Mumbai, June 20

Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej group announced that Godrej Aerospace has developed and delivered 1,000 Proportional Solenoid Valves (PSV), a critical component for making ventilators, for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).                                                           

The valves regulate the flow of oxygen based on the patient’s requirement in each breathing cycle.

Following the success of production of the valves, Godrej Aerospace will now ramp up production of different types of PSVs to meet the increase incurrent and future demands. This also makes it perfectly aligned with the “Make in India” drive.  As companies look to re-engineer supply chains in the aftermath of Covid-19, Godrej Aerospace is drawing up plans to dominate international markets in the field of medical devices.

Fuelled the Covid-19 pandemic, Godrej Aerospace undertook the challenge to produce indigenous PSVs for the first time. Teams from DRDO, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Bharat Electronics (BEL) collaborated with engineers at Godrej Aerospace. Despite severe supply-side and logistics constraints, they took just 10 days to start production by setting up a DRDO designed test-rig for prototypes.

In a digital ceremony, Chief Guest Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Government of India, Chairman, DRDO and Director General, ADA, said, “We’re pleased to have partnered with Godrej Aerospace in the development and production of the first 1,000 ventilator valves in a very short time as these components are critical in saving lives in this tragic pandemic.”

Calling Godrej a reliable partner, Reddy called them “to further ramp up production to serve beyond just our nation in such times and will support them as needed.”

Anil G Verma, Executive Director and President, Godrej & Boyce, said, “Making the nation self-reliant has been a part of the DNA of Godrej since 1897 when we began manufacturing locks and soaps. The hard work and meticulous planning of our teams at Godrej Aerospace has paid off and despite the lockdown in Mumbai, we were able to deliver 1,000 of these critical valves in a short time-span.”

“This success would not have been possible without constant guidance and encouragement from the DRDO, BEL, ADA teams as well as the collaboration of 22 supply chain partners,” he added.  

Surendra M Vaidya, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Godrej Aerospace added, “Based on DRDO design, the Proportional Solenoid Valves were developed and manufactured in 10 days. 1,000 valves have been shipped and we aim to further deliver 2,000 by the end of June.”

“My heartfelt thanks to DRDO, ADA and BEL for their constant faith in us and India’s self-reliance in manufacturing of such critical components,” Vaidya added.