Asahi Ropes Targets High-Potential Export Markets, Plans Capacity Expansion Up to 12,000 MT

Asahi Ropes has been a key player in the Indian steel wire rope industry for almost four decades, enhancing its operational efficiency through automation, digitalization, and lean manufacturing practices. In an exclusive interview with Wire & Cable India, Mr. Mukesh Gupta, Director, Asahi Ropes Private Limited, shared that the company plans to scale up its annual production to 12,000 metric tonnes in the next three years. Additionally, the company is actively tapping into high-potential export markets across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, leveraging the global trend toward diversified sourcing to drive its international growth.

Wire & Cable India: Can you give us an overview of the company, highlighting its journey and major milestones?

Mikesh Gupta: Asahi Ropes has been a prominent name in the Indian steel wire rope industry for almost four decades. Founded with a vision to deliver superior-quality wire rope solutions across diverse sectors, our journey has been marked by consistent growth, technological advancement, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Over the years, we have expanded our product offerings, scaled up our manufacturing capabilities, and built a strong distribution and service network across India and globally. Today, Asahi Ropes is a trusted name for its critical applications across infrastructure, construction, mining, quarries, railways, cranes, elevators, ports, safety and various engineering sectors.

Our journey is marked by several key milestones such as the commissioning of three advanced manufacturing units; installation of imported, high-speed stranding and closing machinery; and the achievement of ISI marking, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and CE marking.

We have established a robust pan-India distribution network along with a growing export presence in Europe, the USA, South America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Our track record includes successful execution of projects across diverse sectors such as national highways, metro rail, bullet trains, port trusts, steel plants, hydro power plants, and other major public and private enterprises. Backed by continuous investment in R&D and innovation, we consistently deliver high-performance, customized wire rope solutions tailored for specialized applications.

With a legacy built on performance, precision, and partnerships, Asahi Ropes continues to contribute to India’s industrial growth while expanding its footprint in the global markets.

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WCI: Please tell us about your infrastructure set up and manufacturing capacities.

MG: Our three manufacturing units, spread across a total area of over 1,00,000 sq. ft., are equipped with modern machineries, rigorous testing facilities, and streamlined quality control processes.

We manufacture a wide range of steel wire ropes, catering to both standard and customized requirements across various industries. Our annual production capacity stands at approximately 7,000 metric tonnes.

The infrastructure includes advanced imported stranding and closing machines, along with fully equipped in-house laboratory facilities to ensure compliance with BIS and other international standards and specifications.

Our newest manufacturing facility features state-of-the-art, highly efficient technology, enabling us to produce high-performance ropes with exceptional consistency and precision. With a large installed capacity, scalable operations, and ambitious plans for future expansion, Asahi Ropes is strongly positioned to meet the rising demands of both domestic and international markets.

WCI: Kindly describe your product portfolio, giving a brief about its application areas and industries catered?

MG: Asahi Ropes offers a comprehensive and diverse range of steel wire rope solutions designed to meet the demanding needs of various sectors.

Our product portfolio includes general engineering wire ropes, cranes & hoist ropes, elevator ropes, piling ropes, quarry & mining ropes, shipping & marine ropes, lifeline & safety ropes, rotation-resistant ropes, compacted strand ropes, special-purpose ropes, and stainless steel wire ropes in 304, 304L, 316, and 316L grades. We also manufacture wire rope strands, including structural strands, stay wires, and earth wires, and wire rope slings, including mechanically spliced, hand-spliced, and socketed slings.

Our wire ropes serve a wide range of industries and critical applications, including cranes & hoists, construction & infrastructure, elevators, piling & foundation work, mining & quarrying, power transmission & distribution, ports & shipping, lifting & rigging operations, safety & lifeline systems, oil & gas, dams and hydroelectric projects, renewable energy, logging & forestry, material handling, winches, zip lines and general engineering applications.

We also work closely with OEMs and government institutions, offering customized and project-specific solutions that meet stringent technical and safety requirements.

WCI: What are the recent developments and innovations happening at your company?

MG: At Asahi Ropes, innovation, operational efficiency, and product diversification are key pillars of our growth. Alongside expanding our annual production capacity from 7,000 metric tonnes to 8,000 metric tonnes, with a roadmap to reach 12,000 metric tonnes within the next three years, we are also extensively focused on increasing production efficiency at all levels through automation, digitalization, and lean practices.

Our recent advancements include enhancements in product performance through improved raw material quality, and advanced stranding and closing techniques. Our process automation and engineering upgrades enable higher consistency, reduced downtime, and better throughput. We are also implementing digital monitoring and traceability systems, allowing real-time insights for production planning, quality control, and inventory management, and upgrading our packaging and logistics systems, thereby minimizing handling losses and improving overall customer satisfaction.

The recent infrastructure and equipment upgrades include installation of a new 200 metric tonnes tensile testing machine, boosting our in-house testing capability and enabling more precise quality validation. Additionally, we have added a state-of-the-art 1000 metric tonnes swaging machine to our sling shop, significantly enhancing the quality, strength, and reliability of our wire rope slings.

We are also actively investing in new product development to widen our offerings and meet the evolving needs of modern industries. Our current development areas include expanding our range of compacted ropes into general engineering applications, introduction of swagged ropes for improved strength and stability, launching PVC and PU coated ropes for enhanced protection and aesthetic appeal and developing plastic impregnated and cushioned core ropes.

Our R&D efforts remain focused on improving fatigue life, abrasion resistance, and application-specific performance. Through these innovations, Asahi Ropes aims to deliver technically advanced, application-ready solutions for a wide spectrum of industries in India and across the globe.

WCI: Can you tell us about some of the recent projects that you have undertaken in the steel wire segment?

MG: Asahi Ropes has been a key contributor to several landmark infrastructure and engineering projects across India, delivering customized wire rope solutions tailored to meet demanding technical and delivery requirements.
Some of our recent major projects include supplying specialized ropes for large infrastructure and solar energy projects, hydroelectric power plants, port crane and shipyard crane manufacturers, various metro rail contractors, and lift and elevator manufacturers.

We are especially proud to share that our ropes played a role in the construction of the world’s highest railway bridge—the iconic Chenab Bridge. This project is a testament to the strength, reliability, and engineering precision of our products.

Other notable projects include the Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train project, multiple metro rail systems including Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, Chennai Metro, Kolkata Metro, and Bangalore Metro, and tunneling equipment and defense-related material handling systems.

These high-specification projects demanded precision engineering, strict adherence to quality standards, and on-time delivery—all of which were successfully achieved by our team. They underscore Asahi Ropes’ capability to deliver technically advanced and mission-critical solutions across sectors like transportation, defense, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

WCI: Which accolades and certifications has Asahi Ropes earned for its steel wire segment, and how do these recognitions reflect on the company’s position and industry reputation?

MG: Asahi Ropes holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, and our products conform to IS 2266:2024 and other relevant BIS standards. We also hold CE marking for our entire product range, validating our compliance with essential health, safety, and environmental protection requirements as per European standards.

Our unwavering focus on quality has been consistently recognized by leading organizations across industries. We have earned the trust and approval of several prominent public sector undertakings (PSUs), EPC companies, and global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These recognitions not only reinforce our commitment to excellence but also significantly strengthen our credibility and positioning in both domestic and international markets.

WCI: What are the current trends shaping the wire and cable industry in India, especially the steel wire sector?

MG: The Indian steel wire industry is undergoing rapid modernization, driven by the growing demand for high-performance ropes, stringent safety norms, and greater automation in industrial processes. There is a clear shift towards value-added products and technically advanced solutions tailored to specific applications.

Key growth sectors such as infrastructure development, renewable energy, highway and rail networks, ports, and urban expansion projects are fueling the demand for stronger, more durable, and safer wire rope solutions.There is an increasing industry-wide emphasis on safety and compliance with domestic and international standards, lifecycle value and total cost of ownership, sustainability and traceability, and technology upgrades to enhance efficiency and performance.

These trends are pushing manufacturers to invest in R&D, adopt advanced manufacturing processes, and develop innovative, application-specific wire rope solutions that meet the evolving expectations of both domestic and global markets.

WCI: What are the challenges faced by the Indian steel wire rope industry? How do you see the industry overcoming these challenges?

MG: The Indian steel wire rope industry faces several structural and external challenges. Key among them are raw material price volatility, intense competition from unorganised players, and limited awareness among end-users regarding quality standards and the importance of certified products.

On the global front, the export market has seen a slowdown, primarily due to the ongoing global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and an overall dip in infrastructure investments in several regions. Additionally, a drop in capital exchange rate (a strong U.S. dollar against the Indian rupee) has added cost pressures, making exports less competitive in certain markets.

Apart from this, a major concern for the Indian steel wire industry is aggressive price competition from Chinese manufacturers, especially in international markets. However, on the domestic front, the mandatory implementation of BIS marking by the Indian government has had a positive impact. Imports from China have started declining, and we are seeing a growing preference for certified, ‘Made-in-India’ products, with new enquiries coming in regularly as customers look for reliable alternatives.

Looking ahead, we believe that the increased enforcement of quality standards, rising awareness about product performance, and continued policy support from the government will help the Indian industry transition towards a more organized and quality-driven landscape.

Furthermore, the ongoing shift in global supply chains—driven by the ‘China +1’ strategy being adopted by many countries—presents a significant opportunity for Indian manufacturers.

With the right focus on strategic partnerships, customer education, product innovation, and investment in technology, the industry is well-positioned to overcome current headwinds and emerge stronger, especially in global markets.

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WCI: What are your future growth plans aimed at strengthening your market position in the steel wire segment?

MG: Our growth strategy is anchored in capacity expansion, product diversification, and the introduction of specialized rope solutions to meet evolving industry needs. We aim to strengthen our domestic market presence through deeper dealer engagement, enhanced logistics capabilities, and faster service delivery.

On the international front, we are actively exploring and expanding into high-potential export markets across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, capitalizing on the global shift towards diversified sourcing.Continued investments in automation, R&D, and talent development remain central to our long-term vision. These efforts will enable us to innovate, improve operational efficiency, and cater to both standard and highly customized applications.

Our ultimate goal is to establish Asahi Ropes as a globally recognized leader in specialty wire rope solutions, known for quality, reliability, and innovation.

WCI: How do you see the Budget for FY2025-26 impacting the steel wire industry, and what opportunities do you think it offers for the sector? How is the government supporting the growth of this sector?

MG: We are optimistic about the outlook for Budget 2025–26, especially with increased government allocations towards infrastructure, defense, logistics, and public utilities—all of which are directly linked to wire rope demand.
The government’s continued support for domestic manufacturing, development of logistics corridors, and initiatives such as ‘Make-in-India’, PLI schemes, and smart infrastructure investments are creating a conducive ecosystem for growth.

We also look forward to policy measures that promote quality standardization, provide financial incentives, and enhance the ease of doing business. A key expectation from the industry is the effective on-ground enforcement of BIS standards, which will help curb substandard imports and level the playing field for organized, compliant manufacturers like us.