Braithwaite's Hall of Fame: Awards & Achievements Won Through the Decades, Won Through Togetherness

Established as a subsidiary of a British company in pre-independent India, Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. has forged ahead to create a new identity post its nationalization. The company, headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, has made up the leeway to substantiate its credentials as one of the leading engineering organizations in India, scripting a story of resilience and grit. Over the illustrious years of its existence, the company has been a crucial constituent and valuable contributor to the Indian Railways. From manufacturing customized and conventional railway wagons and freight cars to being acknowledged as a wagon prototype hub by the government of India, Braithwaite has expanded its services into diverse verticals to serve the nation through its unparalleled engineering excellence.

Bestowed with multiple honorary awards and achievements for its excellent contribution to the Railway Department of the nation, Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. is one of the core pillars supporting the vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat. Having generated a handsome revenue of 764 crores in FY22, the company's recent achievement was conferment with Miniratna-I status in 2022. At present, the reputed Public Sector Undertaking is eyeing to upgrade its status to Schedule A by the end of 2025.

The company was established in erstwhile Bengal as a subsidiary of Braithwaite & Co. Engineers Limited (U.K.) to execute the fabrication of structural steel works. However, they call it a tryst with destiny, but Braithwaite reinvested itself and got nationalized in 1976. Since then, there has been no looking back for the wagon manufacturing mogul. In 1986, it embarked upon a new journey as a Government Undertaking and expanded its work in diverse verticals. From manufacturing railway rolling stocks, cranes and material handling, and structural steel works for the homeland to expanding its services globally, Braithwaite has unlocked new achievements every passing decade.

During 2018-19, wagon manufacturing accounted for 98% of Braithwaite's turnover. It is one of the major suppliers of Petrol Tank Wagons to oil sector companies like HPCL, BPCL, IOCL, and more.

The company was awarded Rail Analysis Innovation & Excellence Summit 2020 award for its unprecedented role in the manufacturing and supply of Wagons to Indian Railways. Every year, the country hosts PSU awards to honor the public Sector Undertakings which have contributed to the nation's progress with outstanding engineering solutions. Encashing its core competencies, Braithwaite wonmultiple laurelsin the 7th PSU Awards in the Strategic Performance (Financial) category. Mr. Yatish Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, has played a crucial role in establishing Braithwaite as one of the Indian pioneers of engineering excellence. The dynamic leader was honored with the 'CMD Leadership Award' at the Governance Now 8th PSU awards in July 2021 to recognize his contribution to sailing Braithwaite's ship to distant shores.

The visionary's swagger and working excellence were convincing enough to acquire the 11th PSE Excellence Award by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in February 2022 as CMD of the year in the Miniratna Category (Runner-up). A first for Indian Railways, Braithwaite bagged the Engineering Excellence Award in 2013 for its distinction in the manufacturing of BTFLN Wagons.

Resembling its national image, the international reputation of Braithwaite is the result of its sheer grit, determination, and hard work.

Such is the expertise of this globally acknowledged organization that governments from various countries applauded and bestowed Braithwaite with honorary accolades. For instance, the KoreanRailroad Authorities awarded Silver Medal for the company's opportune and successful completion of wagon orders. In addition, it was granted a Certificate of Excellence from the Institute of Economic Studies (India), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Recognized as a Wagon Prototype Hub by the Government of India, the prestigious organization headed by Mr. Yatish Kumar is recognized for its excellent services in the manufacturing and delivery of 8-Wheeler Bogie Tank wagons to countries such as Zambia, Ghana, Yugoslavia, Tanzania, and more. Considering its achievements in excellent export works, the company received the Govt. of India Award for excellence in Exports and received Trophy and Certificates from Engineering Export & Promotion Council (EEPC).

Braithwaite's vision to continuously reinvent its strategies with changing infrastructural scenarios and transportation demands has enabled it to develop new-generation wagons. In association with Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), the company manufactures new-gen wagons, such as BTFLN, Milk Tank Vans, BOXNS, BRN 22.9, BOBSNS (25T), BCFC M, BBC M, and EUR for Indian Railways, and BCDS for Defense system.

For many years, the company's prime focus was manufacturing wagons. However, it has ventured into various verticals and diversified its product and services basket. From entering into the car loading and unloading facility and vessel/shipbuilding business to constructing energy-efficient buildings and setting up a state-of-the-art welding institute, the company has come a long way. And there's no stopping, either! The engineering mogul aims to forge ahead with its plans to contribute to the economic and infrastructural growth of the nation and shape up a new AatmaNirbhar India.