Krishna Sai Granites (KSG) Group of Andhra Pradesh,
South India,
began quarrying Black Galaxy granite in 1992. Today, it has become a large
producer of the material, with six quarries in the village of Chimakurthy.
Nearly 20 years ago, Krishna Sai Granites (KSG) Group was founded by Venkateswara Rao Sidda, who worked diligently to develop numerous quarries - particularly several for Black Galaxy granite. Today, the company, which is based in Andhra Pradesh, South India, has grown to include more than 10 quarries, a state-of-the-art fabrication facility and 1,400 employees.
“The firm was started in a small traditional family business profile, and gradually expanded its wings in quarrying, processing and making steps towards the execution of projects globally,” explained Bharat Sidda, Executive Director of KSG Group. “Today, KSG Group is known as the number one producer, processor and exporter of Black Galaxy granite.”
After starting KSG Group in 1992, Venkateswara Rao Sidda received extended support from Hanumantha Rao Sidda, who is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has vast experience in the granite industry. “He has rich and varied experience in the areas of capital market, finance and general management,” said Sidda. “He is well exposed to and familiar with international business. He believed raw material was the strength of the industry. After consolidating the quarrying activities, KSG went forward into processing slabs under my close surveillance. I support the various key functions related to innovations, communication and client relationship.”
In the quarries, the company utilizes an array of
equipment, including 30 excavators from Hitachi, L&T and Caterpillar; five
110 Commando drillers, three 120 Commando drillers and two Rangers - all from
Tamrock (Sandvik Mining); 25 Chicago Pneumatic compressors and 10 Atlas Capco
compressors; 25 dump trucks; four derricks; 10 cranes; and 28 trailers for
transporting blocks.
The quarries
Currently, KSG Group owns about six Black Galaxy quarries that are located in the village of Chimakurthy, which is approximately 11 miles from Ongole - a small town that sits at Chennai National Highway No. 5. The closest airport is Vijayawada, which is about 105 miles away. Among the additional granite quarries owned and operated by KSG Group are: Black Pearl in Gurijepalli (V/M), Steel Grey in Ballikurava (V/M), S.K. Blue in Dontha (V/M) Srikakulam, Miracle White in Sithampeta (V) Srikakulam and Tan Brown in Karimnagar, which will be operational in a month or two with 400 to 500 cubic meters per month.“Being one of the early promoters of Galaxy, and now being the biggest source with unparalleled excavation of granite in the region, KSG prioritized in sticking to high-end and latest technologies available, and always ensured to match the client requirements by catering to the best-quality blocks,” said Sidda. In the quarries, the company utilizes an array of equipment, including 30 excavators from Hitachi, L & T and Caterpillar; five 110 Commando drillers, three 120 Commando drillers and two Rangers - all from Tamrock (Sandvik Mining); 25 Chicago Pneumatic compressors and 10 Atlas Capco compressors; 25 dump trucks; four derricks; 10 cranes; and 28 trailers for transporting blocks.
In total, KSG produces approximately 45,000 cubic meters of rough material annually.
In total, KSG produces approximately 45,000 cubic
meters of rough material annually. The company maintains two processing plants
only 4 miles away from its Black Galaxy sites where the blocks are cut into
slabs and finished products.
The processing plants
The company maintains two processing plants only 4 miles away from its Black Galaxy sites. A total of 250 workers are employed at the stone-processing facilities.“After achieving its peak in quarrying, which was the primary focus, KSG started to widen its vision, and it started to focus on reaching the international markets to provide cut-to-size [products] and small slabs,” said Sidda.
To execute this idea, ‘Unit 1’ was established in 2004 with 12 block cutters in place to process smaller blocks. “This Unit was the first of its kind in the Ongole region - with a production capacity of 120,00 square meters (1.3 million square feet) of smaller slabs annually,” said Sidda. “It paved footsteps to cater to the overseas requirements of the Middle East, Europe and partially to the U.S.”
A total of 250 workers are employed at the
stone-cutting facilities.
For slab production, the process begins by trimming the blocks with two Bideseimpianti wire saws from Italy. “They trim the blocks so as to obtain the perfect size slabs,” said Sidda. “Only high-quality diamond wire is used in order to get regular trimming. All the block trimmings are carefully inspected by KSG’s highly experienced technicians.”
After trimming, the blocks are processed in a specialized plant housing four Gaspari Menotti Jumbo 480 series gangsaws. “They are the best slab-cutting machines in the world,” said Sidda. “They are capable of cutting slabs in thicknesses of 20, 30 and 40 mm.” With four gangsaws, KSG has the capacity to produce a total of 300,000 square meters (3.2 million square feet) of granite slabs annually, the company reports.
Blocks are processed into raw slabs on four Gaspari
Menotti Jumbo 480 series gangsaws.
For resin-treated material, KSG operates a fully automatic resin line from Simec S.p.A. of Italy, which has two large-scale driers and holds a combined 40 slabs at one time. The company uses epoxies from Tenax of Italy on the slabs. During the process, the slabs are first preheated in one of the drying units, then the resin is applied, and a second drier allows for optimal curing of the resin.
A GMM Eura automatic bridge sawing machine is also in place at the plant for cut-to-size work and other applications. “This machine enables KSG to make accurate cuts in the slabs as per the specification,” said Sidda.
“The growth percentage of the sales in the U.S., Europe and Middle East brought us to the extent of establishing one more processing plant, “Unit 3,” which will be operational in the coming year,” Sidda went on to say. “It will not only cater to the requirements for slabs, but also tiles, project execution and even cut-to-size requirements.”
A fully automatic resining line from Simec S.p.A. of Italy, which
holds up to 40 slabs at one time, is used in the production process. KSG uses
epoxies from Tenax of Italy on the slabs.
Packaging Practices
According to Sidda, KSG places a special emphasis on quality packing and effective shipping. “Crates and pallets are made of expensive and quality wood,” he said. “Wood packing materials (WPM) are as per USDA & ISO standards. The WPM is marked with an IPPC logo and ISO country code. This authorizes and authenticates the fumigation proceeds to International Standards.”
A fully automated and computerized 22-head KG-3000
Ultrex polishing machine from Breton S.p.A. of Italy also plays an important
role in the production process. “Before polishing the sides, the edges are
trimmed for perfect finishing,” explained Bharat Sidda, Executive Director of
KSG Group, who added that tooling is supplied by Nicolai Diamant and Abrasivi
Metallici.
In 2009, a total of 11.43% of KSG’s granite products was exported to the U.S., and the company’s presence in the market was bolstered by its investment in state-of-the-art production machinery. “This enhanced how to focus on the U.S. market, especially,” said Sidda.
A GMM Eura automatic bridge sawing machine is also in
place at the plant. “This machine enables KSG to make accurate cuts in the
slabs as per the specification,” said Sidda.
Additional Photos
In 2009, 11.43% of KSG’s granite products was exported
to the U.S.
