At any given time we maintain a stock of 500T of Precision Balls

Precision Balls come in different materials and sizes. These have a multitude of applications from a tiny ball pen to a warhead, a CMM to a windmill. Mumbai-based N. Gandhi & Co. specializes in offering Precision Balls in diameters ranging from 0.5 mm to 101.6 mm. Bearing Review spoke to Tejas Gandhi, Partner to find out the capabilities, infrastructural facilities and offerings of his company which has a reputation for providing high quality Precision Balls and rollers to a plethora of industries for over three decades. Excerpts:

Q. Your name has been associated with the Bearings industry for decades. What precisely is your niche?

We are a reputed trading company and a trusted source for Precision Balls since 1991. We specialize in offering Precision Balls in the diameter range starting from 0.5 mm up to 101.6 mm. These are both metallic and Non-Metallic Balls made of some 30 plus different materials including Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals, Glass, Plastics & Ceramics. We maintain stock of all types of Precision Balls so that we are able to meet the requirements of our customers within 24-48 hours.

Q. What are the different types of balls you offer?

We offer Precision Balls in Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals. While Ferrous Metals cover Carbon Steel, AISI E52100, AISI 304L, 316L, 420C and 440C; the Non-Ferrous ones include Tungsten Carbide, Brass, K-Monel, Inconel, Titanium, Hastelloy Copper and Tool Steels. We also offer Precision Balls made of Glass, Plastic, Ceramics and so on.

Q. Who are the end-users of your products?

As you know, Precision Balls are required for friction-free movement. We supply Precision Balls to a number of key and strategic industry segments such as Bearings, Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, Food, Healthcare, Medical, Precision Instruments, Cosmetic, Chemical and so on. These include small manufacturers to large OEMs. To the latter, we supply our products directly.

Q. How do you ensure quality of your products especially for critical applications?

We are an ISO-9001-2015 company certified by BSI. All the Precision Balls we supply are manufactured in accordance with the quality standards laid down by the certification bodies like DIN, ABMA and ISO. We have a stringent quality control regimen. Our QC Dept. is equipped with high end machines for quality inspection and control. We have a tie-up with NABL certified labs to check the raw materials. We have high end testing equipment – Taylor Hobson Surtronic R-125 for Ra & Surtronic R-100 for roundness – for ensuring immaculate precision and accuracy of the parameters checked.

Q. Your business is highly people oriented. Please tell us something about your human resources.

Indeed, our people are our major asset. We have a dedicated team of qualified and trained people to run different departments. Seventy percent of our employees are women. We have a highly professional team which is diligent and committed.

Q. You seem to have a modern warehouse. Please take us through your facilities to have a ringside view.

Yes, we have a state-of-the-art warehouse admeasuring 8,000 sq. ft. with all amenities. It was thoughtfully planned as we have to carry a huge inventory. At any given time we have to maintain a stock of 500T of Precision Balls of various types, besides S2 rollers of sizeable quantity. Since inventory management is the backbone of our operations, the warehouse is a great boon for us to manage our stocks and their retrieval.

Q. How could you wade through the pandemic? What’s its impact on your business?

Covid-19 had its impact on our business too in the sense that mobility and logistics had taken a beating. Most of our clients were also closed. Despite all that, we could achieve a growth in business compared to previous year. Business from Healthcare and Medical segment got a new fillip. We are happy that we could gear up and meet the requirements of the Healthcare segment without any let up.

Q. What are your growth strategies in the new normal?

As business grows, we shall invest in yet another warehouse. We may use this new facility for inventory management for global markets.

As a growth strategy, we would be exploring new applications and industries for our Precision Balls. We also want to give a boost to our Ceramic Balls which are meant for high speed, high temperature applications.

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