Gurusamy Sokkalingam Gounder: A True Motivator Focused On Quality Service And Scientific Approach In Solving The Problems
The wind turbine operations and maintenance market are predicted to gain market growth in the five years. Data bridge market research suggests that that the market is increasing with a CAGR of 11.30% in the forecast period of 2021 to 2028 and is estimated to reach USD 21.99 billion by 2028. i-Fox is a pioneer organization that consists of various renewable energy services with its flagship as wind turbine operations and maintenance. It was in the year 2007 by Guru @ Gurusamy Sokkalingam Gounder, who is driving the company to become the most successful renewable energy service provider delivering high quality comprehensive services at a competitive price.Engaging with a team of CEO Insights for an exclusive interaction with Mr. Guru shares the story of his journey as the CEO of the prestigious i-Fox Windtechnik.
Give us a brief detail about your educational background and professional background. What strategic guidance and direction is given to the board to ensure that the company achieves its vision and mission?
I have completed my degree in commerce and served for 12 years at State Electricity Board. The work in TNEB was mostly related to wind energy and thus gained a fair idea of the wind Industry.With this background, we started a wind O&M company in the name of Indo Danish Wind Technologies as a partnership firm in the year 2007. Later the firm transformed into a Private Limited Company. My association with leaders in the wind energy sector and constant updating helped me in my journey as an entrepreneur. For all practical purposes, I am wedded to this wind energy sector since 1995 in one way or the other.
The team is updated constantly about the changes in the business environment and it is being tuned to meet the demands of the time. This process makes the task easier and the team is empowered to make appropriate decisions as demanded by the situation and this will save time and energy for the team to achieve the company's vision and mission. My role is mostly restricted
to mentoring and let the teamwork.
How does your experience help you out to chalk out business operations for the company? What has been the biggest challenge during the initial days of the professional journey?
With experience improves quality, our primary goal is to ensure quality in every aspect of our operation. Further, every member of staff is updated with the latest developments in the industry and the synergy of quality of work and updation of knowledge will bring the desired result. Experience also gives a fair idea of how the industry is expected to perform in the near term and the preparedness to face such uncertainties.
The biggest challenge was to source necessary spares most of them had to be imported. We managed those tough situations with the help of overseas contacts who contributed in a big way.
Every project is tough and exciting respective of its scenarios. We managed those situations with sheer grit and enthusiasm. Every project that we under took, we learned that there is no end to the learning process. Each project is significant and unique.
What are various services provided by i-Fox Windtechnik? What is your flagship service? What are the short term, long term goals of your organization?
Our primary or flagship activity is the operation and maintenance of wind turbines and allied technical works. Our goal is to reach 1000 MW of O&M capacity by 2025 and towards achieving this goal we are taking a host of steps like further strengthening our inventory management, creating a talent pool across all verticals, more investment in technology and automation.
How has Covid-19 impacted the Renew-able Energy industry? What are the major hurdles witnessed by i-Fox Windtechnik due to the pandemic and how did you manage to overcome them?
As an essential service provider, even in the pandemic situation, we
How does your experience help you out to chalk out business operations for the company? What has been the biggest challenge during the initial days of the professional journey?
With experience improves quality, our primary goal is to ensure quality in every aspect of our operation. Further, every member of staff is updated with the latest developments in the industry and the synergy of quality of work and updation of knowledge will bring the desired result. Experience also gives a fair idea of how the industry is expected to perform in the near term and the preparedness to face such uncertainties.
We were the first Independent Service Provider to secure the Operations and Maintenance Contract of Vestas to make V 82 Type 1650 KW wind turbine directly from the end-user other than the Original Equipment Manufacturer
The biggest challenge was to source necessary spares most of them had to be imported. We managed those tough situations with the help of overseas contacts who contributed in a big way.
Every project is tough and exciting respective of its scenarios. We managed those situations with sheer grit and enthusiasm. Every project that we under took, we learned that there is no end to the learning process. Each project is significant and unique.
What are various services provided by i-Fox Windtechnik? What is your flagship service? What are the short term, long term goals of your organization?
Our primary or flagship activity is the operation and maintenance of wind turbines and allied technical works. Our goal is to reach 1000 MW of O&M capacity by 2025 and towards achieving this goal we are taking a host of steps like further strengthening our inventory management, creating a talent pool across all verticals, more investment in technology and automation.
How has Covid-19 impacted the Renew-able Energy industry? What are the major hurdles witnessed by i-Fox Windtechnik due to the pandemic and how did you manage to overcome them?
As an essential service provider, even in the pandemic situation, we
had to ensure continuous generation of electricity from our wind turbines. We faced tough operational difficulties and despite taking all covid precautions around 10% of our workforce contacted Covid19. Despite the poor realization of our receivables and reduced workforce we could manage our operations with increased efficiency and managed finances with our internal accruals. Our major concern was to ensure customer satisfaction and uninterrupted energy generation through our wind turbines.
How do you update yourself with the latest technologies and trends in the renewable industry? what is the future roadmap at i-Fox?
I have mentors who are specialists in various aspects of the renewable industry. I get updated through various forums addressed by experts, reading magazines, social media platforms and attending events related to the renewable industry. The growth over the period is decent, but not as I would have wished due to various industry related issues and government policy paralysis. Yet we see a good number of opportunities in the changed environment and we are ready with a roadmap to achieve 1000 MW capacity addition by 2025.
Tell us the major facets & achievements of your professional journey that you would like us to highlight in the article.
We were the first Independent Service Provider to secure the Operations and Maintenance Contract of Vestas to make V 82 Type 1650 KW wind turbine directly from the end user other than the Original Equipment Manufacturer. This happened in April 2017. We were the first ISP in India to secure Operations and Maintenance Contract of NEG Micon make NM 48 type 750 KW wind turbine directly from the end user other than OEM.
The first and only ISP to erect the Chinese wind turbine SINOVEL make SL 1500/82 type 1500 KW WTG for the first time on Indian soil in 2009. We achieved various component replacement work in a very short period with OEM standards in Suzlon. We de erected a single blade in Vestas V 82 /1650 KW wind turbine successfully without crane support. Most important we replaced 9 Blade Pitch Bearings of GE 1700 KW wind turbine in Andhra Pradesh without the support of Crane.
Gurusamy Sokkalingam Gounder, CEO, i-Fox Windtechnik
Gurusamy, known as Guru is renowned for his motivation and leadership for organization development in a competitive business. With world class skills in management and a good listener, Gurusamy focuses in strategy development and implementation.
How do you update yourself with the latest technologies and trends in the renewable industry? what is the future roadmap at i-Fox?
I have mentors who are specialists in various aspects of the renewable industry. I get updated through various forums addressed by experts, reading magazines, social media platforms and attending events related to the renewable industry. The growth over the period is decent, but not as I would have wished due to various industry related issues and government policy paralysis. Yet we see a good number of opportunities in the changed environment and we are ready with a roadmap to achieve 1000 MW capacity addition by 2025.
Tell us the major facets & achievements of your professional journey that you would like us to highlight in the article.
We were the first Independent Service Provider to secure the Operations and Maintenance Contract of Vestas to make V 82 Type 1650 KW wind turbine directly from the end user other than the Original Equipment Manufacturer. This happened in April 2017. We were the first ISP in India to secure Operations and Maintenance Contract of NEG Micon make NM 48 type 750 KW wind turbine directly from the end user other than OEM.
The first and only ISP to erect the Chinese wind turbine SINOVEL make SL 1500/82 type 1500 KW WTG for the first time on Indian soil in 2009. We achieved various component replacement work in a very short period with OEM standards in Suzlon. We de erected a single blade in Vestas V 82 /1650 KW wind turbine successfully without crane support. Most important we replaced 9 Blade Pitch Bearings of GE 1700 KW wind turbine in Andhra Pradesh without the support of Crane.
Gurusamy Sokkalingam Gounder, CEO, i-Fox Windtechnik
Gurusamy, known as Guru is renowned for his motivation and leadership for organization development in a competitive business. With world class skills in management and a good listener, Gurusamy focuses in strategy development and implementation.