excerpts from the interview
1. Name of the company. Who was the founder of the organization and when did it start?
Name of the company: Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited.
Founder:- Laxmanrao Kirloskar.
Started in year 1946
2. Where did it start? Why did you choose this place to start this organization?
KOEL’s Kagal Plant was started in year 2008 in Kolhapur District of Maharashtra. This place was strategically chosen considering the vicinity of major raw material suppliers, connectivity (via Road, Railway, Sea & Air), availability of skilled labour, etc.
3. What is your main product? And what are your additional products produced in your organization?
The products are Diesel Engines, Generating sets, Farm mechanisation equipment and pump sets.
4. What measures do you take to implement eco-friendly policy and to attract more customers?
- ISO 14001 Environment Management System
- Platinum Rated CII Green Co Certification (Green Company Rating from CII)
- Platinum Rated IGBC Green building Certification
- Carbon Neutral Certification
- Publishing Corporate Sustainability report
- Promote Energy Conservation, Water conservation, Environment protection initiatives by celebrating various events in factory e.g., Encon day, Environment day, etc.
- Participate in national level competitions for Energy management, Water management, Environment management, etc.
- Promote green packaging and green sourcing.
5. What is the ecological policy of the company? Why has the company adopted this policy?
There is no separate Ecological Policy of Company. Environment protection is covered under combined QEHS policy below. Company has adopted this policy as it ensures protection of Environment including ecology, ensures compliances of Environment legislations and continual improvement in effectiveness of Environment management.
KOEL’s QEHS Policy,
“We, at Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) are engaged in manufacturing of I.C. Engines, Generating Sets, Pumpsets and Agricultural Farm Equipment. We strongly believe that it is the duty of everyone working in KOEL to implement this policy in their area of activities.
We are committed to:
We will communicate this policy to all employees & contractors and make it available to public & interested stakeholders on request
Delight customers through Quality Products & Services complying with all applicable requirements and cost effective research, technology development, manufacturing and sales
Continually improve the effectiveness of Integrated Management System
Ensure all applicable EHS legislations are complied to protect environment & health
Prevent pollution, injuries & ill health due to our activities, products and services
Collaborate with employees and all stakeholders for protecting Environment, Health & Safety
Conserve & minimize use of natural resources used for our activities, products and services
Promote recycling of raw materials and use of renewable energy wherever possible
Minimize use of hazardous material, chemicals & generation of hazardous waste”
6. What hygiene do you follow while making your products and what extra care have you taken during pandemic of COVID-19?
Following measures and extra care is being taken while making products during pandemic of Covid-19
- Mandatory usage of face masks. Specially designed facemasks are distributed to employees
- Internal and external Sanitisation of Company buses.
- Sanitisation of all vehicles entering the company premises
- Regular sanitisation of office areas and shop floor areas
- Daily Check-up of body temperature of all persons entering the factory
- Daily online employee entry passes after declaration of no symptoms related to Covid-19.
- Social distancing in work area as well as in dining area.
- Regular awareness trainings/sessions for Covid-19 prevention to employees.
- Virtual meetings through online digital platform
- Employee medical check-ups.
- Distribution of ayurvedic kadha to all employees, as per guidelines from Ayush Ministry.