Smiley Monroe, a renowned UK-based leader in the production of tailor-made endless conveyor belts and precision-cut rubber and plastic components for various industries including quarrying, mining, recycling, waste management, port material handling, and road construction, has experienced significant growth in its operations in India in recent years. Chris Monroe, Chief Executive Officer, Smiley Monroe, shared optimistic insights into fruitful customer interactions and expanding business prospects in a conversation with Shrikant Rao during a recent trade show.
Give us an understanding of how the Giants of Belting have fared businesswise in recent times. How has business been in Europe in the post Covid phase? More smileys for Monroe than before?
Absolutely, it’s been a remarkable time for our company. In recent times in terms of our existing facilities we have expanded our footprint with a facility in Kentucky, USA, alongside our thriving operations in Hosur, India, and our established headquarters in the UK. Generally, it has been good in the last three years since the world opened up following Covid. The growth trajectory has been impressive across all regions. Our business has flourished, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation.
What were your expectations coming into the exhibition?
For me, trade shows have consistently proven to be an invaluable platform for seeking out new opportunities, engaging in meaningful business conversations with leaders spanning diverse industries, and cultivating relationships with esteemed brands. It’s a dynamic environment where ideas are exchanged, collaborations are formed, and visions are realized. Excon has been a great place to meet a lot of right people from various industries over a period of 4-5 days – influencers, decision makers, sourcing specialists, operation managers, folks who head design and so on – and forge business relationships. As exhibitors we have been able to meet contacts which has led to long term business partnerships.
What types of discussions have you engaged in with visitors at your booth? Could you elaborate on the nature of the inquiries you’ve received?
Apart from our traditional product offerings such as conveyor belts and various parts supplied to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), we’re proud to introduce our latest innovation: the world’s fastest belting system – and replacement belts – designed specifically for minimizing downtime and reduce costs. While this product may be relatively new to the Indian market, it is a great innovation and we’re therefore placing a stronger emphasis on its potential here. Sustainability of the material used in our belting products is something we always focus on. We’re happy to say that the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with a lot of inquiries indicating a keen interest in the solutions offered by us.
Do you discern a growing empathy in countries like India for such products?
Oh 100 per cent. People don’t want to waste time, they want their machines up and running because time is money. We want to be there to help solve those problems.
Have there been any investments or expansions lined up at your facilities here in India? What are the new areas of opportunity that Smiley Monroe would be looking to target here?
Certainly, in recent years, we’ve made significant investments in cutting edge equipment and technology to enhance our capabilities. Looking ahead, our ambition is to expand the size of our production facility in Hosur, aiming to double its current capacity within the next two to three years. To realize this goal, we have marked some land for that purpose opposite our facility to double our current production capacity. Our target is to have the expanded facility fully operational within the next 12 months. In terms of exploring new opportunities, we’re eyeing the aftermarket as a key growth sector for our business. Recycling, in particular, stands out as a major focus area, not just for us but for numerous companies worldwide. The shift towards transforming waste into valuable resources presents a significant opportunity on a global scale. We’re committed to leading the charge in this mission by developing and offering products that contribute to this transformative process.
Optimistic for your business going forward?
Oh absolutely. There is a lot for us to offer India and the world.