1.1 We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our website visitors; this policy sets out how we will treat your personal information.
1.2 By using our website and agreeing to this policy, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.
Collecting personal information
2.1 We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal information:
(a) information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website (including your IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, length of visit, page views and website navigation paths);
(b) information that you provide to us when registering with our website (including your email address)
(c) information that you provide when completing your profile on our website (including your name, user name, country/region, employment details, password);
(d) information that you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to our email notifications and/or newsletters (including your name and email address);
(e) information that you provide to us when using the services on our website, or that is generated in the course of the use of those services (including the timing, frequency and pattern of service use;
(f) information relating to any purchases you make of our goods / services / goods and/or services or any other transactions that you enter into through our website (including your name, address, telephone number, email address and card details;
(g) information that you post to our website for publication on the internet (including your user name, your profile pictures and the content of your posts);
(h) information contained in or relating to any communications that you send to us or send through our website (including the communication content and meta data associated with the communication);
(i) any other personal information that you choose to send to us; and
2.2 Before you disclose to us the personal information of another person, you must obtain that person's consent to both the disclosure and the processing of that personal information in accordance with the terms of this policy.
Using your personal information
3.1 Personal information submitted to us through our website will be used for the purposes specified in this policy or on the relevant pages of the website.
3.2 We may use your personal information to:
(a) administer our website and business;
(b) personalise our website for you;
(c) enable your use of the services available on our website;
(d) send you goods purchased through our website;
(e) supply to you services purchased through our website;
(f) send statements, invoices and payment reminders to you, and collect payments from you;
(g) send you non-marketing commercial communications;
(h) send you email notifications that you have specifically requested;
(i) send you our email newsletter, if you have requested it (you can inform us at any time if you no longer require the newsletter);
(j) send you marketing communications relating to our business or the businesses of carefully-selected third parties which we think may be of interest to you, by post or, where you have specifically agreed to this, by email or similar technology (you can inform us at any time if you no longer require marketing communications);
(k) provide third parties with statistical information about our users (but those third parties will not be able to identify any individual user from that information);
(l) deal with enquiries and complaints made by or about you relating to our website;
(m) keep our website secure and prevent fraud;
(n) verify compliance with the terms and conditions governing the use of our website (including monitoring private messages sent through our website private messaging service);
3.3 If you submit personal information for publication on our website, we will publish and otherwise use that information in accordance with the licence you grant to us.
3.4 Your privacy settings can be used to limit the publication of your information on our website, and can be adjusted using privacy controls on the website.
3.5 We will not, without your express consent, supply your personal information to any third party for the purpose of their or any other third party's direct marketing.
3.6 All our website financial transactions are handled through our payment services provider, Paypal. You can review the provider's privacy policy at https://www.paypal.com/gr/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full. We will share information with our payment services provider only to the extent necessary for the purposes of processing payments you make via our website, refunding such payments and dealing with complaints and queries relating to such payments and refunds.
Disclosing personal information
4.1 We may disclose your personal information to any of our employees, officers, insurers, professional advisers, agents, suppliers or subcontractors insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes set out in this policy.
4.2 We may disclose your personal information to any member of our group of companies (this means our subsidiaries, our ultimate holding company and all its subsidiaries) insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes set out in this policy.
4.3 We may disclose your personal information:
(a) to the extent that we are required to do so by law;
(b) in connection with any ongoing or prospective legal proceedings;
(c) in order to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights (including providing information to others for the purposes of fraud prevention and reducing credit risk);
(d) to the purchaser (or prospective purchaser) of any business or asset that we are (or are contemplating) selling; and
(e) to any person who we reasonably believe may apply to a court or other competent authority for disclosure of that personal information where, in our reasonable opinion, such court or authority would be reasonably likely to order disclosure of that personal information.
4.4 Except as provided in this policy, we will not provide your personal information to third parties.
International data transfers
5.1 Information that we collect may be stored and processed in and transferred between any of the countries in which we operate in order to enable us to use the information in accordance with this policy.
5.2 Information that we collect may be transferred to the following countries which do not have data protection laws equivalent to those in force in the European Economic Area: the United States of America, Russia, Japan, China and India.
5.3 Personal information that you publish on our website or submit for publication on our website may be available, via the internet, around the world. We cannot prevent the use or misuse of such information by others.
5.4 You expressly agree to the transfers of personal information described in this Section 5.
Retaining personal information
6.1 This Section 6 sets out our data retention policies and procedure, which are designed to help ensure that we comply with our legal obligations in relation to the retention and deletion of personal information.
6.2 Personal information that we process for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.
6.3 Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6, we will retain documents (including electronic documents) containing personal data:
(a) to the extent that we are required to do so by law;
(b) if we believe that the documents may be relevant to any ongoing or prospective legal proceedings; and
(c) in order to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights (including providing information to others for the purposes of fraud prevention and reducing credit risk).
Security of your personal information
7.1 We will take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information.
7.2 We will store all the personal information you provide on our secure (password- and firewall-protected) servers.
7.3 All electronic financial transactions entered into through our website will be protected by encryption technology.
7.4 You acknowledge that the transmission of information over the internet is inherently insecure, and we cannot guarantee the security of data sent over the internet.
7.5 You are responsible for keeping the password you use for accessing our website confidential; we will not ask you for your password (except when you log in to our website).
Amendments
8.1 We may update this policy from time to time by publishing a new version on our website.
8.2 You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes to this policy.
8.3 We may notify you of changes to this policy [by email or through the private messaging system on our website.
Your rights
9.1 You may instruct us to provide you with any personal information we hold about you; provision of such information will be subject to:
(a) the payment of a fee (currently fixed at GBP 10); and
(b) the supply of appropriate evidence of your identity (for this purpose, we will usually accept a photocopy of your passport certified by a solicitor or bank plus an original copy of a utility bill showing your current address).
9.2 We may withhold personal information that you request to the extent permitted by law.
9.3 You may instruct us at any time not to process your personal information for marketing purposes.
9.4 In practice, you will usually either expressly agree in advance to our use of your personal information for marketing purposes, or we will provide you with an opportunity to opt out of the use of your personal information for marketing purposes.
Third party websites
10.1 Our website includes hyperlinks to, and details of, third party websites.
10.2 We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies and practices of third parties.
Updating information
11.1 Please let us know if the personal information that we hold about you needs to be corrected or updated.
Part 2: Cookies
About cookies
1.1 A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
1.2 Cookies may be either "persistent" cookies or "session" cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
1.3 Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
1.4 Cookies can be used by web servers to identity and track users as they navigate different pages on a website and identify users returning to a website.
Our cookies
2.1 We use only both session and persistent cookies on our website.
2.2 The names of the cookies that we use on our website, and the purposes for which they are used, are set out below:
(a) we use session cookie on our website to recognise a computer when a user visits the website and track users as they navigate the website;
(b) we use secure cookie on our website to prevent fraud and improve the security of the website;
(c) Persistent cookies will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date;
Analytics cookies
3.1 We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of our website.
3.2 Our analytics service provider generates statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies.
3.3 The analytics cookies used by our website have the following names: _utma, _utmt, _utmb, _utmc, _utmv and _utmz
3.4 The information generated relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of our website.
3.5 Our analytics service provider's privacy policy is available at: http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.
Third party cookies
4.1 Our website also uses third party cookies.
Blocking cookies
5.1 Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies; for example:
(a) in Internet Explorer (version 10) you can block cookies using the cookie handling override settings available by clicking "Tools", "Internet Options", "Privacy" and then "Advanced";
(b) in Firefox (version 24) you can block all cookies by clicking "Tools", "Options", "Privacy", selecting "Use custom settings for history" from the drop-down menu, and unticking "Accept cookies from sites"; and
(c) in Chrome (version 29), you can block all cookies by accessing the "Customise and control" menu, and clicking "Settings", "Show advanced settings" and "Content settings", and then selecting "Block sites from setting any data" under the "Cookies" heading.
5.2 Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites.
5.3 If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.
Deleting cookies
6.1 You can delete cookies already stored on your computer; for example:
(a) in Internet Explorer (version 10), you must manually delete cookie files (you can find instructions for doing so at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278835);
(b) in Firefox (version 24), you can delete cookies by clicking "Tools", "Options" and "Privacy", then selecting "Use custom settings for history", clicking "Show Cookies", and then clicking "Remove All Cookies"; and
(c) in Chrome (version 29), you can delete all cookies by accessing the "Customise and control" menu, and clicking "Settings", "Show advanced settings" and "Clear browsing data", and then selecting "Delete cookies and other site and plug-in data" before clicking "Clear browsing data".
6.2 Deleting cookies will have a negative impact on the usability of many websites.
Cookie preferences
7.1 You can manage your preferences relating to the use of cookies on our website by visiting: controls below
Part 3: Our details
Data protection registration
1.1 We are registered as a data controller with the UK Information Commissioner's Office.
Our details
2.1 This website is owned and operated by Focus Reports Ltd.
2.2 We are registered in England and Wales under registration number 7676770, and our registered office is at Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LT, United Kingdom.
2.3 You can contact us by writing to the business address given above, by using our website contact form or by telephone on +441707828754.
with Pradeep Mohanty, Managing Director, Sledgehammer Oil Tools
10.12.2010 / Energyboardroom
In the last ten years Sledgehammer went through a major transformation that resulted in a more segmented structure around centralizers for the oil and gas industry. Isn’t it too risky to put all the eggs in just one basket?
It is very much true what you’re saying, but you have to understand that even though we at Sledgehammer have decided to focus on the oil and gas cementing business, we are constantly expanding our product portfolio inside this booming niche area. In its early days (the company’s origins date back to the mid 1970s) Sledgehammer was simply a centralizer manufacturer to a few industrial segments, but now we have specialized in cementing centralizers for any oil well all over the globe.
Sledgehammer is currently manufacturing 95% of the cementing equipments available for the international market in-house and soon we will have the complete cementing service package for any end-user. Our aim is to become a one-stop-shop for our clients. For instance, we are now manufacturing Centralizer Spring Bow and Solid Bodies, Cementing Plugs, Float Equipments & Cable Protectors and we are working to start producing the (Cementing Packers, Cementing Heads for both On shore and Offshore both.
We are also in negotiations with a couple of companies that are involved in cementing and hopefully Sledgehammer will soon be providing cementing services through a JV. In the same way, we already have a JV with a one public limited Malaysian Oil Services company. We started producing the same product line in Malaysia to increase our market share in South-East Asia’s fast growing markets.
Sledgehammer has presented significant growth in recent years, even when your competitors have slowed their operations considerably due to market volatilities. What was the strategy behind such growth?
Sledgehammer is the number one company in the world in terms of number of design for centralizers and the second that owns both type of manufacturing facility for Soild Body and Bow Spring Centralizer. So, We can manufacture both type of centralizers like Bow Spring centralizer and Solid body rigid centralizer in any metal. For Solid Body you require a good foundry. So we are the only company in India and in Asia who have the manufacturing facility for the two types of centralizers.
All equipments manufactured in-house are guaranteed for the higher quality and lower costs. This explains our major success in expanding Sledgehammer’s market share in the international market. We are more competitive in quality, cost & Delivery fronts.
Last but not least, most of our staff, even the management, having a good combination of Experienced and young people. They are more energetic and can respond, reply & Support to any situation or customer’s need. I believe this is a major factor behind Sledgehammer’s growth.
How much of your production is driven to the international market and what is your strategy to further penetrate the international oil and gas industry?
In the start, Sledgehammer focused on the Middle East and Asian countries due to our geographic proximity. But recently we have found that we’ve got a very interesting demand in the USA and Europe. After our first order from an American partner the word about our higher quality spread and this deal opened many other opportunities for Sledgehammer in America. Initially our Western clients were a little bit worried as they though Indian products would be looked down by the market, but the contrary happened. Actually, yesterday one of our clients from the Netherlands came to us and showed one letter of appreciation from one of their clients. As a result, they have replaced Weatherford’s products by Sledgehammer’s due to our better quality and prices.
Thanks to our Clients for our major success abroad, our exports share has increased to 97% of our production. It doesn’t mean that we are turning our back to Indian clients, we’ve always got repeated orders from them, it just means that our international penetration has outpaced the Indian market. Every day the inquiries are coming like a flood, and Sledgehammer is making sure it can attend all this growing demand by constantly investing in its manufacturing capacity.
How flexible are you to these sudden increases in demand?
Sledgehammer just acquired a land of 13000 square meters for our new upcoming manufacturing plant in India and we are going to construct a new massive manufacturing facility in the country so we can increase our production and productivity. All our forces are on expanding our operations with ever-greater productivity and competitiveness.
Most of other manufacturers focus on different lines of products, but at Sledgehammer we dedicate all of our attention to cementing products. We can assure and guarantee to our costumers the fastest delivery and unmatched quality. We also keep the raw materials in-house so every time a client needs three or twenty wells we can deliver right away.
How does Sledgehammer overcome the general perception that Indian products lack in technical quality?
In our company we have the latest technologies, Software and CNC machines for quality testing and production. Sledgehammer never compromises on quality. We are using high-quality raw material and we have the best modern machines for production. Sometimes people compromise on quality in order to save money, but here our main motto is not to earn money, for SledgeHammer money is a secondary factor. To make our business grow and be successful we have to build a brand name all over the world and not only in Asia. Quality remains the main emphasis in our area.
You mentioned the young age of your employees as a major factor for Sledgehammer dynamism. How did you manage to attract and retain the best talent inside your walls?
Sledgehammer is a family business that has been around for more than thirty-five years. Our family name is very well known in the local Indian market and our employees trust us. They know that being part of Sledgehammer means to be part of a winning team that respects.
Above all, the trust and satisfaction of our clients. Give them a faith on us and that is the recognition and rewards of our success.
In a few words, what is your main ambition for Sledgehammer in the coming years?
In the coming years our main ambition is to successfully promote Sledgehammer as an international brand that stands for cutting-edge quality and efficiency. Based on our current results, we won’t have to wait for too long.
What is your final message to the international readers of the Oil and Gas Financial Journal?
Sledgehammer’s motto is commitment towards perfection. Perfection means good quality at competitive prices and on-time delivery. Whatever we do, that is for our costumer, they are our key success factor. Our ultimate goal is to make our costumers happy. So if you’re still not familiar with our outstanding cementing product portfolio, it’s time to give us a chance to feel the diffrenece.
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