The wheels of industry are powered by an unsung hero - industrial gases. From steel mills to shipyards and automotive factories to recycling plants, these gases are the lifeblood of modern manufacturing. Oxygen, nitrogen, argon, acetylene, and fuel gas mixtures enable cutting, welding, and recycling processes. With the growing demand from end-use industries and the entry of multinational companies, the industrial gas market in India has witnessed a seismic shift.
As manufacturing entities continue to scale production and the demand for industrial gases skyrockets, 60-year-old The Southern Gas is at the forefront of propelling the industry to unprecedented growth.Founded in Kochi, Kerala, in 1963, The Southern Gas is one of India’s oldest manufacturers and suppliers of industrial, medical, and specialty gases and related services.
With over 200 employees and nine production facilities across Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, the company has established itself as a reliable source for all kinds of gas requirements. The Southern Gas supplies these gases in different forms, from tiny cylinders to bulk tanker supply, catering to the diverse needs of its customers across industries, including aerospace, electronics, defense manufacturing, nuclear power stations, mining, and the metal industry. Starting its journey by setting up a captive gas plant for The Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) in Udyogamandal, Kerala, The Southern Gas has grown exponentially.
Today, the company operates air separation plants and liquid filling stations at Udyogamandal (Kochi), Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Bhadravati, Harihar, and Hubballi in Karnataka, and Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.
Besides industrial gases, The Southern Gas manufactures and supplies life-saving medical oxygen and critical anesthetic nitrous oxide (IP). Manufactured at its Bangalore plant, the company supplies nitrous oxide to major hospitals in South India. “The medical gas industry faces many challenges. These challenges mandate effective stock forecasting and risk management strategies, and that is where we come in”, explains Gautam V. Pai Kakode, Chairman and Managing Director at The Southern Gas. The company also serves the niche and fast-growing specialty and mixture gas market.
Unique manufacturing processes and commitment to quality comprise the prime differentiating factors for The Southern Gas. Adhering to rules and standards under the Petroleum, Explosives, and Safety Organization (PESO), Bureau of Indian Standards, and Indian Pharmacopeia, the company performs rigorous quality checks at each production stage, from sourcing raw materials to dispatching the final product. The Southern Gas's newly acclaimed ISO:9001:2015 certified plants focus on building a skilled workforce of technicians and engineers to provide best-in-class service and produce globally acclaimed products.
Besides industrial gases, The Southern Gas manufactures & supplies life-saving medical oxygen & critical anesthetic nitrous oxide
Resource optimization, diversification, and fostering strong customer relationships characterize The Southern Gas's growth journey. And today, with a sharp focus on product innovation, technology upgrades, artificial intelligence, and specialty gases with hydrogen as a core focus, the company strives to continue progressing under Gautam V. Pai Kakode’s dynamic leadership. “We plan to aggressively expand across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra and, eventually, venture into the niche field of liquid products manufacturing and distribution”, adds Gautam. All team members, along with Gautam's son – Saineel Kakode – who manages the company’s corporate affairs, actively contribute to these expansion plans. “With units across Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, we shall continue to innovate and grow sustainably in the gas manufacturing industry. We also aim to double our business activities in the next five years to cater to the growing needs of the industry”, concludes Gautam V. Pai Kakode.
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