Project from the plant owner, Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd.
Many of these activities were directed by the same businessman in the Delhi office, a man who eventually returned to India as Chief Marketing Executive of Toshiba JSW Power Systems (TJPS), and who is now Managing Director of Toshiba India Private Limited (TIPL) – Tomohiko Okada.
A major contributor to Toshiba’s recent successes in winning orders in India is our turbine and generator production facility in Chennai. This was established as the predecessor to today’s TJPS in 2008, a full six years before the Indian government introduced its “Make in India” initiative. Mr. Okada explains why: “We wanted to take our international business to the next level by building our first power systems manufacturing facility outside Japan. We recognized that India had great potential and the capable people we need. It’s a growing market, and its strategic position makes it an ideal location for exporting to the global markets.”
Asked about how well that strategy has worked, Yoshiaki Inayama, the current Managing Director of TJPS recalls, “TJPS successfully delivered its first large-scale turbine in 2014, and a 400-ton generator followed in 2016. I think our success so far stems from the determination of our Japanese staff to assure Toshiba’s quality standards in India, and the great efforts of all our Indian staff, who have done everything necessary to realize it.”
Today, TJPS is positioned to offer comprehensive one-stop solutions that cover Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Construction and Service (EMPCS). The company has allowed Toshiba to achieve cost competitiveness through localization and to provide exceptional services with speed.
Toshiba India Strengthens Ties
Among Toshiba Group
Toshiba Group is committed to a strong presence in India, and ensuring this is the main mission of the Toshiba India Private Limited. TIPL takes the lead in developing strategy and planning, promoting business activities, coordinating the seven other subsidiaries, including TJPS, and liaising with the Indian and Japanese governments. It is in the safe and able hands of Mr. Okada, a man who had dedicated many years of his career to cultivate Toshiba’s business in India.
Messrs. Okada (sitting) and Inayama (standing) both joined Toshiba in 1983. Both have devoted themselves to the power systems business, Mr. Okada in sales, Mr. Inayama in production. They are both passionate about what they do, and are taking on all the challenges necessary to guide Toshiba’s energy and capabilities FOR THE NEXT INDIA.
