Hindustan Cables
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications cables manufacturing |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | Kolkata , India |
| Products | Jelly-filled cables, fibre-optic cables, telephone wires, computing cables |
Number of employees | 3500 (approximate as of 2006) |
Hindustan Cables Limited (HCL) was a state-owned manufacturer of telecommunications cables in India, functioning under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
Foundation and growth
Established in 1952 at Rupnarayanpur, Asansol, West Bengal, with its central office located in Kolkata, HCL was created to promote self-sufficiency in the production of communication cables within India. The company expanded its manufacturing footprint by setting up additional plants in Hyderabad (Telangana), Naini, Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), while maintaining operations at its original Rupnarayanpur site. In 1984, HCL took over Machine Tool Works situated in Narendrapur, Calcutta from the Cycle Corporation of India. Its product portfolio consisted of jelly-filled cables, fibre-optic cables, telephone wires, and computing cables.
Decline
HCL remained profitable until 1994 but started experiencing financial losses from 1995 onward, leading to its referral to the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, which was unable to restore its financial health. The workforce shrank significantly from over 7,000 employees to fewer than 3,500 by 2006. In 2003, the public sector telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) discontinued placing orders. An evaluation conducted by Tata Consultancy Services suggested investing in diversification of HCL’s product offerings. During a 2006 session of the Lok Sabha, concerns were raised regarding unpaid wages to staff amid ongoing attempts at revival.
Revival
In 2002, consideration was given by the ministry to merge HCL with the Ordnance Factory Board. Between 2011 and 2013, discussions took place about transferring HCL under the Ministry of Defence. Progress toward restructuring has involved visits from IOFS officers; however, implementation awaits budgetary sanction. Employee remuneration has remained outstanding for more than eighteen months.