Mahindra EPC Irrigation Ltd - Stock Valuation and Financial Performance

EPC Industries started in the year 1986 with technical tie-up with Kulker S.A, French company of international reputation for manufacturing state of the art drip & sprinkler systems. EPC Industries, popularly known as EPC Irrigation, are pioneers of micro-irrigation in India. The company is strong and widely spread dealer’s network of more than 680 dealers and supported by 11 branch offices at strategic locations.

Business of the company:

EPC provides total solution for agriculture with a focus on micro-irrigation and inter-related requirements of fustigation and agronomic support. With the initial French Technology support EPC had developed the capability to design and develop the irrigation products of international standard, satisfying every need of Indian Farmers.

Services:

Survey: The company’s conduct surveys of individual farms to collect data on crops to be irrigated, its water and fertilizer requirements and agronomical practices to be followed.  The company is equipped with all advanced equipment for complete survey of farms. It provides water and soil analysis services and accordingly advises on fertigation.

The company is equipped with all advanced equipment for complete survey of farms. It provides provide water and soil analysis services and accordingly advise on fertigation.

Field Services: EPC offers Agronomical and related services to farmers through its highly qualified man power which are as follows:-

• Soil testing
• Water testing
• Recommendation of crop suitability basing on soil and water testing results
• Fertigation schedules as per crop needs
• Any specific need from sowing to harvesting to post harvest technology

Designing: EPC has highly qualified technical man power trained in India and abroad to man design department, who are located at various locations across the country, to help the farmers to provide them with an appropriate and the most cost effective field designs.

Installation:

• Installation and commissioning of micro-irrigation drip and sprinkler systems 
• Trained and experienced team of technicians for installation
• Installation of systems for variety of crops under various topographical conditions
• Installation of simplest to the most sophisticated system

Products:

Drip Irrigation:

Turbulent flow path ODLPC dripper: These are non-pressure compensating drippers are used for variable flow requirement by operating at different pressure range, larger / wider path enables to make ODLPC dripper clog resistant. It can be opened by un-screwing the cap for cleaning manually, as and when required.

• Discharge rates - 2, 4 and 8 lph 
• Operating pressure - 0.5 to 1.0 kg / cm2  
• Large / wider flow path enables it to be more clog resistant 
• Ease of assembly / disassembly for manual cleaning
• Suitable for flat lands or land with little slope

Kimneer dripper: EPC kimneer dripper is an 'A' class dripper manufactured from quality engineering plastic material. Unique labyrinth creates high turbulance, which makes itself cleaning and flushing dripper. They are available in different colours and flow rates of 2, 4, 8 and 16 lph.

The innovative design of dripper with quick-seal technique allows it to open and close very quickly and easily creates less friction losses in the laterals. Provision to connect spagetti or extension tube for inter-crops and fully-grown horticulture crops. 

• Clog resistant unique labyrinth design 
• Innovative design of dripper with quick-seal technique allows it to open and close very quickly and easily 
• An alternative to the present ODLPC Dripper
• Openable dripper with compact but sturdy design
• Improved and quick start, one turn threading. 
• Ease of Assembly and Disassembly
• Nominal operating pressure = 1.0 kg/cm²
• Variable discharge, Colour coded labyrinth discs for 2, 4, 8 and 16 lph
• Disassembly and re-assembly in field should not lead to discharge variation
• EPC KIMNEER is an improved version of the present ODLPC Dripper    

Screen and Disc Filters: Screen and Disc Filters of non corrosive UV-resistant plastic body are available in different flow rates ranging from 30-50 m3 / hr. Screen filter element is made up of buckle-resistant plastic cylinder embedded with stainless steel (Anti-rust steel) Screen for longer life, fine and efficient filtration up to 150 mesh (100 microns) particle size. Disc filter element consists of sharp grooved discs. which can be removed from the filter body for effective cleaning their stacked Disc structure provides three-dimensional filtration of particles up to 120 mesh (130 microns) filters are provided with quick drain valve for draining out impurities without opening it and mobile pressure gauge for quick pressure measurement. O-Rings for filter element ensure perfect pressure sealing.     

• Available in 2', 2.5' and 3' inlet / outlet sizes   
• Available in flow range of 30-50 m3 / hr 
• Degree of filtration - : 100 and 130 microns 
• Very easy to dismantle and clean   
• High filtration efficiency

Fertigation Equipments:

a) Fertilizer Tank: Fertilizer tanks are fabricated from MS with powder coating to protect it from corrosion and the weather. Separate valves are provided with flexible transparent tube on inlet and outlet to control the injection rate and drain outlet for draining out the remaining chemicals they are used for application of fertilizers and chemicals along with water through drip system. 

b) Fertilizer Injector or Ventury:     

• Non corrosive plastic construction     
• Operation by pressure differential of 0.8 bar     
• Easy to connect, operate & adjust injection rate     
• Cost effective & easy to maintain      
• Concentration of fertilizer / chemicals remains constant with respect to time       
• Suitable for small to medium sized farm 

Integrated Dripline:

EPC Intergrated drip lines are manufactured in accordance with the latest advanced technology and has got IS 13488 certification. These drip lines have been designed after taking into consideration water scarcity problem and suitability to various crops grown in different parts of India. In the integrated drip lines, drippers are permanently welded inside the tube at regular intervals at the time of manufacturing.

EPC intergrated drip lines available in 12 and 16 mm with flow rates of 2 and 4 lph and dripper spacing of 30 to 150 cm. Integrated drip lines are manufactured as per indian standards (IS 13488) by using state of the art technology to suit crops cultivated in india and in different field conditions, ideal for close-spaced and row crops. Drippers are in built and positioned inside the lateral at preset intervals at the time of manufacturing, as per the requirement. By using compatible raw material compound, drippers are permanently bonded to the lateral inner wall.

Salient Features and Advantages:    

• Available in various diameters (12 and 16 mm) flow rates (2 and 4 lph) dripper spacing of 30 to 150 cm offers flexibilty and wide choice to farmers / clients for almost any kind of application 
• Excellent distribution uniformity and manufacturing accuracy (category A) 
• Turbulent water labyrinth and wide water passage ensures clog resistant emitter 
• Uniform aplication of water along with nutrients to the crop    
• The dripers are provided with filters which restrict the particles / impurities to enter into them     
• Longer lengths with less flow variation across the field     
• Low capital investment less maintenance and longer life   
• Fast installation and reduced installation cost    
• Operating Range - 0.5- 1.0 Kg/cm2    
• Compact emitter design ensures ease of recoiling in field without kinking problem   
• Double inlet filter and double outlet holes ensures clog free, long life of emitters

Plain Laterals:  EPC Online laterals are made from 100% virgin polymers specifically formulated for the drip laterals. These lateral pipes are manufactured as per Indian / International standards. Wall thickness and test results indicate their life to be well over 10 to 15 years.

• Available India of 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 32 mm
• Designed for life more than 10 years
• Protected from ultraviolet degradation to enhance life
• Made from virgin & best quality low density & linear low density poly ethylene (LDPE & LLDPE) resins
• Colour identification for Class I & Class II laterals
• Trouble free service for perennial orchard crops as well as for short duration seasonal crops
• Available in coils of 300 & 500 m length
• Protected from UV degradation to enhance life
• Best ESCR (Environmental Stress Creating Resistance) properties to prevent premature cracking of laterals 

Spinker Irrigations: Patented QPC Sprinkler System: 1st Patented QPC (Quick Pipe Coupling) Sprinkler Systems in the country, are available in sizes 50, 63, 75, 90 and 110 mm in the pressure ratings of 2.5 to 15 kg / cm2 suitable for low, medium and high pressure system.

While using EPC QPC system for joints, it ensures leak-proof operation and facilitates speedy jointing without using tools. The unique locking system ensures trouble free operation and restricts accidental opening of coupler lock due to surge pressure during initial priming. EPC QPC systems are socket - fusion welded to withstand high pressure operation and have longer life.

Patented QPC Sprinkler System:  QPC (Quick Pipe Coupling) Sprinkler Systems are available in sizes 50, 63, 75, 90 and 110 mm in the pressure ratings of 2.5 to 15 kg / cm2 suitable for low, medium and high pressure system.  

In 2011 Mahindra & Mahindra invests into EPC Industries.

In 2012 EPC a Mahindra Group Company launched first of it's kind 'One stop Agri Products & Solutions' shop.