EKKI today operates four production centres and has built an asset base of over USD 100 million in infrastructure. Its pumps and water technology systems are sold in more than 20 countries, supported by international collaborations and strong distribution partnerships.
Flourishing from a Tier-2 city
From its beginnings as a textile hub in the early 1990’s, Coimbatore evolved into an electric pump hub in the mid-1950s. The city soon became synonymous with sturdy and reliable machinery that were born out of local ingenuity and went on to earn global recognition. This has fostered an ecosystem rich in talent, supply chain and cost advantages. “Being in Coimbatore gives the company both cost and innovation benefits,” Kanishka explains as these advantages allow the company to integrate R&D with manufacturing while staying agile. Achieving global quality standards through Indian efficiency has shaped EKKI’s distinctive model of frugal innovation.
Collaboration as a Catalyst for Growth
An important milestone in EKKI’s journey has been its joint venture with Germany’s HOMA, a global leader in sewage pump technology. HOMA offers advanced technology and a global brand while EKKI brings in cost-effective manufacturing and market agility. This partnership reflects EKKI’s alliance-first mindset. It is their belief that growth comes not just from internal R&D, but from strategic collaboration. “For us, collaboration is at the heart of innovation and scale. It’s not 1+1=2; it’s 1+1=11,” Kanishka puts it poetically.
EKKI embraces what it calls ‘co-opetition.’ It is a strategic and disciplined way of collaborating with competitors in complementary domains while staying true to its core identity. This approach enables EKKI to scale through collaboration without ever losing its essence.
Expanding Horizons
EKKI’s backbone is the state-of-the-art production centres, advanced R&D hub (KKV Labs), and the KOOT Advanced Components facility. Along with this, they have earmarked space for future expansion. Over the next five years, the company aims to double its scale in terms of revenue, international footprint and increasing exports to contribute over 30 per cent of total turnover. At the heart of its strategy lies a clear focus on EKKI strengthening its domestic leadership in open-well sump submersibles while growing in sewage pumps and system solutions, high-value product segments, strategic partnerships and sustainable expansion. Globally, the company aims to emerge as a top-10 Indian-origin water technology exporter. “Our goal is not just to grow bigger; we want to grow better by focusing on high-value segments, partnerships, and sustainable expansion,” says Kanishka.
Leadership for the Long Term
As a next-generation leader, Kanishka is focusing on globalising EKKI’s mindset while keeping its value system intact. Through initiatives like the EKKI Academy, the company is nurturing future-ready leadership while championing sustainability, diversity and technical excellence. Guided by a 10-year investment philosophy, EKKI builds for the long term, whether in infrastructure, innovation, or people. Its hyper factory embodies this vision, blending manufacturing excellence with continuous learning and an inclusive culture.