Viraj Profiles Ltd., is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of Stainless Steel long products in the world. With turnover of USD 1.5 Billion, the company is exporting its stainless steel products to more than 1300 customers based across 90 countries spread over 6 continents. The company is headed by Mr Neeraj Kochhar who has built the largest stainless steel long products manufacturing company in India within a short span of around 2 decades. Post his success in the business of Logistics, Mr Kochhar forayed into the arena of stainless steel in 1992. With his vision "To be counted amongst the most respected and preferred enterprises globally", Viraj Profiles commenced operations with a small induction furnace, manufacturing utensil grade steel for domestic markets, in the industrial township of Tarapur. Fundamental in ensuring the continuous growth of the organization, Mr Neeraj Kochhar transformed the company into one of the largest stainless steel manufacturers with a capacity of 528,000 tons per annum producing stainless steel wires, wire rod, flanges, fasteners, bright bars and profiles.
Today Viraj is the third largest stainless steel long product producer in the world (As per SMR 2018 report https://www.smr.at/61.html). Viraj’s stainless steel products see application in automobile industries, food processing industries, boilers, pressure vessels, shipbuilding, oil pipelines, petrochemical facilities, construction projects and surgical instruments – among many other means of utilization. Viraj also functions as one of the world’s largest stainless steel flange manufacturers.
As the company that has seen great growth in the last more than two decades, Viraj Profiles believes that society is one of their key stakeholders and believes in doing business in a way that provides social, economic and environmental benefits to the communities and geographies in which they operate. At Viraj, CSR is not just one of the functions rather it is something which is driven by the top management of the company directly. This particular department is also very close to the heart of Mr and Mrs Kochhar.
Viraj recently undertook the complete revamping exercise of two local Government schools in Boisar. The schools were in complete dilapidated condition and lacked basic facilities like drinking water, toilets for students, crumbling walls, broken furniture etc. Viraj CSR team took it upon themselves to give these schools a complete makeover and make leaning a beautiful experience for the students. They planned to do this work during the summer vacation so that when the kids come back after holidays they see their school in a new avatar. The team not only repaired the building and coloured the walls rather they also made the wall interactive by making wall paintings and drawings suitable for the school students. In addition to this, the company also provides furniture, stationery and uniform to the students as part of its CSR activity on regular basis to all the government school in the nearby areas.
Last month, the company had organized a free health check-up camp for the residents of the villages in the vicinity. The health camp was a huge success as it witnessed visit of more than 280 people across all age groups. The company had also invited one of the leading gynaecologists on Mumbai especially for this camp and around 60 females were given free consultation and medicines. Talking about the health camp, Mrs Renu Kochhar, Managing Director, Viraj Profiles Ltd and Head of CSR shared, “The females in the rural India still shy away from approaching a doctor due to financial constraints as well as social stigma and that is a bitter fact which we cannot deny. We felt that there was a huge gap and I personally felt compelled to do something about this. After lot of brainstorming with my team, we decided to rope in a senior gynaecologist who could visit the health camp in these villages in the remote part and treat them with compassion. Fortunately, we met a senior gynaecologist who agreed to help us out. That is how we set the ball rolling. The health camp was a major success and looking at the positive response from the people, we are soon planning to hold another camp post the monsoon season.”
The company had also got an eye specialist as part of this camp since eye problems are quite prevalent in that region. Viraj CSR team also organized distribution of spectacles to all those who were prescribed so by the Ophthalmologist during the camp.
Mrs Kochhar further elaborates “We have recently begun an initiative to increase adult literacy and create technical advancement in rural areas by proposing a polytechnic college. We have also worked for the empowerment of women in rural areas by offering them free vocational training and support so that they may become financially independent and self-sufficient. Our CSR training centre has been able to bring a remarkable change into the lives of more than 400 women in last three years by providing them free training and also helping them in securing a job. Next month we are going to start our 11th batch of free vocational training.”
The company has also established a free computer training centre near one of its plants to impart free computer education to the students from nearby villages who were otherwise unable to afford the coaching institutes. Apart from these activities, the company regularly provides infrastructural support to parks, government hospitals, temples etc in the nearby area. To improve the health of people in nearby villages, we are also planning to establish a world class medical facility at Tarapur.
The company recently also donated 1000 raincoats to Mumbai Traffic Police, acknowledging their service to the Maharashtra capital. The raincoats were presented to help protect the traffic police against the heavy downpour and help them perform their duties with ease. Speaking on this occasion, Mr Neeraj Kochhar shared, “As a responsible corporate citizen, it is our small token of appreciation to Mumbai Traffic Police who in order to make our lives easier have to face the torrential rain which normally last for 3-4 months in Maharashtra.”
“They work tirelessly day and night round the clock to ensure road safety and to make sure that the city and its traffic keep moving. On behalf of Mumbai City, I would like to thank Shri Madhukar Pandey, Joint Commissioner, Mumbai Traffic Police and his entire staff for the crucial function they perform and salute their spirit for being the savior of the city.”
Mr Kochhar further added that Viraj Profiles is also donating around 100 raincoats to the Mumbai Police team in Boisar since that is where the heart of Viraj lies. He added, “Viraj has had tremendous support over the years from the local community. Therefore Viraj in return aims to show its appreciation for the same.” Mr Kochhar concluded by saying “Watch this space we are about to do more for our community that serves us”.
About Viraj Profiles Ltd.
Viraj Profiles Ltd., is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of Stainless Steel long products in the world. With turnover of USD 1.5 Billion, the company is exporting its stainless steel products (Wire Rods, Wires, Welding Wires, Flanges, Fasteners, Bright Bars and Profiles) to more than 1300 customers based across 90 countries spread over 6 continents. With melting capacity of 528,000 tons per annum, the company produces more than 50,000 SKUs in various grades, shapes and sizes. Viraj’s stainless steel products see application in automobile industries, food processing industries, boilers, pressure vessels, shipbuilding, oil pipelines, petrochemical facilities, construction projects and surgical instruments – among many other means of utilisation. Viraj also functions as one of the world’s largest stainless steel flange manufacturers.
