Shyam Steel's Innovative Steel Solutions: Legacy of Strength & Durability

From a humble beginning in 1953, Shyam Steel has become a renowned brand in the steel industry with a pan-India presence. How do you view your journey over the years and the milestones achieved?

Shyam Steel Industries Ltd. has been deeply committed to nation-building since its establishment. Our journey began in 1953, and over the decades, we’ve become a well-recognized name in the steel sector, significantly contributing to the national economy, sector but in diversified areas like infrastructure, IT& ITeS, paints, etc. Our position is now well entrenched in the steel industry.

I strongly believe in the power of hard work and see karma as the greatest form of worship. Nearly four decades ago, after finishing college, I joined my father in expanding our business, which was then primarily focused on projects in Bengal. My journey in Shyam Steel began with our entry into the retail market I was convinced, determined and had a larger vision to transform the retail business into an enviable position. I was committed to make and our presence felt across markets in a focused manner.

Now, our presence in the industry is robust and on a sustainable growth path. Our 4th integrated steel plant in Raghunathpur, Purulia district, West Bengal with cutting edge technology inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, on February 27, 2024 has reinforced our ability to serve the nation with greater sense of purpose than ever before and through our capacity augmentation we are now in a stronger position to contribute more meaningfully to the realization of the target of 300 MT steel production by 2029-30 as envisaged in the NSP 2017.

Today, Shyam Steel has a strong retail presence in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Northeast and Odisha. Moreover, it has rapidly expanded its footprint in North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, where people have increasingly started using Shyam Steel products and are also recommending others for their excellent product quality. Now, we have drawn a roadmap to take our business forward in the southern parts of India, particularly, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

What do you believe is the main ingredient for a successful business—product quality, team, culture, company ethics, etc.?

To be very precise, a business becomes successful only when all the critical factors and potential areas are taken proper care of and effectively addressed through a well- articulated business strategy with sustainability and growth as the focused goals. I strongly believe that all the factors contribute equally to driving growth.

When we think of product quality, we emphasize on a balance of strength and flexibility are the core factors that define our product and brand value. To date, we have maintained our position consistently in delivering reliable and superior quality TMT Rebars and other steel products. This commitment has enabled us to build and sustain our wider customer base and embolden the trust we have earned from them. We have also earned the loyalty of our customers because of our shared values and goodwill.

It needs to be reiterated that our products are ideal for use in earthquake-prone regions. Their special characteristics lie in their ability to absorb and distribute seismic forces effectively, enhancing building safety quite substantially. The controlled thermo-mechanical treatment produces a uniform, thick tempered martensitic rim that is entirely free from internal stress. This martensitic rim enhances both the corrosion resistance and fatigue strength of Shyam Steel TMT Rebars Fe 500D.

Our different departments come together and work in perfect harmony with each other. We have skilled and dedicated team of engineers, marketeers, sales, IT and branding. We provide continuous training, and each member of the team holds enviable integrity to work passionately and contribute equally to our growth. We take pride in the fact that collaboration, respect and teamwork are the basic attributes of our workforce that foster a healthy environment to work.

Adhering to the highest ethical standards guides our operations and decision-making processes. We are also committed to conducting business in a transparent, responsible, and sustainable manner, reflecting our dedication to ethical practices and societal welfare, as envisaged in our corporate philosophy on our website.

This multi-faceted approach ensures not only our growth but also creates a permanent impact across the industry and business fraternity as well as the community at large.

What is your R&D capabilities that contribute to the production of value-added steel?

How does Shyam Steel ensure quality control and consistency in its TMT rebars? We always promote, encourage and invest in R&D in every sector we work in and embrace new age technologies to make best use of the most advanced scientific and technological innovations to give impetus to our development agenda. We do have our state-of-the-art research facilities, manned by a team of highly skilled experts, in place. They conduct comprehensive research and experimentation, leading to continuous improvement and development of high-performance steel products. We also actively collaborate with academic institutions, industry partners in the field. We cultivate a culture of exchanging ideas to keep ourselves abreast with the latest research, contributing to the development of innovative steel solutions.

Ensuring quality and consistency in our TMT rebars is our topmost priority. We begin with the careful selection of high-grade raw materials and employ advanced manufacturing processes, including use of sophisticated machinery and automation, to maintain high precision and consistency. Continuous monitoring and rigorous testing at various stages, coupled with our ISO-certified quality management systems, allow us to meet the highest industry benchmarks for strength, durability, and safety.

Besides, we conduct inspection protocols/procedures, testing and identification, traceability of materials with proper applicable IS specifications and customer requirements. Verification of quality assurance system documents, proper checking of certificates, licenses and quality control documents along with inspection of laboratory and testing facilities come under the exclusive procedure of manufacturing processes within integrated steel plant. We do possess ISO- 9001:2015, ISO-14001:2015, ISO-45001:2018 and BIS-1786:2008 licenses certified along with prestigious GreenPro Ecolabel certification. The production process that we carry out meets the stringent standards of Quality Control with DRI Unit, SMS Unit(EAF), Continuous Billet Casting Mill, sophisticated Rolling Mill and fully-equipped Testing laboratories – all under one roof.

Both strength and flexibility are crucial for TMT rebars to withstand harsh climatic conditions or natural disasters like earthquakes. How does Shyam Steel ensure the durability and sustainability of projects where its TMT rebars have been used?

Our R&D team is extremely meticulous in engineering the alloy composition and heat treatment processes of our TMT rebars to achieve the perfect balance of strength and ductility. Shyam Steel Fe 500D is a special grade of TMT Rebar produced under specific process conditions resulting in increased strength as compared to other grades of TMT Rebars. These Fe 500D Rebars are ideal for heavy load RCC structures like flyovers, dams, bridges, and other critical projects requiring high yield strength without compromising ductility.

The bonding strength of our products is excellent because of their uniform and square RIB pattern. Moreover, Shyam Steel TMT Rebars have optimum fire-resistant properties that can withstand 600OC.

Coastal regions face significant corrosion resistance issues. How are you addressing the needs of such regions?

As you might be aware, Shyam CRS TMT rebars are ductile and corrosion-resistant, suitable for coastal areas and marine structures. They maintain their strength even in aggressive environments.

1. Alloy Composition Optimization: Our R&D team has meticulously engineered the alloy composition of our TMT rebars to enhance their resistance to corrosion. By carefully selecting and blending the right combination of alloying elements, we have created a formulation that is highly resilient against the corrosive effects of saltwater, humidity, and other environmental challenges prevalent in coastal regions.
2. Specialized Coating and Surface Treatment: In addition to the alloy composition, we have also implemented specialized coating and surface treatment processes to fully protect our TMT rebars from corrosion. These advanced techniques create durable barrier that effectively shields the steel from damaging effects of the coastal environment.
3. Rigorous Testing and Validation: To ensure the efficacy of our corrosion-resistant TMT rebars, we subject them to extensive testing, including accelerated corrosion tests and real-world exposure trials. This comprehensive validation process allows us to guarantee the long-term performance and durability of our products in coastal applications.
4. Technical Guidance and Support: Recognizing the importance of proper installation and maintenance, we provide our customers with comprehensive technical guidance and support. This ensures that our corrosion-resistant TMT rebars are utilized and maintained in the most effective manner, maximizing their lifespan and the overall resilience of the construction projects.

Apart from TMT rebars, what other products does your company produce?

As regards our products range, we offer a diverse range of high-quality steel products, including structural steel, steel plates, pipes, tubes, sheets, and coils. While TMT rebars remain our flagship offering, we have strategically expanded our product portfolio to provide comprehensive steel solutions for various applications, catering to the needs of the construction, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. We are also into IT & ITeS. Shyam Future Tech, our IT Company with its global outreach, has been contributing substantially to the efforts of multiple sectors of industry to grow digitally.

Again, at Shyam Steel, we’re focused on diversifying our product range to position ourselves as a comprehensive, one-stop solution for our customers. Through our online marketplace, Apna Ghar, we offer a platform where customers can conveniently order everything from cement to TMT Rebars to bricks, cement and other essential construction materials. This platform allows us to meet a variety of customer needs, ensuring a seamless experience, Neev Se Pravesh Tak. Additionally, we aim to provide continuous support throughout the entire construction journey—from foundation to the final handover.

Besides, we have very recently entered the paint industry with Macaw Paints. We provide paint solutions to both decorative and industrial markets. Growing as a multi-product organization, we try and maintain a synergy of being customer centric as well as maintaining product quality.

What are the main challenges you face in the TMT rebar market, and how do you overcome them?

It needs to be appreciated that challenges in TMT rebar industry faces cannot be discussed in isolation. Essentially, the steel industry, as of now, faces multiple challenges which include, among others, (a) poor logistical infrastructures (b) high power tariff (c) suboptimal transportation networks (d) erratic availability of railway rakes (for transportation of raw materials to the works and dispatch of the finished goods to end users) (e) volatility in the market due to unpredictable global developments (f) huge demand -supply gap of critical raw materials like iron ore needed for steel industry , particularly for small and medium players. Another growing area of concern for us, manufacturers, lies in the development of alternatives to TMT rebars as substitute in the construction segment. However, notwithstanding the enormity of the challenges, consumers continue and will continue to rely on TMT rebars for their unchallenged supremacy in the construction sector. Besides, given the extensive use of new age technologies in the steel industry, there will be higher degree of qualitative improvement of TMT rebars in terms of their strength, flexibility, corrosion-resistance quality and power of resistance against earthquake etc. That is where the key to TMT rebars’ market dominance lies.

While on one hand we have been demanding to the Government of India to provide us with the much-needed policy support and on the other hand we have been reinforcing our technical capabilities for delivering superior product quality, implementing robust supply chain management, adapting to regulatory changes, investing in modernization, and embracing eco-friendly practices.