Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Mumbai, Hi-Tech Radiators is a global leader in the transformer radiator and tank industry. With five manufacturing units, the company serves 200+ business partners across 55+ countries. In this exclusive interaction, we have Kartik Daftari, MD & CEO, Hi-Tech Radiators Pvt Ltd, explaining the criticality of radiators and tanks in determining the efficiency of a transformer. The transformer industry today is enveloped by a sense of optimism and Hi-tech Radiators is aligning itself to the industry’s expectations and growth plans.
Let us start by understanding the criticality of a radiator in the functioning of a transformer. Does the radiator, in any way, affect the efficiency of a transformer?
A radiator plays a critical role in ensuring that a transformer operates reliably and efficiently. During operation, transformers generate heat due to core losses and winding losses. If this heat is not dissipated effectively, it can accelerate insulation ageing, reduce transformer life and increase the risk of failure. An optimally designed radiator ensures stable operating temperatures, allows the transformer to run closer to its rated capacity and enhances overall reliability, availability and asset life.
Does Hi-Tech Radiators cater to the requirement of all types of transformers that need cooling?
There are different types of transformers used in the electrical grid such as distribution, transmission, generation and some special-purpose transformers such as earthing transformers. For transformers with a smaller kVA rating, the heat dissipation requirements are smaller. However, there is an option to increase this heat dissipation by using corrugated tanks manufactured by Hi-Tech. In transformers that are smaller and are designed with corrugated fin walls, there is no requirement of radiators. Beyond this category, all kinds of transformers require dedicated radiators. At Hi-Tech, we manufacture the entire range of radiators from distribution to power and generation including offshore installations.
What is the indicative manufacturing capacity of Hi-Tech Radiators? We understand that Hi-Tech Radiators was in the midst of a capacity expansion plan. What is itscurrent status?
Hi-Tech has an annual installed manufacturing capacity of 35,000 MT for radiators and 7,200 MT for tanks supported by multiple specialised facilities in Maharashtra, forming the backbone of our production for domestic and global clients.
We are actively investing in capacity and capability enhancements across our radiator and tank business to better serve evolving market demand. This includes adding new manufacturing lines and optimising existing plant configurations to improve throughput and flexibility.
Which leading transformer OEMs are part of your regular clientele for transformer tanks and radiators? Do you also cater to the exports market?
We serve all leading transformer OEMs, both local and international, as part of our regular clientele for transformer tanks and radiators. Our customer base includes major domestic transformer manufacturers as well as global OEMs across the power and electrical equipment industry. This presence spans key utility and industrial transformer producers who rely on high-quality fabricated components and cooling solutions for their products.
In addition to our strong domestic base, we actively cater to the exports market and support international transformer manufacturers and global EPC supply chains with radiator and tank solutions that meet export-ready quality and international standards. Our export offerings are aligned with the requirements of global transformer OEMs and international project specifications.
As we understand, in a typical medium/high-voltage power transformer the transformer tank and radiator are the only “visible” parts, perhaps with the exception of bushings. Given this, transformer tanks and radiators would be prone to corrosion when installed in hostile environmental conditions. What special care needs to be taken in such cases?
Yes, transformer tanks and radiators are among the most exposed components of a transformer, making them susceptible to corrosion, especially in coastal, industrial, or offshore environments.
Hi-Tech addresses this by offering special care through material selection, surface preparation and advanced coating options. This includes multi-layer painting systems, corrosion-resistant primers and coatings designed for specific environmental conditions.
Design considerations such as proper drainage, weld quality and sealing further enhance long-term durability and performance.
This is precisely why Hi-Tech has invested in its own captive galvanizing facility, operating two furnaces to deliver world-class hot-dip galvanized products.
What challenges does Hi-Tech Radiators typically face on the supply chain front? For instance, is there any import dependency with respect to raw material for transformer tanks and radiators?
India is a steel manufacturing country, meaning most of Hi-Tech’s raw material is procured locally. Sometimes some specialized steels are not easily available in the market for larger tanks which poses a challenge. However, with a lot of new investments by steel companies in their manufacturing range, we are optimistic that it will make it easier to procure raw material in a year or two.
We appreciate that Hi-Tech Radiators has supplied to over 50 countries globally. Are there newer geographies that you would like to explore?
While we already have a presence in markets across the globe, Africa is a geography where our current exports are relatively limited. Given the region’s growing focus on electrification, grid expansion and renewable integration, we are optimistic that Africa will emerge as a strong growth market over the next 5-7 years and we are actively preparing to deepen our presence there.
Most transformer OEMs are upbeat on prospects of high demand and have initiated capacity expansion plans. Given this, how do you see the years ahead for Hi-Tech Radiators?
There is a strong sense of optimism across the transformer industry today. Most leading OEMs in India and globally, are anticipating very high demand over the next several years and are undertaking significant capex to expand their manufacturing capacities. From our understanding, global transformer capex could be in the range of nearly $15 billion. This is not a short-term surge but part of a broader structural growth cycle driven by grid expansion, renewable integration and infrastructure upgrades worldwide.
Given this backdrop, the years ahead look very promising for Hi-Tech Radiators. As our customers expand, we aim to stay aligned with their expectations and growth plans. That means investing proactively in our own capacities, strengthening processes and ensuring we maintain our market leadership position. If transformer manufacturers are scaling up aggressively, our focus is to scale up in tandem both in terms of production capabilities and our ability to deliver consistent quality and reliability.
At the same time, we are continuously exploring new geographies. In our tank division, logistics is always a key consideration because we are exporting a very heavy product which makes freight a significant cost component. Transportation economics can therefore impact competitiveness. However, with global freight costs now at more reasonable levels, we see improved opportunities internationally and are deploying innovative solutions to serve our customers more efficiently across markets.