In 1888, India was under the British rule. Back then, the number of Indian companies could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Therefore, there was a dearth of employment opportunities. The visionary Shri. Laxmanrao realised that unless India became technically and financially self-sufficient and employment opportunities were available within India, it would not be able to progress. Agriculture is the primary occupation in India. Laxmanrao realised that modern farming implements are needed to speed up farming and increase production. This led to the manufacturing of the first indigenous fodder harvester in 1901. Soon after, in 1903, iron plough was produced in India. Both the tools were manufactured entirely at Kirloskar Brothers’ Belgaum factory.

पुण्यातील कृषी प्रदर्शनात औंधच्या महाराजांसोबत श्री. लक्ष्मणराव किर्लोस्कर (1926).

When the group was asked to shift the industry from the residential area, the king of Aundh invited them to start an industry in his province. The company accepted it and a factory was set up at Kirloskarwadi. It took Kirloskar Brothers to a whole new level. Kirloskarwadi is the second largest industrial estate in India. While setting up this factory, Shri. Laxmanrao and his colleagues transformed a deserted land full of cactuses and snakes into a developed industrial colony. That factory was equipped with all modern amenities and had the best productivity. Until he passed away, Shri. Raja Bhavanrao (Balasaheb) Pant’s representative extended encouragement and assistance to Shri. Laxmanrao and his company. The identity of Kirloskar Brothers was established by overcoming many difficulties. The Kirloskars carved their niche in the industrial world. They enjoyed credibility across the country. While working in KBL, Mr. Shankarrao Kirloskar created and used the Kirloskar logo that everyone so loves. Around this time, the company began manufacturing engineering products and expanded its business. It started manufacturing hand pumps, peanut peeling machines, sugarcane crushing machines, iron furniture, diesel, kerosene and oil engines, electric motors and air compressors. Interestingly, such products were being made in India for the first time. Under the leadership of Mr. Laxmanrao Kirloskar and his son Shantanurao, KBL started manufacturing products that were considered successful at that time. In those days, in the process of industrialisation, India was far behind the rest of the world. In 1926, when the company showcased its diesel engine products at Pune Agricultural University, people felt that they had been imported. These products not only attracted Indian consumers but due to their high quality, from 1930, they also started getting exported. Although the already established and well-known British competitors were operating in the Indian market, KBL’s products were selling on a large scale. Since its inception, creating high quality products has been in KBL’s blood. The ploughs made by KBL gave a tough competition in the market to the ploughs made abroad. Due to its high quality and high capacity products and reliability, KBL gained popularity not only among Indian citizens but also among the British. Shri. Laxmanrao became the father of the industrial revolution. He is the one who actually started the ‘Make in India’ movement.

A successful factory and company, Kirloskarwadi also came to be known for helping social reforms such as elimination of untouchability and caste discrimination and women empowerment. It also imparted training in new modern agricultural techniques to farmers. Kirloskarwadi was the first company to start a printing factory in the country. Later, periodicals such as Kirloskar Khabar, Manohar and Stree came out of this factory. These periodicals have been instrumental in creating social awareness. Mr. Shankarrao Kirloskar worked to create awareness on social and cultural issues at that time. ‘Stree’ magazine gave women a platform to make their voice heard. Mr. Laxmanrao was a great businessman and also a social reformer. Throughout his life and journey, his wife Radhabai stood shoulder to shoulder with him. She also contributed a lot to the success of Kirloskarwadi.

Mahatma Gandhi turning the Kirloskar Charkha

Jawaharlal Nehru holding Kirloskar’s iron plough

Mr. Shantanurao used to say, “Don’t worry about the future, make it happen.” And he showed it through action. He was very philanthropic. He encouraged his wife Yamunatai to work for the welfare of women. Yamunatai set up a women’s industry to make women financially self-sufficient. Mr Shantanurao was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1965 for his contribution to the industrial sector. He held important positions in many reputed institutions. They ares as follows: Presidentship of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1959-69), Presidentship of Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (1965-66) and Directorship of Reserve Bank of India (1977-82).

With the use of KBL pumps, 40% of the people in India have got access to drinking water and 60% of land has come under irrigation. Under the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. scheme in Gujarat, water is being supplied to 3 crore people using KBL pumps. Supply of Kirloskar firefighting pump to the world’s tallest monument `Statue of Unity` (Gujarat). Use of KBL firefighting pumps at Atal Tunnel, the world’s tallest tunnel.
पंप्सचा वापर.

• In nuclear reactors and nuclear power projects.
• In the field of Defence.
• In ISRO’s Swadeshi Made in India

Shri. Laxmanrao Kirloskar with his children

KBL established the Vikas Charitable Trust in 1994 with the feeling that we owe something to society. Through this trust, work is mainly carried out in the field of education and health. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Trust provided lot of help under the guidance of Smt Pratima Kirloskar. The Trust undertook various activities such as distribution of rations throughout India, distribution of daily necessities, supply of a total of 20 lakh plates of mid-day meal, provision of PPE kits to Covid warriors, disinfection of infected villages, etc. In the past too, in crisis situations, in India and abroad. Notable among them are extending a helping hand to rescue a team of football players trapped in a cave in Thailand; providing Kirloskar’s flood control pumps during the floods in Maharashtra and Kerala.

After Shantanurao, Shri. Chandrakant Kirloskar and later his son Shri. Sanjay Kirloskar took over as the Managing Director of the company. Under their guidance, the company expanded in the country as well as internationally. The company set up manufacturing centres at Kirloskar Wadi, Dewas, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Shirwal and so on. The aim was to provide employment to the people in rural areas. For the first time in India, 0.37 KW to 30 MW centrifugal pumps were used at the Kirloskarwadi project and pump casting using 3D printing machine was done for the first time in India since 2014. All the manufacturing centres of the company use the state-of-the-art technology. A distinctive feature of the company’s plant at Coimbatore is that the pump factory employs 100% women. This has been recorded in the Limca Book of Records. In the last few decades, Kirloskar Brothers has worked on some important projects and contributed to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)’ scheme.

Firefighting pumps have contributed to some of the most important structures in the world known for their distinctive architecture, for example White House, Burj Al Arab, Marina Bay Sands, Sydney Opera House, the world’s longest sea bridge - from Hong Kong to Macau. In Egypt, Kirloskar means pump. The use of KBL pumps brought economic prosperity to countries like Senegal, Laos, and Bodia. These rice importing countries started exporting. It is also helping protect East Asian countries from floods. KBL is one of the largest sales and service providers in the world today. It is the leading company supplying specialist pumps to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project in France. Currently, KBL is a multinational company providing sales and services across the world. On January 15, 2020, KBL completed 100 years as a public limited company. To celebrate this important milestone in the history of the company, grand events were held in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi in Delhi and Ratan Tata in Pune. It is a matter of pride that during its long journey, the company has honoured its commitment to all its customers, employees, partners and stakeholders. The company has paid dividends to its shareholders every year during this 100-year journey, with only four exceptions.

With Prime Minister Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion of Shatabdi (centenary) Mahotsav (Year: 2020)

Flood relief campaign in Sangli, Maharashtra. The KBL team at the Thai cave rescue site in Thailand.

During the pandemic, everyone had to face many difficulties, and KBL was no exception. But then, over the last 133 years, the company has faced many challenges and obstacles. And the company has withstood all these trials. KBL has also faced major challenges such as the Great Depression of 1918, the two world wars, etc. Considering each challenge as an opportunity, the company has transformed each problem into an opportunity for development. Thus, surviving, evolving, KBL is constantly moving towards better quality. There is no doubt that with this legacy of prosperity, progress and success, in the future too, Kirloskar Company will continue to proceed on the path to success and represent Maharashtra and India in the world!

The research and development departments (R&D) in India, Holland and the UK coupled with the policy of assimilating the state of the art technology have enabled the company to meet the needs of the market and its customers. The company’s customer policy is based on the principle of high quality and minimum expenditure during the entire period of the product use. It uses all the techniques of technology including 3D-printers, high-tech (4.0) manufacturing processes, artificial intelligence as well as augmented reality, virtual reality and the Internet of Things. The success of the company’s customer orientation lies in it. The company strives to save energy with maximum efficiency. ‘Kirloskar Brothers’ achieves this through the use of creative and innovative products and technologies.

The ‘Lowest Lifecycle Cost Pump’ (LLC) series is the flagship product of Kirloskar Brothers. As creativity is employed at each stage, the company can save a huge amount of money, be it the capital expenditure, or the cost of actual project execution. The unique feature of the company’s products is the significant savings in expenditure during the entire period of their use. Internet-based Kirlo-Smart technology, which remote controls pumps and maintains them with minimal risk, is a prime example of creative work. It was on the basis of this approach that the company managed to capture 80% of the market share in this particular area in the UK. Most of the new nuclear power plants in India use Kirloskar Brothers’ concrete volute pumps’. Important products like fire-fighting space-saving pumps, as well as the company’s ‘hydro pneumatic systems’ have made the company famous. In the last five years, eight of the company’s products have achieved the ‘India Design Mark’ that is considered a great honour. KBL has always been a responsible and humanitarian company. Managing Director of SPP PUMPS in UK, Shri Alok Kirloskar started using artificial intelligence technology in his company. ‘The key to a successful business is to adopt changing technology with changing times and continue proceeding,” he says. Rama Kirloskar, Managing Director of Kirloskar Ibara Pumps Limited (KEPL), says, “Including more women into the business and giving them the opportunity to work is not only inclusive, it is also the foundation of a better future for the business.” The basic constituents of the Kirloskar work culture are best quality and equal opportunity to all. Each member of the family is eligible to contribute and that is why the business gets different perspectives, becomes more inclusive, ready for the future and timeless,” she adds.