Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. – Transforming the Wagon Manufacturing Industry

In an era when princely states dotted the map of India, the railway system played a significant role in laying the foundation of modern India. A principal mode of transportation, railways were one of the most important infrastructural developments between 1850 and 1950 in terms of economic gains. Railways and Braithwaite boast a close-knit relationship. Braithwaite & Co. Ltd., previously an Indian subsidiary of a British firm, was established to support the Britishers to strengthen the power of the British crown. Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, this erstwhile auxiliary branch of a British company began its journey in India with a different motive and values. What started as a passport to achieve economic gains for the colonizers through the fabrication of steel became one of the top contributors to India’s march towards growth and development. Previously under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. was nationalized and became a fully owned Govt. of India undertaking in 1976. With the government’s decision to modernize the rail transport network, Braithwaite is ready with its illustrious services to contribute to the development of the nation with a customer-focused approach.

A Brief History

History is a mute testament to the growth of Braithwaite over the years. When it was established as Braithwaite & Co. (India) Ltd. in 1930, nobody would have imagined that the company would proceed to become one of the top contributors to the development and growth of Indian Railways.

It was in 1934 when Clive Works, a unit of Braithwaite, began manufacturing wagons for railways in India. This event was followed by the establishment of Angus Works in district Hooghly which manufactures railway construction equipment such as Cranes, Foundry products, Machinery Components, etc.

It was by 1987 that Braithwaite had successfully confirmed its position as one of the top organizations for gaining engineering and infrastructure solutions for the railway industry. The same year, Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. took over Victoria Works, a facility equipped with modern technology and techniques for manufacturing Railway Wagons. The wagon manufacturing mogul was operating under the Ministry of Heavy Industries when the Govt. of India took over and nationalized it in 1976. However, in 2010, the company witnessed a shift in its management as it was transferred from the Ministry of Heavy Industries to the Ministry of Railways. Justifying its status as one of the pioneer engineering industries, Braithwaite is a renowned name that is a significant part of the Railway’s history.

The Present Scenario

To achieve global excellence in the manufacturing and development sector of the railway industry, Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. has ventured into novel verticals. Equipped with ISO-certified manufacturing units, the business enterprise boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, well-equipped project divisions, and an efficient design department to deliver world-class products on time. It is the first Public Sector Undertaking involved in the operations and management of the Indian Railway’s Wagon Workshop in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Equipped with the latest Machinery & Plant (M&P), the installed capacity of the workshop is 200 wagons per month. Spread across 203 acres, the two-way workshop houses up-to-the-mark M&Ps such as Axle

Turning Lathe, paint Booths, Portal Wheel Lathe, and more. In addition, the company has expanded its business horizons by venturing into the on-site repair business in railways.

An ardent follower of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the raring company is adamant about making India a self-reliant country. With precise dedication, it is chartering novel vistas through its topquality designs and manufacturing value. At present, the product range and services of the wagon industry magnate involve the manufacture of new-generation wagons (conventional and special categories), repairing freight cars, steel casting for bogies and couplers, structural steelwork for railway infrastructure, and more. With their cost-effective and latest technologies, Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. is promoting and adapting sustainable ways of engineering and developing railway commodities. Braithwaite is contributing to the Railway industry’s efforts in marching forward by diversifying its business and venturing into distinguished verticals, such as Material handling, Crane manufacturing, Crane maintenance, loading & unloading facilities, and more.

Takeaway

Braithwaite is a prominent name in the wagon industry. With its latest technologies, the company continues to seek opportunities for the betterment of the railway manufacturing and development sector. A business enterprise celebrated for never settling on its past achievements, it is chalking noteworthy advances by leveraging the latest innovations. As per Mr. Yatish Kumar, CMD of Braithwaite & Co. Ltd., one of the most important goals is shaping modern India through the structural development of the railways. The railway industry is vital for bridging gaps between people and deciding the financial orientation of the country. By delivering to the best of its abilities, Braithwaite is playing its part in assisting the nation in achieving development and economic success.