An observer of the history of the Indian ShreeMalani company might quickly be tempted to believe in a fairy tale: fast and continuous growth in a hotly contested market segment, an extensive expansion of production capacity and a more than 4,000 per cent rise in annual production performance – and all of this was achieved within a single decade. But the story is very real, and its main elements lie in the idea for a consistently quality-based production approach and in the purchase of Hennecke systems technology. In other words, it involves two ingredients which go together well anyway. Our first contact with ShreeMalani took place in May 2001. The proprietor-managed enterprise was in search of professional polyurethane processing technology that would enable it to process around 100 tonnes of foam p.a. in the manufacture of the coir mattresses which are so widespread in India. ShreeMalani was contacting us on recommendation at the time, and they were not disappointed. Not long afterwards, an order was placed for a discontinuous BLOCFOAMAT plant which enabled the company to raise its annual foam production to 800 tonnes. From the beginning, ShreeMalani had been attaching special importance to high foam quality. This commitment has been, and still is, the key to success in the local market and remains the cornerstone of ShreeMalani's continuous growth.

It was the latter which, in October 2007, prompted the company to expand its production capacity further by investing in a continuous-type Hennecke slabstock line. Given our trusting cooperation, the further increase in quality standards and the company's clear principles regarding market positioning of its high-grade foam products, ShreeMalani opted for a MULTIFLEX solution. This system's combination of high-pressure metering and liquid laydown provides MULTIFLEX users with a unique technology which minimizes pinholing while also scoring high in terms of raw materials efficiency. On the October 2008 inauguration date, the responsible Hennecke sales manager was able to plant a Persian silk tree at ShreeMalani's site. This ancient tradition is also an excellent allegory of the business relationship linking Hennecke and ShreeMalani, symbolizing, as it does, continuous growth on both sides. In reference to a proverbial phrase, one might conclude that "they that sow trust, can reap growth". And indeed, the tree has grown to a stately height by now and is already giving shade. Today, ShreeMalani produces over 4,000 tonnes of high-quality slabstock foam p.a. and hopes to be able to boost its overall output to as much as 10,000 tonnes within the next three years.