Caterpillar launches new production unit in Chennai

Chennai: Caterpillar India today announced the launch of the company’s new backhoe loader manufacturing facility in Thiruvallur, near Chennai. While the company did not disclose the investment details, it said the new facility, its fourth in the country, would strengthen the company’s presence in India and would augment the distribution channel for the earth-moving machine by bringing in enhanced local production capabilities.

Robert Droogleever, general manager for Caterpillar BHL Worldwide, who inaugurated the facility, said the demand for backhoe loaders has been gaining traction with the construction equipment industry growing at a rate of 15-20 per cent per annum.

“With local manufacturing and long-term commitment, we aim to provide a quality product that meets this growing demand and brings us closer to our aim of attaining a market leadership position,” he said.

Kevin Thieneman, country manager, (India, Asean & China) added India would make significant investments over the next several decades to build its infrastructure and support higher levels of urbanisation.

“This facility, our fourth manufacturing operation in India, positions us to meet industry growth and enables us to better serve our customers with the broadest range of products in the industry,” he said.

NTIPL closes its Chennai unit, shifts to new facility in Goa

PANAJI: NETZSCH Technologies India Pvt Ltd (NTIPL), a subsidiary of a German firm, has shifted its pump manufacturing facility from Chennai to Goa's Verna Industrial estate, a senior official said today.

Vivek Norman, Managing Director, NTIPL, told reporters here that the company has closed the Chennai plant, which had capacity to manufacture 300 pumps per annum and has shifted in a new facility at Goa, with a capacity to produce 1500 units per year.

NTIPL is into progressing cavity pumps, industrial rotary lobe pumps, macerators and griders. It is the subsidiary of the German based NETZSCH Group of Companies, which has a global turnover of 400 million Euros.

Norman said that the India turnover is 2.5 million Euros and it will grow by more than 30 per cent for this Financial Year (FY) due to the Goa facility.

"The key factor for success is that we should be close to the local market," he said adding that 800 units per year is the Indian sale of the company, which could be achieved with the new plant.

Norman said the company in India enjoys a market share of 25 per cent with a compounded annual growth rate of 32 per cent. The company has its sales and service offices across eight towns in India.

Global retail firms may face hurdle in 28 of 53 cities opened for FDI

NEW DELHI: With BJP, JD(U), AIADMK, BSP and Trinamool Congress strongly opposing FDI in multi-brand retail, global chains may face problems in opening stores in 28 of the 53 cities which have been thrown open to retailers like Walmart and Carrefour. The parties and alliances ruling in 11 major states have strongly opposed the decision of the Central government to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail which is dominated by small traders. According to 2011 Census, there are 28 cities in 11 states ruled by the parties opposed to the decision. These include big cities like Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Patna, Allahabad and Bhopal which have over one million population, the threshold set by Cabinet while approving FDI in retail on November 24. Excluding Punjab, BJP and NDA rule in eight states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. BJP indicated that states where the party is in power may not permit foreign stores. Besides, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has already stated that no foreign retailers would be allowed in her state. The final authority for granting the trade licence rests with the states under their respective shops and establishment Acts. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar yesterday vehemently opposed the decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in retail saying "It will ruin the retailers and lead to a point of unemployment".

BMW raises capacity at Chennai unit

MUNICH: German carmaker BMW has increased capacity at its Chennai manufacturing facility to 10,000 vehicles per annum from 6,000 vehicles as it looks to strengthen its number one position in the luxury car segment, it said on Tuesday.

"If the market continues to grow at the same pace, we could consider looking at a second production facility by 2015," said its board member Ian Robertson . The company, which so far been assembling the 3 series, 5 series, and X1 models in India, is looking at assembling the X3 model in the country by middle of the year.

Concerns over rising oil prices have prompted the company to enhance focus on its electric (i range) and hybrid range of cars for emerging countries such as India, China, and Brazil. From 2013, BMWi will offer highly sustainable electric cars and the i3 will be the first all-electric vehicle for urban centres, Mr Robertson said. "We are continuously looking at new models and cannot rule out launch of the second generation of the BMWi series in emerging markets," he said.