There has been a consistent growth in the Indian manufacturing segment led by domestic demand as well as exports. Few companies among them lead the pack such as Cooper Corporation. The company is into the designing, manufacturing, supply and distribution of engines, generators-both gas gensets as well as DG sets, and engine components. The company has over five decades of experience as an engine manufacturer that later diversified into the manufacturing of generators. As a reputed player among the DG sets manufacturers, Cooper manufactures gensets in various capacities varying from 10 KVA generators to 250 KVA generators in both diesel and gas engine variants.

World-class engines to suit various applications

As a key engine manufacturer for several OEMs and automotive segments, Cooper has been supplying engines to several OEMs and automotive companies. The company has a technical tie up with Ricardo, UK for design assistance. As a result of this collaboration, the company has launched several gas and diesel engines in capacity varying from 5 hp to 900 hp and more. The company prides itself for having a state-of-the-art R&D facility in Satara where products are built from scratch. Designing of an engine is a long-drawn process for companies which take upto 3 years to develop and manufacture. This includes designing, tooling, proving and making the engines compatible to emissions.

Cooper has introduced a complete range of engines of varying capacity that are made to suit various applications and purposes. The mid-range of engines are available from 10hp to 250 hp, while the large engines vary between 250 hp to 1000 hp. The small engines and sub 1L multipurpose engines are available in the 428cc-860cc range that has been developed for US marine, agricultural, gensets and automotive applications.

While the basic engine remains the same for any engine manufacturer, it is the applications, purpose and packaging that differs and this has to be borne in mind while designing engines for a specific purpose or utility.

Generators that comply with regulations and certifications

Generators form an important part of the Cooper portfolio as the company manufacturers gensets in both diesel and gas variants. They are equipped with 2,3,4, or 6-cylinder engines in line, 4-valved liquid cooled and indigenously manufactured at the Cooper foundry situated in Satara. The technical collaboration with Ricardo, a UK based design firm has seen the launch of several variants of generators that are known for fuel efficiency and low maintenance levels. The CRDi technology known for rotary fuel system and silent generators incorporated in the engines and generators manufactured at Cooper has been the result of the said collaboration with Ricardo, UK.

During the recent years, Cooper Corporation has added gas gensets to the existing generators portfolio that can be used for a wide range of applications and purposes. The company recently received approval from the ARAI-the Automotive Research Association of India to build a series of gas generator sets that meet the emission standards that comply with the regulations instituted by the Central Pollution Control Board. The regulations states that the gensets manufacturers have to comply with the cleaner emission standards prescribed thereunder which includes gensets producing lower emissions as well as generating lower noise levels as well.

If engine manufacturing is the one that requires technological integration, it is the engine components segment that requires precision technology and keen-eye for detail at the Cooper facility. Any engine comprises over 700 components and almost 70% of those components are manufactured here at the Cooper facility in Satara. This ensures that the quality control is in place at every stage of manufacturing stretching upto logistics and thereafter as well. Flywheels, Cylinder liners, cylinder shafts, cylinder sleeves, pistons, are some of the key engine components manufactured by Cooper. They together comprise for over 60& of the total Cooper portfolio. Some of the key customers of Cooper for its engine components are Ford in the US, Jaguar, Kawasaki in India and Japan, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto and Cummins.