It is the largest integrated wood-processing complex in the country as well as in southern Asia. .

It was established in 1945 and it started manufacture of sawn timberland plywood. The founder of Western India Plywood was Mr.A.K Kunhiman Haji. the fourth biggest plywood in Asia. . The factory is situated in Kannur district Kerala state. WIP collects timber and firewood through import from Malaysia, Africa, Burma, Russia etc., and local purchase. WIP exports 80% of total production to Germany, USA, Canada, Italy, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Middle

 During the year 2009-10,the company achieved a turnover of rs.90.20 Crores and a profit before tax of rs.7.27 crores. The companys exports have come down from rs.17.79 crores to Rs. 12.45 crores.

WIPS LIST OF FIRSTS IN THE COUNTRY

First to make irradiated wood First to make aircraft plywood First to make synthetic resin adhesive bonded plywood using hot pressing techniques. First to make high pressure industrial laminates First to make quality hardboard way back in 1959-60. First to manufacture Di Ally phthalate moulding powder. First to manufacture GI-Plywood-GI sandwich panel for anechoic chamber First to make pre-finished Plywoods and hardboards using UV curved surface finishing techniques First to get ISO9000 certification for hardboard and prefinished boards.

The company has earned special appreciation from leading industries in the automotive sector, Footwear sector, ISRO, BARC, Indian Railway etc.

STRENGTHS Superior quality of the products caters to a variety of market segments like railways, defence,automobile,civil aviation, electrical and transport. Clients are loyal towards them and intend to buy the products from WIP no matter which ever companies enter the market in the same industry Manufacture products as per national/international standard a make them available to customer as per requirement Company has a well established R&D unit approved by the central government

WEAKNESS The company has been passing through acute problems of sourcing good raw material and escalation in its prices periodically. The main raw material for the company viz. Timber is being imported and the company has no control over the price prevailing in the overseas market. The Levis charged by the government, increase in price of petroleum products etc.contribute increase in cost of production. The increased cost could not be fully absorbed in their market price and therefore shrinkage in the margin in some of their products. Globalisation also contributed in lowering the margins.

OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

Less competitors in the field. The raw material for the plywood factory is softwood and for hardboard plant is waste wood. The availability of timber is subject to government control and policies and continues to be a scarce raw material. Therefore company has to depend on importing timber to meet its production requirements.

PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS FACED BY THE COMPANY

The company is facing timber shortage i.e. which is the

raw material for all the products manufactured by the company. The downturn of the economy has caused a fall in demand from high mass buyers around the world. The management of the company do not make costly advertisements in media domestic and abroad. Sales promotion techniques are lacking. Besides labour problems, the management of the company should also see whether the employees get maximum job satisfaction. To make aware of yet another buyer, participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions are not followed by the company.