CHENNAI: Tyre maker Dunlop India, which has suspended operations at its Ambattur unit here due to labour unrest, today said it plans to restructure the facility under associate company Falcon Tyres after settlement of the dispute.
"We are looking at an early settlement of the discordant issues with workers of the Ambattur plant. It will be followed by a thorough restructuring of operations at the plant, which includes laying off some employees," Dunlop management sources said in an email to PTI.
The Kolkata-based Ruia group promoted Dunlop India assured there would be no effect on employees' motivation under the new management.
Dunlop India said if the the plant has to run profitably and operations made sustainable, the workforce would have to downsized. "The new workforce will function under a new management system under Falcon Tyres", it said.
Asked if the company had adopted a wrong strategy to handle labour issues,the company admitted that restructuring and downsizing of employees should have been completed in October 2009 itself, ahead of its plant's reopening.
The company reopened the Ambattur plant in the third week of October, 2009, after reaching a settlement with the labourers in July, 2009.
"The plant is capable of producing truck and bus tyres and when it reopened (in October 2009) the management planned an early resumption of manufacturing of these products. The workers assured us of cooperation in lowering cost of production. But the assurance remained only on paper," the company said.
Noting that operations at the Chennai plant are now being outsourced,it said they are keen on utilising the plant's full potential and not the loss caused due to the labour unrest.
The company attributed the "increasing indiscipline" of the workers forced the management to suspend all operations.
Success in my Habit
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Hero MotoCorp to make its own engines, teams up with engine developer AVL
EW DELHI: Fixing its technology deficit after separating from Japanese partner Honda, BM Munjal-owned Hero MotoCorp, India's largest two-wheeler maker by volumes, is building in-house capabilities to make its own engines by teaming up with the world's largest privately-owned engine developer, AVL of Austria.
Close on the heels of forging a "strategic partnership" with Erik Buel Racing (EBR) of the US for high-end technology, Hero MotoCorp has now roped in AVL to build its "internal capabilities" for new engine development.
"We have tied up with AVL to develop our in-house capabilities in engine technologies. A team from our R&D division is already in Austria. Our team is also working in close coordination with AVL ITC ( India Technical Centre) based in Gurgaon. The team is working on a few options across motorcycles and scooters," Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO Hero MotoCorp, told ET.
Its technology tie-up with Austria-based AVL will allow Hero MotoCorp to develop technology for its bread-and-butter 100cc bikes such as Splendor and Passion.
Looking beyond the Conventional
The tie-up will also help it take the 150cc CBZ and Hunk to the next level to meet intensified competition from rivals such as Honda and Bajaj Auto in this high-margin segment.
Also, this new in-house capability would allow Hero to develop engines independently of its estranged partner Honda Motor Company, which currently breeds its entire lineup of bikes and scooters that catapulted it to become the world's largest two-wheeler maker by sales. The erstwhile partners now compete in the 11-million-strong Indian two-wheeler market.
"We would be developing engines of all sizes to make new products and also refurbish the existing product lines," Munjal added, specifying that the arrangement with AVL would go beyond making the current portfolio of 100-230cc engines.
Close on the heels of forging a "strategic partnership" with Erik Buel Racing (EBR) of the US for high-end technology, Hero MotoCorp has now roped in AVL to build its "internal capabilities" for new engine development.
"We have tied up with AVL to develop our in-house capabilities in engine technologies. A team from our R&D division is already in Austria. Our team is also working in close coordination with AVL ITC ( India Technical Centre) based in Gurgaon. The team is working on a few options across motorcycles and scooters," Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO Hero MotoCorp, told ET.
Its technology tie-up with Austria-based AVL will allow Hero MotoCorp to develop technology for its bread-and-butter 100cc bikes such as Splendor and Passion.
Looking beyond the Conventional
The tie-up will also help it take the 150cc CBZ and Hunk to the next level to meet intensified competition from rivals such as Honda and Bajaj Auto in this high-margin segment.
Also, this new in-house capability would allow Hero to develop engines independently of its estranged partner Honda Motor Company, which currently breeds its entire lineup of bikes and scooters that catapulted it to become the world's largest two-wheeler maker by sales. The erstwhile partners now compete in the 11-million-strong Indian two-wheeler market.
"We would be developing engines of all sizes to make new products and also refurbish the existing product lines," Munjal added, specifying that the arrangement with AVL would go beyond making the current portfolio of 100-230cc engines.
Jaguar Land Rover may assemble luxury cars in India within 3-5 yrs
GENEVA: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover will consider assembling Jaguar luxury cars in India in the next 3-5 years.
"We are looking at it, but volumes in India are very small now. As we go forward, we will surely consider this," Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark told PTI.
At present the British company assembles sports utility vehicle brand Land Rover's Freelander at parent Tata Motors' Pune plant in India.
When asked for a timeline to start assembly of Jaguar cars in India, Hallmark said: "We have not planned anything right now, but in the next 3-5 years, we can imagine this happening in India."
He, however, did not share any specific details such as possible location of the assembly unit or the first model to be rolled out locally.
During 2010-11 fiscal, the total sales of both Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in India stood at 891 units compared to 242 units in the previous year.
Jaguar Land Rover is currently planning to set up an engine manufacturing facility in India in order to meet the demand in the country.
The company that is investing 355 million pounds in an engine plant in the UK, however, said the investments on the planned Indian facility could be lesser.
"We are looking at it, but volumes in India are very small now. As we go forward, we will surely consider this," Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark told PTI.
At present the British company assembles sports utility vehicle brand Land Rover's Freelander at parent Tata Motors' Pune plant in India.
When asked for a timeline to start assembly of Jaguar cars in India, Hallmark said: "We have not planned anything right now, but in the next 3-5 years, we can imagine this happening in India."
He, however, did not share any specific details such as possible location of the assembly unit or the first model to be rolled out locally.
During 2010-11 fiscal, the total sales of both Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in India stood at 891 units compared to 242 units in the previous year.
Jaguar Land Rover is currently planning to set up an engine manufacturing facility in India in order to meet the demand in the country.
The company that is investing 355 million pounds in an engine plant in the UK, however, said the investments on the planned Indian facility could be lesser.
Apollo Tyres to invest 400 mn euro on 2 plants in Europe, Brazil
GENEVA: Apollo Tyres plans to invest around 400 million euro (over Rs 2,500 crore) to set up two new facilities in East Europe and Brazil in the next 3-4 years as it aims to expand its global footprint.
The company, which currently has an European subsidiary -- Apollo Vredestein, is also keeping its options open to acquire a tyre firm in the Latin American market to commence its operations there.
"We will set up a greenfield plant in Eastern Europe and currently we are scouting for locations in 4-5 countries. The plant will be ready in the next 2-3 years," Apollo Tyres Chairman Onkar S Kanwar told PTI at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show here.
The company is looking to start the plant with passenger car radial tyres with an initial capacity of 7-10 million units per year, he added.
"We have not finalised the location and capacity yet, but any such facility will require an investment of at least 150-200 million euro," he said.
Earlier in 2008, Apollo Tyres had planned to set up a plant in Hungary with an investment of 200 million euro and having a capacity of 25,000 units a month. However the company had to abort its plans due to local political issues there.
Talking about the plan for Latin America, Kanwar said the company is studying the market to start operations there.
"We have set up a small office in Brazil and currently we are testing our tyres. We are looking to set up a plant and hope to start construction in the next two years," he said, adding it will start with commercial vehicle tyres there.
The proposed facility will have an initial capacity of 7-10 million units per year, he added.
"We are looking at various options for the Latin American market. We exploring possibilities for a joint venture or any kind of tie-up with a local player," Kanwar said.
When asked if the Indian firm will acquire a Brazilian firm or plant, he said: "We never rule out an acquisition. We are looking at all options."
Talking about the size of investment in Brazil, Kanwar said it will be in similar range of what has been planned for the East Europe facility and the company would fund the entire investment through internal accruals and debt.
Apollo Tyres has recently tied up with an European testing firm Evonik. The Indian firm tests its products at Evonik's centres for environment friendly parameters.
The Indian entity also introduced a new brand -- Aspire 4G -- for the European market at the ongoing motor show here.
Kanwar said the company is targeting a revenue of USD 6 billion in the next five years from the current about USD 2 billion.
The company, which currently has an European subsidiary -- Apollo Vredestein, is also keeping its options open to acquire a tyre firm in the Latin American market to commence its operations there.
"We will set up a greenfield plant in Eastern Europe and currently we are scouting for locations in 4-5 countries. The plant will be ready in the next 2-3 years," Apollo Tyres Chairman Onkar S Kanwar told PTI at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show here.
The company is looking to start the plant with passenger car radial tyres with an initial capacity of 7-10 million units per year, he added.
"We have not finalised the location and capacity yet, but any such facility will require an investment of at least 150-200 million euro," he said.
Earlier in 2008, Apollo Tyres had planned to set up a plant in Hungary with an investment of 200 million euro and having a capacity of 25,000 units a month. However the company had to abort its plans due to local political issues there.
Talking about the plan for Latin America, Kanwar said the company is studying the market to start operations there.
"We have set up a small office in Brazil and currently we are testing our tyres. We are looking to set up a plant and hope to start construction in the next two years," he said, adding it will start with commercial vehicle tyres there.
The proposed facility will have an initial capacity of 7-10 million units per year, he added.
"We are looking at various options for the Latin American market. We exploring possibilities for a joint venture or any kind of tie-up with a local player," Kanwar said.
When asked if the Indian firm will acquire a Brazilian firm or plant, he said: "We never rule out an acquisition. We are looking at all options."
Talking about the size of investment in Brazil, Kanwar said it will be in similar range of what has been planned for the East Europe facility and the company would fund the entire investment through internal accruals and debt.
Apollo Tyres has recently tied up with an European testing firm Evonik. The Indian firm tests its products at Evonik's centres for environment friendly parameters.
The Indian entity also introduced a new brand -- Aspire 4G -- for the European market at the ongoing motor show here.
Kanwar said the company is targeting a revenue of USD 6 billion in the next five years from the current about USD 2 billion.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Essar Oil goes big on CNG, signs agreement with Indraprastha Gas
New Delhi: Essar Oil Limited (EOL) today announced that it has inked an agreement with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to put up the latter's CNG pumping facilities at EOL outlets in the NCR (National Capital Region).
EOL has been aggressively adding multi-fuel options for its customers and has tie-ups with GSPC (Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation), MGL ( Mahanagar Gas Limited), GAIL Gas, Sabarmati Gas, Adani Gas and Gujarat Gas Corporation for selling CNG sourced from these companies at its franchisee-owned and franchise-operated outlets.
For Auto LPG, EOL has a similar tie-up with and Aegis Logistics. The Company has CNG facilities at 12 of its retail outlets in Gujarat and plans to add another 30 such facilities across its network. EOL is also increasing non-fuel retailing activities at its retail outlets to provide an additional source of revenue for its franchisees.
EOL has forged alliances with non-fuel retailers in segments, like lubricants, food & beverages, agro products, telecom and banking & finance. S Thangapandian, CEO-Marketing, EOL, said: "We are India's only private sector oil retailer and have more than 1,400 operational outlets in our countrywide network.
Over the past few years, we have been working with our franchisees to ensure they have additional revenue sources from alternative fuels as well as non-fuel retail products. I am delighted that with this agreement with IGL, which is among the country's largest CNG retailers, customers driving into our petrol stations in the NCR can now look forward to multi-fuel options."
EOL has been aggressively adding multi-fuel options for its customers and has tie-ups with GSPC (Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation), MGL ( Mahanagar Gas Limited), GAIL Gas, Sabarmati Gas, Adani Gas and Gujarat Gas Corporation for selling CNG sourced from these companies at its franchisee-owned and franchise-operated outlets.
For Auto LPG, EOL has a similar tie-up with and Aegis Logistics. The Company has CNG facilities at 12 of its retail outlets in Gujarat and plans to add another 30 such facilities across its network. EOL is also increasing non-fuel retailing activities at its retail outlets to provide an additional source of revenue for its franchisees.
EOL has forged alliances with non-fuel retailers in segments, like lubricants, food & beverages, agro products, telecom and banking & finance. S Thangapandian, CEO-Marketing, EOL, said: "We are India's only private sector oil retailer and have more than 1,400 operational outlets in our countrywide network.
Over the past few years, we have been working with our franchisees to ensure they have additional revenue sources from alternative fuels as well as non-fuel retail products. I am delighted that with this agreement with IGL, which is among the country's largest CNG retailers, customers driving into our petrol stations in the NCR can now look forward to multi-fuel options."
Assam gets $81m as first tranche of ADB loan
New Delhi: The Centre, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Assam government signed a $81 million loan agreement on Friday. This is the first tranche of $200-million financing facility for Assam's urban development programme to bring clean, piped water to residents of Guwahati and upgrade wastewater treatment and urban transport, a Finance Ministry release said.
The urban transport component includes development of a 10-km rapid transit corridor for buses in Guwahati.
Waste management
In Dibrugarh, solid waste management and drainage infrastructure will also be improved. Solid waste collection coverage will increase to more than 80 per cent of households and will include recycling.
Drainage will be improved by removing waste from waterways and by widening and rebuilding flood relief culverts, bridges and sluice gates.
The urban transport component includes development of a 10-km rapid transit corridor for buses in Guwahati.
Waste management
In Dibrugarh, solid waste management and drainage infrastructure will also be improved. Solid waste collection coverage will increase to more than 80 per cent of households and will include recycling.
Drainage will be improved by removing waste from waterways and by widening and rebuilding flood relief culverts, bridges and sluice gates.
Mercedes Benz launches city bus in India
Pune: After its entry into the long-distance inter-city bus segment, Mercedes Benz announced the launch of its city bus, targeted at the short distance intra-city travel. The 37-seater, low-entry bus is priced starting at Rs 9 million (90 lakhs) ex-factory Pune. The company had launched the intercity bus in 2008 and it sold 150 buses last year.
Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, said the company's intercity buses were accepted well in the Indian market which gave the company confidence to enter the city bus market. ""India is seeing a rapid urbanisation, which is increasing the demand for mobility.
Demand of customers is shifting towards more comfortable and attractive means of transport. We will participate in the growth of the Indian market by expanding our bus business. By 2020, India will comprise 20% of the world's market and we will be ready for that,"" he said.
City transport corporations and the upcoming public private partnership projects are the prime customers for these buses. The 7200-cc, 252-hp buses are air-conditioned with automatic transmission, air suspension and disk brakes. The company had tested the bus in seven Indian cities over the last year.
Mercedes has brought its global body-building partner MCV to India to jointly build these buses. MCV will build the bodies of the bus over Mercedes Benz chassis at the new integrated body-building facility built at Rs 50 crore, next to the Mercedes Benz plant at Chakan near Pune.
Mercedes and MCV have made joint investments in the plant but are operating independently and not through a JV. Since 1995, MCV has built over 15000 buses for Mercedes Benz. The Jalandhar-based Sutlej Motors builds the bodies of the inter-city buses of Mercedes Benz for India and that arrangement will continue.
The company has appointed Markus Villinger as the new head of Daimler Buses India, from 1 April 2012. He will be based in Pune and report to the head of Daimler Buses, Mr Schick. Most parts of the bus are sourced locally, but the company aims to increase the local composition. ""Over the next six months we expect almost the entire bus to will be manufactured locally,"" Mr Schick said.
Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, said the company's intercity buses were accepted well in the Indian market which gave the company confidence to enter the city bus market. ""India is seeing a rapid urbanisation, which is increasing the demand for mobility.
Demand of customers is shifting towards more comfortable and attractive means of transport. We will participate in the growth of the Indian market by expanding our bus business. By 2020, India will comprise 20% of the world's market and we will be ready for that,"" he said.
City transport corporations and the upcoming public private partnership projects are the prime customers for these buses. The 7200-cc, 252-hp buses are air-conditioned with automatic transmission, air suspension and disk brakes. The company had tested the bus in seven Indian cities over the last year.
Mercedes has brought its global body-building partner MCV to India to jointly build these buses. MCV will build the bodies of the bus over Mercedes Benz chassis at the new integrated body-building facility built at Rs 50 crore, next to the Mercedes Benz plant at Chakan near Pune.
Mercedes and MCV have made joint investments in the plant but are operating independently and not through a JV. Since 1995, MCV has built over 15000 buses for Mercedes Benz. The Jalandhar-based Sutlej Motors builds the bodies of the inter-city buses of Mercedes Benz for India and that arrangement will continue.
The company has appointed Markus Villinger as the new head of Daimler Buses India, from 1 April 2012. He will be based in Pune and report to the head of Daimler Buses, Mr Schick. Most parts of the bus are sourced locally, but the company aims to increase the local composition. ""Over the next six months we expect almost the entire bus to will be manufactured locally,"" Mr Schick said.
Railway revenue earnings up by 10.17 per cent during April 2011 - February 2012
New Delhi: Indian Railways have generated approximate earnings of Rs. 92,985 crore from April 2011 to February, 2012 vis-a-vis Rs. 84,402 crore during the same period last financial year, registering an increase of 10.17 per cent.
The total goods earnings have gone up from Rs. 56,394 crore during 1 st April 2010 - 28 th February 2011 to Rs. 62171 crore during 1 st April 2011 - 29 th February 2012 , showing an increase of 10.24 per cent.
The total passenger revenue earnings during the first eleven months of the financial year 2011-12 were Rs. 25,858 crore compared to Rs. 23,600 crore during the same period last fiscal, registering an increase of 9.57 per cent.
The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs. 2,580 crore during April 2011- February 2012 compared to Rs. 2,295 crore during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 12.45 per cent.
The total approximate number of passengers booked during April 2011-February 2012 was 7,587 million compared to 7,211 million during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 5.21 per cent.
In the suburban and non-suburban sectors, the number of passengers booked during April 2011-February 2012 was 4,008 million and 3,580 million compared to 3,865 million and 2,997 million during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 3.70 per cent and 6.96 per cent respectively.
The total goods earnings have gone up from Rs. 56,394 crore during 1 st April 2010 - 28 th February 2011 to Rs. 62171 crore during 1 st April 2011 - 29 th February 2012 , showing an increase of 10.24 per cent.
The total passenger revenue earnings during the first eleven months of the financial year 2011-12 were Rs. 25,858 crore compared to Rs. 23,600 crore during the same period last fiscal, registering an increase of 9.57 per cent.
The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs. 2,580 crore during April 2011- February 2012 compared to Rs. 2,295 crore during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 12.45 per cent.
The total approximate number of passengers booked during April 2011-February 2012 was 7,587 million compared to 7,211 million during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 5.21 per cent.
In the suburban and non-suburban sectors, the number of passengers booked during April 2011-February 2012 was 4,008 million and 3,580 million compared to 3,865 million and 2,997 million during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 3.70 per cent and 6.96 per cent respectively.
Amrit Jal Ventures commissions solar unit in Kadiri
Hyderabad: Amrit Jal Ventures has announces the commissioning of a 1 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant at Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
Commissioned on Wednesday, this project is part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and has been developed by SunVolt Energy Pvt Ltd.
According to a statement, the design and engineering works of the plant have been done by AIC Projects, Germany. The plant uses power conditioning units manufactured by SMA AG, Germany, and amorphous silicon thin film solar photovoltaic modules.
With this plant, Amrit Jal and SunVolt Energy mark their entry into the country's fast burgeoning solar market.
Commissioned on Wednesday, this project is part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and has been developed by SunVolt Energy Pvt Ltd.
According to a statement, the design and engineering works of the plant have been done by AIC Projects, Germany. The plant uses power conditioning units manufactured by SMA AG, Germany, and amorphous silicon thin film solar photovoltaic modules.
With this plant, Amrit Jal and SunVolt Energy mark their entry into the country's fast burgeoning solar market.
IIM Kozhikode announces a year-long empowerment programme for high potential women
Kolkata: IIM Kozhikode has announced a year-long empowerment programme for high potential women who would assume leadership roles in different sectors in the future.
As part of this initiative, IIMK in collaboration with the Malabar Gold Group is planning a series of leadership workshops targeting the best secondary/ higher secondary teachers of the country in multiple sectors. Hundred teachers will be offered scholarships to participate in this programme.
"This is IIMK's modest contribution for making the better half of India take their rightful place in the growth and progress of the country," said IIMK director Prof. Debashis Chatterjee in a statement.
The institute, on its part, has been increasingly giving emphasis to diversifying the concept of inclusive growth on a much larger and global scale. In the first PGP batch at IIMK (Class of 1999), the number of women was only 1 in a total batch strength of 42. At present, the Class of 2013 has 36% women, which is a national record for any comparable B-School. The objective behind this has been to achieve enhanced diversity including gender diversity to the student profiles.
"Women make better managers. Women in our country have learnt to be more competent in a diverse set of skills and attitudes - things that are required of managers of this country. We acknowledge skills such as networking, social intelligence, empathy and environmental sensitivity that women bring to the repertoire of management skill sets," said Prof. Chatterjee.
As part of this initiative, IIMK in collaboration with the Malabar Gold Group is planning a series of leadership workshops targeting the best secondary/ higher secondary teachers of the country in multiple sectors. Hundred teachers will be offered scholarships to participate in this programme.
"This is IIMK's modest contribution for making the better half of India take their rightful place in the growth and progress of the country," said IIMK director Prof. Debashis Chatterjee in a statement.
The institute, on its part, has been increasingly giving emphasis to diversifying the concept of inclusive growth on a much larger and global scale. In the first PGP batch at IIMK (Class of 1999), the number of women was only 1 in a total batch strength of 42. At present, the Class of 2013 has 36% women, which is a national record for any comparable B-School. The objective behind this has been to achieve enhanced diversity including gender diversity to the student profiles.
"Women make better managers. Women in our country have learnt to be more competent in a diverse set of skills and attitudes - things that are required of managers of this country. We acknowledge skills such as networking, social intelligence, empathy and environmental sensitivity that women bring to the repertoire of management skill sets," said Prof. Chatterjee.
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