About Us
Asia’s Leading Manufacturer of full Piston Assemblies
In the year 1971, we manufactured our first engine piston. Since then, over the last 50 years, we at Menon have come a long way to become one of the leading suppliers in the country for high precision piston assemblies and engineering components.
Our innovative solutions in automotive and off-highway engine applications and precision hydraulic systems act as catalysts towards our long-term association with esteemed OEM customers across the world, who are atestament to our technological prowess that we have built over the years. Our team of 1,500 employees across seven manufacturing locations looks forward with hope and enthusiasm towards the next 50 years by building on the values laid down by our founders - values that inform and govern the way in which we are organised and conduct our manufacturing endeavours.
We are Menon, and we are 'Driven by Technology'
Our Values
Our Mission
Emerge as a technology – driven company in the engineering and precision machining segment
Our Vision
To be the first choice amongst our Customers
Our Mission
Emerge as a technology – driven company in the engineering and precision machining segment
Our Vision
To be the first choice amongst our Customers
Our Advantage
A dependable partner offering Premium Quality at affordable prices
Our Plants
Menon Pistons
Menon Pistons, set up in 1971, is one of the leading manufacturers in India for Aluminium alloy pistons, forged steel pistons and piston pins for passenger cars, heavy and light commercial vehicles and heavy duty diesel engines for power generation, earth movers, compressors, etc. Menon Pistons was the pioneer in developing the Austenitic Cast Iron Ring Carrier Piston (Alfin) 50 years ago and even today Menon is the only company in India to design & manufacture Steel Forged Pistons.
50 Years & Beyond...
As we ready ourselves for the future we look back with pride and a sense of History. On the occasion of our 50th Anniversary we celebrate & pledge to nurture the essence of our mission to design, manufacture & deliver consistent quality products with the latest technology while dealing with responsibility towards all our stakeholders…
our customers, our employees our investors and the society.
Our Founder, Mr. Ram Menon, setup an Engine Reconditioning unit (Menon Automobiles, still in function to this day) where he is intrigued by the technology of the engine piston
Land for our current Head Quarters, Menon Pistons, was bought and we started our R&D for piston technology
Menon Pistons becomes first company in the country to develop Ring-carrier (Alfin) pistons
We foray into manufacturing of Piston Ring sets with Technical collaboration with Nippon Piston Ring Company, Japan
Technical collaboration with Sakura Kogyo Co. Ltd., Japan for technological upgradation in pistons
Setting up of a dedicated plant in Sangli, Maharashtra, for manufacture of Gudgeon Pins
Menon Pistons Ltd., becomes a public limited company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange
Technical collaboration with Izumi Industries Ltd., Japan for technological upgradation of power cylinder components
Menon Pistons & Menon Piston Rings, our two flagship companies embark on journey of building our export profile, bringing in customers from 20 countries
a two-year Technical Agreement with Dong Yang Piston Co., South Korea for knowledge sharing of cutting edge technologies in piston manufacturing
Menon Pistons becomes first company in India to start manufacture of Forged Steel Pistons to cater to the Heavy Horsepower Engines segment
Menon Piston Rings sets up a Ductile Iron Foundry and machine shop, foraying into precision machined parts in exhaust management, lifting & tipping systems
Mr. Sachin Ram Menon takes over as Chairman & Managing Director
Menon Pistons expands product portfolio with manufacture of Valvetrain assemblies
Acquisition of Rapid Machining Technologies Pvt. Ltd., adding precision rollers and pins to product offerings
Acquisition of Lunar Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., and setting up of dedicated plant for high precision turned parts
1961
Our Founder, Mr. Ram Menon, setup an Engine Reconditioning unit (Menon Automobiles, still in function to this day) where he is intrigued by the technology of the engine piston
1970
Land for our current Head Quarters, Menon Pistons, was bought and we started our R&D for piston technology
1971
Menon Pistons becomes first company in the country to develop Ring-carrier (Alfin) pistons
1976
We foray into manufacturing of Piston Ring sets with Technical collaboration with Nippon Piston Ring Company, Japan
1982
1985
Setting up of a dedicated plant in Sangli, Maharashtra, for manufacture of Gudgeon Pins
2007
Menon Pistons becomes first company in India to start manufacture of Forged Steel Pistons to cater to the Heavy Horsepower Engines segment
2006
a two-year Technical Agreement with Dong Yang Piston Co., South Korea for knowledge sharing of cutting edge technologies in piston manufacturing
2004
Menon Pistons & Menon Piston Rings, our two flagship companies embark on journey of building our export profile, bringing in customers from 20 countries
1996
1996
Setting up of a dedicated plan in Toap, Kolhapur, for manufacture of Piston Ring sets
1994
Menon Pistons Ltd., becomes a public limited company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange
1994
Menon Pistons Ltd., becomes a public limited company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange
1996
1996
Setting up of a dedicated plan in Toap, Kolhapur, for manufacture of Piston Ring sets
2004
Menon Pistons & Menon Piston Rings, our two flagship companies embark on journey of building our export profile, bringing in customers from 20 countries
2006
a two-year Technical Agreement with Dong Yang Piston Co., South Korea for knowledge sharing of cutting edge technologies in piston manufacturing
2007
Menon Pistons becomes first company in India to start manufacture of Forged Steel Pistons to cater to the Heavy Horsepower Engines segment
2011
Menon Piston Rings sets up a Ductile Iron Foundry and machine shop, foraying into precision machined parts in exhaust management, lifting & tipping systems
2017
Mr. Sachin Ram Menon takes over as Chairman & Managing Director
2020
Menon Pistons expands product portfolio with manufacture of Valvetrain assemblies
2021
2022
Acquisition of Lunar Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., and setting up of dedicated plant for high precision turned parts
Our Founders
The progressive, dynamic, and empowering vision of Mr. Ram Menon, our founder, will always guide and inspire us. The culture he built around us will continue to be our most important asset. His values continue to guide every decision we make.
Piston persistence
In the year 1968, Mr. Ram Menon who owned an engine reconditioning unit called Menon Automobiles started noticing the piston as a product and was intrigued by the technology behind it. With a dream to become a manufacturer of a high-technology precision product, Mr. Menon hired a team of consultants to do a survey of the piston manufacturers in the country and to assess the potential of the business. The consultants came back with a discouraging report, saying that the barriers to entry were too high, and there were already manufacturing giants dominating the market. They advised Ram to abandon his idea and to focus on his existing business.
However, not one to be deterred, he was an intuitive leader who was driven by passion and had immense faith in himself. He knew that if he could create a product that was truly exceptional, he could carve out a niche for himself in the market. With this in mind, Ram bought a piece of land and began his own research and development. Despite facing scepticism he continued to pursue his dream.
His success is a testament to his unwavering determination, his willingness to take risks, and his belief in himself. His story serves as an inspiration to all those who have a dream and are willing to work tirelessly to make it a reality.
Belief in the Integrity of People
Ram Menon trusted and empowered people with an open mind. He inspired people to take on the toughest engineering challenges. His belief in the innate integrity of people around him was a key trait of Mr. Ram Menon’s management philosophy. A team builder, who by himself setting an example of high standards of integrity & corporate governance, always led by example.
Ram Menon had an uncanny ability to get the right man for the right job. He built an amazing team of engineers by picking and grooming many generations of leaders in the group, many of whom serve group companies at Leadership positions even today. The way he built his teams, the way he motivated and rewarded performance to build a meritocracy informs HR policies and culture to this day.
With a firm belief in training as an engine for skill development & growth, Mr. Ram Menon has been instrumental in building the careers & livelihood of many engineers, skilled & semi-skilled workers. Providing direct employment & livelihood to 4500 people & to thousands of others indirectly, & as one of the highest taxpayers in the region, the Menon Group is a significant contributor to the economic development of the region.
List of Leadership Positions &
Recognitions
A rigorous champion of industry issues, Mr. Menon has helped the industry & business community in the region articulate its interest & development at various forums
INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIONS
Chairman – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Maharashtra
Chairman – Indian Diesel Engine Manufacturers Association (IDEMA)
Member – Engineering Export Promotional Council (EEPC), Mumbai
Chairman – Shiroli Manufacturers Association, Kolhapur (SMAK)
Chairman – Kolhapur Engineering Association (KEA)
Promoter & Director – Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries
Chairman – Kolhapur Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd.
Brothers in Technology
Mr. Ram Menon deeply looked up to his older brother, Mr. Chandran Menon. They had the vision to know that sustainable business can come only from high technology & critical products. They wanted technology to be the key differentiator that enables to build & grow a business despite the vagaries of cyclical trends & cut throat competition. This belief is reflected in the various technological collaborations initiated with global players and the products they chose to get into. Mr. Chandran Menon, a visionary technocrat, forayed into the manufacturing of critical auto components like cylinder heads & blocks and Mr. Ram Menon into pistons & rings. With the same philosophy, he further expanded into manufacturing bimetal engine bearings & into critical aluminium pressure die cast components.
Menon & Menon (Mr. Vijay Menon), Menon Bearings and Menon Alkop (Mr. Nitin Menon) are part of the extended group of industries associated with our honourable founders.
Piston persistence
In the year 1968, Mr. Ram Menon who owned an engine reconditioning unit called Menon Automobiles started noticing the piston as a product and was intrigued by the technology behind it. With a dream to become a manufacturer of a high-technology precision product, Mr. Menon hired a team of consultants to do a survey of the piston manufacturers in the country and to assess the potential of the business. The consultants came back with a discouraging report, saying that the barriers to entry were too high, and there were already manufacturing giants dominating the market. They advised Ram to abandon his idea and to focus on his existing business.
However, not one to be deterred, he was an intuitive leader who was driven by passion and had immense faith in himself. He knew that if he could create a product that was truly exceptional, he could carve out a niche for himself in the market. With this in mind, Ram bought a piece of land and began his own research and development. Despite facing scepticism he continued to pursue his dream.
His success is a testament to his unwavering determination, his willingness to take risks, and his belief in himself. His story serves as an inspiration to all those who have a dream and are willing to work tirelessly to make it a reality.
Belief in the Integrity of People
Ram Menon trusted and empowered people with an open mind. He inspired people to take on the toughest engineering challenges. His belief in the innate integrity of people around him was a key trait of Mr. Ram Menon’s management philosophy. A team builder, who by himself setting an example of high standards of integrity & corporate governance, always led by example.
Ram Menon had an uncanny ability to get the right man for the right job. He built an amazing team of engineers by picking and grooming many generations of leaders in the group, many of whom serve group companies at Leadership positions even today. The way he built his teams, the way he motivated and rewarded performance to build a meritocracy informs HR policies and culture to this day.
With a firm belief in training as an engine for skill development & growth, Mr. Ram Menon has been instrumental in building the careers & livelihood of many engineers, skilled & semi-skilled workers. Providing direct employment & livelihood to 4500 people & to thousands of others indirectly, & as one of the highest taxpayers in the region, the Menon Group is a significant contributor to the economic development of the region.
List of Leadership Positions & Recognitions
A rigorous champion of industry issues, Mr. Menon has helped the industry & business community in the region articulate its interest & development at various forums
INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTIONS
Chairman – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Maharashtra
Chairman – Indian Diesel Engine Manufacturers Association (IDEMA)
Member – Engineering Export Promotional Council (EEPC), Mumbai
Chairman – Shiroli Manufacturers Association, Kolhapur (SMAK)
Chairman – Kolhapur Engineering Association (KEA)
Promoter & Director – Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries
Chairman – Kolhapur Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd.
Trustee – District Probation & After care Association (Anathashram), Kolhapur
President – Rotary Samaj Seva Kendra, Kolhapur
Vice President – National Association for the Blind (NAB)
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Founder Director & Chairman for many years – Kolhapur Institute of Technology College of Engineering (KITCoEK) & Management Education & Research Institute
Chairman – Governing Council of Private Education Society, Kolhapur
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Karveer Bhushan Puraskar by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation
Special Citation Award by the Indian Institute of Foundrymen (IIF)
FIE Foundation Award in the field of the Engineering Industry
Brothers in Technology
Mr. Ram Menon deeply looked up to his older brother, Mr. Chandran Menon. They had the vision to know that sustainable business can come only from high technology & critical products. They wanted technology to be the key differentiator that enables to build & grow a business despite the vagaries of cyclical trends & cut throat competition. This belief is reflected in the various technological collaborations initiated with global players and the products they chose to get into. Mr. Chandran Menon, a visionary technocrat, forayed into the manufacturing of critical auto components like cylinder heads & blocks and Mr. Ram Menon into pistons & rings. With the same philosophy, he further expanded into manufacturing bimetal engine bearings & into critical aluminium pressure die cast components.
Menon & Menon (Mr. Vijay Menon), Menon Bearings and Menon Alkop (Mr. Nitin Menon) are part of the extended group of industries associated with our honourable founders.
